GEOEGE BOLEYNE, VISCOUNT EOCHESTER, FIEST MASTER. 47 



he was appointed Constable of Dover Castle and Warden of 

 the Cinque Ports, though his patent did not pass the Great 

 Seal until June 23rd. Honours and emoluments continued 

 to pour on this apparently fortunate Master of the Buck- 

 hounds. The following month he was again sent to France 

 as Envoy Extraordinary, touching an interview which Henry 

 was eager to have with his " Right Excellent, Right High, 

 and Mightie Prince, his eldest brother, and perpetuall allie, 

 the French King," but which it became necessary in the end 

 to put off. In the " hunter's month " we find Lord Rochester 

 once more located at Hampton Court, surrounded by sporting 

 attributes, whence he sent one of his servants to Flanders 

 to purchase hawks. Later in this year his duties as Lord 

 Warden necessitated occasional visits to and sojourns at Dover. 

 The reception given by Lord Rochester to the French Admiral 

 Brion, who was sent to Henry ,VIlI. in embassy, on his landing 

 at Dover, was a memorable affair. The entertainment having 

 lasted four days, the envoy and his train were conducted 

 to Blackheath with semi-regal splendour. 



In the spring of 1535 Lord Rochester obtained from the king 

 a grant of the Manor of Octham, a parcel of Begham Abbey 

 lately suppressed ; also the manor of South, in Kent, with the 

 advowson, etc., thereunto belonging. In May his services were 

 once more employed in a diplomatic mission to France, to 

 negotiate a marriage contract between his niece, the Princess 

 Elizabeth, and Charles, Duke of Angouleme. The duke 

 wanted to wed the Princess Mary, but Henry refused to give 

 him her hand, and wished to substitute that of the Princess 

 Elizabeth instead, which offer the duke rejected. Curiously 

 enough, many years after, the duke became a suitor for the 

 hand of the Virgin Queen, but she in her turn rejected 

 his offer. Lord Rochester returned to England in June. By 

 this time he had attained the meridian of his power. His 

 influence was all-powerful, his favour with the king appeared 

 to be unshakable and permanent. Despite these outward 

 appearances, he was fast approaching his fall. He little 

 thought, as he sat on the jury which found Fisher guilty. 



