At which time he made no longer delaie, but tooke post horsses that night, and rode toward Calis, con|ducted thither with such persons as the emperor had appointed; and at the opening of the gates of Calis, he came thither, where the passengers were as readie to returne into England, as they were before at his iournie forward, insomuch that he arriued at Douer by ten of the clocke before noone, and hauing post horsses,His return [...] into Engla [...] after his a [...]bassage dis|charged. came to the court at Richmond the same night, where he taking some rest vntill the morning, repaired to the king at his first comming from his bedchamber to his closet, whom when the king saw, he checked him, for that he was not on his iournie: Sir (quoth he) if it may please your highnesse, I haue alreadie béene with the emperor, and dispatched your affaires (I trust to your graces contentation) and with that presented vnto the king his letters of credence from the emperor.

The king being in a great maze and woonder of his speedie returne and procéedings,The king maruelleth at the cardinals spéedie re|turne. dissembled all his woonder, and demanded of him whether he in|countered not his pursiuant the which he sent vnto him, supposing him not to be out of London, with letters concerning a verie necessarie matter, ne|glected in their consultation; Yea forsooth (quoth the chapleine) I met with him yesterdaie by the waie, and hauing no vnderstanding by your graces let|ters of your pleasure, haue notwithstanding béene so bold vpon mine owne discretion (perceiuing that matter to be verie necessarie in that behalfe) to di|spatch the same. And forsomuch as I haue excéeded your graces commission, I most humblie require your graces pardon. The king reioising not a little, said; We doo not onelie pardon you thereof, but also giue you our princelie thanks, both for the procéeding therein, and also for your good and speedie exploit, commanding him for that time to take his rest, and repaire againe after dinner for the further relation of his ambassage.

The ambassador, when he saw time, repaired before the king and councell, where he declared the effect of all his affaires so exactlie, with such grauitie and eloquence, that all the councell that heard him, commended him, estéeming his expedition to be al|most beyond the capacitie of man.Thomas Wolseie dea [...] of Lincolne. Thomas Wolseie the kings almo|ner. The king gaue him at that time the deanrie of Lincolne. From thense forward he grew more and more into estima|tion and authoritie, and after was promoted by the king to be his almoner. After the death of king Hen|rie the seuenth, and in the florishing youth of king Henrie the eight, this almoner handled himselfe so politiklie, that he soone found the meanes to be made one of the kings councell,Thomas Wolseie of the priuie coun|cell vnto Henrie the eight. and to grow in fauor with the king, to whome the king gaue an house at Bride|well in Fleetstréet, sometime sir Richard Empsons, where he kept house for his familie; and so dailie at|tended vpon the king, and in his especiall fauor, who had great sute made vnto him.