Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ...and consent of the world at large. But of the bishops thus " confounded" in argument some were perplexed what to do when the Act was passed. Shaxton and Latimer resigned their bishoprics, and Cranmer had to dismiss the wife he had married in Germany. 1 The expression " Protestant party" is used for convenience, though it is scarcely historical at this period. The doctrines and practices condemned were partly Lollard, partly Lutheran; and though they were, no doubt, loosely held by a large number of people, there was no distinct party in their favour. (See Preface.) Severe as the law was, however, it led to but little severity in practice. The first quest under it for the city of London sat in what was presently called the Mercers' Chapel, hitherto known as the hospital of St. Thomas of Acon, or " Becket's house," as the vulgar named it. Here over five hundred citizens were indicted in a fortnight, but received the king's pardon, of course on their submission. The heretics were effectually frightened, and were quiet for a time. " The Whip with Six Strings" did not do anything like the cruel injustice perpetrated by the Act of Attainder against some of the chief adherents of the old religion. Moreover, it was the old religion, and in the main the religion of the people, which was now protected by such severe penalties. It was the old religion, with the pope left out. England was not to be treated now as an heretical kingdom, and the emperor had a good excuse for not organising an expedition to dethrone the king. Henry, however, had taken other precautions against this, and while showing himself very Catholic at home, had been carefully cultivating his relations with the Protestants of Germany in a way to xi THE MATCH WITH ANNE OF CLEVES 209...
