Wolsey, in order to drag Henry into the intrigues which were to procure him the tiara, had reminded him that he was _king of France_, and the suggestion had been eagerly caught at. At midnight on the 7th of August, the king dictated to his secretary a letter for Wolsey containing this strange expression: _Si ibitis parare regi locum in regno ejus hereditario, Majestas ejus_ _quum tempus erit opportunum, sequetur_.[417] The theologian who had corrected the famous latin book of the king's against Luther, most certainly had not revised this phrase. According to Henry, France was his hereditary kingdom, and Wolsey was going to prepare the throne for him.... The king could not restrain his joy at the mere idea, and already he surpassed in imagination both Edward III and the Black Prince. "I am about to attain a glory superior to that which my ancestors have gained by so many wars and battles."[418] Wolsey traced out for him the road to his palace on the banks of the Seine: "Mezières is about to fall; afterwards there is only Rheims, which is not a strong city; and thus your grace will very easily reach Paris."[419] Henry followed on the map the route he would have to take: "Affairs are going on well," wrote the cardinal, "the Lord be praised." In him this Christian language was a mere official formality. [417] If you go to prepare a place for the king in his hereditary kingdom, his Majesty will follow you at a fitting season. State Papers, i, 36. [418] Majora assequi quam omnes ipsius progenitores tot bellis et præliis. Ibid. 45. [419] Your grace shall have but a leyve wey to Parys. Ibid. 46.