Legal History

Gratuitous 'What If?' History

By G.C. Seabourne

The King?s Great Matter had occupied my mind for years. I had spent ages consulting law books, then in careful diplomacy and scholarly dispute. Finally, the case was coming together. I knew that we would have to hold our nerve and make the break with Rome, but I was sure I could win the people away from that old superstitious nonsense.

Then he comes in, looking a bit red around the chops and maybe slightly sheepish. Odd, I thought: King Henry is not known for his lack of self-assurance.

?The thing is, Archbishop Cranmer,? he began, ?I?ve ... er ... changed my mind. I don?t want to divorce Katherine after all?.

It turned out that someone had been giving his old lady a few bedchamber tips: something about a pomegranate and some fancy American spices. I never got the full story -  he was a bit embarrassed, talking about it in front of a priest. Anyhow, he had decided that he could overlook the lack of a boy. Their Mary would do just fine, he said. All she needed was a good husband. If they played their cards right with the Spaniards, they might get a slice of the New World action. That would put French noses right out of joint.

I find myself in a slight pickle, wishing that I hadn?t been so rude about the Pope, and wondering how on earth I am going to manage to keep my wife secret.

Full post as published by Common Lawyer on June 12, 2008 (boomark / email).