"[*]
After the prorogation of the parliament,[**] the laws enacted with
regard to religion were put in execution, and met with little opposition
from any quarter. The liturgy was again introduced in the vulgar tongue,
and the oath of supremacy was tendered to the clergy. The number of
bishops had been reduced to fourteen by a sickly season which preceded:
and all these, except the bishop of Landaff, having refused compliance,
were degraded from their sees: but of the inferior clergy throughout all
England, where there are near ten thousand parishes, only eighty
rectors and vicars, fifty prebendaries fifteen heads of colleges,
twelve archdeacons, and as many deans, sacrificed their livings to their
religious principles.[***]
* Camden, p. 375. Sir Simon d'Ewes.
** It is thought remarkable by Camden, that though this
session was the first of the reign, no person was attainted;
but on the contrary, some restored in blood by the
parliament; a good symptom of the lenity, at least of the
prudence, of the queen's government; and that it should
appear remarkable, is a proof of the rigor of preceding
reigns.
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