And in this counsel Wolsey stood alone.

Even Clement had urged the king to carry out his original purpose when it was too late.

All that the Pope sought was to be freed from the necessity of meddling in the matter at all.

It was Wolsey who had forced Papal intervention on him, as he had forced it on Henry, and the failure of his plans was fatal to him.

From the close of the Legatine court Henry would see him no more, and his favourite, Stephen Gardiner, who had become chief Secretary of State, succeeded him in the king's confidence.