ispensation for his espousing of
Catharine, could easily have annulled the marriage. But, in the progress
of the quarrel, the state of affairs was much changed on both sides.
Henry had shaken off much of that reverence which he had early imbibed
for the apostolic see; and finding that his subjects of all ranks
had taken part with him, and willingly complied with his measures for
breaking off foreign dependence, he had begun to relish his spiritual
authority, and would scarcely, it was apprehended, be induced to renew
his submissions to the Roman pontiff. The pope, on the other hand, now
ran a manifest risk of infringing his authority by a compliance with
the king; and as a sentence of divorce could no longer be rested on
nullities in Julius's bull, but would be construed as an acknowledgment
of papal usurpations, it was foreseen that the Lutherans would thence
take occasion of triumph, and would persevere more obstinately in their
present principles. But notwithstanding these obstacles, Francis did not
despair of mediating an agreement. He observed that the king had still
some remains of prejudice in favor of the Catholic church, and was
apprehensive of the consequences which might ensue from too violent
innovations. He saw the interest that Clement had in preserving the
obedience of England, which was one of the richest jewels in the papal
crown. And he hoped that these motives on both sides would facilitate a
mutual agreement, and would forward the effects of his good offices.

{1534.} Francis first prevailed on the pope to promise, that if the king
would send a proxy to Rome, and thereby submit his cause to the holy
see, he should appoint commissioners to meet at Cambray, and form the
process; and he should immediately afterwards pronounce the sentence of
divorce required of him. Bellay, bishop of Paris, was next despatched
to London, and obtained a promise from the king that he would submit his
cause to the Roman consistory, provided the cardinals of the imperial
faction were excluded from it. The prelate carried this verbal promise
to Rome; and the pope agreed that, if the king would sign a written
agreement to the same purpose, his demands should be fully complied
with. A day was appointed for the return of the messengers; and all
Europe regarded this affair, which had threatened a violent rupture
between England and the Romish church, as drawing towards an amicable
conclusion.[*] But the greatest affairs often dep