HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - ( CHAPTER 2 ) - { PT. 19 }


 ( CHAPTER  2 )  -  { PT.  19 } - He was deprived of the office of Lord Chancellor which was entrusted to Sir Thomas More ( Oct.  1529), accused of violating the statute of Praemunire by exercising legatine powers, a charge to which he pleaded to which he pleaded guilty though he might have alleged in his defence the permission and authority of the king, indicted before Parliament as guilty of high treason, from the penalty of which he was saved by the spirited defence of his able follower Thomas Cromwell ( Dec. ), and ordered to withdraw to his diocese of York ( 1530). His conduct in these trying times soon won the admiration of both friends and foes. The deep piety and religion of the man, however much they might have been concealed by his fondness for pomp and display during the days of his glory, helped him to withstand manfully the onslaughts of his opponents. His time was spent in prayer and in the faithful discharge of his episcopal duties, but the enemies who had secured his downfall at court were not satisfied. They knew that he had still a strong hold on the affections of the king, and they feared that were any foreign complications to ensure he might be recalled to court and restored to his former dignities. They determined therefore to bring about his death.

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