Chapter XI
Reading edition
"DOWN WITH THE CHURCH."
Notes in this chapter
Note 1 · The Reformation Parliament met for its first session on the 3rd of November, 1529, at the Black Friars' Hall in London.[767] No careful obseNote 2 · These reforms seem reasonable enough, but the idea of placing a bound to the spiritual exaction of probate seemed sacrilege to Bishop FisherNote 3 · These mutterings of the storm fell on deaf ears at Rome. Clement was deaf, not because he had not ears to hear, but because the clash of impNote 4 · Meanwhile, the exigencies of the struggle drove Clement into assertions of papal prerogative which would at any time have provoked an outburNote 5 · To these fulminations the ancient laws of England provided Henry with sufficient means of reply. "Let not the Pope suppose," wrote Henry to Note 6 · Pending the result of Henry's appeal to the universities, little was done in the matter in England. The lords spiritual and temporal signed Note 7 · These, at the moment, were two. He wanted to extract from the clergy a recognition of his supremacy over the Church, and he wanted money. HeNote 8 · In Parliament, notwithstanding Chapuys' remark on the triviality of its business, more than a score of acts were passed, some limiting such Note 9 · Primed by communion with their neighbours, members of Parliament assembled once more on 15th January, 1532, for more important business thanNote 10 · But no pressure was needed to induce the Commons to attack abuses, the weight of which they felt themselves. Early in the session they were Note 11 · After debating these points in Parliament, the Commons agreed that "all the griefs, which the temporal men should be grieved with, should beNote 12 · Meanwhile the divorce case at Rome made little progress. In the highest court in Christendom the facilities afforded for the law's delays weNote 13 · These circumstances, of which not a hint was suffered to transpire in public, dictated Henry's policy during the early months of 1533. NeverNote 14 · For this contingency also Henry had provided; and he was actually using the Pope as a means for securing the divorce. An appearance of frienNote 15 · The same deceptive appearance of concord between King and Pope was employed to lull both Parliament and Convocation. The delays in the divorNote 16 · Henry's path was now clear. Cranmer was archbishop and legatus natus with a title which none could dispute. By Act of Parliament his court w