Ere long the pontiff appeared, wearing his stole, and walking between the cardinals of Lorraine and Medicis, his train following behind. His eyes, which were of remarkable quickness, immediately fell upon the distant Bonner,[[347]] and as he advanced he did not take them off the stranger, as if astonished and uneasy at seeing him. At length he stopped in the middle of the hall, and Bonner, approaching the datary, said to him: ‘Be pleased to inform his Holiness that I desire to speak to him.’ The officer refusing, the intrepid Bonner made as if he would go towards the pope. Clement, wishing to know the meaning of these indiscreet proceedings, bade the cardinals stand aside, took off the stole, and going to a window recess, called Bonner to him. The latter, without any formality, informed the pope that the King of England appealed from his decision to a general council, and that he (Bonner), his Majesty’s envoy, was prepared to hand him the authentic documents of the said appeal, taking them (as he spoke) from his portfolio. Clement, who expected nothing like this, was greatly surprised: ‘it was a terrible breakfast for him,’ says a contemporary document.[[348]] Not knowing what to answer, he shrugged his shoulders, ‘after the Italian fashion;’ and at last, recovering himself a little, he told Bonner that he was going to the consistory, and desired him to return in the afternoon. Then beckoning the cardinals, he left the hall.
Henry’s envoy was punctual to the appointment, but had to wait for an hour and a half, his Holiness being engaged in giving audience. At length he and Penniston were conducted to the pope’s closet. Clement fixed his eyes on the latter, and Bonner having introduced him, the pope remarked with a mistrustful air: ‘It is well, but I also must have some members of my council;’ and he ordered Simonetta, Capisuchi, and the datary to be sent for. While waiting their arrival, Clement leant at the window, and appeared absorbed in thought. At last, unable to contain himself any longer, he exclaimed: ‘I am greatly surprised that his Majesty should behave as he does towards me.’ The intrepid Bonner replied: ‘His Majesty is not less surprised that your Holiness, who has received so many services from him, repays him with ingratitude.’ Clement started, but restrained himself on seeing the datary enter, and ordered that officer to read the appeal which Bonner had just delivered to him.[[349]]
The datary began: ‘Considering that we have endured from the pope many wrongs and injuries (gravaminibus et injuriis).’... Clasping his hands and nodding dissent, Clement exclaimed ironically: ‘O questo è molto vero!’ meaning to say that it was false, remarks Bonner.[[350]] The datary continued: ‘Considering that his most holy Lordship strikes us with his spiritual sword, and wishes to separate us from the unity of the Church; we, desiring to protect with a lawful shield the kingdom which God has given us,[[351]] appeal by these presents, for ourselves and for all our subjects, to a holy universal council.’
A General Council.
At these words, the pope burst into a transport of passion,[[352]] and the datary stopped. Clement’s gestures and broken words uttered with vehemence, showed the horror he entertained of a council.... A council would set itself above the pope; a council might perhaps say that the Germans and the King of England were right. ‘To speak of a general council! O good Lord!’ he exclaimed.[[353]]
The pope gave way to convulsive movements, folding and unfolding his handkerchief, which was always a sign of great anger in him. At last, as if to hide his passion, he said: ‘Continue, I am listening.’ When the datary had ended, the pope said coldly to his officers: ‘It is well written! Questo è bene fatto.’
Then turning to Bonner, he asked: ‘Have you anything more to say to me?’ Bonner was not in the humor to show the least consideration. A man of the north, he took a pleasure in displaying his roughness and inflexibility in the elegant, crafty, and corrupt society of Rome. He boldly repeated the protest, and delivered the king’s ‘provocation’ to the pope, who broke out into fresh lamentations. ‘Ha!’ he exclaimed vehemently, ‘his Majesty affects much respect for the Church, but does not show the least to me.’ He snarled[[354]] as he read the new document.... Just at this moment, one of his officers announced the King of France. Francis could not have arrived at a more seasonable moment. Clement rose and went to the door to meet him. The king respectfully took off his hat, and holding it in his hand made a low bow,[[355]] after which he inquired what his Holiness was doing. ‘These English gentlemen,’ said the pontiff, ‘are here to notify me of certain provocations and appeals ... and for other matters,’[[356]] he added, displaying much ill-humor. Francis sat down near the table at which the pope was seated; and turning their backs to Henry’s envoy, who had retired into an adjoining room, they began a conversation in a low tone, which Bonner, notwithstanding all his efforts, could not hear.
That conversation possibly decided the separation between England and France. The king showed that he was offended at a course of proceeding which he characterized as unbecoming; and Clement learnt, to his immense satisfaction, that the English had not spoken to Francis about the council. ‘If you will leave me and the emperor free to act against England,’ he said to the king, ‘I will ensure you possession of the duchy of Milan.’[[357]] The monarch promised the obedience of his people to the decrees of the papacy, and the pope in his joy exclaimed: ‘Questo è per la bontà vostra!’ Bonner, who had not lost sight of the two speakers, remarked that at this moment the king and the pope ‘laughed merrily together,’ and appeared to be the best friends in the world.
The king having withdrawn, Bonner, again approached the pope, and the datary finished the reading. The Englishman had not been softened by the mysterious conversation and laughter of Clement and Francis: he was as rough and abrupt as the Frenchman had been smooth and amiable. It was long since the papacy had suffered such insults openly, and even the German Reformation had not put it to such torture. The Cardinal De Medicis, chief of the malcontents, who had come in, listened to Bonner, with head bent down and eyes fixed upon the floor: he was humiliated and indignant. ‘This is a matter of great importance,’ said Clement; ‘I will consult the consistory and let you know my answer.’
In the afternoon of Monday, 10th of November, Bonner returned to the palace to learn the pope’s pleasure: but there was a grand reception that day, the lords and ladies of the court of Francis I. were presented to Clement, who did nothing for two hours but bless chaplets, bless the spectators, and put out his foot for the nobles and dames to kiss.[[358]]