controuersie had beene moued heretofore: or if he could not returne so
soone, he would yet take such order, that brotherlie loue & concord
might remaine betwixt them. When he that brought these letters required
an answer, Anselme answered, [Sidenote: A stout prelat.] that he would
signifie his mind to the king, and not to his maister. Immediatlie
therefore as the deane of Chichester sent ouer from Anselme, with a
moonke of Bechellouin to the king, to informe him of all the matter, and
to beséech his maiestie, by his authority to prouide, that no discord
should rise to the diuiding of the present state of the church of
England. Furthermore, whereas he had commanded him to grant vnto Thomas
the archbishop of Yorke, a time of respit; [Sidenote: Anselme sendeth to
the king.] he should take for certeine answer, that he would rather
suffer himselfe to be cut in peeces, than to grant so much as one hours
space on the said Thomas of Yorke, whom he knew alreadie to haue set
himselfe vniustlie against the ancient constitutions of holie fathers,
and against the Lord himselfe. The messengers declared these things to
the king, and brought word backe againe at their returne, that the king
had heard their message with fauourable mind, and promised by the power
of God, to declare to the world that he coueted vnitie, and not any
diuision in the church of England.

[Sidenote: Anselme sick.] All this while Anselme was detained with long
and gréeuous sicknesse, and yet not forgetfull of the obstinate dealing
of Thomas of Yorke, he wrote letters vnto him, by vertue whereof he
suspended him from exercising all pastorall function, till he had
reformed his errour, submitted himselfe to receiue his blessing, and
acknowledged his subiection to the church of Canturburie, as his
predecessours Thomas and Gerard had doone, and before them other
ancients, as custome had prescribed. Thus he charged him, vpon paine of
cursing, except he would renounce his archbishops dignitie: for in so