apacy.

[2] The Venetian ambassador in a dispatch to his government, wrote of
Cardinal Wolsey: "It is he who rules both the King and the entire
Kingdom. At first the Cardinal used to say, `His Majesty will do so
and so'; subsequently he went on, forgetting himself, and commenced
saying, `We shall do so and so'; at present (1519) he has reached such
a pitch that he says, `I shall do so and so.'"

When Wolsey learned that the King's choice was Anne Boleyn (S343), he
fell on his knees, and begged him not to persist in his purpose; but
his entreaties had no effect, and the Cardinal was obliged to continue
what he had begun.

345. The Court at Blackfriars (1529).

The King had applied to the Pope to annul the marriage with Catharine
(S342) on the ground of illegality; but the Emperor Charles V, who was
the Queen's nephew, used his influence in her behalf. Vexatious
delays now became the order of the day. At last, a court composed of
Cardinal Wolsey and Cardinal Campeggio, an Italian, as papal legates,
or representatives, was convened at Blackfriars, London, to test the
validity of the marriage.

Henry and Catharine were summoned. The first appeared and answered to
his name. When the Queen was called she declined to answer, but
throwing herself at Henry's feet, begged him with tears and sobs not
to put her away without cause. Finding him inflexible, she left the
court, and refused to attend again, appealing to Rome for justice.

This was in the spring (1529). Nothing was done that summer, and in
the autumn, the court, instead of reaching a decision, dissolved.
Campeggio, the Italian legate, returned to Italy, and Henry, to his
disappointment and rage, received an order from Rome to carry the
question to the Pope for settlement.

346. Fall of Wolsey (1529).

Both the King and Anne Boleyn believed that Wolsey had played false
with them. They now resolved upon his destruction. The Cardinal had
a presentiment of his impending doom. The French ambassador, who saw
him at this juncture, said that his face had shrunk to half its size.
But his fortunes were destined to shrink even more than his face.

By a law of Richard II no representative of the Pope had any rightful
authority in England[1] (S265). Though the King had given his consent
to Wolsey's holding the office of legate, yet now that a contrary
result to what he expected had been reached, he proceeded to prosecute
him to the full extent of the law.

[1