The tone of intellectual contempt which begins with Walter de Map goes deepening on till it culminates in Chaucer and passes into the open revolt of the Lollard.

But even in these early days we can hardly doubt that it gave Henry strength in his contest with the Church.

So little indeed did he suffer from the murder of Archbishop Thomas that the years which follow it form the grandest portion of his reign.

While Rome was threatening excommunication he added a new realm to his dominions.

Ireland had long since fallen from the civilization and learning which its missionaries brought in the seventh century to the shores of Northumbria.