HENRY VIII. (ENGLAND) 651 obles, merchants, and others, at London, be- fore whom he placed the reasons of his con- duct, and appealed to the patriotism of his sub- jects, with success. The imperial threats and intrigues proved very injurious to the queen's cause. The legatine court was prevented by trickery from acting until May, 1529, and then Catharine appealed to Rome, to which Henry was summoned. Against this Wolsey protest- ed, declaring that if Henry should go to the court of Rome, it would be with such a force as should be formidable to the pope and all Italy. A parliament was immediately called, and power passed into the hands of new men, though of the old aristocracy, and Wolsey's en- emies, and opposed to the rule of the church, yet not reformers in every case. At that time there were three parties in the country : the English party, in whose hands was power, and who were determined upon a secular revolt ; the papal party, the chief member of which as Sir Thomas More, now chancellor; and e doctrinal Protestants, who were disliked y both the others. "Wolsey gave up the seals ct. IT, 1529, and parliament met Nov. 3. The fact that the opening speech was made by More, an extreme Catholic, standing at the king's right hand, shows that Henry had even then no wish to break with Rome. Wolsey was coarsely reflected on by the chancellor. Parliament was left to pursue its own course, and it proceeded to denounce the clergy in a formal " act of accusation," or petition, which ntained the germ of the English reforma- on. Henry submitted this to the bishops, who replied at length, but ineffectually, as the commons passed several laws respecting the powers and privileges of the clerical order; and the lords concurred, though the clergy formed a majority of the upper house, which shows that the pressure was great from with- out. The divorce question continued under discussion, and the pope issued two inhibitions, threatening Henry with spiritual censures if he should proceed. The king thought at one time of giving way, and most of the council agreed with him ; but Thomas Cromwell induced him to persevere. Henry hoped the conduct of parliament would intimidate the papal court. The right of the pope to grant that dispensa- tion under which the marriage of Henry and Catharine had taken place was called in ques- tion, the object being to transfer the matter to a broader court, and to obtain in some way, as through an appeal to a council, a decision against the marriage. This is said to have been suggested by Cranmer, who made him- self very prominent in obtaining the opinions of universities and learned men on the subject, and who belonged to the embassy of the earl of Wiltshire, sent to the emperor at Bologna in 1530. This embassy failed to move Charles. The pope still affected impartiality, and allow- ed free expression of opinion on the marriage in Italy; but his sole object was delay, and Spanish influence was exerted in the queen's behalf. In Catholic countries, the sentiments of learned men and other authorities on the dispensing power were about equally divided. The Protestants, including Luther, were gener- rally hostile to Henry. In France and England Henry's cause triumphed, because all the influ- ence of both governments was used in its be- half. The entire proceedings were scandalous. Wolsey had been prosecuted under the statute of provisors, and had died in disgrace ; and it was determined to proceed against the higher clergy, but less in the spirit of justice (for the whole nation shared in their guilt) than to ob- tain an opportunity to strip them of some of their property, and to lessen their power. Con- vocation met in 1531, and consented to pay a fine of 118,000. In the preamble to their subsidy bill the clergy were compelled to acknowledge Henry as "protector and only supreme head of the church." They, were then pardoned. The divorce question was first brought before parliament in 1531, when the opinions of the universities were communicated to it. The house of peers sent a remonstrating letter to the pope, warning him of what would follow if a divorce should not be granted. Catharine was asked if she would withdraw her appeal to Rome, and on her firm refusal she was removed from the court. In 1532 parliament proceeded in the work of clerical reform, taking its first step toward a breach with Rome by the abolition of annates, which originated with the clergy, who, to preserve their own power at home, were ready to go any length against Rome, eveli while persecu- ting Protestants most intolerantly. Parliament was more moderate, and passed the act condi- tionally. From this time dates " the Anglican schism," the convocation praying to the king, " May it please your highness to ordain in this present parliament that the obedience of your highness and of the people be withdrawn from the see of Rome;" that is, if the pope should insist upon the payment of annates. But this did not prevent parliament from limiting the legislative power of the convocation, in spite of the clergy's opposition. Meantime the nun of Kent and other fanatics were inciting the people to opposition to the government, and a powerful party hostile to change was forming itself. Sir Thomas More resigned the chancel- lorship ; and Archbishop Warham, after pro- testing against the doings of parliament, died. An offensive and defensive alliance between Francis and Henry was formed in 1532; the former agreed to send 15,000 troops to Eng- land, should the emperor invade that country ; and he assisted Henry in various ways. Scot- land gave England much trouble at this time. The English court visited that of France at Boulogne, and Francis made great promises of support, and advised Henry to marry Anne Boleyn on his return to England. New efforts were made to move the pope, but though he often affected to favor the king, and made some suggestions implying a desire to gratify
