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. 1526. REG. 18.

MAny reasons might move the Emperour to seek the conti∣nuation [ 1526] of a Peace with England. The French (although they concealed 〈◊〉〈◊〉, their King being not yet at liberty) intend to* 1.1

revenge their late overthrow: The Turk prepares for Hungary, [ 1526] the King whereof (Lewis) had married Ann the Emperour's Sister: Almost all Italy by the Pope's means combined against Charles, whose power is now become formidable: And Germany it self, the Boors having lately been up in arms, being scarce pacified, doth yet every where threaten new tumults. In this case the enmity of Henry must necessarily much impeach his proceedings. But many things again urge him on the other side: his Aunts disgrace; (for of this he long since had an inkling) the late League concluded under-hand with the French; but that which swaied above all, was, the dislike of his promised match with the King's Daughter. That the Queen his Aunt might be recon∣ciled to her Husband, there might yet be some hope. The League with France (especially the French King's case being now so de∣sperate) might be as easily broken, as it was made: But this Match did no way sort to his mind, which he had either for love, or for some other private respects, setled elsewhere. Isabella Sister to John King of Portugal, was a brave beautiful Lady, and had a Dowry of nine hundred thousand Ducats. Mary was neither marriagable, nor beautiful; yet her by agreement must he marry without any other Dowry than those four hundred thousand Crowns which he had borrowed of Henry. The Wars had drawn his Treasury dry, and his Subjects in Spain being required to re∣lieve their Prince, do plainly (perhaps not without subornation of some principal persons) deny it, unless he marry Isabella, one in a manner of the same Lineage, of the same Language and Nation, and of years sufficient to make a Mother. By way of service (Custom growing to a Law) they are to give their King at his Marriage four hundred thousand Ducats: if he will in this be pleased to satisfie their request, they promise to double the usual summ. For these reasons, when Henry sent Ambassadors to treat again (whether sincerely or no, I cannot say) concerning the renewing of the League, the Marriage of the Lady Mary, and of War in France to be maintained at the common charge of both; Charles answered but coldly, and at last even in the very Nuptial solemnities sends to excuse his Marriage to the King, whereunto the undeniable desires of his Subjects had in a manner forced him. Some do farther add, that concerning that part of the Embassage, of War against France, our demands were such, as if they had been purposely coined by Wolsey to force the Emperour to the prio∣rity of an apparent breach. For the King demanded no smaller share in the Conquest, than Picardy, Normandy, Guien, Gascoign, with the title of, King of France; and that the Emperour par∣taking both of Peril and Charge should himself serve in Person. But Charles wanting money, and tired with continual peril, if he regard either his safety and ease, or his profit, must not give his assent, especially considering, that the captive-King made larger

offers, and those with Peace, than these, yea although he became [ 1526] victorious, with War, the event whereof being always doubtful, no man can assure himself of wished success. Neither indeed did Henry expect any other issue of his Embassy, than a flat refusal. For at the same time he deals with the Regent (the captive-King's* 1.2 Mother) to send over some trusty person, with whom he might consult of the main chance; which she gladly did, dispatching away the Lord of Brion President of Rouen, and John Joachim with a large Commission, and Instructions by all submissive and fair language to perswade the King to persist in the prosecution of this new League. For indeed she much feared, lest the conside∣ration of his advantages over the tottering Estate of France might make him flie off again. France was already distressed: what would it be, if the Emperour pressing hard on the one side, and Duke of Bourbon a home-bred enemy revolting, besides many other occasions, the English should infest it on the other side? In England these Agents found their entertainments such, that they could not but hope well, especially making means to the Cardi∣nal, who yet swayed the King. Wolsey long since disaffected the Emperour, but now made his hate apparent. Charles before the Battel of Pavy sent no Letters to the Cardinal, but entirely written by himself, and subscribed, Your Son and Cousin, CHARLES.

After this Victory he sent one or two, subscribed barely with his Name, without the usual solemn form, or any signification of favour or respect. These were evident tokens of an alienated mind, and Wolsey durst view hates with him. Neither did he deal otherwise with Henry, than as one beneath him; being now puffed up with the conceit of that great Victory, for the obtaining whereof Henry did bear a part in the charge, though indeed not so great as he promised. The King's affairs now stood upon those terms, that renouncing the strict alliance with the Empe∣rour, hitherto by so many ties kept inviolable, he must make a party with the French.

Brion therefore at the Council-Table having audience; De∣plores his Prince's calamity, and the miseries inflicted upon his Countrey by their late overthrow. He calleth to mind what Trophies the English erected in France, when the Estate of it was most flourishing, withal acknowledging, that France being now as it were in the Sun-set of its Fortune, occasion was offered of advancing the English Colours far∣ther than ever. But it would neither beseem so magnanimous a King, nor would it be for the good of England, at this time to invade it. A generous mind scorneth to insult over one already dejected. Neither would the Victory, beside the fortune of War, want its dangers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be communicated with one, already become so potent, that no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than the united Forces of all Europe would serve to stop the current of his fortune; which must necessarily be done, unless we could be content willingly to undergo the miseries of a Spanish servitude. He therefore

craved of his Majesty, that leaving the Emperour (who puffed up with [ 1526] his late success, contemned his best Friends) he would vouchsafe to make a League with the King his Master, whom in this so great a time of need if he would be pleased to raise as it were from the ground, he should by so great a benefit oblige him to a faithful Friendship, which he should upon all occasions be ready to manifest, unless for foul Ingrati∣tude he had rather undergo the censure of the Christian World.

Having delivered thus much in Latin, Sir Thomas More (after∣ward Lord Chancellor) returned this answer in Latin likewise:

That the King was well pleased, that the French acknowledged he wanted not power to revenge old injuries; that having felt his Force, they should also tast of his Bounty; that he would do the utmost of his endeavour to set their Captive King at liberty. Which if he effected, he hoped when he had occasion to make use of their King, he would not be unmindful of so good a turn freely done in so urgent a season. In the mean time he was content to make a perpetual Peace with them. As for the Emperour, he would consider what to determine of him.

So a most firm League is concluded with the French (the* 1.3 Regent undertaking for her Son) and a separation from the Em∣perour so openly made, that the first thing concluded between them was, That it should not be lawful for the French King in lieu of his ransom to consign any part of his Kingdom to the Emperour. The French were glad of this League, who now began to conceive some hope of good, being secure of England. Indeed it made so great an impression in the heart of Francis, that in his care of our affairs for many years together he shewed him∣self mindful of so great a benefit. These things were done in the Winter season.

A little after, Francis having been a year Prisoner in Spain,* 1.4 was upon these Conditions at length set at liberty:

That as soon as be came into France, he should consign the Duchy of Burgoigne to the Emperour: That he should quit the Sovereignty of Flanders and Arthois: That he should renounce all his right pre∣tended to the Duchy of Milan and Kingdom of Naples: That he should restore to his honours the Duke of Bourbon, and the rest that had revolted with him: That he should marry Eleonor the Emperour's Sister, Queen of Portugal: That he should pay the whole summs of money heretofore due to the King of England, his Sister the Queen of France, and Cardinal Wolsey; The payment whereof the Em∣perour had undertaken, that we might not be endamaged by partaking with him.

For the performance of these and other things of less moment, Francis not only bound himself by Oath, but also delivered his two Sons, Francis the Daulphin, and Henry Duke of Orleans, who should remain Hostages in Spain until all things were duly per∣formed. Francis, as soon as he entred into his Realm ratified all the Articles of the Treaty, but that concerning the Duchy of

Burgoigne, which he pretended he could not alienate without the [ 1526] consent of his Subjects. Having therefore assembled the Estates of the Countrey for the debating of this matter, upon a sudden in the presence of the Emperour's Ambassadors is publickly pro∣claimed the League made between the Kings of England and of France, the Pope, the Venetians, Florentines, and Suisses, (called the Holy League) for the common liberty of Italy. The Ambas∣sadors much amazed, and seeing small hopes of the Duchy of Burgoigne (for which they came) return into Spain, and advertise the Emperour, that if he will be content with a pecuniary ransom, and free the two Princes, the King was willing to pay it; other Conditions he was like to have none.

In the mean time Solyman not forgetting to make his profit of* 1.5 these horrible confusions, invaded Hungary with a great Army, overthrew the Hungarians, slew King Lewis the Emperour's Brother∣in-Law, and conquered the greatest part of the Kingdom. For the obtaining of this Victory our Rashness was more available to him, than his own Forces. The Hungarians in comparison of their Enemies were but a handful: but having formerly been many times victorious over the Turks, they perswaded the young King that he should not obscure the ancient glory of so warlike a Nation: that not expecting the aids of Transylvania, he should encounter the Enemy even in the open fields, where the Turks in regard of their multitudes of Horse might be thought invincible. The event shewed the goodness of this counsel. The Army con∣sisting of the chief strength and Nobility of the Countrey was overthrown, a great slaughter made, and the King himself slain, with much of the Nobility and chief Prelates of the Realm, and among them Tomoraeus Archbishop of Colocza, the chief author of this ill advised attempt.

I cannot omit an odd jest at the same time occasioned by Wolsey his ambition. It was (but falsly) rumoured that Pope Clement was dead. The Cardinal had long been sick of the Pope, and the King lately of his Wife. Wolsey perswades the King, there was no* 1.6 speedier way to compass his desires, than if he could procure him to be chosen Pope, Clement being now dead. Stephen Gardiner a stirring man, one very learned and that had a working spirit, did then at Rome solicit the King's Divorce from Queen Catharine. Wherein although using all possible means, and that Clement was no friend to the Emperour, yet could he not procure the Pope's favour in the King's behalf. Nay, whether he would not cut off all means of reconciliation with the Emperour, if need were, or whether being naturally slow, he did not usually dispatch any matter of great moment speedily; or peradventure (whereto the event was agreeable) that he perceived it would be for his profit to spin it out at length; or (which some alledge) that he was of opinion, that this Marriage was lawfully contracted, so that he

could not give sentence on either side without either offence to [ 1526] his Conscience, or his Friend; the Pope could not be drawn to determine either way in this business. These delays much vexed the King. If matters proceed so slowly under Clement, on whom he much presumed, what could he expect from another Pope, one perhaps wholly at the Emperour's devotion? He therefore resolved to endeavour the Advancement of Wolsey to the Chair; from whom he promised to himself a success answerable to his desires. Henry therefore sends away speedy Posts to Gardiner with with ample instructions in the behalf of Wolsey, willing him to work the Cardinals, some with promises, others with gifts, some with threats, others with perswasions, and to omit no means that might be any way available. But this was to build Castles in the Air. The messenger had scarce set forth, when report that had made Clement dead, had again revived him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A breach with the Emperour.
• * 1.2

  The King en∣deavours to relieve the French King.
• * 1.3

  A League con∣cluded with the French King.
• * 1.4

  The French King set at liberty.
• * 1.5

  The King of Hungary slain by the Turks.
• * 1.6

  Wolsey seeks to be Pope, Sede nondum va∣cante.