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 paper was affixed to the Cross in Cheapside declaring that the Arch Wolf of Canterbury had his hand in the persecution of the saints and shedding the blood of the martyrs."

In the year 1640, a mob attacked his palace at Lambeth, and desired to tear the Primate to pieces. In the same year he was impeached by the Commons of high treason, a charge which could not be proved. Fourteen articles were drawn up on which they hoped to condemn him. A Committee of Religion was appointed to inquire into the state of ecclesiastical affairs, keeping especially in view the work of Laud. This committee consisted of twenty lay peers and ten Bishops, but only four of them would act. Their object "was to inquire into innovations in doctrine and discipline, which had been made since the Reformation, and a sub-committee, consisting mostly of doctrinal Puritans was appointed to prepare matters for the committee." "Most of their proceedings," says Hore, "were directed against Laud. They complained (amongst other matters) of the practice of private confession, of the altar with a canopy over it, with candles lighted in the daytime; of the communion table being turned altar-wise and called an altar, and that people were taught to bow towards it; that the clergy said the prayers turning to the East; that there was a credence or side table on which the Elements were placed before consecration." Many other practices and customs were complained of, but these are the chief ones.

In the year 1641, Laud was committed to the Tower, and remained a prisoner for four years. A bill condemning him passed the House of Lords in 1645. But the king did not sanction it. Indeed, he wrote a free pardon. But the