Campaign of the Emperor in Africa--Uncertainties at Rome--Policy of Francis--English preparations for war--Fresh appeals to the Emperor--Delay in the issue of the censures--The Princess Mary-- Letter of Catherine to the Pope--Disaffection of the English Catholics--Libels against Henry--Cromwell and Chapuys--Lord Thomas Fitzgerald--Dangerous position of Henry--Death of the Duke of Milan--Effect on European policy--Intended Bull of Paul III.-- Indecision of Charles--Prospect of war with France--Advice of Charles to Catherine--Distrust of the Emperor at the Papal Court--Warlike resolution of the Pope restrained by the Cardinals 347 CHAPTER XX. Illness of Queen Catherine--Her physicians' report of her health---Her last letter to the Emperor--She sends for Chapuys-- Interview between Chapuys and Henry--Chapuys at Kimbolton--Death of Catherine--Examination of the body--Suspicion of poison-- Chapuys's opinion--Reception of the news at the Court--Message of Anne Boleyn to the Princess Mary--Advice of Chapuys--Unpopularity of Anne--Court rumours 371 CHAPTER XXI. Funeral of Catherine--Miscarriage of Anne--The Princess Mary and the Act of Supremacy--Her continued desire to escape--Effect of Catherine's death on Spanish policy--Desire of the Emperor to recover the English alliance--Chapuys and Cromwell--Conditions of the treaty--Efforts of the Emperor to recover Henry to the Church--Matrimonial schemes--Likelihood of a separation of the King from Anne--Jane Seymour--Anne's conduct--The Imperial treaty--Easter at Greenwich--Debate in Council--The French Alliance or the Imperial--The alternative advantages--Letter of the King to his Ambassador in Spain 389 CHAPTER XXII. Easter at Greenwich--French and Imperial factions at the English court--Influence of Anne Boleyn--Reports of Anne's conduct submitted to the King--Flying rumours--Secret Commission of Enquiry--Arrests of various persons--Sir Henry Norris and the King--Anne before the Privy Council--Sent to the Tower--Her behaviour and admissions--Evidence taken before the Commission-- Trials of Norris, Weston, Brereton, and Smeton--Letter of Weston--Trial of Anne and her brother--Executions--Speech of Rochford on the scaffold--Anne sentenced to die--Makes a confession to Cranmer--Declared to have not been the King's lawful wife--Nature of the confession not known--Execution 412 CHAPTER XXIII.