On solemn feast-days, he was not content without saying mass after the manner of the pope himself: not only he had bishops and abbots to serve him; he even engaged the first nobility to give him water and the towel.

He affected a rank superior to what had ever been claimed by any churchman in England.

Warham, the primate, having written him a letter in which he subscribed himself "your loving brother," Wolsey complained of his presumption in thus challenging an equality with him.

When Warham was told what offence he had given, he made light of the matter.

"Know ye not," said he, "that this man is drunk with too much prosperity ?" But Wolsey carried the matter much further than vain pomp and ostentation.