Bullen) to cast fantasy unto one of the French king's sisters. Which thing (because of the enmity and war that was at that time between the French king and the emperor, whom, for the cause before remembered, he mortally maligned) he was very desirous to procure.[1] And for the better achieving thereof requested Longland Bishop of Lincoln, being ghostly father to the king, to put a scruple into his grace's head, that it was not lawful for him to marry his brother's wife. Which the king not sorry to hear of, opened it first to Sir Thomas More, whose counsel he required therein, showing him certain places of Scripture that seemed somewhat to serve his appetite. Which when he had perused, and thereupon, as one that never had professed the study of divinity, himself[2] excused to be unmeet many ways
- ↑ When there was found no other way he inspired the King that the Queen was not his wife, by the Bishop of Lincoln his confessor, as the saying was. Tyndal Practice of Prelates.—This charge which has often been reiterated against Wolsey, seems to be unfounded. In Harpsfield's MS. Life of Sir Thomas More is the following passage, which completely contradicts it. "I have heard Dr. Draycot, that was his (Longland's) chaplain and chancellor say, that he once told the bishop what rumour ran upon him in that matter; and desired to know of him the very truth. Who answered, that in very deed he did not break the matter after that sort, as it is said; but the king brake the matter to him first; and never left urging him until he had won him to give his consent. Of which doings he did forethink himself, and repented afterwards."
- ↑ Utinam periculoso negotio se nunquam admiscuisset, et causam Theologicam cessisset Theologis.—Erasmi Epist.
