tented, showing unto me that it was very joyous to have these tidings from the Pope's Holiness, at such time as he had taken upon him the defence of Christ's Church with his pen, afore the receipt of the said tidings; and that he will make an end of his book within these few days ; desiring your Grace to provide that within the same space all such as be appointed to examine Luther's books may be congregated to- gether for his Highness's perceiving. He is agreeable to every- thing desired by you and wishes you to write to the Emperor and to the electors. His book is to be sent not only to Rome, but also into France and other nations as shall appear con- venient. So that all the Church is more bound to this good and virtuous prince, for the vehement zeal he beareth unto the same, than I can express.
As touching the said breve his Grace [Henry] is singularly well contented therewith, and read every word of it at his second mass time, and after dinner showed it to my lords of Canterbury and Durham,* with great praise and laud thereof. As to the said bull, his Grace showed himself very well con- tented with the coming of the same; howbeit as touching the publication thereof, he said he would have it well examined and diligently looked to afore it were published.
447. ALEANDER TO THE VICE-CHANCELLOR DE' MEDIO. Kalkoff: Aleander, i66. Worms, April i6, 1521.
I had just closed my last letter when I learned from several reports and from the running of the people that the great heresiarch was entering the city.* I sent one of my people out, who informed me that about a hundred horsemen, pre- sumably Sickingen's, escorted him to the gate. Sitting in a wagon with three companions* he entered the town, surrounded by about eight riders, and took up his dwelling* in the neigh- borhood of the Saxon Elector. As he left the wagon a priest threw his arms around him and touched his gown three times,
iWarliam and Thomas Ruthall, made Bishop of Durham 1509, died Febni-
ary 4> 15^3.
'About 10 a. m. Cf. Smith, 11 a.
- The7 were his colleague Amsdorf, the Augustinian John Petsensteiner of
Nuremberg, and the student Peter Ton Swayen, a Danish noble, later in the diplomatic service. Calendars of State Papers,
4At the Hospice of St. John.
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