Page:John Wycliff, last of the schoolmen and first of the English reformers.djvu/247

 again; and it must have been clear to Courtenay that, even if the King's mother and uncle had not protected this obstinate sower of tares, still the headstrong merchants, tradesmen, and apprentices from his own diocese would have made it extremely difficult for him to give full effect to the papal bulls. As it was, the irruption of the citizens broke up the proceedings, and Wyclif, as just said, escaped with a mild warning. The St. Alban's chronicler, who was living at the time, declares that the crafty heretic (versipellis) tricked his examiners through the favour and zeal of the men of London, scoffed at the Bishops, and slipped away.

It is possible enough, considering the force and boldness of Courtenay's character, that he may have had it in his mind and openly expressed his intention to condemn Wyclif in spite of the request of the Princess of Wales, even at the risk of personal disaster to himself. That would explain the holding of the sitting after Clifford's message, the presence and watchfulness of the Duke, and the turbulence of the crowd of citizens. It must be remembered that Sudbury and Courtenay were acting not merely as prelates but also as the Commissioners of the Pope; and the Bishop at all events may have felt and declared that his duty to the Holy Father was higher than his duty to the Princess. He is not likely to have changed his opinion on this point, though he may well have despaired for the moment of reaching the heretic behind the protection of the royal family and the public favour.

The death of Gregory, which would in any case