.

(p.

108) KING AND CARDINAL.
"Nothing," wrote Giustinian of Wolsey in 1519, "pleases him more than to be called the arbiter of Christendom."[282] Continental statesmen were inclined to ridicule and resent the Cardinal's claim.

But the title hardly exaggerates the part which the English minister was enabled to play during the next few years by the rivalry of Charles and Francis, and by the apparently even balance of their powers.

The position which England held in the councils of Europe in 1519 was a marvellous advance upon that which it had occupied in 1509.