Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/66

 at the suit and instance of the English merchants, he was, by the king's consent, made twice ambassador in certain great causes between them and the merchants of the Stilliard. Whose wise and discreet dealing therein, to his high commendation, coming to the king's understanding, provoked his highness to cause Cardinal Wolsey, then Lord Chancellor, to procure him to his service. And albeit the cardinal, according to the king's request, earnestly travailed with him therefore, among many other his persuasions alleging unto him, how dear his service must needs be unto his majesty, which could not with his honour with less than he should yearly lose thereby, seem to recompense him. Yet he, loath to change his estate, made such means unto the king, by the cardinal, to the contrary, that his grace for that time was well satisfied. Now happened there after this, a great ship of his that was then Pope to arrive at Southampton, which the king claiming for a forfeiture, the Pope's am-