COMMENDAMS. 315 



succession ; and lastly, that they see two bishops 

 privy counsellors at the table, which hath not been 

 of late years. 



That agreeably to this his majesty s care and 

 good affection, hearing that there was a case of the 

 bishop of Lincoln s, wherein his majesty s supreme 

 power of granting Commendams, which in respect of 

 the exility of bishopricks is sometimes necessary, 

 was questioned to be overthrown or weakened ; he 

 commanded his attorney-general, not only to have 

 care to maintain it according to his place, but also 

 that he should relate to his majesty how things 

 passed ; and did also command the bishop of Win 

 chester to be present at the public argument of the 

 case; and to report to his majesty the true state of 

 that question, and how far it extended. 



This being accordingly done ; then upon report 

 of the bishop of Winchester in presence of the lord 

 chancellor, his majesty thought it necessary, that 

 before the judges proceeded to declare their opinion 

 they should have conference with his majesty, to the 

 end to settle some course, that justice might be done, 

 and his regal power, whereof his crown had been so 

 long vested, not touched nor diminished : and there 

 upon commanded his attorney, who by his place 

 ought properly to signify his majesty s pleasure to 

 his judges, as his secretary doth to his privy council 

 in the presence of the lord chancellor and the bishop, 

 to signify his pleasure to the judges, that because 

 his majesty thought it needful to consult with them 

 in that case before they proceeded to judgment; 



