"
Finallie, the matter was deferred vntill the next morning, and then the
said bishop of Durham, alledging that they could not well ouercome him
by arguments, 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 agree 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 peere within my realme: and if you knew his
cause to be so good, why did you suffer me to commense this action
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 reuenge myself 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[1] so to be; he told them yet they might at the
leastwise renounce their obedience to him, and forsake his companie,
which they said they might doo. "Then doo it (saith the king) with
speed, that he may (when he shall see himselfe abandoned, and despised
of all men) repent that he hath followed Urban, and neglected me his
souereigne lord and maister.
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