Editing Thomas Cromwell (section)

====Resistance to further religious reform====
The King was becoming increasingly unhappy about the extent of religious changes, and the conservative faction was gaining strength at court. Cromwell took the initiative against his enemies. He imprisoned [[Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter]], Sir [[Edward Neville (courtier)|Edward Neville]], and Sir [[Nicholas Carew (courtier)|Nicholas Carew]] on charges of treason in November 1538 (the "[[Exeter Conspiracy]]"), using evidence acquired from Sir [[Geoffrey Pole]] under interrogation in the Tower. Sir Geoffrey, "broken in spirit", was pardoned but the others were executed.{{sfn|Bernard|2007|pp=412–426}}

On 17 December 1538, the [[French Inquisition|Inquisitor-General of France]] forbade the printing of [[Miles Coverdale]]'s [[Great Bible]]. Then, Cromwell persuaded the King of France to release the unfinished books so that printing could continue in England. The first edition was finally available in April 1539. The publication of the Great Bible was one of Cromwell's principal achievements, being the first authoritative version in English.{{sfn|Leithead|2008}}

The King, however, continued to resist further Reformation measures. A Parliamentary committee was established to examine doctrine, and the [[Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk|Duke of Norfolk]] presented six questions on 16 May 1539 for the House to consider, which were duly passed as the Act of [[Six Articles (1539)|Six Articles]] shortly before the session ended on 28 June. The Six Articles reaffirmed a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments, and the priesthood.{{sfn|Leithead|2008}}