The Divorce of Catherine of Aragon The Story as Told by the Imperial Ambassadors Resident at the Court of Henry VIII   By: J.A. Froude

THE DIVORCE OF CATHERINE OF ARAGON

THE STORY AS TOLD BY THE IMPERIAL AMBASSADORS RESIDENT AT THE COURT OF HENRY VIII.

IN USUM LAICORUM

BY J. A. FROUDE

BEING A SUPPLEMENTARY VOLUME TO THE AUTHOR'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND

NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 1891

[ All rights reserved ]

Copyright, 1891, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS.

The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A. Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton & Company.

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER I.

Prospects of a disputed succession to the crown Various claimants Catherine incapable of having further children Irregularity of her marriage with the King Papal dispensations First mention of the divorce Situation of the Papacy Charles V. Policy of Wolsey Anglo French alliance Imperial troops in Italy Appeal of the Pope Mission of Inigo de Mendoza The Bishop of Tarbes Legitimacy of the Princess Mary called in question Secret meeting of the Legates' court Alarms of Catherine Sack of Rome by the Duke of Bourbon Proposed reform of the Papacy The divorce promoted by Wolsey Unpopular in England Attempts of the Emperor to gain Wolsey 21

CHAPTER II.

Mission of Wolsey to Paris Visits Bishop Fisher on the way Anxieties of the Emperor Letter of the Emperor to Henry VIII. Large offers to Wolsey Address of the French Cardinals to the Pope Anne Boleyn chosen by Henry to succeed Catherine Surprise and displeasure of Wolsey Fresh attempts of the Emperor to bribe him Wolsey forced to continue to advocate the divorce Mission of Dr. Knight to Rome The Pope at Orvieto The King applies for a dispensation to make a second marriage Language of the dispensation demanded Inferences drawn from it Alleged intrigue between the King and Mary Boleyn 41

CHAPTER III.

Anxiety of the Pope to satisfy the King Fears of the Emperor Proposed alternatives France and England declare war in the Pope's defence Campeggio to be sent to England The King's account of the Pope's conduct The Pope's distress and alarm The secret decretal Instructions to Campeggio 62

CHAPTER IV.

Anne Boleyn Letters to her from the King The Convent at Wilton The Divorce The Pope's promises Arrival of Campeggio in England Reception at the Bridewell Palace Proposal to Catherine to take the veil Her refusal Uncertainty of the succession A singular expedient Alarms of Wolsey The true issue Speech of the King in the City Threats of the Emperor Defects in the Bull of Pope Julius Alleged discovery of a brief supplying them Distress of Clement 70

CHAPTER V.

Demands of the Imperial Agent at Rome The alleged Brief Illness of the Pope Aspirations of Wolsey The Pope recovers Imperial menaces Clement between the anvil and the hammer Appeal of Henry to Francis The trial of the cause to proceed Instructions to Campeggio Opinion at Rome Recall of Mendoza Final interview between Mendoza and the King 86

CHAPTER VI.

The Court at Blackfriars The point at issue The Pope's competency as judge Catherine appeals to Rome Imperial pressure upon Clement The Emperor insists on the Pope's admission of the appeal Henry demands sentence Interference of Bishop Fisher The Legates refuse to give judgment The Court broken up Peace of Cambray 99

CHAPTER VII.

Call of Parliament Wolsey to be called to account Anxiety of the Emperor to prevent a quarrel Mission of Eustace Chapuys Long interview with the King Alarm of Catherine Growth of Lutheranism The English clergy Lord Darcy's Articles against Wolsey Wolsey's fall Departure of Campeggio Letter of Henry to the Pope Action of Parliament Intended reform of the Church Alienation of English feeling from the Papacy 110