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YORK.
CHAPTER XXII.
After the death of Edward VI., Lady Jane Grey
consented, with much reluctance, to be proclaimed
queen ; but she relinquished all claim to the title
after a brief tenure of the honours of sovereignty for
only thirteen days.
His sister Mary succeeded, dating
her accession from the day of her brother's decease.
A speedy change took place as to religious matters.
When Parliament met after the queen's coronation, it
was opened with a celebration of High Mass, in accordance
with the form always observed on such
occasions in her father's time. The statutes which
had reference to the divorce of Katherine of Arragon
and the queen's legitimacy, and others which related
to the marriage of the clergy, communion in both
kinds, and the establishment of the two books of
Common Prayer, were abrogated,—every statute, in
fact, concerning religion enacted in her brother's
reign, was repealed. A royal proclamation to this
effect was issued on the 5th December following,
which also notified the re-establishment of the mass
throughout the kingdom. Another proclamation was
directed against any obstruction being offered or disturbance
made when the priests were saying mass or
performing any sacred function. The nation at large
appear to have accepted the restoration of the mass