# IV explained — Privy Seal

> Chapter companion for Privy Seal by Ford Madox Ford.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/privy_seal_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters