Despite the aspirations held by the French as they sought to implement their policy of subtraction of obedience from Benedict XIII, once that policy was put into effect its failure soon became obvious. Only part of the Avignonese followed the French lead in withdrawing support from the pope, while even military action in Avignon itself failed to reduce Benedict to submission. The only result was a stalemate. The French themselves did not greet subtraction with wholehearted enthusiasm, the opposition to it centring on Toulouse, where Charles VI had to instruct his officials to enforce compliance with the withdrawal decrees. Meanwhile, the Roman obedience was making its own views on the situation known in response to constant French diplomatic pressure, embassies and letters having been sent throughout Europe. French attention seems to have focussed on England where, after he had received a mission from Charles VI in August 1398, in which the envoys included Jean Courtecuisse, King Richard II turned to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge for advice, which was duly offered early in 1399.

The statement by the masters of Cambridge reiterated many of the opinions which had characterised the Oxonian letter of 1396, supporting Boniface IX, attacking his opponents, and rejecting many of the Parisian arguments as inapplicable.