Next he had learned that the Catholic religion was at present blown upon by many persons in high position; that pains and penalties lay upon all who adhered to it.

Sir Thomas FitzHerbert, for instance, lay now in the Fleet in London on that very account.

His own father, too, three or four times in the year, was under necessity of paying over heavy sums for the privilege of not attending Protestant worship; and, indeed, had been forced last year to sell a piece of land over on Lees Moor for this very purpose.

Priests came and went at their peril....

He himself had fought two or three battles over the affair in St.Peter's churchyard, until he had learned to hold his tongue.