[219] The session lasted six weeks only, and several of the subjects of the petition were disposed of in the course of it, as we shall see.

[220] The MS. from which I have transcribed this copy is itself imperfect, as will be seen in the “reply of the Bishops,” which supplies several omitted articles.  See p. 137, et seq.  It is in the Rolls House.

[221] The penny, as I have shown, equalled, in terms of a poor man’s necessities, a shilling.  See chap. i.

[222] See instance’s in HALE:  p, 62, Omnium Sanctorum in muro.—­M.  Gulielmus Edward curatus notatur officio quod recusat ministrare sacramenta ecelesiastica aegrotantibus nisi prius habitis pecuniis pro suo labore:  p. 64, St. Mary Magdalen.—­Curatus notatur officio prbpter quod recusavit solemnizare matrrimonium quousque habet pro hujusmodi solemnizatione, 3s. 8d.; and see pp. 52, 75.

[223] I give many instances of this practice in my sixth chapter.  It was a direct breach of the statute of Henry IV., which insists on all examinations for heresy being conducted in open court.  “The diocesan and his commissaries,” says that act, “shall openly and judicially proceed against persons arrested.”—­2 Hen.  IV. c. 15.

[224] Again breaking the statute of Hen.  IV., which limited the period of imprisonment previous to public trial to three months.—­2 Hen.  IV. c. 15.

[225] To be disposed of at Smithfield.  Abjuration was allowed once.  For a second offence there was no forgiveness.

[226] Petition of the Commons. Rolls House MS.

[227] See STRYPE, Eccles.  Memorials, vol. i. p. 191-2,—­who is very eloquent in his outcries upon his subject.

[228] Answer of the Bishops, p. 204, etc.

[229] Explanations are not easy; but the following passage may suggest the meaning of the House of Commons:—­“The holy Father Prior of Maiden Bradley hath but six children, and but one daughter married yet of the goods of the monastery; trusting shortly to marry the rest.”—­Dr. Leyton to Cromwell:  Suppression of the Monasteries, p. 58.

[230] Reply of the Bishops, infra.

[231] CAVENDISH, Life of Wolsey, p. 390.  MORE’S Life of More, p. 109.

[232] Populus diu oblatrans.  Fox to Wolsey.  STRYPE, Eccl.  Mem. vol. i.  Appendix, p. 27.

[233] RYMER, vol. vi. part 2, p. 119.

[234] The answer of the Ordinaries to the supplication of the worshipful the Commons of the Lower House of Parliament offered to our Sovereign Lord the King’s most noble Grace.—­Rolls House MS.

[235] The terms of the several articles of complaint are repeated verbally from the petition.  I condense them to spare recapitulation.

[236] 2 Hen.  IV. cap. 15; 2 Hen.  V. cap. 7.

[237] An Act that no person shall be cited out of the diocese in which he dwells, except in certain cases.  It received the Royal assent two years later.  See 23 Hen.  VIII. cap. 9.