March, which was to be its last day, Sir Thomas More came down to the House of Commons, and there read aloud to the members the decision of the various universities on the Papal power, and the judgment of European learning on the general question of the King's divorce. The country, he said, was much disturbed, and the King desired them each to report what they had heard in their several counties and towns, 'in order that all men might perceive that he had not attempted this matter of his own will or pleasure, as some strangers reported, but only for the discharge of his conscience and surety of the succession of his realm.'[1] This appears to have been the first time that the subject was mentioned before Parliament, and the occasion was reasonably and sensibly chosen. The clergy having possession of the pulpits, had used their opportunity to spread a false impression where the ignorance of the people would allow them to venture the experiment; the King having resolved to fall back upon the support of his subjects, naturally desired the assistance of the country gentlemen and the nobles to counteract the eiforts of disaffection, and provided them with accurate information in the simplest manner which he could have chosen.
But the desire expressed by Henry was no more than an unnecessary form, for, as a body, the educated laity were as earnestly bent upon the divorce as the King himself could be, and might have been trusted to use all means by which to further it. The Parliament was
- ↑ Hall, p. 780.
