XII.] ANSWER OF CONVOCATION. $2$ own servile party presented it ; it contained a bitter attack on the canon law and ecclesiastical jurisdictions generally, and, in twelve clauses, some of greater and some of less importance, singled out points for reform. The king received it on the 18th of March, and, as soon as Easter was over, it was laid before convocation for an answer. Both Houses of convocation discussed it in detail; the Upper House prepared an answer on the points that touched the bishops ; the Lower on those touching the parochial clergy : both agreed in demanding a specific statement instead of general charges. The answer was sent to the king about the 27th of April; and the king was of course prepared to find it unsatisfactory. On the 30th his Majesty sent for the Speaker and showed him the answer, referring it, as a very slender production, to the consideration of that 'grete sorte of wise men to be found in the House of Commons.' There were indeed both wise men and foolish in that assembly ; and both had the divorce business in their minds. They were again busy on the supplies : Henry wanted money to fortify the border and the coast: they offered a tenth and fifteenth, £28,000; that was not enough ; the Statutes of Wills and Uses were again broached and rejected. Independent members went further. Mr. Thomas Temys, M.P. for Westbury, proposed, and found a seconder, that the king should be asked to take back his wife ; ' if he would, there would be no danger from the emperor ; if he would not, fortification would be useless.' The king could not stand that: he sent for Audley, and through him explained to the Commons what a horrible conscience a man had who married his brother's wife. The question of the divorce was not before them : if they would mind their own business he would help them against the clergy; if not, not. Whilst this was going on in Parliament, convocation was Y 2