The summons was more fully explained by Starkey and Tunstall. The former declared that at the first reading of the book he was so much amazed and astonished that he knew not what to think except that he was in a dream.[1] The Bishop of Durham, on whose support Pole seems to have calculated, condescended to his arguments, and replied in formal Anglican language, that to separate from the Pope was not to separate from the unity of the Church: the Head of the Church was Christ, and unity was unity of doctrine, to which England adhered as truly as Rome: Pole had made a preposterous mistake, and it had led him into conduct which at present, if properly atoned for, might be passed over as folly, and covered and forgotten: if persevered in it would become a crime; but it was a secret so far, and if promptly repented of should remain a secret from all eyes for ever.[2] He was commanded by the Government, he was implored by his friends, to return to England, to make his peace in person, and entreat the King's forgiveness.
- ↑ Starkey to Pole: Strype's Memorials, vol. ii. p. 282.
- ↑ Tunstall to Pole: Rolls Home MS. Burnet's Collectanea, p. 479.
anything so incredible, and had intended treachery, the letters of Tunstall and Starkey would have heen in keeping with the King's; they would not have heen allowed to hetray the secret and show Pole their true opinions. Henry's letter was sent on the 14th of June; the other letters hore the same date, and went hy the same post. But, indeed, the King made no mystery of his displeasure. He may have written generally, as knowing only so much of the hook as others had communicated to him. That he affected not to be displeased is as absurd in itself as it is contradicted by the terms of the refusal to return, which Pole himself sent in reply. Strype's Memorials, vol. ii. p. 295.
