No. III. The original French of the First
Letter of Henry the Eighth to Anne
Boleyn.

No. IV. Coronation of Anne Boleyn.
No. V. Anne Boleyn's Dower.

No. VI. Execution of Anne Boleyn.

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- 278

- 303

- 304

CHAPTER VI.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROCESS FOR THE

DIVORCE.

DURING a long series of

years, Cardinal
Wolsey had been the envied favorite of for-
tune, contending with monarchs in power,
and surpassing them in magnificence.

The establishment of his household was
truly regal; and whenever he left his
palace, it was with the air of a conqueror

*Three tables were served in his hall within the
palace. In his kitchen presided a master-cook, habited
in a suit of velvet or satin, and decorated with a chain
of gold: a superfluous population of yeomen and
grooms swarmed in each department, having under
them a troop of menials, by whom its duties were ef-
fectively executed. The chapel was served with a
dean, and forty persons of various denominations.
Eight hundred individuals are said to have been in his
household.

who demanded a triumph. During term
time, his daily progress to Westminster Hall
was watched and hailed like the pageant
of a public festival. Habited in crimson
robes, with a tippet of black sables about
his neck, he mounted, with a semblance
of apostolical humility, a mule trapped in
crimson velvet. Before him were borne, in
state the symbols of his authority: - first
was displayed the broad seal of England; the
Cardinal's hat was then exhibited; two red
crosses next attracted the eye; and beyond
marched two pillar-bearers in solemn state*:
on either side rode nobles and gentlemen;

* This procession is thus described by Skelton:-
With worldly pomp incredible,

Before him rideth two prestes stronge,
And they bear two crosses right longe,
Gapynge in every man's face:
After them follow two laymen secular,
And eache of them holdinge a pillar,
In their handes stead of a mace.
Then followeth my Lord on his mule,
Trapped with gold.

Then hath he servants five or six score,
Some behind and some before.

whilst four footmen preceded the Cardinal's mule, each presenting the gilt poleaxe, the ensign of justice, to the awestricken spectator. Wherever the sublime Legate approached, he was greeted with spontaneous obeisance; "On, on my masters!" was vociferated from every quarter: "Room for the Cardinal! make way for my Lord Cardinal!" On alighting at the Hall he was surrounded by numerous suitors, to whom he assumed an air of courtesy, rather condescending than gracious; and it was observed that he often applied to his nostrils a hollow orange, filled with sponge steeped in aromatics and vinegar, avowedly to protect himself from contagion. Owing to a defect of sight, his looks seemed averted from the misery which sometimes reached his ear without touching his heart. Such was Wolsey, the butcher's son, the BoyBatchelor of Magdalen College, — the adventurer of Calais! Every morning witnessed the renewal of these honors, and