The history of the reigns of Henry the Seventh, Henry the Eighth, Edward the Sixth, and Queen Mary the first written by the Right Honourable Francis Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban ; the other three by the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God, Francis Godwyn, Lord Bishop of Hereford.

ANNO DOM. 1523. REG. 15.

CHristiern the Second, King of Denmark, by the rebellion of [ 1523] his Subjects driven out of his Kingdom, had resided some while with the Emperour, whose Sister he had married. The fifteenth of June, accompanied with his Wife, Niece to Queen Katherine, he landed at Dover. At London they abode some days, with that due honour that kindred and Princes give to one ano∣ther. The fifth of July they returned toward Calais. In the mean time a Parliament was held at London, wherein the States being certified of the necessity of War, and what a fair occasion was offered for the recovery of France, but that the War was like to be defective, in regard of the weakness of its sinews; a great summ of money was easily granted. The Kings of France exact money of their Subjects at their pleasure; the Kings of England do not usually, without a Parliament, wherein the pretence of War with France was wont to be a great motive of the Subjects libe∣rality. And indeed France was at this time greatly distracted, being oppressed with so many Enemies abroad, and having to do with undermining Treachery at home; insomuch that our advan∣tages, if wisely followed, seemed to promise us whatsoever we could hope for. Francis was on the one side pressed with the War of Milan, on the other side by the Emperour: At home Charles Duke of Bourbon revolted from him, by Letters inciting our King to the recovery of his hereditary (as he acknowledged) Right in France, whereto, respectless of pain or peril, he promised his faith∣ful assistance. Neither was this offer to be slighted; for he had conceived an implacable hatred against his Prince, and was able to make a great party in France. His valour and experience were after manifested by the greatness of his exploits performed in a short space, Francis being taken prisoner by him, Rome sacked by

his conduct, the Pope besieged in the Castle of St. Angelo, and [ 1523] fain at last to ransom himself and his Cardinals at a mighty rate. These notable advantages were all let slip through the never satis∣fied ambition and malice of one man; but so, that it made way for that great alteration which afterward happened in the estate of the Church. Blessed be that almighty Power, that converts the wicked designs of men to the good of his Church, and his own glory.

The Parliament being dissolved, the Duke of Suffolk is sent into France with thirteen thousand men; viz. six hundred Launces, two hundred Archers on horse-back, three thousand Archers on foot, five thousand Halberdiers, seventeen hundred drawn out of the Garrison of Calais, and two thousand six hundred Pioners. The English and Imperials joining, invaded the French Domi∣nions, took Roye, Mondidier, Bohain, Bray, Chasteaubeau, and marching within twenty two leagues of Paris, put the City in a terrible affright, until the Lord of Brion, sent by the King with the com∣fortable news of the coming of the Duke of Vendosme with four hundred Launces, makes them take heart again. After these exploits, our Forces toward the end of December were recalled.

In the mean time, on the fourteenth of September died Pope Adrian the Sixth; in whose place Julius Medices was after two months elected. Here Wolsey again failed in his hopes, who ex∣pected by the help of the Emperour and the King, to have suc∣ceeded Adrian. But the Emperour never intended this dignity for him (for he did his best for Julius.) Neither indeed had he been willing, could he have advanced him to the Chair. For the Cardinals were in so short a time weary of Adrian, who was a stranger, and little acquainted with the Court of Rome. And the College repined to see any other sit in St. Peter's Chair, than an Italian, or at least one bred up in Italy. Nevertheless Wolsey was so incensed against the Emperour, by whose default (he was verily persuaded) it happened that he missed of the Papacy, that now bidding hope farewel, he was possessed with a desire to be revenged on the Emperour for his conceived injury. He therefore on a sudden turns French, and to hinder the Emperour's proceedings, procured our Forces to be called home, pretending the ill season of the year, with promise that the next Spring they should be re∣turned again.

Notes

• Christiern, King of Den∣mark.
• The Duke of Bourbon re∣volts.
• The death of Adrian the Sixth. Clement the Seventh suc∣ceedeth, and Wolsey suf∣fereth the re∣pulse.