Privy Seal · Chapter
II explained
Magister Udal, now married to the Widow Annot in Paris, enjoys domestic comfort while Doctor Longstaffe arrives as part of the Duke of Norfolk's mission.
What happens
Magister Udal, now married to the Widow Annot in Paris, enjoys domestic comfort while Doctor Longstaffe arrives as part of the Duke of Norfolk's mission. The doctor is cautious about revealing the purpose of the embassy, which is rumored to be sent because of Katharine Howard's influence. Udal's wife presses for information about Katharine and later insists that Udal must return to England to seek advancement, offering him a practical bargain: he may strive for high office and she will join him if he succeeds, or he may return to her hearth if he fails.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Intrigue
The chapter is steeped in suspicion: Doctor Longstaffe fears being trapped by Cromwell's spies, and Udal's wife may be a spy herself. The mission's true purpose is hidden, and characters speak in veiled terms.
Ambition and Survival
Udal's wife drives him to seek advancement in England, while Doctor Longstaffe navigates dangerous questions to protect his neck. Both characters balance personal ambition with the need to survive in a treacherous political landscape.
Gender and Agency
The Widow Annot exercises significant control over Udal, dictating his future and managing the household. Katharine Howard, though absent, is portrayed as a powerful figure whose wishes may influence the King's actions.
Characters to notice
- Magister Udal
Now married to the Widow Annot, Udal enjoys a comfortable life in Paris but is pressured by his wife to return to England and seek high office.
- Widow Annot
Udal's new wife, a resolute and practical woman who manages the inn and insists that Udal go to London to advance his career.
- Doctor Longstaffe
An amanuensis of the Duke of Norfolk, sent to Paris as part of a special embassy. He is cautious and evasive about the mission's purpose, fearing Cromwell's spies.
- Katharine Howard
Mentioned as the possible cause of the embassy; rumored to have influenced the King to send the mission. Doctor Longstaffe has copied sonnets to her for the Earl of Surrey.
- Thomas Cromwell
Referred to as Lord Privy Seal; his spies are feared, and the embassy is suspected to be connected to his rivalry with Katharine Howard.
- Norfolk
The Duke of Norfolk, whose amanuensis Doctor Longstaffe is; his son Surrey has written sonnets to Katharine Howard.
Key passages
“Panic rose in the heart of the doctor; he beheld himself there, in what seemed a spy’s kitchen, asked disastrous questions by a man and woman and pinned into a window-seat.”
Doctor Longstaffe panicked, realizing he was trapped in a kitchen that felt like a den of spies, being interrogated by a man and woman.
Highlights the atmosphere of fear and suspicion in the chapter.
“For the magister, by playing with his reputation of being Cromwell’s spy, had so effectually caused terror of himself to pervade those who supported the old faith that he had much ado at times to find company even amongst the lovers of good letters.”
Udal's reputation as a possible spy for Cromwell made him feared by supporters of the old religion, leaving him isolated even among scholars.
Shows how Udal's ambiguous loyalty affects his social standing.
“Husband, it is time that I gave thee the bridal gift.”
Wife, now I will give you your wedding present.
The Widow Annot's announcement that she will send Udal to England to seek advancement.
“Tomorrow you shall set out for London city to make road towards becoming Sir Chancellor.”
Tomorrow you will leave for London to begin your path to becoming Chancellor.
The Widow Annot's command that Udal pursue high office.
