Speaking of the Protestant Reformation, of which Edward VI may be
taken as a representative, Macaulay remarks that "it is difficult to
say whether England received most advantage from the Roman Catholic
religion or from the Reformation. For the union of the Saxon and
Norman races, and the abolition of slavery, she is chiefly indebted to
the influence which the priesthood in the Middle Ages exercised over
the people" (S47); "for political and intellectual freedom, and for
all the blessings which they have brought in their train, she owes the
most to the great rebellion of the people against the priesthood."