His sentences & wittie persuasions in the coun|cell chamber were alwaies so pithie, that the councell (as occasion mooued them) continuallie assigned him EEBO page image 919 to be the expositor to the king in all their procée|dings, in whome the king receiued such a leaning fantasie, for that he was most earnest and readiest of all the councell to aduance the kings will and plea|sure: the king therefore estéemed him so highlie, that all the other councellors were put from the great fa|uor that they before were in, insomuch that the king committed all his will vnto his disposition, which the almoner perceiuing,The cardinall presumeth too [...]re vpon a conceit and flattering opi|nion of his owne quali|t [...]s and the [...] f [...]uor. tooke vpon him therefore to dis|charge the king of the weightie and troublesome bu|sinesse, persuading the king that he should not néed to spare anie time of his pleasure for anie businesse that should happen in the councell.

And whereas the other councellors would diuerse times persuade the king to haue sometime recourse into the councell chamber, there to heare what was doone; the almoner would persuade him to the con|trarie, which delited him much: and thus the almo|ner ruled all them that were before him, such did his policie and wit bring to passe. Who was now in high fauor but master almoner? And who ruled all vnder the king, but master almoner? Thus he perseuered in fauor, vntill at last in came presents, gifts, and re|wards so plentifullie, that he lacked nothing that might either please his fantasie, or inrich his coffers.

And thus proceeding in fortunes blisfulnesse, it chanced the warres betwéene the realmes of Eng|land and France to be open, insomuch as the king was fullie persuaded in his most roiall person to inuade his forren enimies with a puissant armie; wherefore it was necessarie that this roiall enter|prise should be speedilie prouided and furnished, in e|uerie degree of things apt & conuenient for the same, for the expedition wherof the king thought no mans wit so méet for policie and painefull trauell,The cardinall taketh vpon him the ma|naging of all the kings af|faires. as was his almoner, to whome therefore he committed his whole trust therein, and he tooke vpon him the whole charge of all the businesse, and brought all things to good passe in a decent order, as all maner of vittels, prouisions, and other necessaries conuenient for so noble a voiage and armie.