to his wishes. The chancellor informed the king he "had much
rather spend his pains in endeavouring to convert his majesty
from pursuing his resolution, which he did in his conscience
believe to be unjust, than in persuading her majesty to comply
with it, which yet he would very heartily do." Saying which, he
departed on his errand; to which the queen answered, her
conscience would not allow her to consent that the king's
mistress should be one of her attendants. Then the chancellor
besought his royal master, saying he hoped he might be no more
consulted with, nor employed concerning an affair, in which he
had been so unsuccessful.

By reason of this opposition the king was now more resolved than
ever to honour his mistress and humble his wife; and, with a
cruelty unusual to his nature, determined to break her majesty's
spirit, and force her into obedience.

On coming to England the young bride had brought in her train
some Portuguese gentlewomen and nobles, whom she was anxious to
employ in various offices about her person, that she might not
feel quite in the midst of strangers. These his majesty believed
were in some measure answerable for the queen's resistance to his
desires, and therefore decided on sending them back to their own
country; knowing moreover, this was an act which would sorely
grieve her majesty. Therefore, without first deigning to inform,
the Queen of Portugal, he named a day for them to embark. This
was a sad blow to the hopes of the Portuguese, who had
entertained high expectations of being placed in advantageous
circumstances about the court; nor did the king by any show of
liberality help to lessen their disappointment. The queen was