Privy Seal · Chapter
III explained
Magister Udal, in Paris, reveals his hatred for Thomas Cromwell and his spying mission for the Lady Mary.
What happens
Magister Udal, in Paris, reveals his hatred for Thomas Cromwell and his spying mission for the Lady Mary. His wife, the Widow Annot, shows him a sleeping envoy and shares her secret intelligence-gathering. Udal confesses his marriage may be invalid, but she remains devoted, hoping he will become chancellor and restore the Old Faith.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Intrigue
Udal's spying for Cromwell on Lady Mary, and the Widow Annot's secret surveillance of envoys, highlight pervasive deceit.
Religious Conflict
The tension between the Old Faith and the New Learning is central, with hopes that Katharine Howard might restore Catholicism.
Love and Loyalty
The Widow Annot's devotion to Udal despite his confession of an invalid marriage contrasts with the political betrayals.
Characters to notice
- Magister Udal
Reveals his hatred for Cromwell, his spying for Privy Seal, and his conflicted feelings about his marriage to the Widow Annot.
- Widow Annot
Udal's wife in Paris; she provides him with secrets gleaned from her lodgers and hopes for his advancement.
- Thomas Cromwell
Referenced as the object of Udal's hatred and the master he spies for, though his grip on power is perceived to be weakening.
- Katharine Howard
Mentioned as Udal's former pupil and a potential future queen who might restore the Old Faith.
- Lady Mary
Udal has been spying on her for Cromwell, attempting to discover how she sends treasonable letters abroad.
Key passages
“Oh, magister,” she retorted, with a first touch of scorn in her voice; “have you, who have had so much truck with women, yet to learn that you may command a woman to be friends with a man, yet no power on earth shall make her love him.”
She scornfully tells Udal that while a woman can be ordered to be friendly, love cannot be commanded.
Highlights the theme of love and loyalty versus political manipulation.
“And if Crummock looseneth grip, Crummock’s power in the land waneth.”
If Cromwell relaxes his hold on anyone, his power is declining.
Indicates a perceived weakening of Cromwell's authority.
“Terror hath bestridden our realm of England; no man dares to whisper his hate even to the rushes.”
Fear dominates England; no one dares to express hatred openly.
Illustrates the atmosphere of fear under Cromwell's spy network.