ecedent of the former reign, and wrote
circular letters, directing a proper choice of members.[***] The zeal of
the Catholics, the influence of Spanish gold, the powers of prerogative,
the discouragement of the gentry, particularly of the Protestants; all
these causes, seconding the intrigues of Gardiner, had procured her a
house of commons which was in a great measure to her satisfaction; and
it was thought, from the disposition of the nation, that she might now
safely omit, on her assembling the parliament, the title of "supreme
head of the church," though inseparably annexed by law to the crown
of England.[****] Cardinal Pole had arrived in Flanders, invested with
legatine powers from the pope: in order to prepare the way for his
arrival in England, the parliament passed an act reversing his attainder
and restoring his blood; and the queen, dispensing with the old statute
of provisors, granted him permission to act as legate. The cardinal came
over, and, after being introduced to the king and queen, he invited the
parliament to reconcile themselves and the kingdom to the apostolic see,
from which they had been so long and so unhappily divided.

* Fox, vol. iii. p. 99. Heylin, p. 39. Burnet, vol. iii. p.
392. Godwin, p. 345. We are told by Sir William Monson, p.
225, that the admiral of England fired at the Spanish navy
when Philip was on board, because they had not lowered their
topsails, as a mark of deference, to the English navy in the
narrow seas: a very spirited behavior, and very unlike those
times.

** Baker, p. 320.

*** Mem. of Cranm. p. 344. Strype's Eccl. Mem., vol. iii. p.
154, 155*[**missing period]

**** Burnet, vol. ii. p. 291. Strype, vol. iii. p. 155.

This message was taken in good part; and both houses voted an address
to Philip and Mary, acknowledging that they had been guilty of a most
horrible defection from the true church; professing a sincere repentance
of their past transgressions; declaring their resolution to repeal
all laws enacted in prejudice of the church of Rome; and praying their
majesties, that, since they were happily uninfected with that criminal
schism, they would intercede with the holy father for the absolution
and forgiveness of their penitent subjects.[*] The request was easily
granted. The legate, in the name of his holiness, gave the parliament
and kingdom absolution, freed them from all censures, and received them