Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

Wouxittdg-agafn. the Cardinal pursued his way in utlence. The iron had entered his soul and those about him saw that the Minister who, like Ca-ear, t4 bad stood against the wort-v was passing through a veritable Gethsemane of g f-t On descending the hill at Ksi.pr leading into the valley of the Mole, Woin- y d his attendants refreshed their horses at a well by the road side still known by his name, and bearing the initial W quaintly cut on the archway by which the spring, now covered in, is surmounted. At the present time it is called The Travellers' Rest, and there are three recesses. the centre one containing a seat for the weary wayfarer. They then passed on to the ancient house belonging to the Bishops of Winchester, enter. ing the grounds through a castellated gate, called to ,this day Wolsey's Tower," a structure by no means unlike that built by him at Ipswich, but which owed its origin to William of Waynfleet, Bishop of Winchester a century before Henry's favourite enjoyed the temporalities of that See. This gateway is all that remains of a house which a?18 on record was sumptuously built, with divers offices and orchards and gardens, with a park three miles in circuit well stocked with deer." Aubrey says of the place that it was a Is noble house, built of the best burnt brick that I ever sawe,with a stately gate- way and hall." Over the entrance and on other parts of the building Waynfleet placed the armorial bear- wgs of his family, and those of his See, sculptured in atone, while on the timber-work on the root the hall Were carvings of angels supporting escutcheons on which were inscribed the words "Tibi Christi," and in the windows the sentence Sit Deo Gracia" was several times repeated. Chap 31 The interior of the tower comprises three storeys, but the apartments are small, and the floors for the most part so sadly decayed that it is dangerous to enter them. There is, nowever, within one of the octagonal turrets a skilfully-wrought staircase of brick in a good state of preservation, and in the roof- ing of which the principles of the construction of the oblique arch are practically exhibited. Cavendish speaks of the removal to Whitehall of the new gallery which my lord had late before his fall newly set up at Asher, and the taking away thereof," he continues in his quaint language, was to him corrosive-the which, indeed, discouraged him very sore to stay there any longer, for he was weary of that house at Asher, or with continual use it waxed unsavoury." Chap 31 There are grounds for believing that Wolsey, in his extraordinary fondness and aptitude for building, gave instructions for the enlargement and improve- ment of Esher-place, intending to reside there, after Hampton Court had been presented to his jealous sovereign. To the disgrace of Henry, the Cardinal and his suite were allowed to remain at Esher for the space of three or four weeks without either beds, sheets, table-cloths, dishes to eat their meat on, or the where- withal to buy any." Stow, the historian, further states that there was good provision of all kinds of Victual and of beer and wine, whereof there was sufficient and plenty enough, but my Lord Cardinal was compelled of necessity to borrow of Master Arundell and of the Bishop of Carlisle plate and dishes both to drink in and to eat his meat in." Wolsey was also obliged to obtain a loan of money in the City of London, and among those who contributed to his wants were the right worshipful Sir Samuel Cady and Sir Herbert iloundell. The day after Halloween WolFey dismissed nearly all his attendants, and despatched Cromwell to London for the purpose of watching over his interests at Court. I conjure thee to persuade the King out of his clemency," said the fallen Cardinal, who was in a low fever and suffering from complete prostration of mind and body, "to send unto me Dr. Butts, that he may certify to his highness that I am sick unto death." I will not fail in all things to do thy grace's bidding," said Cromwell; "to the utmost of my power as I hope for salvation." Craving a benision from the Cardinal, which was solemnly bestowed, the secretary left his master to the care of Cavendish. Instead of Dr. Butts, Sir John Russell arrived, and tarried with the fallen statesman for the space of a day, Wolsey being in great stress as to how he should entertain him. Soon after came the Duke of Norfolk, beaTing" a gracious message" from the King, and evidently charged to treat the Cardinal with more rpRppct than he had shown at the interview when Wolsey resigned the great seal into his hands. It was while the Cardinal was in converse with the Premier Duke of England that the arrival of Sir J. Shelley, one of the judges—an ancestor of Shelley, the popt-arrived for the purpose of extorting from him a formal cession of York House, the town mansion of the See. As Archbishop of York Wolsey had en- larged and beautified the residence in a way which rendered it one of the most splendid in Westminster. Methinks the King is somewhat hard upon me," said the Cardinal; but his Highness, I fain would hope, seeks to do justice for the sake of truth and his conscience." Finding that Wolsey hesitated to put pen to the parchment" in execution of the Royal command, Sir John Shelley declared that the judges of the land had come to the conclusion that it was a lawful act and deed. Whereupon the Cardinal affixed his signature, and Whitehall was alienated from the prelates of York, and handed over to the rapacious monarch. The duke and the judge returned to the King,whom they found in a roy storing mood at Bridewell, in com- pany of the Lady Anne, and surrounded by obse- quious courtiers, many of whom were anxiously awaiting a share of the property of which the Cardinal was in course of being despoiled. Cromwell, in one way, and Patch in another, had played their cards so well with the King, that Henry sent his favourite physician. Dr. Butts, to Wolsey, and bade him bear to the sick Cardinal a ring in token of hIs regard, and as Cavendish records, a comfortable Message 11 withal. The conduct of the King cheered his discarded minister, and, elated by the supposed kindness of aemy, Wolsey recovered for a time. But the Cardinal speedily fell sick again as he re- 5eiy.e<^ d»y by day fresh proofs of an utter want of ieeling on the part of the brutal tyrant whom he still regarded with some degree of loyal reverence as a master entitled by rights of sovereignty to confer or withdraw favours at will. That Dr. Butts prescribed for Wolsey cannot be aoubtea, and the physician probably did what he coulli to m'fcigate his sufferings. It was not, however, in the doctor's power to minister effectually to a miad diseased. "A heavy shadow is over me," Wolsey said to Cavendish when the physician left; "and I pray thee therefore make ready to set forth with a letter ,unto my reverend confessor Stephen Gardiner. The r WF\< w lairisv ? Tnr B j FFRRn&pv uUu\jULnmumU riluinijLO, TLDRUAin Utu, 11 i «——I| fear of death encompasseth me about, and I Dave not long to wait for the end." While his gentleman-usher went to prepare for his journey, the Cardinal rising from his couch with great effort, caused a writing table to be drawn near to the fire, and indited the following letter-still in existence—dated from Esher, and addressed to Stephen Gardiner: I pray you at the reverens of God to helpe, that expedicion to be usyd in my pursuits, the delay whereof so rep'enyshyth my herte with hevynes, that I can take no reste—not for any vague fear, but onely for the miserable condycion that I am presently yn, and lyclyhod to contynue yn the same, onoless that you, yn whom ys myn assuryd truste, do belpe and releve me thereon. For fyrst, contynuyng here yn thys mowest and corrup ayer, beyng enteryd into the passyon of the dropsy, com prostratione appetiUis et continiio insommio, I cannot IlYVe: wherefor, of necessyte I must be removyed to some other dryer ayer and place, where I may have comodyte o pbysyeyans." It was some time, however, before permission was given by the King for the removal of Wolsey to Richmond, where he remained, making a few occasional expeditions to Esher for the sake of fresh air, until he set out for Yorkshire, and turned his ¡ back for ever upon the London he had loved so well. When the order came commanding the Cardinal as Archbishop of York to journey into the northern province and take his abode up at Cawood Castle, Wolsey was suffering from a complication of grievous maladies, and was almost unable to obey the mandate of the King. Cromwell, however, who brought the message, entreated his late master to make a supreme effort, and comply with the request. If I am sure that refusal will only further embitter [ his highne s against your grace," be said; the new Queen hath her husband just now in leading strings, and as she bears promise of a child, the King is now bent upon causing the Princess Mary to be declared il!egitimate." Chap 31 If The Star of the Church is no longer in the ascendant," Wolsey remarked; "and reform will speedily develop fnto revolution. I am not wanted here; perchance I may do some little good in the 1 diocese too much neglected by me." So negotiations were entered into with several merchants of London, who advanced the Cardinal certain sums on such security as be could furnish them with. Preparations were then made for the eventful journey, and for labour among the poor of Yorkshire which brief as they were went a long way towards redeeming past neglect, and won for the Archbishop considerable popularity. Before leaving Richmond Wolsey despatched Crom- well to the Rector of Farleigh, and, having a presenti- ment that he would never return, gave orders that the sealed packet entrusted to the care of his secretary should be opened, and the instructions it contained acted upon. They were to the effect that the sum of twenty thousand crowns enclosed, should be applied to the use and benefit of Eva and Carlo, who were required to proceed forthwith to Naples, after having been lawfully married by the Rector, with as little cere- mony as possible. A prisst was despatched to Staplehurst, who brought Eva in company of the Prioress to Farleigh. But Carlo was nowhere to be found. Now it was in this dilemma that the experience of Runaway Tom" was turned to account. Learning that a band of Zingarees had taken up their quarters in the Weald of Kent, not far from Cran- brook, he proceeded thither, and quickly managed to hold speech with one of them in Italian, taking care, however, to conceal his identity, and to mention no other name than that of the Rector of Farleigh, long known to the Zingarees for his liberality and toleration. "Tell Carle, when thou shalt see him, that the priest of Farleigb bids him by this token to make all speed in reaching the Rectory, whereat he will find whom he will rejoice to see, and receive cordial greeting." Chap 31 Not daring to tarry long, Cromwell handed the talisman wnich Eva had so long cherished to the Zingaree, receiving a pledge from the matt in return, sworn upon it, that be would faithfully fulfil his trust. As a mark of confidence in his promise Crom- well bestowed upon the Italian a purse of gold, an act which created considerable surprise and elicited profuse expressions of gratitude. Chap 31 Not may days passed before Carlo was seen in the neighbourbood of Farleigh. He naturally felt his way carefully, knowing well that a Zingaree carried his life in his hand. At length emboldened by learn- ing that the messenger who came to the priest, travel-stained, and evidently from a great distance, had disappeared, Carlo c ncluded that he would ran no risk ef encountering a sheriff's officer in the village, still less at the Rector's house, and boldly demanded audience of the ecclesiastic. His astonishment at seeing Eva there in company of the Prioress was unbounded, and the simple- minded Zingaree—for such he really was-gave way to feelings of delight. My darling My precious wife !"he exclaimed art thou once more restored to me ?" Eva cast herself into his arms, and said Carlo, we are going home to dear old Naples—to sunny skies, the beautiful bay. and the purple-robed mountains, never to part again at the decree of man." In less than a month their marriage, according to the forms of the Church, was duly solemnised, and taking ship for Gibraltar they reached the rock in safety. From thence a felucca carried them to the home of the ColonBas, Both were made anquamwd with the history of their birth. It was Carlo's lot to cherish his mother in her declining years; and Eva's sweet sorrow to weep a tomb of orphan's tears upon the grave of Zara, beneath the shadow of Sante Cruce. Before leaving Richmond Wolsey sent to Sir Herbert Roundell, and made known to him that the hour of his departure was at hand. The right worshipful Alderman, embarking with his wife and children on board the barge of his Guild at Queenhithe, went up the Thames to the palace, where audience was granted to them with only scant show of state ceremorfial by the fallen Prince of the Church. 11 May the blessing of heaven rest upon thee and thy children,"said the Cardinal as they came into his presence, and knelt before him. I go upon a long journey, and peradventure I may not return. I ask your prayers, they can alone avail me; and desire that thou wilt bid my reverpd god-father, Master Thomas Cady, still hale and hearty in a green old age, and sweet Mistress Cady, his honoured spouse, God speed To thee, dear Herbert, and e'en dearer Rose: to thy sons and daughters here present, and thy household, I give my hpart, and invoke the bene- diction of the Holy Virgin, now and for ever upon tbeeJ" After engaging awhile in silent prayer, Wolsey rOIl from his knees and bestowed upon them all IOmd gift in testimony of his affection. Rose, whO stood by the side of her husband surrounded by bel children, was the last to whom he addressed hitals self. As he did so he took from his breast a cross of gold, richly wrought, bestudded with jewels, and of rare antiquity. "This." he said, was given to me by the Sovereign Pontiff at the Vatican when I waft there the emissary of Kings and the companion of Princes. Fallen as I am from my high estate, I still am rich and strong in the remembrance of the days when I as a youth and thou as a child of tender years T^re playmates together in the sweet pastures of Sullolk. Farewell!" The next day the Cardinal attended by Cavendish and a small retinue, set forth. Following the road in the north-westerly direction for a few miles they traversed the country at the foot of Higbgate-bW# even then associated with Whittington, and avoiding London, struck near Hendon the road leading to Cawood. Chap 31 (To be contiiiiied.)