CHAPTER I. A CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE REFORMATION. (MARCH AND APRIL 1534.) A Critical Time—The King condemned at Rome—Two Days too late—The English Envoys and the Bishop of Paris—Miscalculations of the English Envoys—Henry's Book against the Pope—The People and the Clergy against the Pope—Reaction of Ultramontanism—An epileptic Girl—The Nun of Kent—Scene in a Chapel—Oracles and Miracles—Political Enterprise—The Nun before the King—Her Partisans increase in Number—Attempts to bring over Sir Thomas More—The Conspiracy—New Allies—The Nun and the Conspirators are arrested—Contrition of Sir Thomas More—Condemnation of the Criminals—Death of the Maid of Kent PAGE 1 CHAPTER II. HENRY VIII. SEPARATES ENGLAND FROM THE PAPACY. (CHRISTMAS 1533 TO JUNE 1534.) The King's Proceedings against Catherine—The Monks and the Priests renounce the Pope—Preparation of Charles V. against Henry—Henry prepares to resist him—The Two Chiefs of the Anti-Roman Party—The Orator of the Reformation—The King abolishes the Authority of the Pope—The Sheriffs ordered to see the Proclamation carried out—The Church, a Department of the State—Authority in the Church—Form which the Church might have assumed—Various Systems 18 CHAPTER III. BEGINNING OF DANGER FOR THE QUEEN AND FOR TYNDALE (1534 TO AUGUST 1535.) Tyndale translates the Old Testament at Antwerp—His Charity and Zeal—Joye pretends to correct his Version—Tyndale's noble Protest—Anne protects the Friends of the Gospel—Her Message in Harman's Favor—Discontent of the King—Plot against Tyndale—Snares laid for him—Stratagem—Attempt at Bribery—Recourse to the Imperial Government—Tyndale's House surrounded—The Traitor—Tyndale's Arrest—His Imprisonment in the Castle of Vilvorde—The Life of the Reformers: Apologies for the Reformation 28 CHAPTER IV. THE KING-PONTIFF AGAINST THE ROMAN-CATHOLICS AND THE PAPACY. (1534 AND 1535.) Opposition of certain Priests—Mental Restrictions—Fanatical Monks and timid Monks—Agitation of Sir Thomas More—More and Fisher refuse to take the Oath—They are taken to the Tower—The Carthusians required to swear—Paul III. desires to bring back England—Henry rejects the Papacy—Severe Laws concerning his Primacy—The King, not the Head of the Church 42 CHAPTER V. LIGHT FROM BOTH SIDES. (1534 AND 1535.)