hese candidates. See state
papers collected by Edward, earl of Clarendon, p. 92.

* I Eliz. cap. 3.

This act of recognition was probably dictated by the queen herself and
her ministers; and she showed her magnanimity, as well as moderation, in
the terms which she employed on that occasion. She followed not Mary's
practice in declaring the validity of her mother's marriage, or in
expressly repealing the act formerly made against her own legitimacy:
she knew that this attempt must be attended with reflections on her
father's memory, and on the birth of her deceased sister; and as all the
world was sensible, that Henry's divorce from Anne Boleyn was merely the
effect of his usual violence and caprice, she scorned to found her title
on any act of an assembly which had too much prostituted its authority
by its former variable, servile, and iniquitous decisions. Satisfied,
therefore, in the general opinion entertained with regard to this fact,
which appeared the more undoubted, the less anxiety she discovered in
fortifying it by votes and inquiries; she took possession of the
throne both as her birthright, and as insured to her by former acts
of parliament; and she never appeared anxious to distinguish these
titles.[*]

The first bill brought into parliament with a view of trying their
disposition on the head of religion, was that for suppressing
the monasteries lately erected, and for restoring the tenths and
first-fruits to the queen. This point being gained without much
difficulty, a bill was next introduced, annexing the supremacy to the
crown; and though the queen was there denominated "governess," not
"head," of the church, it conveyed the same extensive power which under
the latter title had been exercised by her father and brother. All the
bishops who were present in the upper house strenuously opposed this
law; and as they possessed more learning than the temporal peers, they
triumphed in the debate; but the majority of voices in that house, as
well as among the commons, was against them. By this act, the crown,
without the concurrence either of the parliament, or even of the
convocation, was vested with the whole spiritual power; might repress
all heresies, might establish or repeal all canons, might alter every
point of discipline, and might ordain or abolish any religious rite or
ceremony,[**]

* Camden, p. 372. Heylin, p. 107, 108

** I Eliz. cap. 1. This last power was anew recognized