Volume III Part 41 (1/2)

[235] Hall says, at Carlisle, but the official reports, as well as the king's directions, imply that the executions were not limited to one place.

[236] _MS. State Paper Office_, first series, Vol. II.

[237] ”Of the mind of the king towards me I had first knowledge at mine arriving in France; of the which, to shew you the full motive of my mind herein, I was more ashamed to hear, for the compa.s.sion I had to the king's honour, than moved by any indignation that I, coming not only as amba.s.sador, but as legate in the highest sort of emba.s.sage that is used among Christian princes, a prince of honour should desire another prince of like honour--'Betray the amba.s.sador, betray the legate, and give him into mine amba.s.sador's hands, to be brought unto me.' This was the dishonourable request, as I understand, of the king, which to me I promise you was no great displeasure, but rather, if I should say truth, I took pleasure therein, and said forthwith to my company that I never felt myself to be in full possession to be a cardinal as when I heard those tidings, whereby it pleased G.o.d to send like fortune to me as it did to those heads of the Church whose persons the cardinals do represent. In this case lived the apostles.”--Pole to Cromwell: Strype's _Memorials_, Vol. II. p. 326, &c.

[238] The value of Pole's accusations against Henry depends so much upon his character that I must be pardoned for scrutinizing his conduct rather closely. In his letter to Cromwell, dated the 2d of May, he insists that his actions had been cruelly misunderstood. Besides making the usual protestations of love and devotion to the king with which all his letters to the English court are filled, he declares, in the most solemn way, that, so far from desiring to encourage the insurgents, he had prevented the Pope from taking the opportunity of putting out the censures which might have caused more troubles. ”That he had sent at that time his servant purposely to offer his service to procure by all means the king's honour, wealth, and greatness, animating, besides, those that were chief of his nearest kin to be constant in the king's service.”--Strype's _Memorials_, Vol. II. p. 321.

I shall lay by the side of these words a pa.s.sage from his letter to the Pope, written from Cambray on the 18th of the same month.

Both the French and Flemish councils, he says, are urging him to return to Italy:--

”Eo magis quod causa ipsa quae sola me retinere posset, et quae huc sola traxit, ne spem quidem ullam ostendere videtur vel minimo periculo dignam, cur in his locis diutius maneam, populi tumultu qui causam ipsam fovebat ita sedato ut multi supplicio sint affecti, duces autem omnes in regis potestatem venerint.”

He goes on to say that the people had been in rebellion in defence of their religion. They had men of n.o.ble birth for their leaders; and nothing, it was thought, would more inspirit the whole party than to hear that one of their own nation was coming with authority to a.s.sist their cause; nothing which would strike deeper terror into their adversaries, or compel them to more equitable conditions.

For the present the tumult was composed, but only by fair words, and promises which had not been observed. A fresh opportunity would soon again offer. Men's minds were always rather exasperated than conquered by such treatment. The people would never believe the king's word again; and though for the moment held down by fear, would break out again with renewed fury. He thought, therefore, he had better remain in the neighbourhood, since the chief necessity of the party would be an efficient leader; and to know that they had a leader ready to come to them at any moment, yet beyond the king's reach, would be the greatest encouragement which they could receive.--Reginald Pole to the Pope: _Epist. Reg. Pol._ Vol. II. p. 46.

[239] Ibid.

[240] Bishop Hilsey to Cromwell: _MS. State Paper Office_, second series, Vol. x.x.xV.

[241] _Rolls House MS._ first series, 416; much injured.

[242] The Privy Council, writing to the Duke of Norfolk, said: ”You may divulge the cause of their activity to the people of those parts, that they may the rather perceive their miserable fortune, that, being once so graciously pardoned, would eftsoons combine themselves for the attempting of new treasons ... not conceiving that anything is done for their former offences done before the pardon, which his Grace will in nowise remember or speak of; but for those treasons which they have committed again since in such detestable sort as no good subject would not wish their punishment for the same.”--_Hardwicke State Papers_, Vol.

I. p. 43.

[243] _Rolls House MS._ A 2, 28.

[244] Besides his personal interference, Aske, and Constable also, had directed a notorious insurgent named Rudstone, ”in any wise to deliver Hallam from Hull.”--Ibid.

[245] Sir Ralph Ellerkar called on Constable to join him in suppressing BiG.o.d's movement. Constable neither came nor sent men, contenting himself with writing letters.--Ibid.

[246] Part of Pole's mission was to make peace between France and the Empire. The four sovereigns would, therefore, be the Pope, the King of Scotland, Francis, and Charles. I have gathered these accusations out of several groups among the Rolls House MSS., apparently heads of information, Privy Council minutes, and drafts of indictments. The particulars which I have mentioned being repeated frequently in these papers, and with much emphasis, I am inclined to think that they formed the whole of the case.

[247] The proofs of ”an animus” were severely construed.

A few clauses from a rough draft of the indictments will show how small a prospect of escape there was for any one who had not resolutely gone over to the government.

Aske wrote to the commons of the north a letter, in which was written, ”BiG.o.d intendeth to destroy the effect of our pet.i.tion and commonwealth; whereby,” Cromwell concluded, ”it appeareth he continued in his false opinion and traitorous heart.” In another letter he had said to them, ”Your reasonable pet.i.tions shall be ordered by parliament,” ”showing that he thought that their pet.i.tions were reasonable, and in writing the same he committed treason.”

Again, both Constable and he had exhorted the commons to wait for the Duke of Norfolk and the parliament, telling them that the duke would come only with his household servants; ”signifying plainly that, if their unreasonable requests were not complied with, they would take the matter in their own hands again.”

There are fifty ”articles” against them, conceived in the same spirit, of more or less importance.

[248] Sir William Parr to Henry VIII.: _MS. State Paper Office_, Letters to the King and Council, Vol. V. _Rolls House MS._ first series, 76.

[249] Sir William Parr to Cromwell: _MS. State Paper Office_, second series Vol. x.x.xI.

[250] _Baga de Secretis._

[251] Lord Hussey may have the benefit of his own denial. Cromwell promised to intercede for him if he would make a true confession. He replied thus:--