History of the Reign

...it was allotted short periods, both in the crisis of the disease itself and in the time of its duration. Indeed, those who were seized by it were almost safe and without fear if they did not die within the space of twenty-four hours. As for the length of time that the malice of the disease lasted, it began around the twenty-first day of September and ceased toward the end of the following October. Thus, it did not in any way postpone or hinder the Festival of the Royal Coronation, which was celebrated on the last day of October; nor did it obstruct the Parliamentary Assembly Original: Comitia Parliamentaria. This refers to the first Parliament of Henry VII’s reign., which followed within seven days of the Coronation. This disease was a certain type of pestilential fever; yet it did not (as it seems) take up its seat in the veins or the humors, since no carbuncles, no pustules, and no purple or livid spots followed (the mass of the body, evidently, being untouched). Only a certain malignant vapor and aura flew toward the heart, seeking out and seizing the Vital Spirits; wherefore Nature was provoked to expel and breathe out the same through sweating This was the "Sweating Sickness" (Sudor Anglicus), a mysterious and highly contagious disease that struck England in several waves starting in 1485.. It became clear through experience that this disease was more an ambusher of Nature—overwhelming her while unprepared—than it was stubborn against remedies, if help were provided in time. For if the patient were kept in an even temperature regarding clothing and the hearth, and drank warm liquids, and also took moderate cordials Medicines or drinks intended to stimulate the heart and spirits.—so that the work of Nature itself was neither provoked by heat nor repelled by cold—health usually followed. However, countless men died of it suddenly before the method of cure and the regimen for the patient became known. The opinion was that this disease was not at all from those epidemics which are simultaneously contagious and flow from body to body, but had flowed from a certain malignancy impressed upon the air itself by the predisposition of the seasons and frequent, unhealthy changes in the weather; and its brief stay indicated this very thing.

On the Eve of Saints Simon and Jude October 27th., the King dined at the house of Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal; and from Lambeth, he set out through the meadows (crossing the Bridge) to the Tower of London; where, on the following day, he created twelve Knights Banneret A rank of knighthood awarded for distinguished service on the battlefield, allowing the knight to lead a company under his own banner.. But he dispensed the creation of nobles with a sparing hand: for although a battle had recently been fought and the celebration of the Coronation was pressing near, he elevated only three. Jasper Earl of Pembroke, the King’s uncle, was promoted to Duke of Bedford; Thomas Lord Stanley, the King’s father-in-law Specifically his stepfather, being the husband of the King's mother, Margaret Beaufort., was made Earl of Derby; and Edward Courtenay was made Earl of Devon. Although the King had even then decided within himself to confer the rank of nobility upon more men during the time of the Assembly, he distributed the honors in such a way that he might, quite civilly and decorously, adorn part of the Festival of his Coronation and part of the meeting of Parliament with such magnificences.

The Coronation itself followed two days later, on the thirtieth day of October, in the Year of Salvation 1485. At that time, Innocent the Eighth sat as the Roman Pope; Frederick the Third was the Emperor of Germany; Maximilian his son had recently been elected King of the Romans; Charles the Eighth reigned in the French lands; Ferdinand and Isabella ruled the Spains; and James the Third held the Kingdom of Scotland; between all of which Princes and the King, peace and friendship existed at that time. Moreover, on that day (as if the Crown... The text ends mid-sentence; the catchword "Capiti" suggests the next page begins "upon his head".