Henry was in his thirty-eighth year, and though somewhat overgrown
and heavy, had lost none of his activity, and but little of the grace of his
noble proportions. His size and breadth of limb were well displayed in
his magnificent habiliment. His countenance was handsome and
manly, with a certain broad burly look, thoroughly English in its
character, which won him much admiration from his subjects; and
though it might be objected that the eyes were too small, and the
mouth somewhat too diminutive, it could not be denied that the general
expression of the face was kingly in the extreme. A prince of a more
"royal presence" than Henry the Eighth was never seen, and though he
had many and grave faults, want of dignity was not amongst the
number.
Henry entered Windsor amid the acclamations of the spectators, the
fanfares of trumpeters, and the roar of ordnance from the castle walls.
Meanwhile, Anne Boleyn, having descended from her litter, which
passed through the gate into the lower ward, stood with her ladies
beneath the canopy awaiting his arrival.
A wide clear space was preserved before her, into which, however,
Wolsey penetrated, and, dismounting, placed himself so that he could
witness the meeting between her and the king.
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