[402] Henry VIII. to the Ambassadors with the Pope:  Rolls House M.S.

[403] Ibid.

[404] So at least the English government was at last convinced, as appears in the circular to the clergy, printed in BURNET’S Collectanea, p. 447, etc.  I try to believe, however, that the pope’s conduct was rather weak than treacherous.

[405] So at least Cranmer says; but he was not present, nor was he at the time informed that it was to take place.—­ELLIS, first series, vol. ii. p. 32.  The belief, however, generally was, that the marriage took place in November; and though Cranmer’s evidence is very strong, his language is too vague to be decisive.

[406] Individual interests have to yield necessarily and justly to the interests of a nation, provided the conduct or the sacrifice which the nation requires is not sinful.  That there would have been any sin on Queen Catherine’s part if she had consented to a separation from the king, was never pretended; and although it is a difficult and delicate matter to decide how far unwilling persons may be compelled to do what they ought to have done without compulsion, yet the will of a single man or woman cannot be allowed to constitute itself an irremovable obstacle to a great national good.

[407] It is printed by LORD HERBERT, and in LEGRAND, vol. iii.

[408] LEGRAND, vol. iii. p. 558, etc.

[409] Ye may show unto his Holiness that ye have heard from a friend of yours in Flanders lately, that there hath been set up certain writings from the See Apostolic, in derogation both of justice and of the affection lately showed by his Holiness unto us; which thing ye may say ye can hardly believe to be true, but that ye reckon them rather to be counterfeited.  For if it should be true, it is a thing too far out of the way, specially considering that you and other our ambassadors be there, and have heard nothing of the matter.  We send a copy of these writings unto you, which copy we will in no wise that ye shall show to any person which might think that ye had any knowledge from us nor any of our council, marvelling greatly if the same hath proceeded indeed from the pope; [and] willing you expressly not to show that ye had it of us.—­State Papers, vol. vii. p. 421.

[410] State Papers, vol. vii. p. 454.

[411] Sir John Wallop to Henry:  State Papers, vol. vii. p. 422.

[412] Francis represented himself to Henry as having refused with a species of bravado.  “He told me,” says Sir John Wallop, “that he had announced previously that he would consent to no such interview, unless your Highness were also comprised in the same; and if it were so condescended that your Highness and he should be then together, yet you two should go after such a sort and with such power that you would not care whether the pope and emperor would have peace or else coups de baston.”—­Wallop