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for searching only. 254 SMALL LATINE AND LESSE GREEKE
Greek likewise, though when the government was changed and Somerset replaced by the Duke of Northumberland, who was a soldier at heart and by profession, he changed the King's studies accordingly, and had him taught to ride and handle his weapons, and to go through other similar exercises, so that his Majesty soon commenced arming and tilting, managing horses, and delighting in every sort of exercise, drawing the bow, playing rackets, hunting, and so forth, indefatigably, though he never neglected his studies.
By these means the Duke obtained great favour with him, and to gain him more completely not only caused entertainments to be made for his diversion, but supplied him freely with money, appointing a Lord Privy Purse (un tesoriero suo proprio), recommending him to make presents, and show that he was King; but what mattered more, he made him acquainted with all public business, and chose to have his opinion, in such wise that his commands might then be executed without delay. But although his Majesty seemed much satisfied with this proceeding on the part of the Duke, yet such was the excellence of his natural disposition that he would never do any act, either of grace or justice, without the approval of his Council, by which means he became so popular with his councillors and the whole country that there is perhaps no instance on record of any other King of that age being more beloved, or who gave greater promise ... .
Last year, however, precisely at the moment when it was hoped he would commence ruling in person, he was seized with a malady, which the physicians soon knew to be consumption (fu conosciuta essere da etico), and in a few days his life was despaired of."0
Cheke's letter shows that he was well aware by May, 1552, of this attempt to bring Edward to independence, and one wonders just how much to read between his lines.
For this is John Dudley, who in 1553 caused his son Guildford Dudley to marry Lady Jane Grey, whom he proclaimed Queen on the death of Edward VI.
Northumberland became chancellor of the university of Cambridge in January 1551-2. According to a letter sent him by Roger Ascham at that time, he had literary interests, and was careful to give all his children a good education si
It is thus interesting and significant to have the pragmatic test of the inventory of his library just before he took over the educational direction of Edward and Cambridge. An inventory made at Ely House "the last of Januarie Anno 155o" contains a list of his books there.
After a long enumeration of articles of furniture and the various items then forming his Lordship's wardrobe, among which are,-"Item, a cupboard
so Calendar of State Papers, Venetian, Val. V, pp. 535-536. D. N. B., Dudley, john.
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