him a protection, and left him the | neglecting, in the meanwhile, to use those friends he had left in court, for the reintegrating him into his former favour; or when that could not be done, for the making his fall more easy. For which purpose one Master Thomas Cromwell, his servant (who came afterwards to great preferment), was employed, but Mistress Boleyn secretly opposed all. So that the cardinal, being now in a manner hopeless of regaining the king's good opinion, dismissed (not without tears on both sides) the greatest part of his numerous family, without other reward than what Master Cromwell and some of his chaplains did freely contribute. The king hearing the cardinal to be somewhat humbled, sent (Nov. 1) Sir John Russel with a turquoise ring to him as a token of his care and affection. But it was not gifts that the cardinal expected from the king, but liberty and restitution to his former greatness ; which yet was so much in vain, as his offences were daily exag bishoprics of York and Winchester, which he had lately given him after the death of Richard Fox, only he confined him for the present to his house at Esher, till his further pleasure was signified. Being upon his way, the king (touched with some compassion) sent him by one Master Norreys, not only a gracious message, but a ring, which was a token betwixt them, when any special business was recommended. Upon receiving whereof, the overjoyed cardinal alighted from his mule, and in the dirt upon his bare knees acknowledged the comfort he received. To show his thankfulness also to Master Norreys, he presented him with a chain of gold, at which a piece of the cross did hang. But it troubled him much that he had nothing to send to the king; till, at last, having espied in his train a facetious natural. in whom he took much delight, he desired Master Norreys to present him to the king. Which promotion yet this fellow (for the ap-gerated. For as the king did not proving himself no counterfeit) did so slight, as the cardinal was forced to send six of his tallest yeomen to bring him to court. think it enough that he had particularly advantaged himself of the cardinal's punishment, unless he made some use thereof to the The cardinal coming at last to general, so he called (Oct. 1) a Esher, found himself so destitute council of the nobles to sit in the of all necessaries, as, till one Mas- Star Chamber, who having suffiter Arundel first, and after the ciently condemned him, he afterBishop of Carlisle provided him, wards permitted him to the Parhe wanted even the most ordinary liament, which began Nov. 3, parts of household stuff. And 1529. Wherein the king also thus the ill-accommodated cardinal did wisely, since by interesting passed some weeks in expectation the public in his condemnation, of the king's further pleasure, not he both declined the censure of those who thought the late pro- | fort herein, saying, " the king was determined to dissolve them, though whether he meant to restore them again and found them in his own name, he knew not; but wishes him to be content," etc. Howsoever, in the traffic of these and other lands, as well as negotiating his master's business, Cromwell showed that dexterity, which at last won him much credit, both with the king and his principal counsellors. ceedings to have been of the severest, and endeared his people by putting the power of punishing him into their hands. Therefore they took it as an entire satisfaction for all they had hitherto suffered; and by applauding of the king, made him know how thankfully they took this favour. And thus did the king return to that former good opinion he had of his subjects. * * * * And now Cardinal Wolsey, it seems, had tried his utmost skill for recovering of the king's favour; whereof, also, some hope was given him in his being permitted to remove to Richmond. But as his enemies suspected he would make use of this nearness to obtain access to the king, so they laboured instantly to send him to the north. Wherein they prevailed at length, obtaining further, that the revenues of the bishopric of Winchester and abbey of St. Albans, as also some other places of his, forfeited by the præmunire, might be applied in part to the king's servants; a pension only out of Winchester being reserved to the cardinal. The revenues also of his two colleges were torn and divided, which grieved him more than any other affliction: insomuch, that he wrote to the king humbly, as on his knees with weeping eyes, that the college of Oxford might stand, and importuned Cromwell to this purpose, since they are in a manner, saith he, “opera manuum tuarum." But Cromwell returned him no com And now the cardinal being commanded to York, had no excuse for retarding his journey but want of means, which also he signified to the king; who thereupon sent him a thousand pounds, with which and a train, reduced now to about one hundred and sixty persons, he (March) set forth, giving by the way much alms, and not a few other arguments of devotion, which also made him gracious with the people, who resorted from all places adjoining to him. And thus, with slow and unwilling removes, he came to Cawood Castle near York, about the end of September 1530, where he prepared, according to the ancient custom, to be installed with much ceremony about a month after; all access to the choir being till then forbidden. But whether the solemnity of this action was thought by our king to be unreasonable and misbecoming one in disgrace, or that otherwise the cardinal had cast forth some discontented words which were related again to the king: here, certainly, began his final ruin, which, as his enemies (at this distance) did with comes in and confirms what the earl had said. The cardinal believing (by this time) that they were in good earnest, yields to Sir Walter Welsh, as the king's servant, and not to the earl; to whom he said he would not submit himself before he was better whether he did out of stubbornness to the earl, who had been heretofore educated in his house, or out of despite to Mistress Ann Boleyn, who (he might conceive) had put this affront upon him in finding means to employ her ancient suitor to take revenge in both their names, doth not appear to me by my author. Howsoever, he protested he was no way faulty in his allegiance. Dr. more boldness and advantage procure, so had he less means to repair himself. Insomuch, that without being able to discover or prevent their machinations, he was forced to suffer all that could be either truly or (almost) falsely surmised against him. Neither had he other hope but that the punish-satisfied of his authority, which ments he had already endured might be accepted as an entire satisfaction for all his offences. And now his stallation drew near, when the Earl of Northumberland, warden of the marches, with one Sir Walter Welsh, gentleman of the king's privy chamber, came (November 4) by the king's command to Cawood to arrest the cardinal, wherein he used that diligence and secrecy, that he had placed his guards in the hall | Augustine (whose offence yet doth before any escaped to advertise the cardinal thereof. Neither did he, at the earl's coming upstairs, receive him in other terms than those of a guest, till entering into a private chamber together, the earl in a low and troubled voice arrested him of high treason. The dismayed and pensive cardinal stayed a while before he answered, but at last recovering his spirits, demanded the sight of the earl's commission, protesting that otherwise he would not obey; urging further, that he was a member of the college of cardinals at Rome, and so exempt from all princes' jurisdiction. But while the earl replied that he might not show his commission, Sir Walter Welsh, who had now arrested Dr. Augustine, the cardinal's physician, | not appear to me) was despatched to London in the posture of a traitor, his legs tied to his horse. But the cardinal had some respite, though yet commanded to prepare for his journey, which he began (November 8) at length in that deliberate manner, that if he removed slowly before from the king, he moved now more slowly to him. Insomuch that had not the Earl of Shrewsbury, to whom (being the steward of the king's household) the Earl of Northumberland was commanded to deliver him till the king's further pleasure were known, told him that the king commanded he should be used kindly, as one whom he highly favoured, it is probable that the afflicted cardinal would have fallen under the burthen of his own griefs. Furthermore, the | trials, but that before God, spake earl assured him, on the king's to this effect:-"Had I served part, that though his highness God as diligently as I have done could do no less than put him to the king, he would not have given his trial, yet that it was more for me over in my gray hairs; but the satisfying of some persons, this is my just reward. Notwiththan out of mistrust of his trai- standing, I pray ye commend me torous doings. And thus at Shef- most humbly to the king, desiring field Castle he stayed a fortnight, him to call to remembrance all when a wind cholic, which ended matters that have passed betwixt in a dysentery, took him. In us, and specially about Queen which state Sir William Kingston, Catherine, and then shall His captain of the king's guard and Grace know whether I have ofConstable of the Tower, attended fended him. He is a prince of with twenty-four yeomen of the royal courage; but rather than he guard (all of them formerly ser- will want or miss any part of his vants to the cardinal), did find him. will or pleasure, he will endamage So that, notwithstanding the many the loss of one half of his realm. encouragements of the earl, second- For, I assure you, I have often ed by Sir William Kingston (who | knelt before him, sometimes the on his knees saluted him), the space of three hours, to persuade cardinal remained still sick and him from his will and appetite, comfortless. Neither did it avail but could never dissuade him him that Sir William Kingston from it. Therefore, Master King(on the king's part) gave him ston, I warn you, if ever you be many gracious words, adding fur- of his council (as for your wisdom thermore, that he should make no you are meet), that ye be well more haste than stood with his assured and advised what you put health and convenience. For the in his head, for you shall never cardinal became still more and put it out again." After which more dejected. Notwithstanding, words (as Cavendish hath them) he as he considered that delay would began an exhortation to take heed but argue guiltiness, so he pro- of the Lutherans by the example ceeded in his journey the best he of those of Bohemia, lest they could, till he came to Leicester should likewise subvert the secular Abbey, where (November 17) a power. But as in the prosecuting fever, complicated with his former of this discourse his speech failed disease, seizing on him, he lan- him, so did his breath presently guished not without manifest after, insomuch that he died, and signs of his end. Being thus was buried there in the abbey upon his bed, Sir William King-church, November 30, before day. ston came again to comfort him, but the cardinal finding now that death would discharge him of all And not where he had begun a monument for himself long since (wherein, as appears by our records, he had not omitted his own image), which one Benedetto, a statuary of Florence, took in hand 1524 and continued till 1529, receiving for so much as was already done 4250 ducats. The design whereof was so glorious, that it exceeded far that of Henry VII. Nevertheless, I find the cardinal, when this was finished, did purpose to make a tomb for Henry VIII., but dying in this manner, King Henry made use of so much as he found fit and called it his. Thus did the tomb of the cardinal partake the same fortune with his college, as being assumed by the king, both which yet remain still unperfect. The news of the cardinal's death being brought to our king, did so much afflict him, that he wished it had cost him twenty thousand pounds upon condition he had lived. Howbeit he omitted not to inquire of about one thousand and five hundred pounds, which the Cardinal Wolsey had lately got, without that the king could imagine how. So that, till it appeared he borrowed it of divers persons, he might perchance suspect it to be the remainder of some of his ancient acquisitions. And thus concluded that great cardinal. |