d consent to anything, they would question her whether she would
or would not maintain the royal supremacy.[157] On the other hand, if
no difficulties were raised about the pope or the church lands, the
preliminary discussion, both among Lords and Commons, showed a general
disposition to re-establish religion in the condition in which Henry
left it--provided, that is to say, no penalties were to attach to
nonconformity; and the Houses were ready also to take the step so much
deprecated by Pole, and pass a measure legitimatising the queen,
provided no mention was to be made of the papal dispensation. Some
difference of opinion on the last point had shown itself in the House
of Commons,[158] but the legate's ingenuity had removed all serious
obstacles.

[Footnote 155: Even the most reactionary clergy,
men like Abbot Feckenham and Doctor Bourne, had no
desire, as yet, to be re-united to Rome. In a
discussion with Ridley in the Tower, on the real
presence, Feckenham argued that "forty years before
all the world was agreed about it. Forty years ago,
said Ridley, all held that the Bishop of Rome was
supreme head of the Universal Church. What then?
was Master Feckenham beginning to say; but Master
Secretary (Bourne) took the tale, and said that was
a positive law. A positive law, quoth Ridley; he
would not have it so; he challenged it by Christ's
own word, by the words, 'Thou art Peter; thou art
Cephas,' Tush, quoth Master Secretary, it was not
counted an article of our faith."--Foxe, vol. vi.]

[Footnote 156: Renard to Charles V., October 28:
_Rolls House MSS._]

[Footnote 157: Ibid. October 15: _Rolls House
MSS._]

[Footnote 158: Ibid.]

Again parliament seemed determined that the Act of Succession, and the
will of Henry VIII., should not be tampered with, to the disfavour of
Elizabeth. It is singular that Renard, and probably, therefore, Mary,
were unaware of the position in which Elizabeth was placed towards the
crown. They imagined that her only title was as a presumptively
legitimate child; that if the Act of Divorce between Catherine of
Arra