Wolsey was the creator of the forces which worked the great change in England in the sixteenth century. He obtained for England a position in the esteem of Europe which he had meant to use for the direction of Europe generally. Henry used that position for the assertion of England's right to settle its own affairs for itself; and the position proved strong enough to ward off foreign interference, and to carry England safely through the first period of a dangerous crisis. It was because Wolsey had laid a sure foundation that England emerged from her separatist policy, isolated, it is true, but not excluded from European influence. Again, Wolsey exalted the royal power, because he believed that it alone could rise above the separate interests of classes, and could give a large expression to the national weal. Henry profited by Wolsey's labours to pursue exclusively his own interests, yet he learned enough to interweave them dexterously with some national interests in such a way that they could not practically be disentangled, and that he had sufficient adherents to put down opposition when it arose. Even the preliminary steps which Wolsey had taken were carefully followed. His scheme for the gradual conversion of monasteries into more useful institutions was revived, and men believed that it would be imitated: the very agents that he had trained for the work of turning monasteries into educational establishments were employed in sweeping the monastic revenues into the royal coffers. So it was with all other things. Henry learned Wolsey's methods, and popularised Wolsey's phrases. He clothed his own self-seeking with the dignity of Wolsey's designs; the hands were the hands of Henry, but the voice was an echo of the voice of Wolsey. The new England that was created in the sixteenth century was strangely unlike that which Wolsey had dreamed of, yet none the less it was animated by his spirit. His ideal of England, influential in Europe through the mediatorial policy which her insular position allowed her to claim, prosperous at home through the influence which she obtained by her far-sighted wisdom and disinterestedness--this is Wolsey's permanent contribution to the history of English politics. INDEX Adrian VI., Pope, election of, 87, 88; enters league against France, 96; death of, 99. Agostino, Wolsey's physician, 199, 200. Albany, James, Duke of, made Regent of Scotland, 69; allied with Queen Margaret, 91; retreats before Lord Dacre, 92; retires from Wark, 98; recalled to France, 107. Alcock, John, Bishop of Ely, 141. Amicable Loan, 111, 112. Angus, Archibald, Earl of, marries Queen-Dowager Margaret, 69; in France and England, 107. Ardres, fortification of, 68. Bainbridge, Thomas, Archbishop of York, 29-39. Blunt, Elizabeth, 118. Boleyn, Anne, Henry VIII.'s passion for, 152; her influence over Henry VIII., 159, 160, 165-168.