[ Herbert Hensley Henson, as Canon of Westminster Abbey: 'I suppose you and your Socialist brethren are getting ready for Armageddon!'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Hensley Henson') to 'Jim', regarding 'Popish accusants' in the reign of James I.

Author: 
Hensley Henson [ H. Hensley Henson; Herbert Hensley Henson ] (1863-1947), Anglican controversialist, successively Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of Durham
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 17 Dean's Yard, Westminster Abbey, S.W. [ London ] 7 December 1909.
£40.00
SKU: 20701

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Aged and worn, with a short closed tear at gutter. He begins by quoting 'Frere's History of the English Church 1558-1625', with regard to 'the number of Popish accusants at the beginning of James I's reign'. He observes that '[t]he returns were made to the Archbishop, & presumably compiled by the clergy: which no doubt justifies some measure of scepticism', while bringing in the 'Church Year Book' for comparison. 'Of course in 1604 there was a measure of legal coercion which does not obtain in 1909: but even so the parallelism of the figures is arresting when one remembers that Edward VII has at least 7 times as many subjects in England & Wales as had James I.' The letter concludes, with affection: 'I suppose you & your Socialist brethren are getting ready for Armageddon!'