The sort of influence to which the See of Rome was amenable appears in another letter to the Emperor, written from Rome itself on the 4th of October.  The Pope and cardinals, it is to be remembered, were claiming to be considered the supreme court of appeal in Christendom.

“Si je ne m’abuse tous ou la pluspart du Saint College sont plus affectionnez a vostre dite Majeste que a autre Prince Chrestien:  de vous escrire, Sire, particulierement toutes leurs responses seroit chose trop longue.  Tant y a que elles sont telles que votre Majeste a raison doubt grandement se contenter d’icelles.

“...  Seulement diray derechief a vostre Majeste, et me souvient l’avoir dict plusieurs fois, qu’il est en vostre Majeste gaigner et entretenir perpetuellement ce college en vostre devotion en distribuant seulement entre les principaulx d’eulx en pensions et benefices la somme de vingt mille ducas, l’ung mille, l’autre deulx ou trois mille.  Et est cecy chose, Sire, que plus vous touche que a autre Prince Chrestien pour les affaires que vostre Majeste a journellement a despescher en ceste court.”—­M. de Praet to Charles V. August 5th, 1529.  MS. Ibid.

[170] LEGRAND, vol. iii. p. 377.

[171] Ibid. vol. iii. p. 374.

[172] Ibid. vol. iii. p. 355.

[173] Ibid.

[174] Memorandum relating to the Society of Christian Brethren. Rolls House MS.

[175] DALABER’S Narrative, printed in FOXE, vol. iv.  Seeley’s Ed.

[176] All authorities agree in the early account of Henry, and his letters provide abundant proof that it is not exaggerated.  The following description of him in the despatches of the Venetian ambassador shows the effect which he produced on strangers in 1515:—­

“Assuredly, most serene prince, from what we have seen of him, and in conformity, moreover, with the report made to us by others, this most serene king is not only very expert in arms and of great valour and most excellent in his personal endowments, but is likewise so gifted and adorned with mental accomplishments of every sort, that we believe him to have few equals in the world.  He speaks English, French, Latin, understands Italian well; plays almost on every instrument; sings and composes fairly; is prudent, and sage, and free from every vice.”—­Four Years at the Court of Henry VIII. vol. i. p. 76.

Four years later, the same writer adds,—­

“The king speaks good French, Latin, and Spanish; is very religious; hears three masses a day when he hunts, and sometimes five on other days; he hears the office every day in the queen’s chamber—­that is to say, vespers and complins.”—­Ibid. vol. ii. p. 312.  William Thomas, who must have seen him, says,