[1] There be that write, how the inconstancie of the English people by their oft rebellions occasioned the king to be so rough and rigorous against them; Polydor. wher|as (of his naturall disposition and proper inclinati|on) he was rather gentle and courteous than sharpe and cruell. But sith he continued his extremitie euen to his last daies, we may rather beléeue, that al|though from his childhood he shewed some tokens of clemencie, bountie, and liberalitie; yet by following the wars, and practising to reigne with sternenesse, he became so inured therewith, that those peaceable ver|tues were quite altered in him, and in maner cleare|lie quenched. He was indued with a certeine stout|nesse of courage and skill in feats of warre, which good hap euer followed: he was frée from lecherous lusts, without suspicion of bodilie vices, quicke of wit, desirous of honor, painefull, watchfull, and able to tolerate heat and cold, though he were tall of sta|ture, and verie grosse of bodie.