[219] John Hallam deposes: "Sir Francis Bigod did say, at Walton Abbey, that 'the king's office was to have no care of men's souls, and did read to this examinate a book made by himself, as he said, wherein was shewed what authority did belong to the Pope, what to a bishop, what to the king; and said that the head of the Church of England must be a spiritual man, as the Archbishop of Canterbury or such; but in no wise the king, for he should with the sword defend all spiritual men in their right.'"--_Rolls House MS._, A 2, 29. [220] Sir Francis Bigod's Confession: _Rolls House MS._ first series, 416. Confession of George Lumley: _Rolls House MS._ The MSS. relating to the later commotions are very imperfect, and much injured. [221] Lumley's Confession. [222] Examination of John Hallam: _Rolls House MS._ A 2, 29. [223] "The King's Highness hath declared by his own mouth unto Robert Aske, that he intendeth we shall have our parliament at York frankly and freely for the ordering and reformation of all causes for the commonwealth of this realm, and also his frank and free convocation for the good stay and ordering of the faith and other spiritual causes, which he supposes shall come down under his great seal by my Lord of Norfolk, who comes down shortly with a mean company after a quiet manner to the great quietness and comfort of all good men. Wherefore, good and loving neighbours, let us stay ourselves and by no means follow the wilfulness of such as are disposed to spoil and to undo themselves and you both, but to resist them in all that ye may, to the best of your power; and so will I do for my part, and so know I well that all good men will do; and if it had not been for my disease which hath taken me so sore that I may neither go nor ride, I would have come and have shewed you this myself for the good stay and quietness of you all, and for the commonwealth of all the country. The parliament and the convocation is appointed to be at York at Whitsuntide, and the coronation of the Queen's Highness about the same time. "Written in Spaldingmore this 16th day of January. "ROBERT CONSTABLE, of Flamborough." --Letter of Sir R. Constable to the Commons of the North on Bigod's Insurrection: _Rolls House MS._ first series, 276. [224] For this matter see _Rolls House MS._ first series, 276, 416, 1144, and _State Papers_, Vol. I. p. 529. [225] "Captain Aske was at London, and had great rewards to betray the commons; and since that he came home they have fortified Hull against the commons, ready to receive ships by the sea to destroy all the north parts."--Demands of the Rebels who rose with Sir F. Bigod: _Rolls House MS._ first series, 895.