London: Ward and Downey, 1885. - 315 p.
On the 22nd of August, 1485, King Richard III. fell at the battle of Bosworth Field. Three months later Oaxton gave to the world his magnum opus, the Golden Legend. The royal line of Plantagenet came to an untimely end; the Printing Press was fairly launched upon its beneficent
mission. Two such events distinctly mark a new point of departure in the annals of our country, and suggest contrasts between the England of to-day and that of four hundred years ago, upon which it may be instructive to dwell.
Upon the battle-field on which the last of a dynasty of soldiers fell, the first of a dynasty of statesmen was crowned. The reign of brute force which had stifled the intellectual life of England ended with the Plantagenets. The printingpress heralded the dawn following that night of England's darkness which I propose to investigate. It was a period stained, with many crimes, but also adoed with many virtues. It demands to be studied calmly, dispassionately, patiently; and so approaclied it will yield instruction and interest, whilst, perchance, some rays of the light of truth, concentrated upon its darkest spots.
On the 22nd of August, 1485, King Richard III. fell at the battle of Bosworth Field. Three months later Oaxton gave to the world his magnum opus, the Golden Legend. The royal line of Plantagenet came to an untimely end; the Printing Press was fairly launched upon its beneficent
mission. Two such events distinctly mark a new point of departure in the annals of our country, and suggest contrasts between the England of to-day and that of four hundred years ago, upon which it may be instructive to dwell.
Upon the battle-field on which the last of a dynasty of soldiers fell, the first of a dynasty of statesmen was crowned. The reign of brute force which had stifled the intellectual life of England ended with the Plantagenets. The printingpress heralded the dawn following that night of England's darkness which I propose to investigate. It was a period stained, with many crimes, but also adoed with many virtues. It demands to be studied calmly, dispassionately, patiently; and so approaclied it will yield instruction and interest, whilst, perchance, some rays of the light of truth, concentrated upon its darkest spots.