HISTORY OF KINO HENRY VII. 371 



under his eyes the successes and progresses of that 

 great enemy of the faith, had had in the conclave, 

 and with the assistance of the ambassadors of 

 foreign princes, divers consultations about an holy 

 war, and a general expedition of Christian princes 

 against the Turk : wherein it was agreed and 

 thought fit, that the Hungarians, Polonians, and 

 Bohemians, should make a war upon Thracia ; the 

 French and Spaniards upon Graecia; and that the 

 pope, willing to sacrifice himself in so good a cause, 

 in person, and in company of the King of England, 

 the Venetians, and such other states as were great 

 in maritime power, would sail with a puissant navy 

 through the Mediterranean unto Constantinople. 

 And that to this end, his holiness had sent nuncios 

 to all Christian princes, as well for a cessation of all 

 quarrels and differences amongst themselves, as for 

 speedy preparations and contributions of forces and 

 treasure for this sacred enterprize. 



To this the king, who understood well the court 

 of Rome, made an answer rather solemn than seri 

 ous : signifying, 



&quot; That no prince on earth should be more for- 

 &quot; ward and obedient, both by his person, and by all 

 &quot; his possible forces and fortunes, to enter into this 

 &quot; sacred war, than himself. But that the distance 

 &quot; of place was such, as no forces that he should raise 

 &quot; for the seas, could be levied or prepared but with 

 &quot; double the charge, and double the time, at the 

 &quot; least, that they might be from the other princes, 

 &quot; that had their territories nearer adjoining. Besides, 

 that neither the manner of his ships, having no 



