Wolsey's aim of breaking down constitutional traditions was shown, as in the case of the Commons, by his setting aside the old assembly of the provincial convocations, and as Legate summoning the clergy to meet in a national synod.

But the clergy held as stubbornly to constitutional usage as the laity, and the Cardinal was forced to lay his demand before them in their separate convocations.

Even here however the enormous grant he asked was disputed for four months, and the matter had at last to be settled by a compromise.
[Sidenote: War with France] It was plain that England was far from having sunk to a slavish submission to the monarchy.

But galled as Wolsey was by the resistance, his mind was too full of vast schemes of foreign conquest to turn to any resolute conflict with opposition at home.

The treason of the Duke of Bourbon stirred a new hope of conquering France.