But he failed as men failed who stand ahead of their age.

The German princes shrank from a contest with the Emperor, France from a struggle which would be fatal to Catholicism; and Henry, left alone to bear the resentment of the House of Austria and chained to a wife he loathed, turned savagely on his minister.

In June the long struggle came to an end.

The nobles sprang on Cromwell with a fierceness that told of their long-hoarded hate.

Taunts and execrations burst from the Lords at the Council table as the Duke of Norfolk, who had been entrusted with the minister's arrest, tore the ensign of the Garter from his neck.