Page:The Queens of England.djvu/217

KATHERINE OF VALOIS. 183 formed a unique illumination. Such was the solemn magnifi- cence of the obsequies with which Katherine lamented her lord. She raised also to his memory a tomb of surpassing grandeur. At his interment, "and in regard to everything concerning it," says Monstrelet, "greater pomp and expense was made than had been done for two hundred years at the burial of any king of England; and even now as much honor and reverence are daily paid to his tomb, as if it were certain he was a saint in paradise. Thus ended the life of King Henry in the flower of his age, for when he died he was but forty years old. He was very wise and able in every business he undertook, and of a determined character. During the seven or eight years he ruled in France he made greater con- quests than any of his predecessors had ever done. It is true he was so feared by his princes and captains that none dared to disobey his orders, however, nearly related to him, more espe- cially his English subjects. In this state of obedience were his subjects of France and of England; and the principal cause was, that if any person transgressed his ordinances he had been instantly punished without favor or mercy." The unfortunate Charles terminated his career within less than two months after the decease of his son-in-law. This event occasioned the Parisians to send an embassy to the infant Henry and to Katherine, to entreat that they would order that a sufficient force should proceed to France to oppose the daily advances of the new king, late dauphin of Vienne. Though the person to thwarted was her brother, the proposition was joyfully received by Katherine, and the envoys were faithfully promised speedy and effectual succor. For about three years Katherine appeared in public, on the opening of parliament, and such occasions, with the infant king in her carriage, or seated in her lap, in great state, and much to the delight of the people. The Earl of Warwick was appointed guardian of the infant king, and, soon after, Katherine disappeared from public life, and that so completely, that for thirteen years there are no state documents which record her actions. The fact is, that she had married Owen .Tudor, a Welshman, who, though claiming a princely origin, had been occupying no higher sta- tion than a common soldier in the Welsh band which fought under Henry, her late husband, in France. Tradition ascribed his advancement to the degree of Esquire, to his bravery at