It may like your highness to understand I have this hour received
letters from your Orators Resident in the court of Rome, mentioning
how the xivth day of this instant month, it pleased Almighty God to
call the Pope's Holiness to His mercy, whose soul our Lord pardon. And
in what train the matters then were at that time for election of the
future Pope, your Highness shall perceive by the letters of your said
Orators, which I send unto the same at this time, whereby appeareth
that mine absence from thence shall be the only obstacle (if any be)
in the election of me to that dignity; albeit there is no great
semblance that the college of Cardinals shall consent upon any being
there present, because of the sundry factions that be among
themselves, for which cause, though afore God, I repute myself right
unmeet and unable to so high and great dignity, desiring much rather
to demure, continue and end my life with your Grace, for doing of such
service as may be to your Honour and Wealth of this your realm, than
to be x Popes, yet nevertheless, remembering what mind and opinion
your grace was of, at the last vacation, to have me preferred
thereunto, thinking that it should be to the honour, benefit, etc.
advancement of your affairs in time coming; and supposing that your
Highness persisteth in the same mind and intent, I shall devise such
instructions, commissions and other writings, as the last time was
delivered to Mr. Pace for that purpose: And the same I shall send to
your grace by the next post, whom it may like to do farther therein as
will stand with your gracious pleasure, whereunto I shall always
conform myself accordingly. And to the intent it may appear farther to
your grace what mind and determination they be of, towards mine
advancement, which as your Orators wrote, have now at this present
time the principal authority and chief stroke in the election of the
Pope, making in manner _Triumviratum_, I send unto your Highness their
several letters to me addressed in that behalf, beseeching Our Lord
that such one may be chosen as may be to the Honour of God, the weal
of Christ's Church, and the benefit of all Christendom. And thus Jesu
preserve your most Noble and Royal Estate: At the More the last Day of
September, by
Your most humble chaplain,
T. CARLIS. EBOR.