[1] The cleargie hauing no speciall head, by reason that the see of Canturburie was void, wist not well how to gouerne themselues. At length Oliuer bi|shop of Lincolne, required in all their names to haue three daies respit to make answer to the matter, the which time expired, they offered to the king two dis|mes to be paid within one yeare. The which when the king heard,Their offer not liked. he tooke great disdaine therewith, and threatned by some of his men of war to put the clear|gie out of his protection, except they would grant to him the halfe of their goods. The cleargie put in feare herewith,

The halfe part of spiri|tuall liuings granted to the king.

R. Fabian. Polydor. Abington.

and some of them also desirous to win the kings fauour, granted his request, and so the king at that time got the halfe part of euerie spirituall mans liuing and benefice for one yeares extent, to be paid in portions within thrée yeares next insuing, begin|ning at twentie marks benefice, & so vpwards. And the sooner to induce them herevnto, he promised the bishops to grant some thing that might be benefici|all to the cleargie, if they would demand it.