In fact, historians believe the Reformation was far more about the King’s determination to seize political power back from Rome. More recently there has been much sound and fury about whether Prince Charles could become King – and Supreme Governor of the Anglican church – if he married Camilla Parker Bowles, a divorcee. But the real question is what the political relationship between church and state should be. The issue is fundamental to the work of the royal commission into reform of the House of Lords, which will be formally set up this week. Baroness Jay, the Leader of the Lords, has made clear that she would like to see Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Roman Catholic leaders sitting alongside Anglican bishops in the new upper chamber.

This would undermine the uniquely powerful position that the Church of England has in Parliament simply as the national religion. It would also raise far-reaching questions about how the “holy trinity” of church, state and monarchy should interact.
Anglican bishops at a conference in York last week could talk of little else. Over after-dinner port, the men in purple privately agreed that they would almost certainly have to accede to Lord Irvine’s demands for them to give up some of their 26 seats, in the name of modernisation. Committees have been set up by the church to compile evidence to submit to the commission about why the bishops should maintain a role – but most senior figures are preparing to compromise.But the debate did not stop there. The senior clergy began to discuss the prospect of disestablishment.

Few bishops support such a dramatic move, but they realise that change is inevitable and that the church should try to set the agenda rather than being bounced into reform. The Most Rev David Hope, the Archbishop of York and the second most senior churchman, has privately been involved in a consultation group, based in Sheffield, which has been examining the future of the relationship between church and state. “It is important that these questions should be debated,” he says. “We should not be covert about it.” Last November, Philip Mawer, the Church of England’s secretary-general, hosted a meeting with representatives from other Christian denominations to discuss options for the future. The General Synod has also set up a special committee to consider whether the Prime Minister should still be involved in appointing bishops. Everything from the future of the coronation to MPs’ power over the church is up for grabs.The Rt Rev Richard Harries, the Bishop of Oxford, is adamant that the status quo is not an option.