compare with Canterbury; and thereupon erected his cross in the court, and in every other place, as well in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as elsewhere. And forasmuch as Canterbury claimeth superiority and obedience of York, as he doth of all other bishops within this realm, forasmuch as he is primas totius Anglia, and therefore claimeth, as a token of an ancient obedience, of York to abate the advancing of his 10 cross, in the presence of the cross of Canterbury ; notwithstanding York, nothing minding to desist from bearing of his cross in manner as is said before, caused his cross to be advanced and borne before him, as well in the presence of Canterbury as elsewhere. Wherefore Canterbury being moved therewith, gave York a certain check for his presumption; by reason whereof there engendered some grudge between Canterbury and York. And York perceiving the obedience that Canterbury 20 claimed to have of York, intended to provide some such means that he would rather be superior in dignity to Canterbury than to be either obedient or equal to him. Wherefore he obtained first to be made Priest Cardinal, and Legatus de latere; unto whom the Pope sent a Cardinal's hat, with certain bulls for his authority in that behalf. Then was great and speedy provision and preparation made in Westminster Abbey for the confirmation of his high dignity; the which 30 was executed by all the bishops and abbots nigh

or about London, in rich mitres and copes, and

other costly ornaments; which was done in so solemn a wise as I have not seen the like unless it had been at the coronation of a mighty prince or king.

Obtaining this dignity he thought himself meet to encounter with Canterbury in his high jurisdiction before expressed; and he found the means with the king, that he was made Chancellor of England; and Canterbury thereof dismissed, who had continued in that honourable room and 10 office, since long before the death of King Henry the Seventh.

Now he being in possession of the chancellorship, endowed with the promotion of an Archbishop, and Cardinal Legate de latere, thought himself was able to surmount Canterbury in all ecclesiastical jurisdictions, having power to convocate Canterbury, and other bishops, within his precincts, to assemble at his convocation, in any place within this realm; taking upon him 20 the correction of all matters in every diocese ; visited also all spiritual houses, and presented whom he listed to their benefices. Then had he two great crosses of silver, whereof one of them was for his Archbishoprick, and the other for his Legacy, borne always before him whithersoever he went or rode, by two of the most tallest and comeliest priests that he could get within all this realm. And to the increase of his gains he had also the bishoprick of Durham, and the Abbey of St. 30 Albans in commendam; howbeit after, when

Bishop Fox, of Winchester, died, he surrendered Durham into the king's hands, and in lieu thereof took the Bishoprick of Winchester. Then he held also, as it were in ferme, Bath, Worcester, and Hereford, because the incumbents thereof were strangers, born out of this realm, continuing always beyond the seas. He had also a great number daily attending upon him, both of noblemen and worthy gentlemen, of great estimation 10 and possessions, with no small number of the tallest yeomen, that he could get in all this realm.

:

Now will I declare unto you his order in going to Westminster Hall, daily in the term season. First, before his coming out of his privy chamber, he heard most commonly every day two masses in his privy closet; and there then said his daily service with his chaplain and as I heard his chaplain say, that the cardinal never went to his bed with any part of his divine service unsaid. 20 And after mass he would return in his privy chamber again, and would issue out, apparelled all in red, in the habit of a cardinal; which was either of fine scarlet, or else of crimson satin, taffety, damask, or caffa: and upon his head a round pillion, with a noble of black velvet set to the same in the inner side; had also a tippet of fine sables about his neck; holding in his hand a very fair orange, whereof the meat or substance within was taken out, and 30 filled up again with the part of a sponge, wherein was vinegar, and other confections against the

he

pestilent airs; the which he most commonly smelt unto, passing among the press, or else when he was pestered with many suitors. There was also borne before him first, the great seal of England, and then his cardinal's hat, by a nobleman or some worthy gentleman, right solemnly, bareheaded. And as soon as he was entered into his chamber of presence, where there was attending his coming to await upon him to Westminster Hall, as well noblemen and other worthy gentlemen, as 10 noblemen and gentlemen of his own family; thus passing forth with two great crosses of silver borne before him; with also two great pillars of silver, and his pursuivant at arms with a great mace of silver gilt. Then his gentlemen ushers cried, and said: "On, my lords and masters, on before; make way for my Lord's Grace!" Thus passed he down from his chamber through the hall; and when he came to the hall door, there was attendant for him his mule, trapped all 20 together in crimson velvet, and gilt stirrups. When he was mounted, with his cross bearers, and pillar bearers, also upon great horses trapped with fine scarlet. Then marched he forward, with his train and furniture in manner as I have declared, having about him four footmen, with gilt pollaxes in their hands; and thus he went until he came to Westminster Hall door. And there alighted, and went after this manner, up through the hall into the chancery; howbeit he would most com- 30 monly stay awhile and commune sometime with

the judges, and sometime with other persons. And that done he would repair into the chancery, sitting there till eleven of the clock, hearing suitors, and determining of divers matters. And from thence, he would divers times go into the star chamber; where he spared neither high nor low, but judged every estate according to their merits and deserts.

Thus in great honour, triumph, and glory, he 10 reigned a long season, ruling all things within this realm, appertaining unto the king, by his wisdom, and also all other weighty matters of foreign regions, with which the king of this realm had any occasion to intermeddle. All ambassadors of foreign potentates were always dispatched by his discretion. His house was also always resorted with noblemen, gentlemen, and other persons, with feasting and banqueting all ambassadors diverse times, and other strangers right nobly.

20

Thus passed the cardinal his life and time, from day to day, and year to year, in such great wealth, joy, and triumph, and glory, having always on his side the king's especial favour; until Fortune began to wax something wroth with his prosperous estate; wherefore she procured Venus, the insatiate goddess, to be her instrument. To work her purpose, she brought the king in love with a gentlewoman, that, after she perceived the king's good will towards her, and how diligent he was 30 both to please her, she wrought the cardinal much displeasure. This gentlewoman, the daughter of