Primate, and
Legate aforesaid, having first called upon the name of Christ for direction
herein, and having God altogether before our eyes, do pronounce sentence,
and declare for the invalidity of the said marriage, decreeing that the
said pretended marriage always was and still is null and invalid; that it
was contracted and consummated contrary to the will and law of God, that it
is of no force or obligation, but that it always wanted, and still wants,
the strength and sanction of law; and therefore we sentence that it is not
lawful for the said most illustrious Prince, Henry VIII., and the said most
serene Lady Catherine, to remain in the said pretended marriage; and we do
separate and divorce them one from the other, inasmuch as they contracted
and consummated the said pretended marriage de facto, and not de jure; and
that they so separated and divorced are absolutely free from all marriage
bond with regard to the foresaid pretended marriage, we pronounce, and
declare by this our definitive sentence and final decree, which we now
give, and by the tenour of these present writings do publish. May 23rd,
1533."--BURNET'S _Collectanea_, p. 68, and LORD HERBERT.

[434] HALL.

[435] Ibid.

[436] Ibid. p. 801. Hall was most likely an eye-witness, and may be
thoroughly trusted in these descriptions. Whenever we are able to test him,
which sometimes happens, by independent contemporary accounts, he proves
faithful in the most minute particulars.

[437] FOXE, vol. v. p. III.

[438] Northumberland to Henry VIII.: _State Papers_, vol. iv. pp. 598-9.

[439] Hawkins to Henry VIII.: Ibid. vol. vii. p. 488.

[440] BURNET. vol. iii. p. 115.

[441] _State Papers_, vol. i. p. 398.

[442] Papers relating to the Nun of Kent: _Rolls House MS._

[443] ELLIS, first series, vol. ii. p. 43.

[444] _Cotton M.S._ Otho X, p. 199. _State Papers_, vol. i. p. 397.

[445] _State Papers_, vol. i. p. 403.

[446] Cromwell had endeavoured to save Frith, or at least had been
interested for him. Sir Edmund Walsingham, writing to him about the
prisoners in the Tower, says:--"Two of them wear irons, and Frith weareth
none. Although he lacketh irons, he lacketh not wit nor pleasant tongue.
His learning passeth my judgment. Sir, as ye said, it were great pity to
lose him if he may be reconciled."--Walsingham to Cromwell: _M.S. State
Paper Office_, second series, vol. xlvi.

[447] ELLIS, first series, vol. ii. p. 40.

[448] "The natural body