Hampton Court ... Illustrated with forty-three drawings by Herbert ...

WOLSEY'S DEATH 51
they were Englishmen, could not fail to pity him."
So he went piteously, after weary months of sickness
and hopes renewed only to be disappointed, at last to
his sad end. Anne Bullen's " tablet of gold," which
she took from her girdle and sent to him by the hands
of Master Doctor Butts, the King's physician, " with
very gentle and comfortable words and commendations,"
would not long deceive the fallen man; for
in the lordly house he had built she sat in half-royal
stateliness beside the King.
Ill
Henry entered upon the possession of Hampton
Court as soon as he had sent Wolsey into retirement
at Esher. He began building at once. His tenniscourt
may still be seen, though his bowling-alley is
not so easily traced. His great hall was soon to rise
in the Clock-court. Everywhere he was adding and
decorating, and his pleasure in all things ruled the
day. His patient wife still had her rooms in the
Palace; but daily the mistress stood by the King's
side as he shot, or wandered with him on the terrace
walks by the river. It was at Hampton Court, at
last, that Henry heard the news of his faithful
servant's death, and it was from honest Cavendish
that he heard it. The day of the burial, when it
was all over, at about six in the morning, the loyal
servant was sent to tell theKing.