Compare 1577 edition: 1 Moreouer, while the matter was in consultation among the bishops, another of the kings councell that was a knight, came before Anselme in place where he sat almost alone, to looke for an answer by them from the king, which knight knéeling downe before the archbishop, spake these words vnto him:

Reuerend father, your humble children beséech your Grace not to haue your heart troubled with these things which you heare; but call to remembrance that blessed man Iob, vanquishing the diuell on the dunghill, and reuenging Adam whome he had o|uercome in paradise.

Which words the archbishop considering with a freendlie countenance, perceiued that the minds of the people remained on his side, whereof both he and such as were about him, were right ioifull and greatlie comforted, hauing hope (according to the scripture) that the If they be Gods people. voice of the people was the voice of God. When the king vnder|stood all these things, he was maruelouslie disquieted in mind, and therefore perceiuing that the bishops and other of his councell had promised more than they could performe, he blamed them for it: vnto whom the bishop of Durham that was the chéefe doo|er in this matter, framed this answer:

He spake so faintlie (quoth he) and so coldlie at the first, that he sée|med not to haue any store of wit or wisdome.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Finallie, the matter was deferred vntill the next morning, and then the said bishop of Durham, alled|ging that they could not well ouercome him by ar|guments, so long as he grounded his opinion in such sort vpon the scripture, and the authoritie of Saint Peter;

The best way therefore (said he) shall be, to compell him by force, either to agrée to the kings mind, or else to depriue him of his ring and staffe, and after banish him the realme. But the lords of the councell allowed not the bishops words herein. Well (saith the king) and what other way will you thinke good, if this like you not: so long as I may liue, I will not surelie suffer any to be my péere within my realme: and if you knew his cause to be so good, why did you suffer me to commense this acti|on against him: go your waies therefore, and take aduice togither, for by Gods face (for that was his oth) if you condemne him not at my will, I will re|uenge my selfe vpon you.

Neuerthelesse, when he was informed, that bicause he was an archbishop, they had no power to iudge or condemne him, though his cause prooued neuer so euill, which they could not perceiue so to be; he told them yet they might at the leastwise renounce their obedience to him, and for|sake his companie, which they said they might doo.

Then doo it (saith the king) with spéed, that he may (when he shall sée himselfe abandoned, and despised of all men) repent that he hath followed Urban, and neglected me his souereigne lord and maister. And that ye may doo it the more safelie, first of all I de|priue him of the suertie and allegiance which he may pretend to haue of me within all my dominions,The king re|nounceth the archbishop for his subiect. and from hencefoorth I will haue no affiance in him, nor take him for an archbishop.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 The bishops would faine haue persuaded An|selme to haue shewed himselfe conformable to the kings pleasure, and therefore tooke paines with him earnestlie in that behalfe, but all would not serue. He answered indéed verie curteouslie, but his bene|fice he would not renounce, as touching the name and office, though in exterior things he were neuer so much disquieted. The king perceiuing him to stand stiffe in his opinion, said vnto his lords;

His words are euer contrarie to my mind, and I will not take him for my freend, whosoeuer dooth fauour him. I shall therefore require you that be péeres of my realme, to renounce all the faith and freendship which you beare him, that he may see what he hath gained by that allegiance, which (to the offending of my per|son) he obserueth to the apostolike sée. Whereto the lords answered; As for vs, we were neuer his men, and therefore we cannot abiure any fealtie which we neuer acknowledged. He is our archbishop, and hath rule in matters perteining to christian religion within this land, for which cause we that are christi|ans may not refuse his authoritie whilest we re|maine here on earth, bicause he is attainted with no blemish of any heinous crime, which may constreine vs otherwise to doo.

The king refrained and dissem|bled his wrath, least he should prouoke them to fur|ther displeasure by speaking against their reason.