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Richmond,

Your Majesty has communicated to us writings on two points, upon which you ask our opinion.

First, your Majesty has approached the Pope in order to obtain remission of the excommunications, ecclesiastical censures and declarations of schism pronounced by the apostolic see against this realm and its inhabitants; and about this there is nothing to be said, since the Pope has been informed.

However, we think your Majesty ought to realise that this matter must be kept entirely secret, for to ask for this absolution implies recognition of the Pope's and Consistory's authority, which is far more objectionable to the people here than the mass ever was, as we shall explain hereafter.

The absolution must be general and include the realm and all its inhabitants.

It must be couched in general terms, and not founded on the old claims of the popes to the kingdoms of England and Ireland; nor must it mention the fief or the old tribute.

Let it be seen to that it be not made subject to the clause “while the realm and its inhabitants continue to obey the apostolic see”; for if that condition were inserted the document would be useless.

Were it possible to obtain it of the Pope's spontaneous generosity, without any request having to be made by your Majesty, it would be a point that might come in useful later; and let his Holiness give as his motives “the Christian pity of a Church who never shuts out her children, but is ever indulgent after the example given by the Savior and his Gospel, ever consoling, ever full of forgiveness”, and suchlike reasons.

Let no mention be made of the legate deputed by the Pope and consistory to come over here with authority to grant absolution, receive the realm's obedience, reconsecrate, bless and perform other canonical and ecclesiastical ceremonies; for such allusions would delay the hoped-for result.

As for the legate's coming here, which is the second point in connexion with submission to the papal authority, we cannot advise your Majesty to bring him over at this season and on this errand. We quite realise that it would be an excellent thing for all Christendom if the Church's authority were admitted here, unity among the faithful once more established, and especially that the Anglican Church should cease to be schismatic. This should certainly be the object of all our labours, but it is also necessary to look at the other side of the question, and remember the trouble that might ensue, the danger that might threaten Cardinal Pole and other papal ministers were they to come to England in the present state of the kingdom. Moreover, your Majesty has issued a proclamation about religion, stating that every man shall be free to keep whatever religion he chooses, and a good enough beginning was made when mass was restored, for there are many followers of the new religion who are only awaiting an opportunity to stir up trouble.

It is not wise to let the legate come until it is known what may be obtained from the Parliament that is to meet on the 5th of next month, for the French are chiefly concerned in watching for some opening to prevent your Majesty from firmly establishing your rule, and it is not certain that the consistory was not moved to issue the legate's commission by some private consideration and with an evil object in view, for its members take sides for or against princes and frequently confuse earthly and divine policy. The commission deals with the restitution of church property, the restoration of convents and monasteries, a matter that it would be well-nigh impossible successfully to deal with, for most of the people here, especially your Majesty's own councillors, have grown rich on Church revenues.

These and other reasons prompt us to counsel your Majesty quietly and by some indirect means to let the Pope know the true state of affairs, and beg him to keep back the legate and bishop whom he had decided to send over here, pointing out to him that it is too early for such a mission. His Holiness ought to realise the dangers that attended your Majesty's accession, how difficult it has been to restore the mass, and how much opposition you then encountered in forcing a point that very nearly caused an outburst and certainly brought about an effervescence that has not yet quieted down.

The character of these people is not what might be expected, and his Holiness would do well to reflect that a great deal of odium attaches to such proceedings, and not in England only, but in several other parts of Europe as well. The matter takes time, as it has been impossible to deal with it by means of a General or Provincial Council; but your Majesty will do your best to induce your subjects to share your own sentiments of obedience towards the apostolic see and to fulfil your duty towards his Holiness.

During the next session of Parliament it will be possible to ascertain how much can be got out of the country, and your chief care shall be to restore religion to its pristine state. There is reason for being confident that your Majesty's excuses will be taken in good part, and your good will appreciated.

We hear from Rome that this question has been made public, and we think your Majesty had better say nothing about it and make no sign that it has come to your knowledge or that you have taken any steps in the matter. We must remember that if there are going to be any intrigues or commotions about religion during this next session, they will not need this rumour to induce them to show their faces.

Minute. French.