THE HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - ( CHAPTER 2 ) - { PT. 25 }
( CHAPTER 2 ) - { PT. 25 } - The Convocation of Canterbury offered a sum of &100,000, but the offer was refused unless the clergy were prepared to recognise the king as the sole protector and supreme head of the church and Convocation showed itself decidedly hostile, but at last after many consulations had been held Warham, the aged Archbishop of Canterbury, proposed that they should acknowledge the king as their singular protector only, and supreme lord, and as far as the law of Christ allows even supreme head. Whoever is silent, said the archbishop, may be taken to consent, and in this way by the silence of the assembly the new formula was passed. [ 19 ] At the Convocation of York, Bishop Tunstall of Durham, while agreeing to a money payment, made a spirited protest against the new title, to which protest Henry found it necessary to forward a reassuring reply. Parliament then ratified the pardon for which the clergy had paid so dearly, had to set at rest the fears of the laity a free pardon was issued to all those who had been involved in the guilt of the papal legate. Clement VII, issued a brief in January 1531, forbidding Henry to marry again and warning the universities and the law courts against giving a decision in a case that had been reserved for the decision of the Holy See.

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