Truth Endures by Sandra Vasoli

Author:Sandra Vasoli [Vasoli, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9788494489334
Publisher: MadeGlobal Publishing
Published: 2016-05-19T04:00:00+00:00

Greenwich

Whitehall

Spring 1534

Despite the ample presence of stewards milling about ready to do my bidding, I reached across the table to pour more wine for Archbishop Cranmer, with whom I was dining after Mass.

“Please, Madame. There is no need for such effort on your part.” He made a motion for me to cease and summoned a servant.

“Thomas, it is nothing. And why should I not provide for the needs of my dear friends when they are my guests? Anyway, there is much that I require from you today, regarding news and advice. Tell me what you know of the Pope’s ruling on Henry’s nullity suit.”

I leaned forward, anticipating his account. I knew that Henry had been informed of the most recent developments, but had provided me no detail. I imagine he wished not to grieve me, in my condition. But I had to know!

“Milady, I am told that the Vatican consistory, a council of twenty-two cardinals, was convened in late February, continued to meet into this month of March, and last week, on the twenty-third, its finding was pronounced that the marriage between His Grace King Henry and Katherine was valid and their issue thereof legitimate. The King has also been enjoined to take back Katherine as his wife.”

Cranmer did not miss the dark look his news produced. His voice assumed the tone he used when conveying trouble: soft but firm – factual. “The council still requires the signature of the Pope, but that is only a formality. The matter is done, as far as the Curia is concerned.”

I drew a deep breath. “And what did Monsieur du Bellay do when he heard this report? Did he press on in representing our case, as he knew his duty required him?”

Jean du Bellay, the former French ambassador to Henry’s court, and an ally as far as I was concerned was now Bishop of Paris and had been designated to be an advocate in Rome for François, and for Henry as well.

Cranmer was quick to rejoin. “With certainty, Your Highness. Bishop du Bellay relayed that he planned to discuss the matter yet again with his Holiness before his departure, which I believe he did, although I have since been informed that His Grace has now left Rome for Paris: his royal master, François, not wishing him to stay longer. It was felt that the finality of the matter must be accepted, and the news delivered to our king in total. The report is that the Bishop was well aware of how terribly discontented His Majesty would be with him, especially because of the assurances contained in his last letters. He told François to inform His Majesty at once, before he might hear of it from Charles and the Imperialist diplomats who, naturally, are triumphant that at last, the Emperor Charles’s aunt Katherine has been vindicated.”

He lowered his voice then, to ensure confidence.

“I am told by very reliable sources that the French are much grieved they cannot send better news. They feel – as

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