She was not only learned, but a patroness of learning, interceding for, and saving the university of Cambridge, when an act had passed to throw all colleges, &c. into the king's disposal 5.

Nicholas Udal, master of Eton school (whom Bale calls the most elegant master of all good letters), and who was employed by this princess in translating and publishing Erasmus's paraphrase on the four gospels, gives this simple and natural account of the learning of the women of quality in that age. In his dedication to her majesty, he observes "the great number of noble women at that time in England, given to the studie of human sciences, and of strange tongues." And he adds, "It was a common thyng to see young virgins so nouzled and trained in the studie of letters, that thei willyngly set all other vain pastymes at naught for learnynge's sake. It was now no news at all to see queens and ladies of most high estate and progenie, instede of courtly daliaunce, to embrace vertuous exercises, readyng and writyng,

* [Burnet inferred that she understood Latin, because Edward the sixth wrote to her in that language. Hist. of Reform. vol. ii. p. 2. But Strype printed an epistle in Latin, from her to the princess Mary. Ballard points out many of her English letters.]

s Vide Ballard's Memoirs of celebrated Ladies, p. 88. 4to.

and with moste erneste studie, both erlye and

66

late, to apply themselves to the acquiryng of knowledge, as well in all other liberal arts and disciplines, as also most specially of God and his most holy word. And in this behalf,” says he, lyke as to your highnesse, as well for composyng and settyng forth many godly psalmes and diverse other contemplative meditations, as also for causyng these paraphrases to be translated into our vulgare language, England can never be able to render thankes sufficient '.'

Her majesty wrote,

"Queen Catherine Parr's Lamentation of a Sinner bewailing the Ignorance of her blind Life "."

This was a contrite meditation on the years she had passed in popery, in fasts and pilgrimages; and being found among her papers after

• Vide Lewis's History of the Translations of the Bible, pp. 159, 163, 164.

? [This was twice printed, in 1548 and 1563, with the following title: "The Lamentation of a Sinner: made by the most vertuous lady, queen Katherin; bewailing the ignorance of her blinde life. Set foorth and put in print, at the instaunt desire of the right gratious lady Katherin, duches of Suffolke, and the ernest request of the right honourable lord William Parre, marquesse of Northamton." Part of this work, and of queen Katherine's prayers, or meditations, appear to have been transferred into Bentley's Second Lampe of Virginitie, 1582.]

her death, was published, with a preface, by secretary Cecill (afterwards lord Burleigh), Lond. 8vo. 1548, and 15638.

In her life-time, she published many psalms, prayers, and pious discourses, of which this was the title,

"Prayers or Meditations, wherein the mynd is stirred patiently to suffre all afflictions here, to set at nought the vaine prosperitee of this worlde, and always to long for the everlastynge felicitee. Collected out of (certayne) holy woorkes, by the most vertuous and gracious. princesse Katharine, queene of Englande, France, and Irelande. Printed by John Wayland, 12mo. 1545 9."

To this was sometimes prefixed a set of fifteen psalms, which she composed in imitation of David's the titles of them may be seen in Strype. To them were subjoined,

Ames, p. 211. [A copy in the British Museum bears the date of 1546, and has no printer's name, or place of publication. Mr. Douce has a copy without date; but it contains a prayer for king Edward the sixth, which makes it ulterior to that in the Museum. Herbert speaks of two other editions printed by Berthelette in. 1545, and mentions a copy in the rev. Mr. Ashby's possession, which was bound in covers of solid gold. Mr. Woodhouse's library produced another edition by the same printer, in 1547.]

"The xxi. Psalm, another of Thanksgiving, and two Prayers, for the King, and for Men to say entering into Battail."

"A godly Exposition, after the Manner of a Contemplation, upon the li. Psalm, which Hierom of Ferrary made at the latter End of his Days. Translated by the Queen, with other Meditations, and a Prayer3."

"A pious Prayer in short Ejaculations *."

"A Latin Epistle to the Lady Mary, entreating her to let the Translation of Erasmus's Paraphrase on the New Testament (which her Majesty had procured) be published in her Highness's Name.”

Several of her letters are extant, viz.

"To King Henry, then on an Expedition against France"."

"To the University of Cambridge,"

on the occasion above mentioned. It is a piece of artful duty to the king".

"To the Lady Wriothesly, on the Death of her only Son."

From the orthography of this letter appears

3 Strype, vol. ii. p. 132.

• Ballard, p. 91.

7 Ib. K.

✦ Ames, in Append. p. 82.

6

Strype, vol. ii. H.