Privy Seal · Chapter
IV explained
In Cromwell's house, five men—Cranmer, Lascelles, Throckmorton, Wriothesley, and Cromwell himself—debate the political crisis posed by King Henry's love for Katharine Howard, who is suspected of favoring Rome.
What happens
In Cromwell's house, five men—Cranmer, Lascelles, Throckmorton, Wriothesley, and Cromwell himself—debate the political crisis posed by King Henry's love for Katharine Howard, who is suspected of favoring Rome. They discuss the necessity of divorcing Anne of Cleves and appeasing the King, while Cromwell remains enigmatic, focusing on intelligence from Cleves.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Corruption
Cromwell and his allies scheme to maintain power by manipulating the King's marriage, prioritizing political survival over principle.
Religious Conflict
The debate between Cranmer's willingness to compromise with Rome and Wriothesley's staunch Protestant resistance highlights the religious schism.
Betrayal and Intrigue
Throckmorton's secret admiration for Cromwell while betraying him, and the spying by Lascelles, underscore the atmosphere of distrust.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Cromwell
Paces the gallery, listens to the debate, and questions Wriothesley about the Cleves envoy in Paris.
- Cranmer
Argues for bowing to the King's desire for Katharine Howard and suggests a temporary pact with Rome.
- Lascelles
Silent spy of the Archbishop, nods in support of Cranmer but dares not speak unbidden.
- Sir Throckmorton
Observes with admiration for Cromwell, speaks briefly, then leaves to meet Katharine Howard.
- Wriothesley
Argues for maintaining Cromwell's position and reports his failure to get news from the Cleves envoy in Paris.
Key passages
“Goodman, these are evil times because we men are evil.”
Cromwell tells Cranmer that the evil of the times stems from human wickedness, not external circumstances.
Cromwell's philosophical retort to Cranmer's lament about the times.
“If we needs must go with the Lady Katharine towards Rome, consider that it is but for a short time.”
Cranmer suggests that temporarily aligning with Katharine Howard's pro-Rome stance is acceptable as a short-term measure.
Cranmer's pragmatic advice to bow to the King's wishes.
“All the door turneth upon that hinge.”
Cromwell insists that the key to the entire situation is knowing why the Cleves envoy came to Paris.
Cromwell's focus on intelligence from Cleves as the decisive factor.