It was regarded by lawyers as an outrageous violation of the law, and by Churchmen as a direct attack upon the Church.

Perhaps the contest might have lasted longer, but for an event which wounded the pride and inflamed the rage of the King.

He had, as supreme ordinary, put forth directions, charging the clergy of the establishment to abstain from touching in their discourses on controverted points of doctrine.

Thus, while sermons in defence of the Roman Catholic religion were preached on every Sunday and holiday within the precincts of the royal palaces, the Church of the state, the Church of the great majority of the nation, was forbidden to explain and vindicate her own principles.

The spirit of the whole clerical order rose against this injustice.