Annales of England Containing the reignes of Henry the Eighth. Edward the Sixt. Queene Mary. Written in Latin by the Right Honorable and Right Reverend Father in God, Francis Lord Bishop of Hereford. Thus Englished, corrected and inlarged with the author's consent, by Morgan Godwyn.

Anno Dom. 1528. Reg. 20.

POpe CLEMENT was of himselfe naturally* 1.1 slow: but his owne ends made him beyond the infirmity of his nature protract time in this cause concerning the Kings Divorce. Bearing him∣selfe as neuter betweene the Emperor and the French King, hee makes them both become iealous of him. And war being renewed in Italy, hee perceives him∣selfe likely againe to become a prey to the Conque∣rour. Which if it should happen, hee must betake himselfe to the King of England, of whose helpe hee was certaine, as long as his cause did vncertainly hang in suspence. But if hee should determine in the be∣halfe of the King, would he in gratitude be as benefi∣ciall, as hope (or feare of offending) had made him? That he much doubted.

These thoughts possessing the Pope, CAESAR'S affaires in Italy began to decline, almost all the Townes throughout the Realme of Naples out of ha∣tred to the insolent Spaniard, and affection to the French, making offer of their Keyes, and receiving Garisons of French. CLEMENT therefore did not now much stand in awe of the Emperour, much a∣gainst whose minde he was intreated to send a Legate* 1.2 into England, LAWRENCE CAMPEGIVS Car∣dinall and Bishop of Salisbury, who together with the Cardinall of Yorke should have the hearing of this Cause so long controverted to no purpose. And the more to testifie his affection to the King, he did by a Decretall Bull (but privately drawne) pronounce the Kings marriage with CATHARINE to bee void. This Bull was committed to the Legate, with these instractions, That having shewed it to the King and

the Cardinall of Yorke. Hee should withall signifie to them, that he had authoritie to publish it: but not to give sentence, vntill hee received new instructions; telling him, that he was content the King should en∣ioy the benefit of it (and it may be hee was then so minded) but that it stood him vpon to haue this busi∣nesse delayed, vntill he had sufficiently secured him∣selfe from the Emperour. These were the pretences of the old Fox to the Legate. But his meaning was to make vse of all seasons, and to turne with the wea∣ther. The ninth of October to London comes the Le∣gate, the King having given order to the Citie for his solemne entertaiment. But the old mans infirmitie frustrated their preparations: hee was grievously tor∣mented with the gout, and would bee privately brought into the Citie. After a few dayes rest, carried in a chaire, he was brought to the King's presence, to whom his Secretary made a Latin Oration, wherein having much complained of the extreme crueltie of the Imperials in the sacking of Rome; he vsed many words to signifie, that the Kings pious bounty shewed in his liberally relieving them in so needfull a season was most acceptable to the Pope and the whole Col∣ledge of Cardinals. To this speech EDWARD FOX (afterward Bishop of Hereford) returned an answere in Latine, wherein he declared, That his Maiestie was much grieved at his Holinesse calamitie, forasmuch as man is naturally touched with a feeling of anothers miseries. That He had not onely performed what could bee expected from him as a man; but had also done the part of a friend for a friend, and what was due from a Prince to CHRIST'S Ʋicar on earth. He did therefore hope, that in reguard of his filiall obedience to the Holy Sea, if it should happen that He should stand in need of its assistance and authoritie, his Holinesse would be pleased readily to grant those things, which it might beseeme a Sonne to crave of the common Mo∣ther.

Thus much passed in publique. The King and the Legates conferring in private, CAMPEGIVS as∣sured the King of the Popes forwardnesse to pleasure him. CAMPEGIVS was indeed no bad man, and spake truly, what hee thought. For CLEMENT knowing how difficult a matter it was to deceive a man that was no foole, by one conscious of the guile, and that was not deceiued himselfe; made the Legate beleeue, that in this matter of the Divorce hee would be readie to doe for the King whatsoeuer hee should demand.

After these passages, the Legates spent sixe whole moneths in consultation only concerning their man∣ner of proceeding in the Kings Divorce. In the meane time the King vnderstanding, that among his subiects, but especially the women kinde, this his action was much traduced, as if Hee tooke this course more to satisfie his Lust, then his Conscience; to give a stop to all farther rumours, having assembled all the Nobles of the Realme, Iudges, Lawiers, and as many of the better sort of Commonsas could conveniently attend, vpon the eight of November made an Oration to this effect:

* 1.3 Twentie yeares have almost run their course (faithfull and loving Subiects) since We first began Our Raigne among you: Jn all which tract of time Wee haue by Gods ••ssistance so be∣haved Our Selfe, that Wee hope Wee haue nei∣ther given you cause to complaine, nor Our E∣nemies to glory. No foraine power hath inde∣voured ought against you, but to his owne losse; neither have Wee employed Our Armes any where, but We haue triumphantly erected Our

glorious trophies. So that whether you consider the sweet fruits of plentifull Peace, or the glory of Our warlike exploits, We dare boldly avouch, Wee have shewed Our Selfe not vnworthy of Our Ancestors, whom (without offence bee it spoken) Wee have in all points equalled. But when wee reflect vpon the necessary end of Our fraile life, We are surprised with feare, least the miseries of future times should so obscure the splendour and memory of Our present felicitie, that as the Romans did after the death of Au∣gustus, so you may hereafter bee forced to wish with teares, either that VVe had never beene, or might have perpetually lived to governe you. VVee see many here present, who in reguard of their age might have beene parties in the late Civill warres, which for eightie yeares together so miserably rended this Realme, no man know∣ing whom to acknowledge for his Soveraigne, vntill the happie Coniunction of Our Parents did not resolve, but tooke away all cause of far∣ther doubt. Consider then, whether after Our death you can hope for better dayes, then when the Factions of Yorke and Lancaster distra∣cted this Realme. VVee have a Daughter, whom VVee the more affectionately tender, be∣cause shee is Our sole Jssue. But VVee would have you know, that having lately treated with

Our deare Brother of France, concerning a match betweene this Our Daughter, and Hen∣rie Duke of Orleans his yonger sonne, both of Ʋs were well pleased with this alliance, vntill one of his Privy Counsell made a question of Our Daughters birth; for it was much to bee doub∣ted, least she were to be held illegitimate, being begotten of Ʋs and that Mother, who had be∣fore beene married to Our deceased Brother: saying, it was vtterly repugnant to the Word of God, that any one should marry his Brothers Widow; wherefore he was of opinion, that this match with Our most beloved Spouse was to be deemed no other then incestuous. How grievous∣ly this relation afflicted Vs, God the Searcher of Our hearts knowes. For these words did seeme to question, not onely Our deare Consort, and Our Daughter, but euen the very estate of Our soule, which after death must necessarily vnder∣go eternall and inevitable torments, if being admonished of so horrible an Incest, We should not indevour an amendement; And for your parts, you cannot but foresee how great dangers by reason of this doubt do threaten you and your Posterity. Being therefore desirous (as the case indeed required) to bee resolved in this point, Wee first conferred with Our Friends, and then with the most learned in the Lawes

both Divine and Humane; who indeed were so farre from satisfying Ʋs, that they left Ʋs more perplexed. Wee therefore had recourse to the Holy Apostolique Sea, to the Decree whereof VVe thinke it fitting, that Our Selfe and all others should bee obedient. To this and no other end (We call immortall God to wit∣nesse) have wee procured this Ʋenerable Le∣gate. As for the Queene Our most beloved Consort, whatsoever women may tattle, or ill willers mutter in private, We do willingly and ingenuously professe, that in noblenesse of Mind she far transcends the greatnesse of her Birth: so that if wee were now at liberty and free for a second choice, We take God to witnesse, a∣mong all the plenty of the worlds Beauties wee would not make choice of any other (if lawful∣ly wee might) then of this Our now Queene, one in regard of her mildnesse, wisdome, humi∣lity, sanctity of minde, and conversation (We are verily perswaded) not to be paralleled. But when We consider, that We are bestowed on the world to other ends, then the pursuite of Our owne pleasures: We have thought it meet rather to vndergo the hazard of an vncertaine iudge∣ment, then to commit impiety against God the liberall Giver of all blessings, and ingratitude against Our Countrey, the weale and safetie

whereof each one should prefer before his pri∣vate life or fortunes. Thus much have you heard from Our owne mouth. And we hope, that you will hereafter give no heed either to seditious detractions, or idle rumours of the people.

This Oration tooke according to the divers dis∣positions of the hearers: some lamenting the King's, but many more the Queenes case, every one doub∣ting, and fearefull of the event. Some few weary of the present estate desired a change even to worse, ra∣ther then a continuance of the present. And by these the course the King had taken (not approved by the vulgar) as pious and imposed on him by his owne and the publique necessitie, was according to the na∣ture of hopefull flattery most highly applauded.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The incon∣stancie of the Pope.
• * 1.2

  Cardinall Campegius sent into England.
• * 1.3

  The Kings Speech con∣cerning his Divorce.