Before Wolsey's death, Dr. Thomas Cranmer, of Cambridge, suggested
that the King lay the divorce question before the universities of
Europe. Henry caught eagerly at this proposition, and exclaimed,
"Cranmer has the right pig by the ear." The scheme was at once
adopted. Several universities returned favorable answers. In a few
instances, as at Oxford and Cambridge, where the authorities
hesitated, a judicious use of bribes or threats soon brought them to
see the matter in a proper light.