174) widow, the Pope replied that "the dispensation was a great matter; nor did he well know, _prima facie_, if it were competent for the Pope to dispense in such a case".[491] He granted the dispensation, but the doubts were not entirely removed.

Catherine's confessor instilled them into her mind, and was recalled by Ferdinand on that account.

The Spanish King himself felt it necessary to dispel certain "scruples of conscience" Henry might entertain as to the "sin" of marrying his brother's widow.[492] Warham and Fox debated the matter, and Warham apparently opposed the marriage.[493] A general council had pronounced against the Pope's dispensing power;[494] and, though the Popes had, in effect, established their superiority over general councils, those who still maintained the contrary view can hardly have failed to doubt the legality of Henry's marriage.
[Footnote 490: See, besides the original authorities cited in this chapter, Busch, _Der Ursprung der Ehescheidung Koenig Heinrichs VIII._ (Hist.

Taschenbuch, Leipzig, VI., viii., 271-327).] [Footnote 491: _L.

and P._, iv., 5773; Pocock, _Records of the Reformation_, i., 1.] [Footnote 492: _Sp.