The king's marriage could not be longer delayed. Almost three years had been wasted in fruitless negotiations, and the state of his health threatened, more and more clearly, that his life would not be prolonged to any advanced period. The death of the Duke of Richmond[511] was a fresh evidence of the absence of vital stamina in Henry's male children; and the anxious and impatient people saw as yet but a single fragile life between the country and a disputed succession. The disloyal Romanists alone desired to throw obstacles between the king and a fresh connexion--alone calumniated his motives, and looked forward hopefully to the possible and probable confusion. [Sidenote: The recommendation of Anne of Cleaves.] Among the ladies who had been considered suitable to take the place of Queen Jane, the name had been mentioned, with no especial commendation, of Anne, daughter of the Duke of Cleves, and sister-in-law of the Elector of Saxony. She had been set aside in favour of the Duchess of Milan; but, all hopes in this quarter having been abruptly and ungraciously terminated, Cromwell once more turned his eyes towards a connexion which, more than any other, would make the Emperor repent of his discourtesy--and would further at the same time the great object which the condition of Europe now, more than ever, showed him to be necessary--a league of all nations of the Teutonic race in defence of the Reformation. A marriage between the king and a German Protestant princess would put a final end to Anglo-Imperial trifling; and, committing England to a definite policy abroad, it would neutralize at home the efforts of the framers of the Six Articles, and compel the king, whether he desired it or not, to return to a toleration of Lutheran opinions and Lutheran practices. [Sidenote: The opportunity favourable to a Protestant connexion.] [Sidenote: Prorogation of parliament.] [Sidenote: Supposed pre-contract between Anne of Cleves and a Count of Lorraine.] [Sidenote: Her appearance and accomplishments.] [Sidenote: Cromwell neglects a warning.] [Sidenote: Her portrait taken by Holbein.] [Sidenote: Barnes goes as commissioner into Germany.] [Sidenote: The persecution in England ceases.]