VIII. from Queen Catherine, the Act of
Succession, and the sovereign's views on the royal supremacy, were the
stumbling-blocks. Fisher went to the Tower, and on 22nd June 1535, to
the scaffold; Metcalfe was compelled to resign in 1537.

Fisher had by deed of gift presented his library to the College, but
retained its use for his lifetime--the greatest loan of books on record,
as has been said. This magnificent collection was now lost, a loss more
lamentable than that of the foundress' estates. Endowments might be
replaced, but "the notablest library of bookes in all England" was gone
for ever. It is to the credit of the Fellows of the College that, no
doubt at some risk to themselves, they stood by Fisher. They visited him
in his prison, and in a nobly worded letter stated that as they owed
everything to his bounty, so they offered themselves and all they were
masters of to his service.

In 1545 King Henry VIII. gave new statutes to the College, adapted to
the reformed religion; but all mention of Fisher and his endowments is
cut out; the College even had to pay 3d. for removing his armorial
bearings from the Chapel.

During the reign of King Edward VI. the outspoken and eloquent Thomas
Leaver was Master; on the accession of Queen Mary he, with many of the
Fellows, had to fly to Switzerland. In Ascham's words: "mo perfite
scholers were dispersed from thence in one moneth, than many years can
reare up againe."

The reign of Queen Mary did not extend over much more than five years,
but while it lasted a resolute and unflinching effort was made to
re-establish the Roman Catholic faith.

The accession of Queen Elizabeth resulted in an equally rapid and
fundamental revolution of opinion on the most vital points which can
interest mankind. A few selected extracts from the College Account Books
for this period bring before us, with almost dramatic effect, the
changes which occurred. (Queen Mary succeeded in 1553, Queen Elizabeth
on 17th November 1558.)

"1555, To the joyner for setting up the rood, 2_d._; A new graell
printed in parchment 40_s._;--1556, In Spanish money given to the
goldsmyth by Mr Willan to make a pixe to the highe Aultar, 24_s._
11_d._; A redde purple velvet cope, with the border of imagrie, having
the assumption of our Ladie behinde and three little angels about her
and the greater being full of floure de luces, 46_s._ 8_d._;--1557, To
William Allom for two antiphoners, one masse book and hymnal and