[Footnote 56: This negotiation was successful. The
French hired a fleet of long ships of the Genoese.]

[Footnote 57: Orator.--Petitioner, one who prayed
for the welfare of another.]

It is curious to remark that, on the very Sunday before this (p. 061)
letter was written, the English bishops caused a sort of pious comedy
to be acted in the presence of the Emperor Sigismund. It was one of
those mysteries, as they were called, which had so long mingled
religious instruction (of a very questionable character) with
amusement. The fruits of these exhibitions were probably very
equivocal in that age in England, as they are on the Continent at this
day. The Germans consider this play, which was the representation of
the Nativity,[58] the Massacre of the Innocents, and the Visit of the
Magi, as the first introduction of that sort of dramatic performance
into their country. The English had caused a rehearsal to be performed
before the authorities of the place three or four times previously, in
order to make the actors perfect for their imperial audience.

[Footnote 58: A curious entry occurs (11th July
1390) in the Pell Rolls of 10_l._ ordered by the
King (Richard II.) to be paid to the clerks of the
parish churches, and other clerks in the city of
London, on account of the play of the Passion of
our Lord and the Creation of the World, by them
performed at Skynnerswell after the feast of
Bartholomew last past.]

About half a year after the date of this letter to Henry, his uncle,
Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, reached Constance in the garb of
a pilgrim, on his journey to the Holy Land. His safe-conduct is dated
July 21, 1417. His arrival at Constance was very prejudicial to the
cause of the reform of the church. The struggle then was between the
imperial party (to which the English were closely attached) (p. 062)
and the Cardinals, whether the Pope should be first elected, or
whether the reformations in the church should take precedence of his
election. Henry Beaufort, to whom all parties seem to have paid the
utmost deference, suggested the expediency of first electing the Pope;
the Cardinals pledging themselves, that done, to proceed forthwith to
the reformation. His advice was followed, and