84
REIGN OF HENRY THE EIGHTH.
[ch. 15.
Henry's haughty answer; and Charles had replied by an indirect countenance, through his ambassador, to Pole,[1] and to Lord Darcy. But the motives which had led to these overtures remained to invite their renewal; the insurrection was for the present prostrate, and the Emperor therefore withdrew his first step, and disowned his compromised minister in London. JuneIn June, 1537, Diego de Mendoza arrived at the English Court, with a commission to express in more emphatic terms the earnest wish of the Court of Spain for the renewal of the old alliance.
The King had done enough for the protection of his dignity; prudence now recommended him to believe in Charles's sincerity. A solid understanding with Flanders was the best passport to the hearts of large portions of his subjects, whose interests were connected with the wool trade: he was himself ardently anxious to resume his place in the fraternity of European sovereigns. Mendoza was graciously received. Sir Thomas Wyatt was despatched into Spain with a corresponding mission; and Wyatt's instructions were couched in language which showed that, although the English Government were under no delusion as to Charles's late proceedings, they were ready to close their eyes to objects which they did not wish to see. Wyatt was directed to say that the proposals for a reconciliation which had been made by the late ambassadors had appeared so feeble, as to seem rather a device of policy to prevent the King of England from- ↑ Pole to the Bishop of Liège: Epist. vol. ii. p. 41.
