Chronicles of an Old Inn; Or, A Few Words about Gray's InnHope, Andrée
History
Chronicles of an Old Inn; Or, A Few Words about Gray's Inn
Hope, Andrée
Gray's Inn; Inns of Court; Lawyers -- Great Britain
The suit had now begun; but whether Wolsey secretly sided with Rome in
this matter, or whether he was only suspected by Henry of so doing, the
King ere long became furious with his Minister on account of the delays
that were for ever occurring to hinder the progress of the divorce.
The Pope's behaviour added much to the difficulties into which he was
thrown; and believing that the Cardinal, while apparently aiding, was
in reality fomenting the troubles by which he was beset, the King felt
convinced that either he was being duped by his Minister, or that his
Minister was allowing himself to be egregiously duped by the Court of
Rome. In either case, Henry determined to trust Wolsey no longer, and
only waited a favourable opportunity to effect his fall.
This opportunity soon presented itself. The successor who was needed
was at hand, and again an accident furnished the King with the adviser
that he so urgently required.
Dr. Cranmer, a tutor in the family of one Mr. Cressy, of Waltham Cross,
was with his pupils at their father's house at Waltham, when the King
with his Court passed a night there during one of the Royal progresses.
Drs. Gardiner and Fox were in attendance on His Majesty, and Cranmer
had supper with them.
Men's minds were so occupied with the Royal divorce that little
else was ever talked of; and the two courtiers, being already well
acquainted with the great reputation for learning and solid judgment
that Cranmer had gained for himself at Cambridge, sought to obtain his
opinion on the matter.
Cranmer modestly declined to give an "opinion," but said that in his
poor judgment it appeared to him that, if the marriage were unlawful,
it was so by Divine precept; and if that were the case, then the Pope's
dispensation could be of no effect either to confirm or annul it, for
even the Pope could not make lawful that which God had declared to be
unlawful. Instead, therefore, of continuing these long and fruitless
negotiations with Rome, it might be better to consult all the learned
men, or, indeed, all the Universities of Christendom, and then,
according to their finding, the Pope must needs give judgment.
So much impressed were Gardiner and Fox by this advice, that the next
day they laid the substance of it before the King.
Some writers say that Gardiner wished to make it appear that the
opinion came from him, but that Fox, either from generosity to Cranmer
or from spite to Gardiner, took care to mention from whence it was
derived.
At any rate, these observations of Cranmer's caused him to be presented
to the King, as Henry had at once perceived the importance of the
suggestion thus thrown out.
Brilliant talents and an admirable judgment commanded respect, while
the candour and uprightness of Cranmer's character secured for him the
esteem of all who knew him. His rise in the King's favour was rapid,
and honours were showered upon him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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