CHAPTER XXII.

Easter at Greenwich--French and Imperial factions at the English court--Influence of Anne Boleyn--Reports of Anne's conduct submitted to the King--Flying rumours--Secret Commission of Enquiry--Arrests of various persons--Sir Henry Norris and the King--Anne before the Privy Council--Sent to the Tower--Her behaviour and admissions--Evidence taken before the Commission-- Trials of Norris, Weston, Brereton, and Smeton--Letter of Weston--Trial of Anne and her brother--Executions--Speech of Rochford on the scaffold--Anne sentenced to die--Makes a confession to Cranmer--Declared to have not been the King's lawful wife--Nature of the confession not known--Execution 412