[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.