This was a relationship characterized by an unstable mixture of ducal anxiety and outward friendship. The Duke had all the ability of the professionally insincere to put up an effective act in the role of bluff honest comrade. It is a shame that we cannot certainly date or place in context the most extreme of his falsehoods, when the Duke avowed to Cromwell, in his own distinctive and rather pleasing handwriting, By my friends I have been advertised that since I saw you last, ye have most lovingly handled me, for the which . . . I assure you in few words you will always find me a faithful
...more
