380
REIGN OF HENRY THE EIGHTH
[ch. 5.
ing with fanatical Anabaptists, and clamouring for a general council.
Henry and Francis had been called upon to furnish a contingent against Solyman, and had declined to act with the Emperor. They had undertaken to concert their own measures between themselves, if it proved necessary for them to move; June.and in the mean time Cardinal Grammont and Cardinal Tournon were sent by Francis to Rome, to inform Clement that unless he gave a verdict in Henry's favour, the Kings of France and England, being une mesme chose, would pursue some policy with respect to him,[1] to which he would regret- ↑ 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 Bibliothèque Impérial 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 Iris 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
