Note 696 — Chapter V

For an account of these negotiations, and for the false start made on Nov. 1st, 1542, see W. Maurenbrecher, “Tridentiner Concil, Vorspiel und Einleitung,” Historisches Taschenbuch, Sechste Folge, 1886, pp. 147-256; also Cambridge Modern History, ii. 660 ff. It seems to be pretty certain that the fear that the Germans might hold a National Council and the possibility that there might result a National German Church independent of Rome on the lines laid down by Henry VIII. of England, was the motive which finally compelled Pope Paul III. to decide on summoning a General Council; cf. i. pp. 378, 379.