Luther was painfully aware of the politics of the situation.
His lordship, King Charles of Spain and Italy and, as the Holy Roman Emperor, was the one person who reigned over an empire that now sprawled across most of Europe and the Mediterranean. And the king thought kindly of Bishop Bernardus. He liked his advice – particularly on matters of politics – he enjoyed the bishop’s jovial behavior, and he laughed heartily at the man’s ribald jokes.
But Queen Isabella was not as tolerant of the cleric. She took particular umbrage at his unspeakable behavior with women – including ladies of the queen’s own court. She only expressed her concerns in private with her husband the king, but her cold treatment of the bishop left no doubt of how she felt about him.
And, so, Luther, as Charles’ agent
