and modify only to a very limited extent, and that only by pleading a privilege specially granted by the Apostolic See, which excused English subjects from the liability of personal attendance at Rome.[1] Another point which must not be passed over is the fact that for some four centuries, from 1127 to 1534, with slight exceptions and interruptions, the Archbishops of Canterbury held the office and bore the title of legate of the Apostolic See.[2] When the popes had for some time used the institution of legates to exercise active interference in the internal affairs of England, and when not only the kings but on some occasions the primates also had found their so doing inconvenient, and at the same time had failed to prevent it, the latter got over the difficulty by accepting the office for themselves, thus at once adding to their own authority and, without detracting, in appearance at least, from the papal power, lessening the jealousy with which it was regarded when exercised by foreigners. The Archbishop became legatus natus instead of legatus a latere; but this probably only increased the flexibility of the whole arrangement. The ultimate advantage to the archbishops was, however, a questionable one, since it led in the end to a doubt as to how much of the authority they claimed belonged to them as primate of England and how much as legate of the Pope.[3]
It is hardly necessary to refer in detail to the better-known historical facts which illustrate the more direct and ostensible relations of the Church and the State during this long period. Whenever there was a king weak either in character or in title, then the Church became the predominant power; when the monarch was strong
