Bp. Gilbert Burnet: Reformation of the Church of England," 4.2.97ff

114-128. The spring and early summer 1529 is a “hot few months” on HenryCatherine-gate. Letters and intel-reports are flying around European courts but, especially, between Greenwich, at Rome, and amongst the Caesarian/Imperialists. Henry VIII writes his ambassadors on 6 April 1529 to stop any Papal recall to Rome of Catherine’s cause—Henry’s letter is more clearly written than the “Cardinalesque” language of Wolsey, more direct and less laden with pendant clauses ad seriatim. Upshot from Henry: no revocation of the case to Rome. Also, Clement has been sick for several days in this period. Clement VII writes Wolsey that he’s beneath the heats of the Caesarians’ hot tongues and is in a hot spot, 31 May 1529. If he steps out of line, there are military solutions and Charles may put some red butt-hurt on him. Henry VIII sends another letter on 23 Jun 1529 to Dr. Benet, Sir Gregory de Cassali, and Peter Vannes, resident at Rome, telling of the preliminary hearings in England with the two legates, yet with repeated obstructions from Catherine, her litigators and crew. Catherine wants this case adjudicated in Rome (hint, hint, with Imperialist Cardinals favoring her). The gloves are off and are going badly. UPSHOT: things are swirling in the hot cooking pot. Dr. Benet from Rome writes Wolsey on 9 July 1529 telling him how badly things are going in Rome, including the Caesarians in Rome defending Catherine but also showing that Clement VII is depressed by the disintegration of “Christendom.” Clement VII needs Charles 5’s support, but would love to see this thing disappear in Henry’s favor, but, that he, the Pontifex Maximus, the Poobah of Rome, is unable to puff the problem out of sight. Dr. Benet, as has been done before, hints that “the Church of England will utterly be destroyed” (122). Peter Vannes on the same day as Dr. Benet’s letter, sending his own letter to Henry VII and Cardinal Wolsey with the same dire reportage. UPSHOT: A HOT SPRING AND SUMMER IN 1529 OVER HENRYCATHERINE-GATE.