CHAPTER I.

Prospects of a disputed succession to the crown--Various claimants--Catherine incapable of having further children-- Irregularity of her marriage with the King--Papal dispensations-- First mention of the divorce--Situation of the Papacy--Charles V.--Policy of Wolsey--Anglo-French alliance--Imperial troops in Italy--Appeal of the Pope--Mission of Inigo de Mendoza--The Bishop of Tarbes--Legitimacy of the Princess Mary called in question--Secret meeting of the Legates' court--Alarms of Catherine--Sack of Rome by the Duke of Bourbon--Proposed reform of the Papacy--The divorce promoted by Wolsey--Unpopular in England---Attempts of the Emperor to gain Wolsey 21