Cal._, ii., 11.] With the exception of Empson and Dudley, Henry made little or no change in the council his father bequeathed him.

Official precedence appertained to his Chancellor, Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Like most of Henry VII.'s prelates, he received his preferment in the Church as a reward for services to the State.

Much of the diplomatic work of the previous reign had passed through his hands; he helped to arrange the marriage of Arthur and Catherine, and was employed in the vain attempt to obtain Margaret of Savoy as a bride for Henry VII.

As Archbishop he crowned and married Henry VIII., and as Chancellor he delivered orations at the opening of the young King's first three Parliaments.[89] They are said to have given general satisfaction, but apart from them, Warham, for some unknown reason, took little part in political business.