James Anthony Froude 
Divorce of Catherine of Aragon [PDF ebook] 
The Story as Told by the Imperial Ambassadors Resident at the Court of Henry VIII

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Last efforts at Rome – Final sentence delivered by the Pope – The Pope’s authority abolished in England; The Papal curse – Determined attitude of the Princess Mary – Chapuys desires to be heard in Parliament – Interview with the King – Permission refused – The Act of Succession – Catherine loses the title of Queen – More and Fisher refuse to swear to the statute – Prospects of rebellion in Ireland – The Emperor unwilling to interfere – Perplexity of the Catholic party – Chapuys before the Privy Council – Insists on Catherine’s rights – Singular defence of the Pope’s action – Chapuys’s intrigues – Defiant attitude of Catherine – Fears for her life – Condition of Europe – Prospect of war between France and the Empire – Unwillingness of the Emperor to interfere in England – Disappointment of Catherine – Visit of Chapuys to Kimbolton; Prosecution of Lord Dacre – Failure of the Crown – Rebellion in Ireland – Lord Thomas Fitzgerald – Delight of the Catholic party – Preparations for a rising in England – The Princess Mary – Lord Hussey and Lord Darcy – Schemes for insurrection submitted to Chapuys – General disaffection among the English Peers – Death of Clement VII. – Election of Paul III. – Expectation at Rome that Henry would now submit – The expectation disappointed – The Act of Supremacy – The Italian conjuror – Reginald Pole – Violence and insolence of Anne Boleyn – Spread of Lutheranism – Intended escape of the Princess Mary out of England; Prospects of civil war – England and Spain – Illness of the Princess Mary – Plans for her escape – Spirit of Queen Catherine – The Emperor unwilling to interfere – Negotiations for a new treaty between Henry and Charles – Debate in the Spanish Council of State – The rival alliances – Disappointment of the confederate Peers – Advance of Lutheranism in England – Cromwell and Chapuys – Catherine and Mary the obstacles to peace – Supposed designs on Mary’s life