At the same time it must be remembered that the King could not rely upon mere force.

He had no standing army, and a popular rising would have swept him almost without resistance from his throne.

It is almost as hard for us to imagine his position as to understand his character.
Parliament, judges, magistrates, were subordinate to his sovereign will and pleasure.

From the authority of the Pope he cut himself free, and neither Clement VII.

nor Paul III.