If privy search be made, and shortly, peradventure in the house of the same bishop shall be found his first copy.  Master More hath sent oftentimes and lately books unto Peto, in Antwerp—­as his book of the confutation of Tyndal, and of Frith’s opinion of the sacrament, with divers other books.  I can no further learn of More’s practices, but if you consider this well, you may perchance espy his craft.  Peto laboureth busylier than a bee in the setting forth of this book.  He never ceaseth running to and from the court here.  The king never had in his realm traitors like his friars—­[Vaughan wrote “clergy.”  The word in the original is dashed through, and “friars” is substituted, whether by Cromwell or by himself in an afterthought, I do not know]—­and so I have always said, and yet do.  Let his Grace look well about him, for they seek to devour him.  They have blinded his Grace.”

[374] ELLIS, third series, vol. ii. p. 262, etc.

[375] The wishes of the French Court had been expressed emphatically to Clement in the preceding January.  Original copies of the two following letters are in the Bibliotheque Imperial at Paris:—­

The Cardinal of Lorraine to Cardinal ——­ at Rome.

“Paris, Jan. 8, 1531-2.

“RIGHT REVEREND FATHER AND LORD IN CHRIST.—­After our most humble commendations—­The King of England complains loudly that his cause is not remanded into his own country; he says that it cannot be equitably dealt with at Rome, where he cannot be present.  He himself, the Queen, and the other witnesses, are not to be dragged into Italy to give their evidence; and the suits of the Sovereigns of England and France have always hitherto been determined in their respective countries.

“Nevertheless, by no entreaty can we prevail on the Pope to nominate impartial judges who will decide the question in England.

“The King’s personal indignation is not the only evil which has to be feared.  When these proceedings are known among the people, there will, perhaps, be a revolt, and the Apostolic See may receive an injury which will not afterwards be easily remedied.

“I have explained these things more at length to his Holiness, as my duty requires.  Your affection towards him, my lord, I am assured is no less than mine.  I beseech you, therefore, use your best endeavours with his Holiness, that the King of England may no longer have occasion to exclaim against him.  In so doing you will gratify the Most Christian King, and you will follow the course most honourable to yourself and most favourable to the quiet of Christendom.

“From Abbeville.”

Francis the First to Pope Clement the Seventh.

“Paris, Jan. 10, 1531-2.

“MOST HOLY FATHER,—­You are not ignorant what our good brother and ally the King of England demands at your hands.  He requires that the cognisance of his marriage be remanded to his own realm, and that he be no further pressed to pursue the process at Rome.  The place is inconvenient from its distance, and there are other good and reasonable objections which he assures us that he has urged upon your Holiness’s consideration.