JAMES THE SECOND.

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taking the oath of supremacy, and another oath of similarcharacter called the oath of obedience. Nevertheless, in-February 1687, a royal letter was sent to Cambridge directingthat a Benedictine monk, named Alban Francis, should beadmitted a Master of Arts.

The academical functionaries, divided between reverencefor the King and reverence for the law, were in great distress.Messengers were despatched in all haste to the Duke of Albe-marle, who had succeeded Monmouth as Chancellor of theUniversity. He was requested to represent the matter pro-perly to the King. Meanwhile the Registrar and Bedellswaited on Francis, and informed him that, if he would takethe oaths according to law, he should instantly be admitted.He refused to be sworn, remonstrated with the officers of theUniversity on their disregard of the royal mandate, and,finding them resolute, took horse, and hastened to relate hisgrievances at Whitehall.

The heads of the colleges now assembled in council. Thebest legal opinions were taken, and were decidedly in favourof the course which had been pursued. But a second letterfrom Sunderland, in high and menacing terms, was alreadyon the road. Albemarle informed the University, with manyexpressions of concern, that he had done his best, but thathe had been coldly and ungraciously received by the King.The academical body, alarmed by the royal displeasure, andconscientiously desirous to meet the royal wishes, but deter-mined not to violate the clear law of the land, submitted thehumblest and most respectful explanations, but to no purpose.In a short time came down a summons citing the Vicechan-cellor and the Senate to appear before the new High Com-mission at Westminster on the twenty-first of April. TheVicechancellor was to attend in person; the Senate, whichconsists of all the Doctors and Masters of the University, wasto send deputies.

When the appointed day arrived, a great concourse filledthe Council chamber. Jeffreys sate at the head of the board.Rochester, since the white staff had been taken from him,

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