Page:Hutton, William Holden - Hampton Court (1897).djvu/100

50 Every chamber had a bason and an ewer of silver, a great livery pot of silver, and some gilt; yea, and some chambers had two livery pots of wine and beer, a bowl and a goblet, and a pot of silver to drink in both for their beer and wine; a silver candlestick both white and plain, having in it two sizes; and a staff torch of wax; a fine manchet, and a cheat loaf. Thus was every chamber furnished throughout all the house, and yet the cupboards in the two banqueting chambers not once touched. Thus when it was more than time convenient they were conveyed to their lodgings, where they rested at ease for the night. In the morning, after they had heard mass, they dined with my Lord, and so departed towards Windsor. They being then departed, my Lord returned again to London, because it was in the midst of the term."

This was the most famous entertainment that the great Cardinal ever gave at his Palace, and it was well-nigh the last. For many months he still continued to transact business of state therein and to receive royal visits. There the first steps of the divorce were anxiously debated. There Wolsey meditated in misery over the first signs of the disgrace that was coming upon him.

On the 26th of November 1529 Campeggio left England, and the divorce proceedings were seen to have broken down. By the same date Wolsey's fall had come. "His misfortunes are such," wrote the French Ambassador, "that his enemies, even though