Grasping his archiepiscopal cross he entered the royal court, forbade the nobles to condemn him, and appealed in the teeth of the Constitutions to the Papal See.

Shouts of "Traitor!" followed him as he withdrew.

The Primate turned fiercely at the word: "Were I a knight," he shouted back, "my sword should answer that foul taunt!" Once alone however, dread pressed more heavily; he fled in disguise at nightfall and reached France through Flanders.
Great as were the dangers it was to bring with it, the flight of Thomas left Henry free to carry on the reforms he had planned.

In spite of denunciations from Primate and Pope, the Constitutions regulated from this time the relations of the Church with the State.

Henry now turned to the actual organization of the realm.