1532.
"Where by divers sundry old authentic histories and chronicles it
is manifestly declared and expressed that this realm of England is
an Empire, and so hath been accepted in the world, governed by one
supreme head and King having the dignity and royal estate of the
imperial crown of the same, unto whom a body politic compact of
all sorts and degrees of people, divided in terms and by names of
spiritualty and temporalty being bounden and owen to bear next to
God a natural and humble obedience; he being also institute and
furnished by the goodness and sufferance of Almighty God with
plenary whole and entire power pre-eminence authority prerogative
and jurisdiction to render and yield justice and final
determination to all manner of folk residents or subjects within
this his realm, in all causes matters debates contentions
happening to occur insurge or begin within the limits thereof
without restraint or provocation to any foreign princes or
potentates of the world ... all causes testamentary, causes of
matrimony and divorces, rights of tithes, oblations and obventions
... shall be from hence-forth heard examined licenced clearly
finally and definitely adjudged and determined within the King's
jurisdiction and authority and not elsewhere.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29