Wolsey's study

Wolsey was in his study, writing one letter after another.
He didn't stop when a servant entered and announced a visitor, just making a gesture that she could enter.
As she entered he looked up for a moment and put down his quill, genuinely surprised.

Lady Saville! What a... pleasant surprise! He frowned a little because he knew her, though they had never talked before. Moreover, she was a friend of lady Anne and he'd also seen her often in the company of Charles Brandon. What would be the reason for her upcoming, as far as he was informed, she had left the court a while ago.

He hid his confusion and rose from his chair, he walked toward her and smiled affably. He bowed slightly and offered her a chair.
My lady... what can I do for you?

Wolsey walked slowly back to his own chair, even more confused after her airy words. She wanted to visit him? He suppressed his laughter and shook his head: no, no. When she inquired about his activities, the puzzle fell together. Of course, Anne had sent her to collect information from him!

He sat down and put his fingertips together, his elbows on the table and smiled friendly.
' Well, my lady, thank you for the concern, but I'm as busy as ever...'
he spoke cautiously. ' So you are back, in order to stay... for good, I hope?'

Wolsey stared at her with an amused smile. She worried about being a catholic while her best friend was a heretic? Perhaps he could advice her to stay away from lady Anne then, smiling at the thought.
He became serious again and gave a reassuring answer.
'My lady! If you just say your prayers and go to Mass, you'll be just fine! I can assure you that the Catholic faith remains intact in England, especially since our King himself is a true believer and defender of the Roman Church.'

Looking friendly at her, he leaned forward and asked softly.
'Please, my lady, just tell me: what is the real reason for coming here....?'

Wolsey was unpleasantly surprised. So far the concerning of her prayers... He felt anger rising and also impatience. Not only she dared to disturb him while he was busy but also trying to offend him and - even worse - the King himself!
Her behaviour toward him amused him but he didn't allow anyone to speak that bold about the King. He raised an eyebrow.
'My lady! I'm very pleased to speak with you but not about such matters! If this is all you have to say I thank you for coming and wish you a good night!'
He looked at her with cold eyes, ready to stand up and show her the door.

Wolsey shook his head while she left, sighed and picked up his quill again.

Wolsey’s in his study when a servant enters and announces

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"Your Eminence, the pope’s representative in the divorce case, Cardinal Campeggio is here"

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Wolsey stands up and blinks his eyes when he sees his visitor: an old man, agonizingly slowly shuffling and with each step he recoils in pain.
When the servant announces him as Cardinal Campeggio he looks at him, extremely surprised. Initially he did not recognize him.
He opens his arms in a welcoming gesture and walks quickly toward him, hugging him warmly.

'Campeggio, my friend, I'm glad you're here, how was your yourney? Please, sit down!'

Campeggio enters slowly, using a cane and leaning on an assistant.

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Wolsey greets him with a hug and calls him Lorenzo, so clearly they’ve been friends for a while.

"Oh my old friend.. Apologizes for my immobility.Life is not as easy as before.." He laughed "I've gout.." . The two cardinals sit down near the fire.

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Wolsey makes a gesture to the servants and immediately they bring some glasses and a bottle of wine.
He smiles warmly at his old friend and tries not to frown.

'I emphatize with you, but then you have an even greater ordeal to face... Our King wants to set the court with papal authority at once to decide on his annullment. As you undoubtedly know, he has long been waiting and he wants nothing more than a quick decision.

Campeggio listens Wolsey and he understands.He looks at the fire and turns to Wolsey again.He takes a deep breath

"His Majesty's decision will be final.There’ll be no appeals here.We talked at length with the Pope.He wants to keep Henry happy, but it’ll be best to persuade Henry to give up this case.." Pope and Campeggio's purpose is Henry to give up this divorce.

Wolsey listens to Campeggio and his expression changes. Still smiling he frowns and sighs.

' I'm afraid Your Eminence acts in ignorance in this regard. Let me make this clear to you. If you do not grant the annullment, the papal authority in England will be destroyed.'

He leans forward, his smile has disappeared.
' You would not mind if the same thing happens to England as with Germany, where the biggest part has alienated from Rome and faith?'

Campeggio looks at Wolsey with anxious.The papal authority will be destroyed in England? This doesn't something the Pope wants.Campeggio must find a middle way.He tries to smile

"Is it possible meeting with the King? Perhaps we can compromise with him.."

Wolsey shakes his head at his words about compromising.

' Of course we'll talk to the King, he is very eager to explain to you his objections regarding the continuation of the marriage. He expects us right away tomorrow morning!'

He keeps looking at Campeggio with a grim glance.
' If the wish of the King will not be fullfilled I assure you that as a result thereof the influence of the Church will be completely and immediatelly vanished, in short: it means the total ruin of the Kingdom!'

Campeggio looks anxiously.He smiles at Wolsey

"I understand Thomas.Pope would like to make him happy.Of course, he does not want to lose England.."

Finally an affirmation! Wolsey sighs with relief and rubs his eyebrows.
He takes a sip of his wine and smiles warmly at his old friend.

' Well, Lorenzo, I knew I chose wise when I asked the Pope to send you here to decide on this matter.
And tell me, how is the Pope doing? Is he still under the influence of the Emperor?'

Lorenzo smiles and he drinks his wine.He shakes his head and looks at the fire with the pensive eyes

"Well.. You know how strong he is.. We can not say he is under the influence of the Emperor exactly.. Pope wants to make everyone happy.Also, Charles is Holy Roman Emperor.."

Wolsey is silent for a while, he stares in the flames, thoughtfully. Then he turns to Campeggio, smiling apologetic.

'Don't think I underestimate the difficult position of our Holy Father...' he speaks softly and frowns. ' I know this annullment comes at a bad time, not only because of the Emperor who is after all the Queen's nephew, but also because of the Lutherans who roads off every word from our Pope.' he sighs. 'I know it is difficult for him to revoke a decision of a previous pope under these circumstances...'

Campeggio listens Wolsey attentively.He combines his hands

"Yes that is difficult for him.Emperor is very strong.Queen Katherine is his aunt and he does not want to upset his aunt.Otherwise Lutherans are breeding increasingly.Turks are moving toward to Europe.."

Wolsey nods in igreement.
' I understand, he wants to maintain the peace, that is the most important thing...'

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Suddenly he rice from his chair and stands in front of cardinal Campeggio.
' More reason to cherish his true friends, who never attacked him and always supported him, like Henry did and still does!'

He stands upright and with a fixed look.
' I'd say he owes Henry more than only the title ' Defendor of the Roman Church' !'