he king never had in his realm
traitors like his friars--[Vaughan wrote "clergy." The word in the original
is dashed through, and "friars" is substituted, whether by Cromwell or by
himself in an afterthought, I do not know]--and so I have always said, and
yet do. Let his Grace look well about him, for they seek to devour him.
They have blinded his Grace."

[374] ELLIS, third series, vol. ii. p. 262, etc.

[375] The wishes of the French Court had been expressed emphatically to
Clement in the preceding January. Original copies of the two following
letters are in the Bibliotheque Imperial at Paris:--

_The Cardinal of Lorraine to Cardinal ---- at Rome._

"Paris, Jan. 8, 1531-2.

"RIGHT REVEREND FATHER AND LORD IN CHRIST.--After our most humble
commendations--The King of England complains loudly that his cause is not
remanded into his own country; he says that it cannot be equitably dealt
with at Rome, where he cannot be present. He himself, the Queen, and the
other witnesses, are not to be dragged into Italy to give their evidence;
and the suits of the Sovereigns of England and France have always hitherto
been determined in their respective countries.

"Nevertheless, by no entreaty can we prevail on the Pope to nominate
impartial judges who will decide the question in England.

"The King's personal indignation is not the only evil which has to be
feared. When these proceedings are known among the people, there will,
perhaps, be a revolt, and the Apostolic See may receive an injury which
will not afterwards be easily remedied.

"I have explained these things more at length to his Holiness, as my duty
requires. Your affection towards him, my lord, I am assured is no less than
mine. I beseech you, therefore, use your best endeavours with his Holiness,
that the King of England may no longer have occasion to exclaim against
him. In so doing you will gratify the Most Christian King, and you will
follow the course most honourable to yourself and most favourable to the
quiet of Christendom.

"From Abbeville."

_Francis the First to Pope Clement the Seventh._

"Paris, Jan. 10, 1531-2.

"MOST HOLY FATHER,--You are not ignorant what our good brother and ally the
King of England demands at your hands. He requires that the cognisance of
his marriage be remanded to his own realm, and that he be no further
pressed to pursue the process at Rome. The place is inconvenient from its
distance, and there are other good and reason