The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A.
Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton & Company.
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| Introduction | [1] |
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| Prospects of a disputed succession to the crown—Various claimants—Catherineincapable of having further children—Irregularity of her marriage with the King—Papal dispensations—Firstmention of the divorce—Situation of the Papacy—Charles V.—Policy of Wolsey—Anglo-Frenchalliance—Imperial troops in Italy—Appeal of the Pope—Mission of Inigo de Mendoza—The Bishop ofTarbes—Legitimacy of the Princess Mary called in question—Secret meeting of the Legates’court—Alarms of Catherine—Sack of Rome by the Duke of Bourbon—Proposed reform of thePapacy—The divorce promoted by Wolsey—Unpopular inEngland—-Attempts of the Emperor to gain Wolsey | [21] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| Mission of Wolsey to Paris—Visits Bishop Fisher on the way—Anxieties of the Emperor—Letter of the Emperor toHenry VIII.—Large offers to Wolsey—Address of the French Cardinals to the Pope—Anne Boleyn chosen byHenry to succeed Catherine—Surprise and displeasure of Wolsey—Fresh attempts of the Emperor to bribe him—Wolseyforced to continue to advocate the divorce—Mission of Dr. Knight to Rome—The Pope at Orvieto—The Kingapplies for a dispensation to make a second marriage—Language of the dispensation demanded—Inferences drawnfrom it—Alleged intrigue between the King and Mary Boleyn | [41] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Anxiety of the Pope to satisfy the King—Fears of the Emperor—Proposed alternatives—France and Englanddeclare war in the Pope’s defence—Campeggio to be sent to England—The King’s account of the Pope’s conduct—ThePope’s distress and alarm—The secret decretal—Instructions to Campeggio | [62] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| Anne Boleyn—Letters to her from the King—The Convent at Wilton—The Divorce—The Pope’s promises—Arrival ofCampeggio in England—Reception at the Bridewell Palace—Proposal to Catherine to take the veil—Her refusal—Uncertaintyof the succession—A singular expedient—Alarms of Wolsey—The true issue—Speech of the King in the City—Threatsof the Emperor—Defects in the Bull of Pope Julius—Alleged discovery of a brief supplying them—Distress ofClement | [70] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Demands of the Imperial Agent at Rome—The alleged Brief—Illness of the Pope—Aspirations of Wolsey—The Poperecovers—Imperial menaces—Clement between the anvil and the hammer—Appeal of Henry to Francis—The trial ofthe cause to proceed—Instructions to Campeggio—Opinion at Rome—Recall of Mendoza—Final interview betweenMendoza and the King | [86] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| The Court at Blackfriars—The point at issue—The Pope’s competency as judge—Catherine appeals toRome—Imperial pressure upon Clement—The Emperor insists on the Pope’s admission of the appeal—Henrydemands sentence—Interference of Bishop Fisher—The Legates refuse to give judgment—The Court brokenup—Peace of Cambray | [99] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Call of Parliament—Wolsey to be called to account—Anxiety of the Emperor to prevent a quarrel—Mission of EustaceChapuys—Long interview with the King—Alarm ofCatherine—Growth of Lutheranism—The English clergy—Lord Darcy’s Articles against Wolsey—Wolsey’sfall—Departure of Campeggio—Letter of Henry to the Pope—Action of Parliament—Intended reform of theChurch—Alienation of English feeling from the Papacy | [110] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| Hope of Wolsey to return to power—Anger of Anne Boleyn and the Duke of Norfolk—Charles V. at Bologna—Issueof a prohibitory brief—The Pope secretly on Henry’s side—Collection of opinions—Norfolk warns Chapuys—Stateof feeling in England—Intrigues of Wolsey—His illness and death | [131] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| Danger of challenging the Papal dispensing power—The Royal family of Spain—Address of the English Peers to thePope—Compromise proposed by the Duke of Norfolk—The English Agents at Rome—Arrival of a new Nuncio in England—Hisinterview with the King—Chapuys advises the King’s excommunication—Position of the English clergy—Statuteof Provisors—The clergy in a Præmunire—Remonstrances of the Nuncio—Despair of Catherine—Her letterto the Pope—Henry prepares for war—The introduction of briefs from Rome forbidden—Warnings given to the SpanishAmbassador and the Nuncio | [141] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| State of feeling in England—Clergy and laity—The Clergy in a Præmunire—The Royal Supremacy—Hesitationat Rome—Submission of the Clergy—The meaning of the new title—More and Fisher—Alarm of the Emperor—Appeal ofCatherine to him—Unpopularity of Anne Boleyn—Threats of excommunication—Determination of Henry—Deputationof Peers to Catherine—Catherine’s reply—Intolerable pretensions of the Emperor—Removal of Catherine fromthe Court | [157] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| Proposals for the reunion of Christendom—Warning addressedto the Pope—Address of the English nobles to QueenCatherine—Advances of Clement to Henry—Embarrassments of the Pope and the Emperor—Unwillingness of the Pope todecide against the King—Business in Parliament—Reform of the English Church—Death of Archbishop Warham—BishopFisher and Chapuys—Question of annates—Papal Briefs—The Pope urged to excommunicate Henry—ThePope refuses—Anger of Queen Catherine’s Agent | [175] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| Henry advised to marry without waiting for sentence—Meeting of Henry and Francis—Anne Boleyn present at theinterview—Value of Anne to the French Court—Pressure on the Pope by the Agents of the Emperor—Complaints ofCatherine—Engagements of Francis—Action of Clement—The King conditionally excommunicated—Demand for finalsentence—Cranmer appointed Archbishop of Canterbury—Marriage of Henry and Anne Boleyn—Supposed connivanceof the Pope—The Nuncio attends Parliament—The Act of Appeals—The Emperor entreated to intervene—Chapuysand the King | [192] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| The King’s claim—The obstinacy of Catherine—The Court at Dunstable—Judgment given by Cranmer—Debate in theSpanish Council of State—Objections to armed interference—The English opposition—Warning given to Chapuys—Chapuysand the Privy Council—Conversation with Cromwell—Coronation of Anne Boleyn—Discussions at Rome—Bullsupra Attentatis—Confusion of the Catholic Powers—Libels against Henry—Personal history of Cromwell—Birth ofElizabeth—The King’s disappointment—Bishop Fisher desires the introduction of a Spanish army into England—Growthof Lutheranism | [218] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| Interview between the Pope and Francis at Marseilles—Proposed compromise—The divorce case to be heard at Cambray—TheEmperor consents—Catherine refuses—The story of the Nun of Kent—Bishop Fisher in the Tower—Imminentbreach with the Papacy—Catherine and the Princess Mary—Separation of the Princess from her mother—Catherineat Kimbolton—Appeals to the Emperor—Encouragement ofLutheranism—Last efforts at Rome—Final sentence delivered by the Pope—The Pope’s authority abolished inEngland | [243] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| The Papal curse—Determined attitude of the Princess Mary—Chapuys desires to be heard in Parliament—Interviewwith the King—Permission refused—The Act of Succession—Catherine loses the title of Queen—More and Fisher refuseto swear to the statute—Prospects of rebellion in Ireland—The Emperor unwilling to interfere—Perplexity ofthe Catholic party—Chapuys before the Privy Council—Insists on Catherine’s rights—Singular defence of the Pope’saction—Chapuys’s intrigues—Defiant attitude of Catherine—Fears for her life—Condition of Europe—Prospect ofwar between France and the Empire—Unwillingness of the Emperor to interfere in England—Disappointment of Catherine—Visitof Chapuys to Kimbolton | [260] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| Prosecution of Lord Dacre—Failure of the Crown—Rebellion in Ireland—Lord Thomas Fitzgerald—Delight of the Catholicparty—Preparations for a rising in England—The Princess Mary—Lord Hussey and Lord Darcy—Schemes for insurrection submittedto Chapuys—General disaffection among the English Peers—Death of Clement VII.—Election of Paul III.—Expectation at Romethat Henry would now submit—The expectation disappointed—The Act of Supremacy—The Italian conjuror—ReginaldPole—Violence and insolence of Anne Boleyn—Spread of Lutheranism—Intendedescape of the Princess Mary out of England | [283] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| Prospects of civil war—England and Spain—Illness of the Princess Mary—Plans for her escape—Spirit of QueenCatherine—The Emperor unwilling to interfere—Negotiations for a new treaty between Henry and Charles—Debatein the Spanish Council of State—The rival alliances—Disappointment of the confederate Peers—Advance of Lutheranismin England—Cromwell and Chapuys—Catherine and Mary the obstacles to peace—Supposed designs on Mary’slife | [301] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| Negotiations for a treaty—Appeal of Catherine to the Emperor—Fresh plans for the escape of Mary—Forbidden by theEmperor—The King and his daughter—Suggestion of Dr. Butts—The clergy and the Reformation—The Charterhousemonks—More and Fisher in the Tower—The Emperor in Africa—The treaty—Rebellion in Ireland—Absolution ofLord Thomas Fitzgerald for the murder of the Archbishop of Dublin—Treason of Lord Hussey—Fresh debates in the SpanishCouncil—Fisher created cardinal—Trial and execution of Fisher and More—Effect inEurope | [318] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| Campaign of the Emperor in Africa—Uncertainties at Rome—Policy of Francis—English preparations for war—Fresh appealsto the Emperor—Delay in the issue of the censures—The Princess Mary—Letter of Catherine to the Pope—Disaffectionof the English Catholics—Libels against Henry—Cromwell and Chapuys—Lord Thomas Fitzgerald—Dangerous position ofHenry—Death of the Duke of Milan—Effect on European policy—Intended Bull of Paul III.—Indecision of Charles—Prospectof war with France—Advice of Charles to Catherine—Distrust of the Emperor at the Papal Court—Warlike resolution of the Poperestrained by the Cardinals | [347] |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| Illness of Queen Catherine—Her physicians’ report of her health—-Her last letter to the Emperor—She sends forChapuys—Interview between Chapuys and Henry—Chapuys at Kimbolton—Death of Catherine—Examination of thebody—Suspicion of poison—Chapuys’s opinion—Reception of the news at the Court—Message of Anne Boleyn tothe Princess Mary—Advice of Chapuys—Unpopularity of Anne—Court rumours | [371] |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| Funeral of Catherine—Miscarriage of Anne—The Princess Mary and the Act of Supremacy—Her continued desire toescape—Effect of Catherine’s death on Spanish policy—Desire of the Emperor to recover the English alliance—Chapuysand Cromwell—Conditions of the treaty—Efforts of theEmperor to recover Henry to the Church—Matrimonial schemes—Likelihood of a separation of the King from Anne—JaneSeymour—Anne’s conduct—The Imperial treaty—Easter at Greenwich—Debate in Council—The FrenchAlliance or the Imperial—The alternative advantages—Letter of the King to his Ambassador inSpain | [389] |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| Easter at Greenwich—French and Imperial factions at the English court—Influence of Anne Boleyn—Reports ofAnne’s conduct submitted to the King—Flying rumours—Secret Commission of Enquiry—Arrests of various persons—SirHenry Norris and the King—Anne before the Privy Council—Sent to the Tower—Her behaviour and admissions—Evidencetaken before the Commission—Trials of Norris, Weston, Brereton, and Smeton—Letter of Weston—Trial of Anne and herbrother—Executions—Speech of Rochford on the scaffold—Anne sentenced to die—Makes a confession to Cranmer—Declaredto have not been the King’s lawful wife—Nature of the confession not known—Execution | [412] |
| [CHAPTER XXIII.] | |
| Competition for Henry’s hand—Solicitations from France and from the Emperor—Overtures from the Pope—Jane Seymour—Generaleagerness for the King’s marriage—Conduct of Henry in the interval before Anne’s execution—Marriage with JaneSeymour—Universal satisfaction—The Princess Mary—Proposal for a General Council—Neutralityof England in the war between France and the Empire | [436] |
| [CHAPTER XXIV.] | |
| Expectation that Henry would return to the Roman Communion—Henry persists in carrying out the Reformation—TheCrown and the clergy—Meeting of a new Parliament—Fresh repudiation of the Pope’s authority—Complications ofthe succession—Attitude of the Princess Mary—Her reluctant submission—The King empowered to name his successorby will—Indication of his policy—The Pilgrimage of Grace—Cost of the Reformation—The martyrs, Catholic andProtestant | [450] |
| Index | [465] |
THE DIVORCE
OF
CATHERINE OF ARAGON.
INTRODUCTION.
The mythic element cannot be eliminated out of history. Men who play leading parts on the world’s stage gather about them the admiration of friends and the animosity of disappointed rivals or political enemies. The atmosphere becomes charged with legends of what they have said or done—some inventions, some distortions of facts, but rarely or never accurate. Their outward acts, being public, cannot be absolutely misstated; their motives, being known only to themselves, are an open field for imagination; and as the disposition is to believe evil rather than good, the portraits drawn may vary indefinitely, according to the sympathies of the describer, but are seldom too favourable. The more distinguished a man is the more he is talked about. Stories are current about him in his own lifetime, guaranteed apparently by the highest authorities; related, insisted upon; time, place, and circumstance accurately given—most of them mere malicious lies; yet, if written down, to reappear in memoirs a hundred years hence, they are likely to pass for authentic, or at least probable. Even where there is no malice, imagination will still be active. People believe or disbelieve, repeat or suppress, according to their own inclinations; and death, which ends the feuds of unimportant persons, lets loose the tongues over the characters of the great. Kings are especially sufferers; when alive they hear only flattery; when they are gone men revenge themselves by drawing hideous portraits of them, and the more distinguished they may have been the more minutely their weaknesses are dwelt upon. “C’est un plaisir indicible,” says Voltaire, “de donner des décrets contre des souverains morts quand on ne peut en lancer contre eux de leur vivant de peur de perdre ses oreilles.” The dead sovereigns go their way. Their real work for good or evil lives after them; but they themselves are where the opinions expressed about their character affect them no more. To Cæsar or Napoleon it matters nothing what judgment the world passes upon their conduct. It is of more importance for the ethical value of history that acts which as they are related appear wicked should be duly condemned, that acts which are represented as having advanced the welfare of mankind should be duly honoured, than that the real character of individuals should be correctly appreciated. To appreciate any single man with complete accuracy is impossible. To appreciate him even proximately is extremely difficult. Rulers of kingdoms may have public reasons for what they do, which at the time may be understood or allowed for. Times change, and new interests rise. The circumstances no longer exist which would explain their conduct. The student looks therefore for an explanation in elements which he thinks he understands—in pride, ambition, fear, avarice, jealousy, or sensuality; and, settling the question thus to his own satisfaction, resents or ridicules attempts to look for other motives. So long as his moral judgment is generally correct, he inflicts no injury, and he suffers none. Cruelty and lust are proper objects of abhorrence; he learns to detest them in studying the Tiberius of Tacitus, though the character described by the great Roman historian may have been a mere creation of the hatred of the old Roman aristocracy. The manifesto of the Prince of Orange was a libel against Philip the Second; but the Philip of Protestant tradition is an embodiment of the persecuting spirit of Catholic Europe which it would be now useless to disturb. The tendency of history is to fall into wholesome moral lines whether they be accurate or not, and to interfere with harmless illusions may cause greater errors than it aspires to cure. Crowned offenders are arraigned at the tribunal of history for the crimes which they are alleged to have committed. It may be sometimes shown that the crimes were not crimes at all, that the sufferers had deserved their fate, that the severities were useful and essential for some great and valuable purpose. But the reader sees in the apology for acts which he had regarded as tyrannical a defence of tyranny itself. Preoccupied with the received interpretation, he finds deeds excused which he had learnt to execrate; and in learning something which, even if true, is of no real moment to him, he suffers in the maiming of his perceptions of the difference between right and wrong. The whitewashing of the villains of tradition is, therefore, justly regarded as waste of labour. If successful, it is of imperfect value; if unsuccessful, it is a misuse of industry which deserves to be censured. Time is too precious to be squandered over paradoxes. The dead are gone; the censure of mankind has written their epitaphs, and so they may be left. Their true award will be decided elsewhere.