And as he was engaged in a violent quarrel with the French monarch, a quarrel which interested him more nearly than the conversion of England, he bore little regard to James, whom he believed too closely connected with his capital enemy.
The only proof of complaisance which James received from the pontiff, was his sending a nuncio to England, in return for the embassy.

By act of parliament, any communication with the pope was made treason: yet so little regard did the king pay to the laws, that he gave the nuncio a public and solemn reception at Windsor.

The duke of Somerset, one of the bed-chamber, because he refused to assist at this ceremony, was dismissed from his employment.

The nuncio resided openly in London during the rest of this reign.

Four Catholic bishops were publicly consecrated in the king's chapel, and sent out, under the title of vicars apostolical, to exercise the episcopal function in their respective dioceses.