Cardinal Wolsey Going in Procession
by Sir John Gilbert
(English painter, 1817-1897)
CARDINAL WOLSEY devoted himself for many years to
carrying out every wish of his master, Henry VIII. As a
reward, Wolsey was made archbishop, and then lord
chancellor, and finally cardinal. He lived in a
beautiful palace, with the richest of carpets and
silken tapestries. It is said that he had five hundred
servants, and that some of them wore heavy chains of
gold and garments of satin and velvet, as if they were
noblemen. Cavendish thus describes the cardinal's going
forth from his house: "He would issue out to them,
appareled all in red, in the habit of a cardinal, with
a tippet of sables about his neck; holding in his hand
a very fair orange, whereof the meat or substance
within was taken out and filled up again with the part
of a sponge wherein was vinegar or other confections
against the pestilent airs the which he commonly smelt
when passing among the press—or else when he was
pestered by many suitors. Then his gentlemen ushers
cried out and said, 'Oh, my lords and masters, on
before; make way for my lord's grace,' and thus he
passed down from his chamber through the hall."
In the illustration, two churchmen precede the
cardinal, bearing crosses, while behind them walks a
noble carrying the cardinal's hat. All about are poor
people kneeling to present petitions for one thing or
another. One of them a guard is trying to restrain; but
she knows well the kindness of the great man to the
poor, and she pays no heed to the hand on her shoulder.
At the left is borne the pillar of silver which
typifies the cardinal's position as a pillar of the
Church.
|