had engaged further that the two countries should
pursue a common course, and unite in a common schism. The two princes did
in fact agree, that if the general council which they desired was refused,
they would summon provincial councils on their own authority. Each of them
perhaps interpreted their engagements by their own wishes or
interests.[387]

We may further believe, since it was affirmed by Henry, and not denied by
Francis, that the latter advised Henry to bring the dispute to a close, by
a measure from which he could not recede; that he recommended him to act on
the general opinion of Europe that his marriage with Queen Catherine was
null, and at once upon his return to England to make Anne Boleyn his
wife.[388]

So far the account is clear. This advice was certainly given, and as
certainly Francis undertook to support Henry through all the consequences
in which the marriage might involve him. But a league for mutual defence
fell short of what Henry desired, and fell short also of what Francis, by
the warmth of his manner, had induced Henry for the moment to believe that
he meant. It is probable that the latter pressed upon him engagements which
he avoided by taking refuge in general professions; and no sooner had Henry
returned to England, than either misgivings occurred to him as to the
substantial results of the interview, or he was anxious to make the French
king commit himself more definitely. He sent to him to beg that he would
either write out, or dictate and sign, the expressions which he had used;
professing to wish it only for the comfort which he would derive from the
continual presence of such refreshing words--but surely for some deeper
reason.[389]

Francis had perhaps said more than he meant; Henry supposed him to have
meant more than he said. Yet some promise was made, which was not
afterwards observed; and Francis acknowledged some engagement in an apology
which he offered for the breach of it. He asserted, in defence of himself,
that he had added a stipulation which Henry passed over in silence,--that
no steps should be taken towards annulling the marriage with Catherine in
the English law courts until the effect had been seen of his interview with
the pope, provided the pope on his side remained similarly inactive.[390]
Whatever it was which he had bound himself to do, this condition, if made
at all, could be reconciled only with his advice that Henry should marry
Anne Boleyn without further