more impatient as he wanted this matter resolved. He had attempted to gain the divorce as well as a new marriage for four years and as Henry was not know for his patients the situation was growing more tense. The case came to a head in March when Clement cited Henry to appear in Rome for a trial. This meant that either the pope would find for Henry, which was highly unlikely due to Charles V's pressure on the pope, or that Henry would have to ignore the pope and risk excommunication. This was exactly what Wolsey had been working to prevent.With the situation now at a boiling point many around Henry began suggesting solutions. The Duke of Norfolk suggested that Henry ignore the pope, marry Anne and hope that Charles did not get involved. This was a great risk and even Norfolk was nervous. He wrote to Chapuys and asked him what Charles would do if the divorce occurred in England. Chapuys' response was simple, no invasion would even be needed as Catherine had such a ground swell of support within England that the people would rebel against Henry on Catherine's behalf. Due to the support that Catherine did have across the country this was a realistic threat. Henry decided the proper course of actions was to write a letter in which he demanded the divorce as "essential to the interests of the realm."13 The letter was drafted and redrafted then submitted to a grand council which again redrafted it as they felt it was too hostile. Finally, the letter was signed by six bishops, twenty-two abbots, forty-two peers and a dozen household members. Upon the completion the letter was sent to Rome and the last desperate attempt at diplomacy had been made.September of 1530 brought a reply from Rome. The pope said that if Henry wanted the matter resolved quickly then he should send his lawyers so the case could begin. Clement had not been swayed by the political plea and now Henry was determined to act with or without papal authority and in ...
