[246] Part of Pole's mission was to make peace between France and the Empire. The four sovereigns would, therefore, be the Pope, the King of Scotland, Francis, and Charles. I have gathered these accusations out of several groups among the Rolls House MSS., apparently heads of information, Privy Council minutes, and drafts of indictments. The particulars which I have mentioned being repeated frequently in these papers, and with much emphasis, I am inclined to think that they formed the whole of the case. [247] The proofs of "an animus" were severely construed. A few clauses from a rough draft of the indictments will show how small a prospect of escape there was for any one who had not resolutely gone over to the government. Aske wrote to the commons of the north a letter, in which was written, "Bigod intendeth to destroy the effect of our petition and commonwealth; whereby," Cromwell concluded, "it appeareth he continued in his false opinion and traitorous heart." In another letter he had said to them, "Your reasonable petitions shall be ordered by parliament," "showing that he thought that their petitions were reasonable, and in writing the same he committed treason." Again, both Constable and he had exhorted the commons to wait for the Duke of Norfolk and the parliament, telling them that the duke would come only with his household servants; "signifying plainly that, if their unreasonable requests were not complied with, they would take the matter in their own hands again." There are fifty "articles" against them, conceived in the same spirit, of more or less importance. [248] Sir William Parr to Henry VIII.: _MS. State Paper Office_, Letters to the King and Council, Vol. V. _Rolls House MS._ first series, 76. [249] Sir William Parr to Cromwell: _MS. State Paper Office_, second series Vol. XXXI. [250] _Baga de Secretis._ [251] Lord Hussey may have the benefit of his own denial. Cromwell promised to intercede for him if he would make a true confession. He replied thus:-- "I never knew of the beginning of the commotion in neither of the places, otherwise than is contained in the bill that I did deliver to Sir Thomas Wentworth, at Windsor. Nor I was never privy to their acts, nor never aided them in will, word, nor deed. But if I might have had 500 men I would have fought with them, or else I forsake my part of heaven; for I was never traitor, nor of none counsel of treason against his Grace; and that I will take my death upon, when it shall please God and his Highness." In a postscript he added: