The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part C.: From Henry VII. to Mary — David Hume — John Shaqi
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part C.: From Henry VII. to Mary
David Hume · en
That prince, having given him a commission to Maximilian, who at that
time resided in Brussels, was surprised, in less than three days after,
to see Wolsey present himself before him, and supposing that he had
protracted his departure, he began to reprove him for the dilatory
execution of his orders. Wolsey informed him that he had just returned
from Brussels, and had successfully fulfilled all his majesty’s
commands. “But on second thoughts,” said the king, “I found that
somewhat was omitted in your orders; and have sent a messenger after you
with fuller instructions.” “I met the messenger,” replied Wolsey, “on my
return: but as I had reflected on that omission, I ventured of myself
to execute what I knew must be your majesty’s intentions.” The death of
Henry soon after this incident retarded the advancement of Wolsey, and
prevented his reaping any advantage from the good opinion which that
monarch had entertained of him: but thence forwards he was looked on at
court as a rising man; and Fox, bishop of Winchester, cast his eye upon
him as one who might be serviceable to him in his present situation.[*]
This prelate, observing that the earl of Surrey had totally eclipsed
him in favor, resolved to introduce Wolsey to the young prince’s
familiarity; and hoped that he might rival Surrey in his insinuating
arts, and yet be contented to act in the cabinet a part subordinate to
Fox himself, who had promoted him.
* Antiq. Brit. Eccles. p. 309. Polyd. Virg. lib. xxvii.
In a little time, Wolsey gained so much on the king, that he supplanted
both Surrey in his favor, and Fox in his trust and confidence. Being
admitted to Henry’s parties of pleasure, he took the lead in every
jovial conversation, and promoted all that frolic and entertainment
which he found suitable to the age and inclination of the young monarch.
Neither his own years, which were near forty, nor his character of a
clergyman, were any restraint upon him, or engaged him to check, by any
useless severity, the gayety in which Henry, who had small propension
to debauchery, passed his careless hours. During the intervals of
amusement, he introduced business, and insinuated those maxims of
conduct which he was desirous his master should adopt. He observed to
him that while he intrusted his affairs into the hands of his father’s
counsellors, he had the advantage indeed of employing men of wisdom and
experience, but men who owed not their promotion to his favor, and who
scarcely thought themselves accountable to him for the exercise of their
authority: that by the factions, and cabals, and jealousies which had
long prevailed among them, they more obstructed the advancement of his
affairs, than they promoted it by the knowledge which age and practice
had conferred upon them: that while he thought proper to pass his time
in those pleasures to which his age and royal fortune invited him, and
in those studies which would in time enable him to sway the sceptre with