It will be noticed that the Spaniard misses the point with respect to the monks, and greatly exaggerates the King’s gifts. Yet he preserves correctly the spirit of the interview. The King gave Aske “a jacket of crimson satin,”[172] and requested him to write an account of his part in the Pilgrimage. Aske drew up a full narrative of all that he had done since the beginning of October. This narrative, to which we have so often referred, is the first and best history of the Pilgrimage. In it we see clearly mirrored Aske’s character and views, and it also shows the King’s flattering attitude towards him while he was at Court. Aske evidently believed that he could speak very plainly to the King without giving offence, and, with the standing explanation that he was “only declaring the hearts of the people,” he spoke out with a bluntness which must have been an unusual experience to Henry. He did not hesitate to say that if Cromwell remained in favour there would be danger of more rebellions “which will be very dangerous to your Grace’s person.”[173] The King professed himself to be so much pleased by this frankness that he gave him “a token of pardon for confessing the truth.” There was no difficulty in persuading Aske that the King had not known the real state of affairs in the north, and that now his eyes were opened all would go well. Cromwell, indeed, either could not win Aske over, or did not consider him worth winning. He said that all northern men were traitors, which Aske resented, and his hostility to Norfolk was very evident[174]. Henry, however, convinced Aske of his good will. He declared that he fully pardoned all the north, that he intended to hold the parliament at York, where the Queen should be crowned, that there should be complete freedom of election, and that convocation should be held at the same time, at which the spiritualty should “have liberty to declare their learning.”[175] The free parliament was the chief object for which Aske had been labouring, and it seemed as if that object was now within reach.