Henry VIII,the Reign
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On receipt of her letter of the 18th about the illness of the Prince, went to the King in the absence of John Colla, who was ill of a catarrh. The King told him his ambassadors had written that the fever was abating, and that the Prince would soon be well. Spoke of the General of Normandy, but could learn nothing further. The King complained greatly of the manner in which he had been treated by Aragon and the Emperor, especially by the latter refusing him the services of his subjects, for whom England pays. Replied that the Emperor had been compelled to listen to the truce, although De Pleine believed he had deferred his consent to it till he should know the King's resolution; that the Emperor always had such confidence in Henry that he would have been satisfied with anything he had done, even if it had been a more weighty matter; and as to the men of war, the Emperor had only delayed making answer till he knew if Henry accepted the truce or not. Finally De Pleine said that a union between the Emperor, the King Catholic, the Prince, and the King of England, could not but be for the advantage of all; and that if the Emperor and King Catholic had not given the King due notice, one error was better than two, and a joint peace would be better for England than a separate one.
Henry replied that it touched his honor that the Emperor had made a truce without him, when he had been at such a great expense. As to the Emperor allowing Henry the aid of his subjects, the King said he knew more than De Pleine, because his ambassador had written that the Emperor had told him he could not do it, but as to having made a truce or not he had returned no answer. The King then spoke of the great preparation he had made at Calais for the marriage of the Prince, of which all Christendom was full, and which was to have taken place in the month of May. Every one said, at Rome, in France, in the Prince's countries, and in England, that the delay was only designed to break it off. De Pleine replied that nothing was more desired by the Emperor and Margaret than that it should take effect; that they only wished to change the place on account of the plague, which began there to prevail in May. Hoped the King would have regard for the Emperor's friendship, and none would be able to do them injury. The King said the arrangement he had made with her at Lille had been fruitless; that those named it in, and the Count Palatine also, had as much credit as if they were at Rome. Had refrained from writing about the Princess [Mary] till he had seen her several times. Has never seen so beautiful a lady. Her deportment is exquisite both in conversation and in dancing, and she is very lively. If Margaret had seen her she would not rest till she had her over; she is very well brought up, and appears to love the Prince wonderfully. She has a very bad picture of him, and is said to wish to see it ten times a day, and to take pleasure in hearing of him. She is not tall, but is a better match in age and person for the Prince than he had heard say. She seems quite young and does not show that in two years she will be as far advanced as Likerke or Fontaine. (fn. 6) Was asked by the Bishop of Lincoln why they had broken off the marriage. Replied that they did not consider it broken off, and that the obligations contained in the first treaty were not so easily invalidated. On being asked why the time had been allowed to pass, said it was nobody's fault, but only the consequence of making these truces, and the distance of the Emperor. Was asked by another great person if the French King had had the small pox (les pocques). Some say the alliance with the Prince will be very costly to this kingdom. Thinks, however, that most influential persons are in favor of it. Considers that the Emperor and the Prince ought to give effect to it. The Prince will be heir to great kingdoms, to obtain which this alliance will help him. As there ought to be more zeal exhibited on the part of the husband than of the lady, some great personage should be sent to espouse the Princess, per verba de prœsenti, who should propose, instead of Escluse or Tenremonde, some place nearer Antwerp or Malines to solemnize the marriage, according to the pleasure of the Emperor. The Queen is believed to be with child, and is so, as far as the writer can judge. She is of a lively and gracious disposition; quite the opposite of the Queen her sister [Joan of Aragon] in complexion and manner. The painter has made a good likeness of Mary. London, 30 June. 
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