The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

338 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII.
and to end them by imagination; like ill archers, the young Duchess of Britain as he should think
that draw not their arrows up to the head; and good; offering by a judicial proceeding to make
who might as easily have bedded the lady himself, void the marriage of Maximilian by proxy. Also
as to have made a play and disguise of it, thinking all this while, the better to amuse the world, he
now all assured, neglected for a time his further did continue in his court and custody the daughproceeding, and intended his wars. Meanwhile ter of Maximilian, who formerly had been sent
the French king consulting with his divines, and unto him to be bred and educated in France; not
finding that this pretended consummation was dismissing or renvoying her, but contrariwise
rather an invention of court, than any ways valid professing and giving out strongly that he meant
by the laws of the- church, went more really to to proceed with that match. And that for the
work, and by secret instruments and cunning Duchess of Britain, he desired only to preserve
agents, as well matrons about the young lady as his right of seigniory, and to give her in marriage
counsellors, first sought to remove the point of to some such ally as might depend upon him.
religion and honour out of the mind of the lady When the three commissioners came to the
herself, wherein there was double labour. For court of England, they delivered their ambassage
MIaximilian was not only contracted unto the lady, unto the king, who remitted them to his council;
but Ma11aximilian's daughter was likewise contract- where some days after they had audience, and
ed to King Charles. So as the marriage halted made their proposition by the Prior of the Trinity,
upon both feet, and was not clear on either side. who though he were third in place, yet was held
But, for the contract with King Charles, the ex- the best speaker of them, to this effect.
ception lay plain and fair; for that Maximilian's "6 My lords, the king our master, the greatest
daughter was under years of consent, and so not and mightiest king that reigned in France since
bound by law, but a power of disagreement left Charles the Great, whose name he beareth, hath
to either part. But for the, contract made by nevertheless thought it no disparagement to his
Maximilian with the lady herself, they were greatness at this time to propound a peace, yea,
harder driven; having nothing to allege, but that and to pray a peace with the King of England.
it was done without the consent of her sovereign For which purpose he hath sent us his commislori King Charles, whose ward and client she sioners, instructed and enabled with full and
was, and he to her in place of a father; and there- ample powers to treat and conclude; giving us
fare it was void and of no force for want of such further in charge, to open in some other business
consent. Which defect, they said, though it the secrets of his own intentions. These be inwould not evacuate a marriage after cohabitation deed the precious love-tokens between great kings,
and actual consummation, yet it was enough to to communicate one with another the true state of
make void a contract. For as for the pretended their affairs, and to pass by nice points of honour,
consummation, they made sport with it and said, which ought not to give law unto affection. This
"i That was an argument that Maximilian was a I do assure your lordships; it is not possible for
widower, and a cold wooer, that could content you to imagine the true and cordial love that the
himself to be a bridegroom by deputy, and would king our master beareth to your sovereign, except
not make a little journey to put all out of ques- youwere near him as we are. He useth his nanime
tion." So that the young lady wrought upon by with so great respect; he remembereth their first
these reasons finely instilled by such as the acquaintance at Paris with so great contentment;
French king, who spared for no rewards or pro- nay, he never speaks of him, but that presently
mises, had made on his side; and allured like- he falls into discourse on the miseries of great
wise by the present glory and greatness of King kings in that they cannot converse with their
Charles, being also a young king and a bachelor, equals but with servants. This affection to your
and loath to make her country the seat of a long king's persons and virtues God hath put into the
and miserable war, secretly yielded to accept of heart of our master, no doubt for the good of
King Cha!les. But during this secret treaty Christendom, and for purposes yet unknown to
with the lady, the better to save it from blasts of us all. For other root it cannot have, since it
opposition and interruption, King Charles resort- was the same to the Earl of Richmond, that it is
ing to his wonted arts, and thinking to carry the now to the King of England. This is therefore the
marriage as he had carried the wars, by entertain- firstmotive that makes ourking to desire peace and
ing the King of England in vain belief, sent a so- league with your sovereign: good affection, and
lemn ambassage by Francis Lord of Luxemburg, somewhat that he finds in his own heart. This
Charles Marignian, and Robert Gagvien, general affection is also armed with reason of estate. For
of the order of the,"Bons Hommes" of the Tri- our king doth in all candour and frankness of
nity, to treat a peace and league with the king, dealing open himself unto you; that having an
accoupling it with an article in the nature of a honourable, yea, and a holy purpose, to make a
request, that the French king, might, with the voyage and war in remote parts, he considereth
king's good will, according unto his right of that it will be of no small effect, in point of reigniory and tutelage, dispose of the marriage of putation to his enterprise, if it be known abroad