Wolsey s Ambition

This friendship was in accord with England's time-honored policy. England's attitude in the past and Henry's marriage connections favored an alliance with Germany and the papacy against France. Charles V was Henry's nephew by marriage ; and with the pope, in religious matters, Henry was in hearty accord. Charles V, wishing to please the pope, had condemned Luther at the Diet of Worms (1521). Henry likewise condemned the Lutheran teachings, in 1522, when he wrote a vigorous pamphlet attacking Luther's doctrines and sent it to the pope, who gave to him in return the title of Defender of the Faith. Furthermore, the pope had sanctioned Henry's marriage with Catherine of Aragon, his brother's widow, and had thereby guaranteed the legitimacy of his one surviving child, Mary, who was betrothed to Charles V.

But Wolsey had other reasons for encouraging the alliance. He wanted some day to be pope himself. From dean of Lincoln he had risen to be bishop of Tournai, bishop of Winchester (1514), archbishop of York and chancellor of England (1515), and finally, through Henry's influence, he had been created a cardinal and appointed papal legate in England (1517).

CARDINAL WOLSEY.

From an engraving by Mathews of the statue of Wolsey over the great gate of Tom Tower, Christ Church, Oxford. The statue was executed by Bird in 1719.

It seemed a sure step to the papacy itself, and Wolsey felt almost certain of success. Twice had Charles V promised to aid him : in 1521, after the death of Leo X, and again in 1523, after the death of Hadrian VI ; but on each occasion he had failed to keep his promise. Wolsey still hoped, and supported the cause of the papacy against Luther, and the alliance of Henry with Charles V, because only thereby could he expect to gain his great end.

Wolsey's position was a dangerous one. He was hated by the nobility, who looked upon him as an upstart. He had become very unpopular with the people on account of the heavy taxes which he had caused to be levied by parliament to pay for the king's wars, and he had given offence everywhere by his extravagant habits and haughty demeanor.' He was now in danger of losing the papacy, and after that the one thing that would ruin him would be the loss of the king's favor.