Look now, my lord, holy simplicity was well enough in its day, but its day is over. We’re at war. Just because the Emperor’s soldiers aren’t running down the street, don’t deceive yourself—this is a war and you are in the enemy camp.” The bishop is silent. He sways a little on his stool. Sniffs. “I see why Wolsey retained you. You are a ruffian and

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“I call it extortion.” She turns to her daughter. “If you ask why the church is not defended, I can only tell you that there are noblemen in this land”—Suffolk, she means, Norfolk—“who have been heard to say they will pull the power of the church down, that never again will they suffer—they use the word—a churchman to grow so great as our late

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