Satirical Poem about Cardinal Wolsey

Sir John Skelton

“In the Chancery, where he sits,

But such as he admits,

None so hardy to speek!

He saith, “Thou hoddipeke,

They learning is too lewd,

Thy tongue is not well-thewd

To seek before our Grace!’

And openly, in that place,

He rages and he raves,

And calls them ‘cankered knaves’!

Thus royally he doth deal

Under the King’s broad seal;

And in the Chequer he them checks

And in the Star Chamber he nods and he becks,

And beareth him there so stout

That no man dare rowt!

Duke, earl, baron nor lord,

But to his sentence must accord;

Whether he be knight or squire,

All men must follow his desire.

Why come ye not to court?

To which court?

To the King’s court,

Or to Hampton Court?

Nay, to the king’s court!

The King’s court

Should have excellence

But Hampton Court

Hath the pre-eminence,

And York’s Place,

With my Lord’s Grace!

To whose magnificence

Is all the confluence,

Suits and supplications,

Embassades of all nations.”