+Source.+--25 H. VIII. cap. I. (_Statutes of the Realm_, III. 492.)
Albeit the King's Majesty justly and rightfully is and ought to be the
supreme head of the Church of England, and so is recognized by the
clergy of this realm in their Convocations, yet nevertheless for
corroboration and confirmation thereof, and for increase of virtue in
Christ's religion within this realm of England, and to repress and
extirpate errors, heresies, and other enormities and abuses heretofore
used in the same; be it enacted by the authority of this present
parliament, that the king our sovereign lord, his heir and successors,
kings of this realm, shall be taken, accepted and reputed the only
supreme head in earth of the Church of England, called Anglicana
Ecclesia: and shall have and enjoy, annexed and united to the imperial
crown of this realm, as well the title and style thereof, as all
honours, dignities, pre-eminences, jurisdictions, privileges,
authorities, immunities, profits and commodities to the said dignity
of supreme head of the same Church belonging and appertaining. And
that our said sovereign lord, his heirs and successors, kings of this
realm, shall have full power and authority from time to time to visit,
repress, redress, reform, order, correct, restrain, and amend all such
errors, heresies, abuses, offences, contempts, and enormities,
whatsoever they be, which by any manner, spiritual authority or
jurisdiction ought or may lawfully be reformed, repressed, ordered,
redressed, corrected, restrained, or amended, most to the pleasure of
Almighty God, the increase of virtue in Christ's religion, and for the
conservation of the peace, unity, and tranquillity of this realm; any
usage, custom, foreign law, foreign authority, prescription or any
other thing or things to the contrary hereof notwithstanding.