582
REIGN OF HENRY THE EIGHTH.
[ch. 20.
October.But he might have spared himself a renewal of dissimulation. England was now at war with France, and the Scotch had already begun to take an active part in the hostilities. Cruisers with mixed crews from the two countries were infesting the Channel. Forays, as usual, had commenced along the Borders. The King replied peremptorily that he had heard the last of fair words. If the Scots again desired to treat with him, Beton and Arran, as a first condition, must he delivered into his hands, or at least deposed from power, and the Government must be made over to a council composed as he would himself direct.[1] Events therefore went their natural course. The promised legate, Marco Grimayni, arrived from Rome with the Pope's blessings and encouragements; and rumour added that Reginald Pole was to follow him with money and four thousand men.[2] In connection with the legate arrived a French ambassador, with ammunition and money.[3] The prisoners of Solway receiving easy absolution, it may be presumed, for their perjury, broke their oaths, and refused to return to England. The Council of Constance, they were assured by the Cardinal, had decreed that no good Catholic was bound by a promise to a heretic;[4] and, out of three noble exceptions who refused the discreditable subterfuge, one only was enabled to save the fame of Scotland by observing his parole. Lord
