Thus, she sends to France for a priest with no loyalty to the English crown (in some versions her fear of being found out is stated directly; in others, it is implied).
When King Henry hears that she has sent overseas for a priest, he suspects that his wife the queen has betrayed him in some way (again, this is stated more directly in some versions than in others).
He suggests to his friend and associate, Earl Marshall, that they both disguise themselves as French priests and go to hear the queen's confession.
Earl Marshall instantly refuses (in some versions of the ballad), saying that to "beguile" the queen in this way is a punishable crime for which he'll surely be hanged.
Earl Marshall relents, and the two men, dressed as French priests, go to hear the queen's deathbed confession.