CHAPTER XXXII
EDWARD VI AND BROODY MARY
Edward VI and Broody Mary were the two small Tudors who came in between the two big ones, Henry VIII and Elizabeth. Edward VI was only a boy and consequently was not allowed to have his reign properly, but while he was sitting on the throne everyone in the land was forced to become Protestant, so that Broody Mary would be able to put them to death afterwards for not being Roman Catholics. A good many people protested against this treatment and thus it was proved that they were Protestants, but most of the people decanted and were all right. Broody Mary’s reign was, however, a Bad Thing, since England is bound to be C. of E., so all the executions were wasted.
CRAMBER AND FATIMER
It was about this time that a memorable Dumb Crammer and one of Henry VIII’s wives called Fatimer, who had survived him, got burnt alive at Oxford, while trying to light a candle in the Martyr’s memorial there: it was a new candle which they had invented and which they said could never be put out.
Her Heart
Shortly after this the cruel Queen died and a post-mortem examination revealed the word “CALLOUS” engraved on her heart.