Page:History of england froude.djvu/493

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1533.]
MARRIAGE WITH ANNE BOLEYN
471

who was now his lawful wife, and anointed Queen of England.

Oh yes, she answered when they had done, we know that, and 'we know the authority by which it has been done—more by power than justice.' The King's learned men were learned heretics; the honest learning was for her. As for the seals of the Universities there were strange stories about the way in which they had been obtained. The Universities and the Parliament had done what the King bade them; and they had gone against their consciences in doing it; but it was of no importance to her—she was in the hands of the Pope, who was God's Vicar, and she acknowledged no other judge.

The commissioners informed her of the decision of the council that she was no longer to bear the title of Queen. It stood, they said, neither with the laws of God nor man, nor with the King's honour, to have two queens named within the realm; and in fact, there was but one Queen, the King's lawful wife, to whom he was now married.

She replied shortly that she was the King's lawful Queen, and none other.

There was little hope in her manner that anything which could be said would move her; but her visitors were ordered to try her to the uttermost.

The King, they continued, was surprised that she could be so disobedient; and not only that she was disobedient herself, but that she allowed and encouraged her servants in the same conduct.