How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
He asked them why they were in prison, and when they said they were Baptists, he smiled, and inquired:
"Is that a crime to be shut up for in a prison? Now I grieve, for I shall lose ye—they will not keep ye long for such a little thing." (27.43)
This only shows how little Prince Edward knows about his dad's laws. After the Protestant Reformation, it was made illegal to belong to any other church besides the Anglican Church. The penalty? Burning at the stake.
Quote #8
Among these prisoners was an old lawyer—a man with a strong face and a dauntless mien. Three years past, he had written a pamphlet against the Lord Chancellor, accusing him of injustice, and had been punished for it by the loss of his ears in the pillory and degradation from the bar, and in addition had been fined £3,000 and sentenced to imprisonment for life. Lately he had repeated his offense; and in consequence was now under sentence to lose what remained of his ears, pay a fine of £5,000, be branded on both cheeks, and remain in prison for life. (27.64)
You probably don't need any more proof of the injustice rampant during King Henry VIII's reign than this. Seriously? They're going to cut off what remains of his ears?
Quote #9
Hugh deserted his wife and went over to the Continent, where he presently died; and by and by the Earl of Kent married his relict. There were grand times and rejoicings at Hendon village when the couple paid their first visit to the Hall.
Tom Canty's father was never heard of again. (34.1)
This is just an example of the overall cleanup that happens in the last couple of chapters of the novel. After chapters and chapters of grievous injustice, we actually get to see some justice: the villains of the novel get their just desserts. Notice that even though Hugh Hendon and Tom Canty did some horrible things, Edward still doesn't boil them alive or cut off their ears. It looks like justice has some ways of taking care of things on its own.