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Opening Page
Augustana College Library Augustana History Department Augustana College |
In 1537, Reginald Pole was appointed Papal legate to France and the Netherlands "for the settlement of English concerns" so that he might negotiate with the conservative (Catholic) religious party in England and force Henry VIII to heal the schism. In 1538 Pole was appointed legate to Charles V and Francis I in order to negotiate an end to trade with England and a peace with the Turks so that the greater part of their energy could be directed at England. In 1553, Pole was appointed legate to the Emperor, the king of France, and the Queen of England in order to facilitate the healing of the schism and negotiate peace between France and the Holy Roman Empire. In all cases, Pole believed that the success of his legations was prevented by the willingness of Charles V and the French king to sacrifice the success of his legation in order to achieve their own ends. "Pole's [first] bull of appointment publicly charged him to arrange matters between Christian princes in preparation for a general council that would lead to common efforts against the Turks. Any other matter concerning the church also came within his purview." A month later, the pope gave him additional power where England was concerned, and his private instructions ordered Pole to aid rebels in England. "The king may have to be returned to the faith by arms. Better that he and his supporters die, than for them to take others to hell." Pole was an ideal candidate for the post. Theoretically, being English, he would appeal more to the English people than a foreigner, and the rebels would trust him enough to accept his aid. Also, being a relation of Henry VIII, it may have been hoped that he would have more influence over his cousin than a stranger. Paul III made Pole a cardinal and appointed him to his first legation in January of 1537. Friends in England warned Pole against accepting the cardinalship, as "that order has done little for the doctrine of Christ, and I am sure that you still wish to serve your prince and country, and therefore will not accept," as well as on the grounds that Henry VIII had no love for cardinals, hence "you cannot accept, since to do so will only make the schism worse." Once Pole accepted the cardinalship, Henry judged him a member of the "pope's faction" and became his "open enemy." As Pole could not go to England as a cardinal, and would not as a private person, it was suggested, perhaps by Princess Mary, that a meeting be arranged in Flanders, to which Henry could send "some learned men to settle all questions of religion." Henry insisted that none of his subjects would meet with Pole as a cardinal, and Pole still refused to meet with them any other way, so the meeting never came off. Pole nevertheless decided to go to Flanders, in order to be on hand when Henry was ready to meet with him, and left the choice of his route, "whether going via France or Germany is better," up to Paul III. It was decided to send him through France. Francis I was told of Pole's secret mission by the nuncio to Paris- "Pole's true purpose was among the most poorly kept secrets in Europe" - and seems not to have objected to it, in fact invited Pole into Paris, although Pole could not be received at the palace because Francis did not wish to provoke Henry. Francis promptly told Henry what Pole's true purpose was, and Henry promptly had his ambassador demand that Francis turn Pole over so that he might be disposed of. Francis delayed in giving the ambassador an audience, and sent one of his gentlemen to Pole to warn him to flee. Next-->
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