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. 1840 edition. Excerpt: ... Anne Bourchier, daughter and sole heir to the earl of Essex. Edward This lady being convicted of adultery, a divorce followed. And . to settle the matter more solemnly, and make the marquess a farther reparation, a commission was granted in the beginning JJJ'V, of last summer, to the archbishop of Canterbury, the bishops for txaof Durham and Rochester, (which was then Holbeke) to Dr. divorce Ridley and others, to the number of ten, of whom six were to 'jf3" be a quorum: their business was to examine, whether the ampion, and matrimonial relation between the marquess and the lady Anne 'was lawful was not perfectly extinguished: and if so, whether he might JJT not lawfully marry another wife. This liberty was not allowed by the canon laws. And therefore the ecclesiastical courts gave no farther relief than separation from bed and board. The case being new, and of great consequence, Cranmer resolved to examine it with the utmost care, and to go to the bottom of the question: to this purpose he drew a large collection out of the Fathers and other divines. Bp. Burnet, The reading a great many books, forming arguments, and Siss. Dr. coming to a resolution, required longer time than the marquess St'll,"sflcct, of Northampton was willing to wait. He presumed his interest would carry him through, and therefore without staying for judgment, he publicly married Elizabeth, daughter to the lord Cobham. This was looked on as an irregular step, by the privy-council, in regard his first marriage stood firm in law. Upon his appearing before the board, he alleged that he thought himself discharged by the law of God: that the indissolubleness of marriages depended on the supposition of its being a sacrament: "that this restraint was only a branch of...
