s, began to distinguish
himself. Forest was warden of a convent of Observants at Greenwich attached
to the royal chapel, and having been Catherine's confessor, remained, with
the majority of the friars, faithful to her interests, and fearless in the
assertion of them. From their connection with the palace, the intercourse
of these monks with the royal household was considerable; their position
gave them influence, and Anne Boleyn tried the power of her charms, if
possible, to gain them over. She had succeeded with a few of the weaker
brothers, but she was unable (and her inability speaks remarkably for
Henry's endurance of opposition through the early stages of the
controversy) to protect those whose services she had won from the anger of
their superiors. One monk in whom she was interested the warden
imprisoned,[368] another there was an effort to expel,[369] because he was
ready to preach on her side; and Forest himself preached a violent sermon
at Paul's Cross, attacking Cromwell and indirectly the king.[370] He was
sent for to the court, and the persecuted brothers expected their triumph;
but he returned, as one of them wrote bitterly to Cromwell, having been
received with respect and favour, as if, after all, the enmity of a brave
man found more honour at the court than the complacency of cowardice.
Father Forest, says this letter, has been with the king. "He says he spake
with the king for half an hour and more, and was well retained by his
Grace; and the King's Grace did send him a great piece of beef from his own
table; and also he met with my Lord of Norfolk, and he says he took him in
his arms and bade him welcome."[371]

Forest, unfortunately for himself, misconstrued forbearance into fear, and
went his way at last, through treason and perjury, to the stake. In the
meantime the Observants were left in possession of the royal chapel, the
weak brother died in prison, and the king, when at Greenwich, continued to
attend service, submitting to listen, as long as submission was possible,
to the admonitions which the friars used the opportunity to deliver to him.

In these more courteous days we can form little conception of the licence
which preachers in the sixteenth century allowed themselves, or the
language which persons in high authority were often obliged to bear.
Latimer spoke as freely to Henry VIII. of neglected duties, as to the
peasants in his Wiltshire parish. St. Ambrose did not rebuke the Emperor
The