For two centuries the crown had been struggling to attain this position.
It was because so large a degree of autonomy was granted to the national church that the French felt satisfied not to go to the extreme of secession from the Roman communion.

It was because the king had already achieved a large control over his own clergy that he felt it unnecessary or inadvisable to go to the lengths of the Lutheran princes and of Henry VIII.

In that one important respect the Concordat of Bologna took the place of the Reformation.
[Sidenote: Francis I, 1515-47] Francis I was popular and at first not unattractive.

Robust, fond of display, ambitious, intelligent enough to dabble in letters and art, he piqued himself on being chivalrous and brave.

But he wasted his life and ruined his health in the pursuit of pleasure.