THE SUPREMACY ACT (1534).
Source.—25 H. VIII. cap. I. (Statutes of the Realm, III. 492.)
Albeit the King's Majesty justly and rightfully is and ought to be the supreme head of the Church of England, and so is recognized by the clergy of this realm in their Convocations, yet nevertheless for corroboration and confirmation thereof, and for increase of virtue in Christ's religion within this realm of England, and to repress and extirpate errors, heresies, and other enormities and abuses heretofore used in the same; be it enacted by the authority of this present parliament, that the king our sovereign lord, his heir and successors, kings of this realm, shall be taken, accepted and reputed the only supreme head in earth of the Church of England, called Anglicana Ecclesia: and shall have and enjoy, annexed and united to the imperial crown of this realm, as well the title and style thereof, as all honours, dignities, pre-eminences, jurisdictions, privileges, authorities, immunities, profits and commodities to the said dignity of supreme head of the same Church belonging and appertaining. And that our said sovereign lord, his heirs and successors, kings of this realm, shall have full power and authority from time to time to visit, repress, redress, reform, order, correct, restrain, and amend all such errors, heresies, abuses, offences, contempts, and enormities, whatsoever they be, which by any manner, spiritual authority or jurisdiction ought or may lawfully be reformed, repressed, ordered, redressed, corrected, restrained, or amended, most to the pleasure of Almighty God, the increase of virtue in Christ's religion, and for the conservation of the peace, unity, and tranquillity of this realm; any usage, custom, foreign law, foreign authority, prescription or any other thing or things to the contrary hereof notwithstanding.
LETTERS OF HENRY VIII. TO ANNE BOLEYN.
Circ. 1534.
Source.—Henry VIII. Lettres à Anne Boleyn. Crapelet, Paris.
Letter XII.
There came to me in the night the most afflicting news possible. For I have reason to grieve upon three accounts. First, because I heard of the sickness of my mistress, whom I esteem more than all the world, whose health I desire as much as my own, and the half of whose sickness I would willingly bear to have her cured. Secondly, because I fear I shall suffer yet longer that tedious absence, which has hitherto given me all possible uneasiness, and, as far as I can judge, is like to give me more. I pray God he would deliver me from so troublesome a tormentor. The third reason is, because the Physician, in whom I trust most, is absent at present, when he could do me the greatest pleasure. For I should hope by him and his means, to obtain one of my principal joys in this world, that is my mistress cured; however, in default of him, I send you the second, and the only one left, praying God that he may soon make you well, and then I shall love Him more than ever. I beseech you to be governed by his advices with relation to your illness; by your doing which, I hope shortly to see you again, which will be to me a greater cordial than all precious stones in the world. Written by the Secretary who is, and always will be,
