Letter I.
Source.—Burnet's History of the Reformation, Part III.; Collection of Records, Book I., No. 7.
Sir,
It may like your highness to understand I have this hour received letters from your Orators Resident in the court of Rome, mentioning how the xivth day of this instant month, it pleased Almighty God to call the Pope's Holiness to His mercy, whose soul our Lord pardon. And in what train the matters then were at that time for election of the future Pope, your Highness shall perceive by the letters of your said Orators, which I send unto the same at this time, whereby appeareth that mine absence from thence shall be the only obstacle (if any be) in the election of me to that dignity; albeit there is no great semblance that the college of Cardinals shall consent upon any being there present, because of the sundry factions that be among themselves, for which cause, though afore God, I repute myself right unmeet and unable to so high and great dignity, desiring much rather to demure, continue and end my life with your Grace, for doing of such service as may be to your Honour and Wealth of this your realm, than to be x Popes, yet nevertheless, remembering what mind and opinion your grace was of, at the last vacation, to have me preferred thereunto, thinking that it should be to the honour, benefit, etc. advancement of your affairs in time coming; and supposing that your Highness persisteth in the same mind and intent, I shall devise such instructions, commissions and other writings, as the last time was delivered to Mr. Pace for that purpose: And the same I shall send to your grace by the next post, whom it may like to do farther therein as will stand with your gracious pleasure, whereunto I shall always conform myself accordingly. And to the intent it may appear farther to your grace what mind and determination they be of, towards mine advancement, which as your Orators wrote, have now at this present time the principal authority and chief stroke in the election of the Pope, making in manner Triumviratum, I send unto your Highness their several letters to me addressed in that behalf, beseeching Our Lord that such one may be chosen as may be to the Honour of God, the weal of Christ's Church, and the benefit of all Christendom. And thus Jesu preserve your most Noble and Royal Estate: At the More the last Day of September, by
Your most humble chaplain,
T. Carlis. Ebor.