The popular history of England; an illustrated history of society and government from the earliest period to our own times . no bigger than a mans hand, togive sign of the coming storm. It is only when we have evidence of the realcontempt which the higher order of minds, even amongst churchmen, felt forthe impostures which contributed so mainly to the riches of the monasticshrines, that we discover how doubtful was that tenure of popularity whichrested more upon vain delusions than upon the real benefit which thepeople derived from the teachings of religion. Henry VII. went in pilgri- • 4 Henr
The popular history of England; an illustrated history of society and government from the earliest period to our own times . no bigger than a mans hand, togive sign of the coming storm. It is only when we have evidence of the realcontempt which the higher order of minds, even amongst churchmen, felt forthe impostures which contributed so mainly to the riches of the monasticshrines, that we discover how doubtful was that tenure of popularity whichrested more upon vain delusions than upon the real benefit which thepeople derived from the teachings of religion. Henry VII. went in pilgri- • 4 Henry YII. c. 13. f The Sanctuary at Westminster, of -nliich we Lave made repeated mention, Tas pulled do^-nin tlie reign of George I. J Page 34. 1509. MONASTIC ESTABLISHMENTS. 215 mage to Walsingham m 1487, and « visited our Ladys Church, famous formiracles. We have seen how other great persons went this pilgrimagein the times of Edward IV., and how zealous they were for Our LadysHouse of Walsingham. * But amongst the visitors of this shrine at thebeginning of the sixteenth century was one who has recorded what he saw. J^f Walsinghara Abbey. with a aly gravity, which shows how the wonders had come to be regarded bythe tlioughtful and the learned. Hundreds of pilgrims might still travelmany a weary mile, believing that God had set the galaxy in the heavens tobe their guide by night, that they might find * Unto the town of Walsingham,?Which is the right and ready way. t But there were others who went there to smile st the eztent of human * See aide, p. 11.—48. + Percys Reliiues, vol. ii. p. 79. 246 MONASTIC ESTABLISHMENTS. [1509. credulity. When Erasmus had journeyed to Walsingliam he saw strange sightswhich he has described in his Colloquies. A guide attends him, like themodern cathedral-verger. The joint of a mans finger is exhibited to us,the largest of three. I kiss it; and I then ask, Whose rehcs were these ?He says, St. Peters. The Apostle ? He said. Yes. Then, o
Size: 1267px × 1973px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookpublisherlondon, bookyear185
