He proved a wise and popular ruler, and his early death was much deplored.
There were, however, not a few who deplored the fact that the throne had passed from the descendants of Abu Sofian.
He expressed himself as being as anxious for the reformation of the clergy as Simeon for the coming of the Messiah; but while he welcomed Wolsey's never-realized promises, he was too old to accomplish much himself in the way of remedying the clerical and especially the monastic depravity, licence and corruption he deplored.
The aloofness and sulkiness of the aristocrats and landed proprietors he deeply deplored.
Never has a statesman's personality been more bitterly associated by his political opponents with the developments they deplored.