it came to the judgment, so that every man expected the judgment to be
given upon the next court-day[142]. At which day the king came thither,
and sat within a gallery against the door of the same that looked unto
the judges where they sat, whom he might both see and hear speak, to
hear what judgment they would give in his suit; at which time all their
proceedings were first openly read in Latin. And that done, the king's
learned counsel at the bar called fast for judgment. With that, quoth
Cardinal Campeggio, "I[143] will give no judgment herein until I have
made relation unto the pope of all our proceedings, whose counsel and
commandment in this high case I will observe. The case is too high and
notable, known throughout the world, for us to give any hasty judgment,
considering the highness of the persons and the doubtful allegations;
and also whose commissioners we be, under whose authority we sit here.
It were therefore reason, that we should make our chief head [of]
counsel in the same, before we proceed to judgment definitive. I come
not so far to please any man, for fear, meed, or favour, be he king
or any other potentate. I have no such respect to the persons that I
will offend my conscience. I will not for favour or displeasure of any
high estate or mighty prince do that thing that should be against the
law of God. I am an old man, both sick and impotent, looking daily for
death. What should it then avail me to put my soul in the danger of
God's displeasure, to my utter damnation, for the favour of any prince
or high estate in this world? My coming and being here is only to see
justice ministered according to my conscience, as I thought thereby
the matter either good or bad. And forasmuch as I do understand, and
having perceivance by the allegations and negations in this matter laid
for both the parties, that the truth in this case is very doubtful
to be known, and also that the party defendant will make no answer
thereunto, [but] doth rather appeal from us, supposing that we be not
indifferent, considering the king's high dignity and authority within
this his own realm which he hath over his own subjects; and we being
his subjects, and having our livings and dignities in the same, she
thinketh that we cannot minister true and indifferent justice for
fear of his displeasure. Therefore, to avoid all these ambiguities
and obscure doubts, I intend not to damn my soul for no prince or
potentate alive. I will therefore, God willing, wade no farther in this
matter, unless I have the just opinion and judgment, with the assent
of the pope, and such other of his counsel as hath more experience and
learning in such doubtful laws than I have. Wherefore I will adjourn
this court for this time, according to the order of the court in Rome,
from whence this court and jurisdiction is derived. And if we should go
further than our commission doth warrant us, it were folly and vain,
and much to our slander and blame; and [we] might be accounted for the
same breakers of the order of the higher court from whence we have (as
I said) our original authorities." With that the court was dissolved,
and no more pleas holden.
With that stepped forth the Duke of Suffolk[144] from the king, and
by his commandment spake these words, with a stout and an hault
countenance, "It was never merry in England," (quoth he), "whilst we
had cardinals among us:" which words were set forth both with such a
vehement countenance, that all men marvelled what he intended; to whom
no man made answer. Then the duke spake again in great despight. To
the which words my Lord Cardinal, perceiving his vehemency, soberly
made answer and said, "Sir, of all men within this realm, ye have least
cause to dispraise or be offended with cardinals: for if I, simple
cardinal, had not been, you should have had at this present no head
upon your shoulders, wherein you should have a tongue to make any such
report in despight of us, who intend you no manner of displeasure;
nor have we given you any occasion with such despight to be revenged
with your hault words. I would ye knew it, my lord, that I and my
brother here intendeth the king and his realm as much honour, wealth,
and quietness, as you or any other, of what estate or degree soever
he be, within this realm; and would as gladly accomplish his lawful
desire as the poorest subject he hath. But, my lord, I pray you, show
me what ye would do if ye were the king's commissioner in a foreign
region, having a weighty matter to treat upon: and the conclusion being
doubtful thereof, would ye not advertise the king's majesty or ever ye
went through with the same? Yes, yes, my lord, I doubt not. Therefore
I would ye should banish your hasty malice and despight out of your
heart, and consider that we be but commissioners for a time, and can,
ne may not, by virtue of our commission proceed to judgment, without
the knowledge and consent of the chief head of our authority, and
having his consent to the same; which is the pope. Therefore we do no
less ne otherwise than our warrant will bear us; and if any man will
be offended with us therefore, he is an unwise man. Wherefore my lord,
hold your peace, and pacify yourself, and frame your tongue like a man
of honour and of wisdom, and not to speak so quickly or reproachfully
by your friends; for ye know best what friendship[145] ye have received
at my hands, the which I yet never revealed to no person alive before
now, neither to my glory, ne to your dishonour." And therewith the duke
gave over the matter without any words to reply, and so departed and
followed after the king, who was gone into Bridewell at the beginning
of the duke's first words.
This matter continued long thus, and my Lord Cardinal was in
displeasure with the king, for that the matter in his suit took no
better success, the fault whereof was ascribed much to my lord,
notwithstanding my lord excused him always by his commission, which
gave him no farther authority to proceed in judgment, without knowledge
of the pope, who reserved the same to himself.
At the last they were advertised by their post that the pope would take
deliberation in respect of judgment until his courts were opened, which
should not be before Bartholomew tide next. The king considering the
time to be very long or the matter should be determined, thought it
good to send a new embassy to the pope, to persuade him to show such
honourable favour unto his grace, that the matter might be sooner ended
than it was likely to be, or else at the next court in Rome, to rule
the matter over, according to the king's request.
To this embassy was appointed Doctor Stephens[146], then secretary,
that after was made Bishop of Winchester. Who went thither, and there
tarried until the latter end of summer, as ye shall hear after.
The king commanded the queen to be removed out of the court, and sent
to another place; and his highness rode in his progress, with Mistress
Anne Boleyn in his company, all the grece season[147].
It was so that the Cardinal Campeggio made suit to be discharged, that
he might return again to Rome. And it chanced that the secretary, who
was the king's ambassador to the pope, was returned home from Rome;
whereupon it was determined that the Cardinal Campeggio should resort
to the king at Grafton in Northamptonshire, and that my lord Cardinal
should accompany him thither, where Campeggio should take his leave of
the king. And so they took their journey thitherward from the Moor,
and came to Grafton[148] upon the Sunday in the morning, before whose
coming there rose in the court divers opinions, that the king would not
speak with my Lord Cardinal; and thereupon were laid many great wagers.
These two prelates being come to the gates of the court, where they
alighted from their horses, supposing that they should have been
received by the head officers of the house as they were wont to be; yet
for as much as Cardinal Campeggio was but a stranger in effect, the
said officers received them, and conveyed him to his lodging within the
court, which was prepared for him only. And after my lord had brought
him thus to his lodging, he left him there and departed, supposing to
have gone directly likewise to his chamber, as he was accustomed to
do. And by the way as he was going, it was told him that he had no
lodging appointed for him in the court. And being therewith astonied,
Sir Henry Norris, Groom of the Stole [to] the king, came unto him,
(but whether it was by the king's commandment or no I know not), and
most humbly offered him his chamber for the time, until another might
somewhere be provided for him: "For, Sir, I assure you," quoth he,
"here is very little room in this house, scantly sufficient for the
king; therefore I beseech your grace to accept mine for the season."
Whom my lord thanked for his gentle offer, and went straight to his
chamber, where as my lord shifted his riding apparel, and being thus
in his chamber, divers noble persons and gentlemen, being his loving
friends, came to visit him and to welcome him to the court, by whom
my lord was advertised of all things touching the king's displeasure
towards him; which did him no small pleasure; and caused him to be the
more readily provided of sufficient excuses for his defence.
Then was my lord advertised by Master Norris, that he should prepare
himself to give attendance in the chamber of presence against the
king's coming thither, who was disposed there to talk with him, and
with the other cardinal, who came into my lord's chamber, and they
together went into the said chamber of presence, where the lords of the
council stood in a row in order along the chamber. My lord putting off
his cap to every of them most gently, and so did they no less to him:
at which time the chamber was so furnished with noblemen, gentlemen,
and other worthy persons, that only expected the meeting, and the
countenance of the king and him, and what entertainment the king made
him.
Then immediately after came the king into the chamber, and standing
there under the cloth of estate, my lord kneeled down before him, who
took my lord by the hand, and so he did the other cardinal. Then he
took my lord up by both arms and caused him to stand up, whom the king,
with as amiable a cheer as ever he did, called him aside, and led him
by the hand to a great window, where he talked with him, and caused him
to be covered.
Then, to behold the countenance of those that had made their wagers to
the contrary, it would have made you to smile; and thus were they all
deceived, as well worthy for their presumption. The king was in long
and earnest communication with him, in so much as I heard the king say:
"How can that be: is not this your own hand?" and plucked out from his
bosom a letter or writing, and showed him the same; and as I perceived
that it was answered so by my lord that the king had no more to say in
that matter; but said to him: "My lord, go to your dinner, and all my
lords here will keep you company; and after dinner I will resort to you
again, and then we will commune further with you in this matter; and so
departed the king, and dined that same day with Mrs. Anne Boleyn, in
her chamber, who kept there an estate more like a queen than a simple
maid.
Then was a table set up in the chamber of presence for my lord, and
other lords of the council, where they all dined together; and sitting
thus at dinner communing of divers matters. Quoth my lord, "It were
well done if the king would send his chaplains and bishops to their
cures and benefices." "Yea marry," quoth my Lord of Norfolk, "and so
it were for you too." "I could be contented therewith, very well,"
quoth my lord, "if it were the king's pleasure to grant me license,
with his favour, to go to my benefice of Winchester." "Nay," quoth
my Lord of Norfolk, "to your benefice of York, where consisteth your
greatest honour and charge." "Even as it shall please the king," quoth
my lord, and so fell into other communications. For the lords were very
loth to have him planted so near the king as to be at Winchester[149].
Immediately after dinner they fell in secret talk until the waiters
had dined.
And as I heard it reported by them that waited upon the king at dinner,
that Mistress Anne Boleyn was much offended with the king, as far as
she durst, that he so gently entertained my lord, saying, as she sat
with the king at dinner, in communication of him, "Sir," quoth she, "is
it not a marvellous thing to consider what debt and danger the cardinal
hath brought you in with all your subjects?" "How so, sweetheart?"
quoth the king. "Forsooth," quoth she, "there is not a man within all
your realm, worth five pounds, but he hath indebted you unto him;"
(meaning by a loan that the king had but late of his subjects). "Well,
well," quoth the king, "as for that there is in him no blame; for I
know that matter better than you, or any other." "Nay, Sir," quoth
she, "besides all that, what things hath he wrought within this realm
to your great slander and dishonour? There is never a nobleman within
this realm that if he had done but half so much as he hath done, but
he were well worthy to lose his head. If my Lord of Norfolk, my Lord
of Suffolk, my lord my father, or any other noble person within your
realm had done much less than he, but they should have lost their heads
or this." "Why, then I perceive," quoth the king, "ye are not the
cardinal's friend?" "Forsooth, Sir," then quoth she, "I have no cause,
nor any other that loveth your grace, no more have your grace, if ye
consider well his doings." At this time the waiters had taken up the
table, and so they ended their communication. Now ye may perceive the
old malice beginning to break out, and newly to kindle the brand that
after proved to a great fire, which was as much procured by his secret
enemies, [of whom] I touched something before, as of herself.
After all this communication, the dinner thus ended, the king rose up
and went incontinent into the chamber of presence, where as my lord,
and other of the lords were attending his coming, he called my lord
into the great window, and talked with him there a while very secretly.
And at the last, the king took my lord by the hand and led him into
his privy chamber, sitting there in consultation with him all alone
without any other of the lords of the council, until it was night; the
which blanked his enemies very sore, and made them to stir the coals;
being in doubt what this matter would grow unto, having now none other
refuge to trust to but Mistress Anne, in whom was all their whole and
firm trust and affiance, without whom they doubted all their enterprise
but frustrate and void.
Now was I fain, being warned that my lord had no lodging in the court,
to ride into the country to provide for my lord a lodging; so that I
provided a lodging for him at a house of Master Empson's called Euston,
three miles from Grafton, whither my lord came by torch light, it
was so late or the king and he departed. At whose departing the king
commanded him to resort again early in the morning to the intent they
might finish their talk which they had then begun and not concluded.
After their departing my lord came to the said house at Euston to
his lodging, where he had to supper with him divers of his friends
of the court; and sitting at supper, in came to him Doctor Stephens,
the secretary, late ambassador unto Rome; but to what intent he came
I know not; howbeit my lord took it, that he came to dissemble a
certain obedience and love towards him, or else to espy his behaviour
and to hear his communication at supper. Notwithstanding my lord bade
him welcome, and commanded him to sit down at the table to supper;
with whom my lord had this communication, under this manner. "Master
Secretary," quoth my lord, "ye be welcome home out of Italy; when came
ye from Rome?" "Forsooth," quoth he, "I came home almost a month ago."
"And where," quoth my lord, "have you been ever since?" "Forsooth,"
quoth he, "following the court this progress." "Then have ye hunted,
and had good game and pastime," quoth my lord. "Forsooth, sir," quoth
he, "and so I have, I thank the king's majesty." "What good greyhounds
have ye?" quoth my lord. "I have some, sir," quoth he. And thus in
hunting, and like disports, passed they all their communication at
supper; and after supper my lord and he talked secretly together, till
it was midnight or they departed.
The next morning my lord rose early and rode straight to the court; at
whose coming the king was ready to ride, willing my lord to resort to
the council with the lords in his absence, and said he could not tarry
with him, commanding him to return with Cardinal Campeggio, who had
taken his leave of the king. Whereupon my lord was constrained to take
his leave also of the king, with whom the king departed amiably in the
sight of all men. The king's sudden departing in the morning was by the
special labour of Mistress Anne, who rode with him, only to lead him
about, because he should not return until the cardinals were gone, the
which departed after dinner, returning again towards the Moor[150].
The king rode that morning to view a ground for a new park, which
is called at this day Hartwell Park, where Mistress Anne had made
provision for the king's dinner, fearing his return or the cardinals
were gone.
Then rode my lord and the other cardinal after dinner on their way
homeward, and so came to the monastery of St. Alban's (whereof he
himself was commendatory), and there lay one whole day; and the next
day they rode to the Moor; and from thence the Cardinal Campeggio took
his journey towards Rome, with the king's reward; what it was I am
uncertain. Nevertheless, after his departure, the king was informed
that he carried with him great treasures of my lord's, (conveyed in
great tuns) notable sums of gold and silver to Rome, whither they
surmised my lord would secretly convey himself out of this realm. In so
much that a post was sent speedily after the cardinal to search him;
whom they overtook at Calais[151], where he was stayed until search was
made; there was not so much money found as he received of the king's
reward, and so he was dismissed and went his way.
After Cardinal Campeggio was thus departed and gone, Michaelmas
Term[152] drew near, against the which my lord returned unto his house
at Westminster; and when the Term began, he went to the hall in such
like sort and gesture as he was wont most commonly to do, and sat in
the Chancery, being Chancellor. After which day he never sat there
more. The next day he tarried at home, expecting the coming of the
Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk, [who] came not that day; but the next
day they came thither unto him; to whom they declared how the king's
pleasure was that he should surrender and deliver up the great seal
into their hands, and to depart simplily unto Asher[153], a house
situate nigh Hampton Court, belonging to the Bishoprick of Winchester.
My lord understanding their message, demanded of them what commission
they had to give him any such commandment? who answered him again,
that they were sufficient commissioners in that behalf, having the
king's commandment by his mouth so to do. "Yet," quoth he, "that is not
sufficient for me, without farther commandment of the king's pleasure;
for the great seal of England was delivered me by the king's own
person, to enjoy during my life, with the ministration of the office
and high room of chancellorship of England: for my surety whereof,
I have the king's letters patent to show." Which matter was greatly
debated between the dukes and him with many stout words between them;
whose words and checks he took in patience for the time: in so much
that the dukes were fain to depart again without their purpose at that
present; and returned again unto Windsor to the king: and what report
they made I cannot tell; howbeit, the next day they came again from
the king, bringing with them the king's letters. After the receipt and
reading of the same by my lord, which was done with much reverence, he
delivered unto them the great seal[154], contented to obey the king's
high commandment; and seeing that the king's pleasure was to take his
house, with the contents, was well pleased simply to depart to Asher,
taking nothing but only some provision for his house.
[Illustration:
_Etched by I HARRIS, Jun[^r]._
THE CARDINAL SURRENDERS THE GREAT SEAL TO THE DUKES OF SUFFOLK &
NORFOLK, AND ALL HIS GOODS TO THE KING.
_From a M.S. in the Collection of Francis Douce Esq.[^r] F.S.A._
_Published by Harding, Triphook & Lepard, 1824._]
And after long talk between the dukes and him, they departed, with the
great seal of England, to Windsor, unto the king. Then went my Lord
Cardinal and called all officers in every office in his house before
him, to take account of all such stuff as they had in charge[155]. And
in his gallery there was set divers tables, whereupon a great number of
rich stuffs of silk, in whole pieces, of all colours, as velvet, satin,
damask, caffa, taffeta, grograine, sarcenet, and of other not in my
remembrance; also there lay a thousand pieces of fine holland cloth,
whereof as I heard him say afterward, there was five hundred pieces
thereof, conveyed both from the king and him[156].
Furthermore there was also all the walls of the gallery hanged with
cloth of gold, and tissue of divers makings, and cloth of silver
likewise on both the sides; and rich cloths of baudkin[157], of
divers colours. There also hung the richest suits of copes of his own
provision, (which he caused to be made for his colleges of Oxford
and Ipswich), that ever I saw in England. Then had he two chambers
adjoining to the gallery, the one called the _gilt chamber_, and the
other called, most commonly, the _council chamber_, wherein were set
in each two broad and long tables, upon tressels, whereupon was set
such a number of plate of all sorts, as were almost incredible. In the
_gilt chamber_ was set out upon the tables nothing but all gilt plate;
and a cupboard standing under a window, was garnished all wholly with
plate of clean gold, whereof some was set with pearl and rich stones.
And in the _council chamber_ was set all white plate and parcel gilt;
and under the tables, in both the chambers, were set baskets with
old plate, which was not esteemed but for broken plate and old, not
worthy to be occupied, and books containing the value and weight of
every parcel laid by them ready to be seen; and so was also books set
by all manner of stuff, containing the contents of every thing. Thus
every thing being brought into good order and furnished, he gave the
charge of the delivery thereof unto the king, to every officer within
his office, of such stuff as they had before in charge, by indenture
of every parcel; for the order of his house was such, as that every
officer was charged by indenture with all such parcels as belonged to
their office.
Then all things being ordered as it is before rehearsed, my lord
prepared him to depart by water. And before his departing, he commanded
Sir William Gascoigne, his treasurer, to see these things before
remembered delivered safely to the king at his repair [thither]. That
done, the said Sir William said unto my lord, "Sir, I am sorry for your
grace, for I understand ye shall go straightway to the Tower." "Is this
the good comfort and counsel," quoth my lord, "that ye can give your
master in adversity? It hath been always your natural inclination to be
very light of credit; and much more lighter in reporting of false news.
I would ye should know, Sir William, and all other such blasphemers,
that it is nothing more false than that, for I never (thanks be to
God), deserved by no ways to come there under any arrest, although
it hath pleased the king to take my house ready furnished for his
pleasure at this time. I would all the world knew, and so I confess,
to have nothing, either riches, honour, or dignity, that hath not
grown of him and by him; therefore it is my very duty to surrender the
same to him again as his very own, with all my heart, or else I were
an unkind servant. Therefore go your ways, and give good attendance
unto your charge, that nothing be embezzled." And therewithal he made
him ready to depart, with all his gentlemen and yeomen, which was no
small number, and took his barge at his privy stairs, and so went by
water unto Putney, where all his horses waited his coming. And at the
taking of his barge there was no less than a thousand boats full of men
and women of the city of London, _waffeting_ up and down in Thames,
expecting my lord's departing, supposing that he should have gone
directly from thence to the Tower, whereat they rejoiced, and I dare be
bold to say that the most part never received damage at his hands.