in Christendom, approved good and just, and
so [in] many ways known unto his Holiness, the same should not so long have
retained it in his hands without judgment.

"His Holiness answering the same, as touching the first point, said that if
the queen (meaning the late wife of Prince Arthur, calling her always in
his conversation the queen) had not given an oath refusing the judges as
suspect, he would not have advoked the matter at all, but been content that
it should have been determined and ended in your realm. But seeing she gave
that oath, appealing also to his court, he might and ought to hear her, his
promise made to your Highness, which was qualified, notwithstanding. As
touching the second point, his Holiness said that your Highness only was
the default thereof, because ye would not send a proxy to the cause. These
matters, however, he said, had been many times fully talked upon at Rome;
and therefore [he] willed me to omit further communication thereupon, and
to proceed to the doing of such things that I was specially sent for.

"Whereupon making protestation of your Highness's mind and intent towards
the see apostolic--not intending anything to do in contempt of the same--I
exhibited unto his Holiness the commission which your Highness had sent
unto me; and his Holiness delivering it to the datary, commanded him to
read it; and hearing in the same the words (referring to the injuries which
he had done to your Highness), he began to look up after a new sort, and
said, 'O questo et multo vero! (this is much true!)' meaning that it was
not true indeed. And verily, sure not only in this, but also in many parts
of the said commission, he showed himself grievously offended; insomuch
that, when those words, 'To the next general council which shall be
lawfully held in place convenient,' were read, he fell in a marvellous
great choler and rage, not only declaring the same by his gesture and
manner, but also by words: speaking with great vehemence, and saying, 'Why
did not the king, when I wrote to my nuncio this year past, to speak unto
him for this general council, give no answer unto my said nuncio, but
referred him for answer to the French king? at what time he might perceive
by my doing, that I was very well disposed, and much spake for it.' 'The
thing so standing, now to speak of a general council! Oh, good Lord! but
well! his commission and all his other writings cannot be but welcome unto
me;' which words methough