 As evidence that Kings of England historically had no superior on Earth—including the Pope—the "Collectanea" cited scripture, conciliar decrees, Anglo-Saxon laws, and numerous historical works, including texts by Bede, Matthew Paris, William of Malmesbury, and Geoffrey of Monmouth.Henry VIII's numerous annotations in the surviving manuscript show his direct engagement with the text and the arguments contained therein.By asserting England's imperial status, the "Collectanea" served a twofold purpose in asserting England's imperial status.