Protestantism in England From the Times of Henry VIII - James Aitken Wylie

and now very aged, rose and proposed that they
should style the king "Head of the Church"
quantum per legem Christi licet -- so far as the law
of Christ permits. Henry, on first hearing of it,
stormed at the proposed modification of his
powers; but his courtiers satisfied him that the
clause would offer no interference in practice, and
that meanwhile it would prevent an open rupture
with Rome. It was not so easy, however, to bring
the other side to accept this apparent compromise.
The little clause would be no effective bulwark
against Henry's aggression. His supremacy and the
Pope's supremacy could not stand together, and
they clearly saw which would go to the wall. But
they despaired of making better terms. The primate
rose in Convocation, and put the question, "Do you
acknowledge the king as your supreme head so far
as the law of Christ allows?" Igor a member spoke.
"Speak your minds freely," said Warham.
The silence was unbroken. "Then I shall
understand that, as you do not oppose, you give
consent."[11] The silence continued; and that
silence was accepted as a vote in the affirmative.
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