ster was influenced,
and took a pride in promoting them. He much regretted his death, when
informed of it, and always spoke favorably of his memory; a proof that
humor, more than reason, or any discovery of treachery, had occasioned
the last persecutions against him.

{1531.} A new session of parliament was held, together with a
convocation; and the king here gave strong proofs of his extensive
authority, as well as of his intention to turn it to the depression
of the clergy. As an ancient statute, now almost obsolete, had been
employed to ruin Wolsey, and render his exercise of the legatine power
criminal, notwithstanding the king's permission, the same law was now
turned against the ecclesiastics. It was pretended, that every one who
had submitted to the legatine court, that is, the whole church, had
violated the statute of provisors; and the attorney-general accordingly
brought an indictment against them.[*] The convocation knew, that it
would be in vain to oppose reason or equity to the king's arbitrary
will, or plead that their ruin would have been the certain consequence
of not submitting to Wolsey's commission, which was procured by Henry's
consent, and supported by his authority. They chose, therefore, to throw
themselves on the mercy of their sovereign; and they agreed to pay
a hundred and eighteen thousand eight hundred and forty pounds for a
pardon.[**] A confession was likewise extorted from them, that the
king was the protector and the supreme head of the church and clergy of
England; though some of them had the dexterity to get a clause inserted,
which invalidated the whole submission, and which ran in these terms:
"in so far as is permitted by the law of Christ."

The commons, finding that a pardon was granted the clergy, began to
be apprehensive for themselves, lest either they should afterwards be
brought into trouble on account of their submission to the legatine
court, or a supply, in like manner, be extorted from them, in return for
their pardon. They therefore petitioned the king to grant a remission to
his lay subjects; but they met with a repulse. He told them, that if he
ever chose to forgive their offence, it would be from his own goodness,
not from their application, lest he should seem to be compelled to it.
Some time after, when they despaired of obtaining this concession, he
was pleased to issue a pardon to the laity; and the commons expressed
great gratitude for that act of clemency.[***]