CHAPTER VII

HENRY VIII (iii), 1527-1529--THE FALL OF WOLSEY "The King's Affair"--Story of the Marriage--Anne Boleyn--1527. The King Prepares--Theoretical Excuses--The Need of an Heir--The Plea of Invalidity--Conjunction of Incentives--The Orleans Betrothal--Conclusions--The first Plan--The second Plan--Knight's Mission--Its Failure--The Pope and the Cardinal--1528. Gardiner's Mission--Wolsey's Critical Position--Campeggio and Wolsey-- Henry's Attitude--1529. The Trial--The Storm Gathers--The Storm Breaks-- Wolsey's fall--1530. Wolsey's Death--His Achievement--Appreciation of Wolsey.