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A01115 An abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history; Actes and monuments. Abridgments. Foxe, John, 1516-1587.; Bright, Timothie, 1550-1615. 1589 (1589) STC 11229; ESTC S102503 593,281 862

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the L. Graie Sir George Carew and Sir Richard Greenfield who purged the town of the slander although for a time they were in displeasure yet wtin a while after they came into greater fauor then before and were rewarded with xx l. a yéere a péece at the least Rockwood one of the fearcest persecutors fell into dispaire Rockwood a persecutor despaireth Gods iudgements and at the last breath cried he was vtterly damned for that he said malitiously he sought the death of such good men The Vndermarshall also another persecutor suddenly fell downe in the counsell chamber and neuer spake worde and the rest of the persecutors had the reuenging hand of God following after them Adam Damlip Adam Damlip taken againe who before escaped lay hid in the West-country teaching a schoole about a yéere or two by the miserable inquisition of the six articles was againe taken and brought vp to London where he was by St. Gardiner commanded to the Marshalsea there lay the space of other two yéeres where thinking he had béene forgotten he in the Latine tongue wrote an epistle to the B. of Winchester wherin he said he would write his obedience submission for said he I had rather die then here to remaine and not to be suffered to vse my talent to Gods glorie This he said to M. Marbecke then prisoner in the Marshalsea This epistle he deliuered to his kéeper about Saturday in the morning which was about the ij wéeke before Whitsontide desiring him to deliuer it at the court to the B. of Winchester which he did The B. made such quicke dispatch that the kéeper came home at night very late brought with him a precept for the executiō of Adam Damlip So vpon munday early in the morning the kéeper other of the knight Marshals men cōueied Adam vnto Calice vpon the Ascension euen there cōmitted him to the Maiors prison because they could not burthen him with any thing within a sufficient cōpasse of time to condemne him they laid to his charge he had receiued a French crowne of cardinall Poole at Rome where before his first comming to Calice he was requested to read thrée lectures a wéeke in Cardinall Pooles house therefore they condemned him and executed him for treason Adam Damlip put to death which death he most méekely and hartely tooke Iohn Butler and sir Daniell the curate before mentioned after ix moneths imprisonment were with much labour permitted to returne to Calice againe William Steuens aboue mentioned who had remained all this time in the Tower was condemned also of treason with his guest Adam Damlip pardoned by the king Adam Damlip had sometimes béene a great papist chaplaine to Fisher B. of Rochester after the death of his maister trauelled France Dutchland and Italie and came to Rome where he would not for the wickednes of the place abide to remaine though cardinall Poole offered him maintenance to read iij. lectures a wéeke in his house which he refused for receiuing onely a French crowne he was condemned and executed for treason he receiued it at the Cardinals hand to drinke and beare some charge of expence By the preaching of Adam Damlip in Calice among others there was a poore mā whose name is not yet certainly knowne who was conuerted to the truth therfore condemned by one Haruey there being cōmissarie whom this Haruey in time of his iudgement called Hereticke and said he should die a vile death the poore man aunswered againe and said that he was no hereticke but was in the faith of Christ and whereas thou saidest said he that I shall die a vile death thou thy self shalt die a viler death and that shortly And so it came to passe for within half a yéere after Haruey was hanged Gods iudgement drawne and quartered for treason in the same towne of Calice After the burning of this poore man there was also a certaine other schooler coūted to be a dutchman named Dodde who comming out of Germany was there taken with certaine Germane bookes about him being examined standing stoutly to the doctrine of the gospell he was burned A little before this time Will. Bolton alias Crosbowmaker for saying the Pope wanted Charitie if he could and would not release soules out of Purgatorye by Doctor Darlie parson of our Ladies Church in Calice then Commissarie for Archbishoppe Warham was made to beare a fagotte and lost his wages which was vi pence a day who complaining thereof to the king and declaring vnto his maiestie the cause sent him to Calice againe and after that gaue him viij pence a day As for the vi articles many good men were put to death so for the Popes supremacie diuerse suffered And about this time Larke a priest of Chelsey for the supremacie and Germine Gardiner néere kinseman to Stephen Gardiner and his secretarie for practising for the Pope against the King were put to death By an act of parlament holden An. 1544. 1544. The rigour of vi articles mitigated the rigour of the vi articles was asswaged a little at the first time it was permitted that they which offended against them might recant which if they refused to doe and offended againe they should beare a fagot and should be admitted to abiure if the third time they offended then they should sustaine punishment according to law Notwithstanding this Parlament had thus mittigated the rigor yet remained the poison and all manner of bookes bearing the name of Williām Tindall or what other booke soeuer contained any thing against the vi articles were debarred In this Parlament also it was permitted onely to noblemen and gentlemen Noblemen and Gentlemē permitted to reade the scripture to reade the scriptures to their edifying so they did it without discussing or vrging therevpon In this Parlament also it was permitted to the party detected to trye his cause by witnesses as many or more in number as the other which deposed against him Anno 1545. 1545. Sixe articles more qualified the vi articles were yet much more qualified by Act of Parlament whereby it was also decréed that the king should haue full power to appoint 32. persons to wit sixetéene of the Cleargie and sixetéene of the temporaltie to peruse and ouersée examine the Canons constitutions and ordinances of the canon law aswell prouinciall as synodall and so according to their discretions to establish an order of ecclesiastical lawes such as should be thought by the king most conuenient This yeere 1544. Iohn Heywood recanted the Popes supremacie and Iohn At h the trueth of the sacrament About the yeere 1546. 1546 Saxy hanged one Saixe a priest was hanged in the porters lodge of Stephen Gardiner not without the consent of the Bishop as it is supposed there was also a seruant in Colchester named Henrie burned for the testimony of the trueth Henry burned This yeere 1546. One Kerby Kerby was
of September and was committed to the tower close prisoner hauing his seruant Austine to attend vpon him The same day the Archbishop of Canterbury appearing before the Counsell was commaunded to appeare againe the next day at after noone in the starre chamber where hauing charged him with treason and spreading abroade seditious libels Cranmer to the Tower he was committed from thence to the tower there to remaine till farther iustice at the Quéenes pleasure The 15. of September there was a letter sent to maister Horne Deane of Durham for his appearance and another the 7. of October for his spéedy appearance The 16. of Septem there were letters sent to the maiors of Douer and Rye to suffer all French protestants to passe out of this Realme French protestants suffered to passe hence except such whose names should be signified to them by the French Ambassadour The first day of October Quéene Marie Mary crowned was crowned at Westminster and the tenth day of the same moneth beganne the Parlament A parlement with a solemne masse of the holie Ghost in the pallace of Westminster To the which among other Lords should come the Bishops which yet remained vndeposed which were the Archbishoppe of Yorke Doctor Taylor of Lincolne Iohn Harley Bishop of Hereford of the Bishops Doctor Taylor and maister Harley presenting themselues according to their duetie and taking their place amongest the Lordes after they sawe the masse beginne not abiding the sight thereof withdrew themselues from the companie for the which cause the Bishop of Lincolne béeing examined and protesting his faith was vpon the same commanded to attend Who not long after at Anker wicke by sicknesse departed Maister Harley because he was married was excluded both from the Parlement and from his Bishopricke This statute repealed Statutes repealed all the statutes made in the time king Henrie the viij for Premunire and statutes made in king Edward the vj. time for the administration of common bread and the Sacraments in the English tongue In this meane while many men were forward in erecting of Altars and Masses in Churches and such as would sticke to the Lawes made in K. Edwards time till other were established some of them were marked and some presently apprehēded Among whom sir Iames Hales Sir I Hales of kent apprehended and imprisoned a knight in kent and Iustice in the common place was one Who notwithstanding he had ventured his life in Q. Maries cause yet for that he did at a Quarter Sessions geue charge vpon the statutes made in king Edwards time and Henrie the eight for the supremacie and religion he was imprisoned in the Marshalsea Counter and Fléet and so cruelly handled and put in feare by talke that he thought to ridde himselfe out of his life by wounding him selfe with a knife and afterward was contented to say what they willed him Whereupon he was discharged but after that he neuer rested The lamentable end of Sir Iames Hales till he had drowned him selfe in a Riuer halfe a mile from his house in Kent During the time of the parlament the Cleargie had also their Conuocation with a disputation appointed by the Q. commaundement at Paules about the 18. of October In which Conuocation Harpsfield preached and D. Weston Deane of Westminster was chosen Prolocutor The disputation continued vj. dayes Disputation of vi dayes about the matter of the Sacrament wherein D. Weston was chéefe on the popes part The first day D. Weston inueyeth against the Catechisme and booke of Common prayer of king Edward and signified that on Friday next the xx of October it should be lawful for all men fréely to speake their consciences in matters of Religion The Friday being come in steade of disputation the Prolocutor exhibited two seuerall Billes vnto the House the one of the naturall presence of Christ in the sacrament and the other that the Catechisme was not set out by the houses consent requiring all to subscribe to these Billes as he himselfe had done To which motion all did assent sauing the Deane of Rochester the Dean of Exceter the Archdeacon of Winchester the Archdeacon of Hertforde and the Archdeacon of Stow and one other And while the rest were subscribing Iohn Philpot stoode vp and declared that the Catechisme was set out by the assent of the house and as touching the poynt of naturall presence that it was against reason that men should subscribe before the matter were discussed and withall desired the Prolocutor that he would be a meane to the Counsell that some of those that were the setters out of the same catechisme might be brought into the house to shew their learning that moued them to set forth the same and that D. Ridley M. Rogers with two or thrée more might be licensed to be present at this disputation and to be associated with them The bishops made answere it was not for them to cal such persons vnto the house since some of them were prisoners but they would be Petitioners in this behalfe to the Counsell and in case that any were absent that ought to be of the house they willed them to be taken in vnto them if they listed After this they minding to haue entered into disputation worde was geuen that the Lorde great Master and the Earle of Deuonshire woulde be present at the Disputation and therefore the Prolocutor deferred the same till the next Mundaye at one of the Clocke at after Noone At which time many Nobles being assembled to heare the Disputation the Prolocutor sayde that they of the house had appointed this Disputation not to call the trueth in doubt the which they had all subscribed sauing fiue or sixe but that those gainesayers might be resolued Then hée demaunded of Master Haddon whether hée woulde reason against the questions proposed To whome he answered hée would seing the request for those learned men to assist would not bée graunted and so aunswered M. Elmer and said that little or nothing it might auaile for the trueth since now all they were determined to the contrarie After this he demaunded of Maister Cheney who allowed of the presence but denied the transubstantiation Master Cheney answered he would gladly haue his doubts resolued on that point and so propounding his doubts the Prolocutor assigned M. Mooreman to aunswere By this meanes Maister Elmer was driuen to stand vp and so M. Philpot who reasoned against M. Mooreman and grauelled him Then stood vp the deane of Rochester M. Philpot who disputed of the real presence whom Weston answered and Watson tooke his parte Vpon whome Philpot replieth againe and in the end the disputation grew to be confused The disputation confused by reason many would take vpon them to answere On Wednesday the xxv of October Iohn Philpot according to the appointment was ready to dispute about the reall presence and was ready to enter into a Latine oration made to interpret the question this the Prolocutor
called Peter de Cugnerijs P. de Cugneriis being one of the kinges Councell rose vp and spake on the kings behalfe taking for his Theame Render vnto Caesar that which is his and vnto God that which is Gods which he prosecuted very effectuallie and deliuered a bil of 64. articles wherin the Spiritualty vsurped vpon the temporaltie and gaue the Prelates time to deliberate 64. Articles against the spiritualtie which was til the Friday next ensuing On which day the B. Edwine and Archb. of S. Senon elect in the name of the whole Clergie answered for them all before the King and endeuoured to proue that a person ecclesiasticall might haue temporall iurisdiction by the example of Melchizedech who was k of Salem Priest c. And in the conclusion of his replie said because a byl of many articles was exhibited parte whereof did infringe the whole Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction to the defence wherof wée wil stand vnto the death said he some other of them contain onelie certayne abuses which we beléeue none such to be but if there be we will sée redresse therein to the quietnesse of the people and praise of almightie God The next Friday following the Bishop of Eduen taking the Psalme 89. Lord thou art our refuge extolled the kings person sitting with his Barons and Counsellers about him and prosecuted an answere to the Lord Peter of Cugners oration and proued both swordes to belong vnto the Pope and answered particularlie the Articles aboue mentioned The next Friday after this the Prelates assembled againe at Vicenas before the king to heare their answere where the Lord Peter of Cugner beyng Prolocutor for the king tooke for his Theame I am peace vnto you doo not feare wherevpon he signified that they should haue no feare nor be troubled for any thing that there had béene spoken for that the entent of the King was to kéepe the rites of the Church and Prelates which they had by law and by good and reasonable custome but yet proued that the knowledge of ciuill causes belonged not to them Knowledge of ciuill causes belongeth not to the clergy which notwithstanding he said the K. was ready to heare the informatiō of thē that would instruct him of any custome and those customes which were good reasonable he would obserue which answere liked not the B. Edwin but he replied again in the prelates defence and in cōclusion beséeched the K. that it would please him to giue them a more comfortable answere that they might not depart from his presence all pensiue and sad whereby occasion might be giuen to the Laitie to impugne the rites and liberties of the Church It was answered againe that the kings intent was not to impugne the customes of the Church The Sunday followyng at Vicenas they had answere and assurance from the King that they should suffer no damage in his tyme yea and that hée would defend their rightes and customes because it should not bée sayd that hée would giue examples to others to impugne the Church and that if the Bishoppes and Prelates would sée reformation of those things that were to be amended Reformation to be doone whereabout he would take respite betwéene this and Christmasse next following his grace would innouate nothing and if in the foresayd space they would not reforme that which was amisse his Maiestie would appoynt such order as should be acceptable to God and his subiects After this the Prelates and Cleargie had leaue of the King to depart and went home This Parlement of the French is to be referred to the yéere 1329. Anno 1307. King Edward marching toward Scotland died after whom succéeded his sonne Edward the second The K. dieth About the yéere 1310. or the next following came in first the Crooched friers Crooched friers and also began first the Knights of the order of Iohn Baptist called otherwise the Knights of the Rhodes Knights of the Rhodes for that they by manly knighthood put the Turks out of the Rhodes 54. Templars burned at Paris This yéere the French K. caused to be burned 54. Templars at Paris with the great Maister of the order and by his procurement Pope Clement the fifth who succéeded Benedict called a Councell at Vienna where the whole order and sect of Templars beyng condemned was shortly after by the consent of all Christian kings deposed all in one day The Tēplars put downe vniuersally The cause why those vngodly Tēplars were put downe was so abhominable and filthy that it is not with modestie to be named After the deposing of the Templars the King of France thought to make his sonne king of Ierusalem and to conuert to him all the landes of the Templars but Pope Clement would not thereto agrée transferring all their landes to the order of the Hospitallers The Pope selleth the Templars landes for a great summe of mony giuen for the same In the same Councell it was also decréed by Pope Clement that all religious orders exempted should be subiect vnder the common lawes as other were but the Cistercian Monkes with mony and great giftes redéemed their priuiledges and exemptions of the Pope and so had them graunted Cistercian monks exēpt Rob. Auesb. But the Franciscans sped vnhappily with their suite of which Franciscans when certaine had offered vnto the Pope Clement foure thousand Florens of gold beside other siluer that the Pope would dispence with them to haue landes and possessions against their rule the Pope asked them where that mony was and they answered in the marchauntes handes The Pope absolued the marchauntes of their bondes and commaunded all that money to bée imployed to his vse declaring vnto the Friers that hée woulde not infringe the rule of Saint Francis The pope conseneth the Frāciscan Friers lately canonized neyther ought hee to doe it for anie money Thus the Friers lost their money and their indulgence Ex eodem Sabellicus writeth that Clement the fift excommunicated the Venetians The Venetiās cursed of the popa for ayding and preferring of Aroda vnto the estate of Ferrarie and wrote his letters throughout all Europe condemning them as enemies of the church and giuing their goodes as a lawfull pray vnto all men which caused them to sustayne great harme So that Fancis Dandulus a noble man of Venice beeing Embassadour A monstrous tyrannie was fayne so to humble himselfe before this proude tyrannicall Prelate that hée suffered a chayne of yron to bee tyed about his necke and to lye downe flat before his table and so to catch the bones and fragmentes that fell as if he had béene a dogge til the Popes fury was toward them asswaged About this time Rob. Winchelsey Archb. of Canterbury whom the kings father had banished before was released and returned home from Rome Great disturbance rose betwixt the king and the nobles who hauing their power lying about Dunstable sent message vnto the king at
London to haue their former acts confirmed at which time came two Cardinalles from Rome with letters sent vnto the nobles from the pope The nobles answered to the message of the Cardinals that as touching themselues they should be at all times welcome vnto them but as for their letters forasmuch as they were men vnlettered and onely brought vp in feats of warre therfore cared they not for séeing the same neither would they speak with the Legates concerning their busines Yet at the last through the mediation of the Archb and the Earle of Glocester the matter was taken vp betwixt the King and the Nobles Anno 1313 Robert Winchelsey died in whose roome Robert Cobham was elected by the King and Church of Canterbury but the Pope did frustrate that election and placed Walter Renald Walter Renald Bishop of Worcester About this time died Pope Clement the 5. Clement 5. dieth who kéeping in Fraunce neuer came to the sea of Rome after whose death the Papacie stood voide two yeares Papacie voide two yeares After Clement succéeded pope Iohn the 22. who sent two Legates from Rome vnder pretence to set agréement betwixt the king of Englād and the Scots they for their charges and expēces required of euery spiritual person iiii d. in euery mark Iohn 22. Pope maketh profite of the variance of princes but all in vaine For the legates as they were in the North partes about Derlington with their whole familie and traine were robbed spoiled of their horses treasure apparel and whatsoeuer else they had and so with an euil fauoured handling retired backe againe to Duresme where they staied a while waiting for an answere from the Scots But when neither the popes legacie neither his curse would take any place with the Scots they returned againe to London where they first excommunicated and cursed as blacke as soote all those arrogant and presumptuous robbers of Northumberland Secondly for supplying of the losses receiued they exacted of the clergie to be giuen vnto them 8. pence in euery marke But the Clergie thereunto would not agrée séeing it was their owne couetousnes as they said that made them venture farther then they néeded viii d. in euery marke only they were contented to relieue them after 4. pence in the marke further they would not graunt And so they departed to the popes court againe Michael house founded in Cambridge In the time of this king the Colledge in Cambridge called Michaell house was founded by Sir Henry Stanton knight About the same time also was Nicholaus de Lyra Nicholaus de lyra which wrote the ordinarie glosse of the Bible also Guilielmus Occham Guilielmus Occham a worthie deuine of a right sincere iudgement as the times then would eyther giue or suffer Among others which the King did trouble and take reuenge of for the rebellion of the Barons was one Adam Adam Bishoppe of Hereford who beyng appeached of treason with other more was at length arrested in the Parlement to appeare and answere to that should be layd against him To which the Bishop answered I an humble minister and member of the Church of God and Bishop consecrate albeit vnworthy can not neyther ought to answere to these so high matters without the authoritie of the Archbishop of Canterbury my direct iudge and next vnder the high Bishoppe of Rome whose suffragane also I am and the consent likewise of other my fellow Bishops After which woordes the Archbishop and other Bishops made humble sute for him to the King But when the King would not be woon nor turned with any supplication the Bishops together with the Archbishops and Clergie comming with their crosses tooke him away chalenging him for the church without any further answere making charging moreouer vnder the censures of the church and excommunication none to presume to lay any further handes vpon him The king commanded notwithstanding to procéede in iudgement and the iurie of twelue men to goe vpon the inquisition of his cause who finding and pronouncing the bishop to be guiltie the king caused immediatlie all his goods and possessions to be confiscate to himselfe Moreouer made his plate and all his houshold stuffe to be throwen out of his house into the streete But yet he remayned still vnder the protection of the Archbishop This Archb. was called W. Winchelsey after whom succéeded S. Mepham Anno one thousand thrée hundred Simon M. and twentie seuen R. Auesb. After P. Clement v. by whose decease the Romane Sea stood vacant two yéeres and thrée moneths Next was elected pope Iohn 22. Clement 5. a Cistercian Monke who sat in the papacie 18. yéeres a man so stout inflexible and giuen much to heaping vp of riches A great heresie that he proclaimed them Heretikes that taught that Christ his Apostles had no possessions of their owne in the world At this time was Emperour Ludouicus Bauarus Ludouicus Bauarus Emperour a worthy man who with this Pope and other that followed him had no lesse contention then had Fredericus before Contention betwixt the pope Emp. 24. yeeres in somuch that this contention continued 24. yéeres The cause thereof rose of the constitution of Clement 5. predecessor to this Pope by whom it was ordeined that Emperours elected by the Germanine princes might be called kings of the Romanes but might not enioy the title and right of the empire without their confirmation giuen by the pope Wherfore this Emperour because he vsed the imperiall dignitie in Italie before he was authorized by the P he excommunicated him and notwithstāding the Emperour did oftentimes offer vp himself to make intreatie of peace Pope hath full power to create and depose Emperors at his pleasure yet the inflexible pope would not bend mainteining that he had full power to create and depose kings and Emperours at his pleasure In the same time were diuers learned men who did greatly disallow the B. of Romes doings among whō was Guilielmus Occham whose Tractations were afterwarde condemned by the Pope for writing against the Temporal iurisdiction of their Sea and another named Marsilinꝰ Patauinus Marsilius Patauinus who wrote the booke called Defensor pacis Defensor pacis giuen vp to the handes of the Emperor wherein the controuersie of the Popes vsurped iurisdiction in thinges Temporall is largely disputed the vsurping authoritie of the same sea set foorth to the vttermost At length when the Emperor after much suite at Auinion could not obteine his Coronation Cōming to Rome he was there receaued with great honor where he with his wife were both crowned by the ful consent of all the Lords and Cardinals there and another Pope there set vp called Nicholas the fifte After which things Pope Nicholas v. the Pope not long after died at Auinion in France whome succéeded Benedictus the twelft Benedict xii a Monke of Benedictus order and reigned vij yeres Who by
in the Scriptures and in the ciuil law altered againe the presidents mind and so the commission was called barke and the army retired which was come within a mile a half of the town of Merindol to do the execution God heareth their praiers The Merindolians hearing therof gaue thankes to God and determined to subiect thēselues vnto Gods will and to endure whatsoeuer affliction should be layd vpon them The fame of them and also of the arrest came to the king Francis eares who gaue commandement to the noble vertuous Lord monsieur de Langeay at that time his Lieutenant in Thurim a citie of Piedmount diligently to enquire the trueth of the matter who sent 2. deputies to enquire the which deputies made report of the vertue diligence of the poore Merindoliās in such sort that they had by their labour fructified Merindol that wheras before it was taxed but at 4. crowns before the destruction oppression which it suffered paid yeerly to the Lord 350. crowns besides other charges they declared also the great oppression which they had suffered Besides they had good testimonie giuen of their neighbors of Prouence what they held also also against the popes religion was truly reported and the copye of the arrest brought whereof the king was aduertised by monsieur de Langeay who vnderstanding these things King Frauncis pardoneth the Merindoliās sent letters to them of grace and pardon not to those onely which were condemned for lacke of appearance but also for all the rest of the countrey of Prouence which were accused and suspected in like case commanding the Parlement that they should not hereafter so procéed but if there were any that could be proued by sufficient information to haue swerued from christian religion that then hee shoulde haue demonstration made vnto him by the word of God out of the old and new testament so by gentlenes bée reduced to the church of God cōmanding also that those which were conuicted of heresie should abiure that all prisoners should be set at libertie which either were accused or suspected of Lutheranisme By vertue of which commandement letters of the king they were permitted to declare their cause Whervpon A confession of the Merindolians faith they made a cōfession of their faith which was presented first to the court of parlement afterward more at large with articles therunto annexed it was deliuered to the B. of Cabillon and to Cardinall Sadolet About this time the yéere 1542. the vicelegate of Auinion assembled a great number of men of war at the request of the B. of Cauailon to destroy Cabriers 1542 Cabriers when the army was come within a mile of Cabriers the Cardinall Sadolet went with spéede vnto the Vicelegate and shewed the articles of the confession of Cabriers Sadolet helped Cabriers and how they offered to bée informed wherin they had erred by the word of God whervppon at that time the army retired Afterward it was ordained by the court of Parlement that according to the kings letters Ioh. Durand counseller of the court of parlement with a secretary and the Bish of Cauaillon with a Doctor of diuinitie should goe vnto Merindoll and there declare vnto the Inhabitants the heresies which they knew to be cōteined in their cōfession to make them apparant by good and sufficient information And hauing so conuicted them by the word of god they should make them renounce and abiure the said heresies c. Whereupon Durandus signified the day that he woulde be present at Merindol that none of the Inhabitants might be absent At the day appointed the parties aboue mentioned came vnto Merindoll whereas also were present diuers Gentlemen and men of vnderstanding of all sortes There was called foorth Anthonie Mailard Examination of the Merindolians Bailiffe of the towne of Merindoll Ienon Romane and Michelin Maynard Sindiques Iohn Cabrie and Iohn Palenc Ancients of Merindoll and Iohn Brunerol vnder-bayliffe who requiring that they might because they were vnlearned answere by Aduocate were denyed either to answere by Aduocate or by wryting but only in their owne persons who notwithstanding did by Gods assistance so answere that the aduersaries were ashamed and durst put in no information of heresie against their articles But the B. spake a lōg tale in the Cōmissioners day and would declare nothing and the Doctor made a long tale in latin and would geue no otherwise any information against them Many that came thether to heare this disputation were much touched and moued to require copies of their confession and answeres Whereupon many were conuerted to the faith namelie 3. doctors who went about to disswade the Merindolians from the trueth whose ministerie God vsed afterwarde in the preaching of the Gospel Of whom one was D. Comband Prior of S. Maximinie afterwardes Preacher in the territorie of the Lords of Bern another was D. Semanti who was also a preacher in the Bayliwike of Touon the other was D. Herandi pastor and minister in the Countie of Newcastle After this the Inhabitantes of Merindoll were in quiet for a time vntill Iohn Miniers an excéeding bloudy tirant began a new persecution This Miniers being Lord of Opedie néere to Merindol first began to vexe the poore Christians by polling and extortion getting from them what he could to inlarge his own Lordshippe which before was very base For this cause he put 5. or 6. of his owne Tenants into a Cistern vnder the ground and cloasing it vp there kept them till they died for hunger pretēding that they wer Lutherans to haue their goods and possessions By this and such other practises this wretch was aduāced in a short space to great wealth and dignitie and at lēgth became the Kings Lieutenant generall in the Countrey of Prouence in the absence of the L. Grigitane then being at the Councell of Wormes in Germanie this wretch impudently and falsly geueth the king to vnderstand that they of Merindoll and Snatre about the number of twelue or fiftéene thousande were in the field in armour with Ensigne displayde entending to take the towne of Marcelle to make it one of the Cantons of the Suitzers By which lie he obteined the kings letters patentes and through the helpe of the Cardinal of Tournon commanded the sentence of the former arrest to be executed against the Merindoliās After this he gathered all the Kings armie which was then in Prouence ready to go against the Englishmen and tooke vp all besides that were redy to beare armour in the chéefe townes of Prouence and ioyned them with the army which the popes Legate had leuied for that purpose in Auinion and all the Countrey of Venice and employed the same to the destruction of Merindoll and Cabriers and of other Townes and Villages to the number of 22. geuing commission to his Souldiers to spoile ransacke burn destroy al together and to kil man woman child without al pity
make fortresses all the country ouer which when they vnderstood they made request vnto her againe that these conditions might be moderated with certaine other demaunds for their libertie and aboue all they beséeched her to take pittie on them and that they might not be compelled to doo any thing against their conscience c. After which supplication viewed and read of the Duches Libertie granted to the Waldois she so perswaded the Duke that answere was made according to their mind preaching permitted with frée libertie their goods restored and fréedoms liberties general and particular restored Yet so that Masse should be said in all the parishes of these Valleis no man compelled to come to the same the captiues were also restored that were sent to the gallies and reasonable ransome taken for the prisoners of the Waldois and so through the meanes of the Duchesse the poore Waldois haue béene quiet vntil this day Anno 1526. a certaine Iew in Constantinople was conuerted to the faith which when the Turkes knew they slue him and cast out his dead body not suffering it to be buried which lay 9. or 10. daies incorrupt keping colour and freshnes as if it had not béene dead with a pleasant delectable sauour which when the Turkes behelde they buried the bodie themselues being greatly astonied thereat The end of the seuenth Booke The Abridgement of the second volume of the Ecclesiasticall historie of the Actes and monuments of Martyrs from the time of King Henrie the eight to Queene Elizabeth our gracious Ladie now reigning ANno 1519. Mistresse Smith widowe Robert Harchets shoomaker Archer Shoomaker Thomas Bond Shoomaker Wrigsham a Glouer Lansedall a hosier were on Ashwednesday taken and put in prison and the weeke nexte before Easter were condemned for relapse because most of them had borne fagottes in the same Citie before to bee burned at Couentrie Burned at Couentrie the principall cause of their apprehension was that they taught their familie the Lordes praier and tenne commaundements in English Mistresse Smith onely was dismissed for that present and sent away but as Mourton the Somner was leading her home because it was somewhat darke in the euening by the arme hearing the ratling of a scrol within her sléeue yea said he what haue you here and finding that it was the Lordes praier the beléefe and the tenne commaundements in English Ah syrah said he as good nowe Mistresse Smith as another time come and so he brought her backe againe to the Bishop where she was immediatly condemned and so burned with the sixe before mentioned the fourth day of Aprill in a place thereby called the little Parke Anno 1521. Robert Sylkes 1521 Robert Sylkes who was one of the former companie and by flight escaped was brought to Couentrie two yeeres after and burned the morrow after he came thither which was about the 13. day of Ianuary These Martyrs being thus dispatched the Shiriffes took their goods and cattle to their owne vse their wiues and children being left destitute Anno 1527. Patricke Hamleton 1527 Patricke Hamleton a Scotchman borne of a noble house the first day of March was condemned for the testimonie of the trueth and burned at Saint Andrews in Scotland he at the Vniuersitie of Marpurge in Germanie by conference with Franciscus Lambertus did so grow in knowledge and zeale that hée first there set vp conclusions to be disputed of concerning faith and workes Patrickes articles The articles wherefore hee was condemned were these 1. Man hath no frée will 2. Man is iustified by faith in Christ 3. A man so long as hée liueth is not without sinne 4. He is vnwoorthie to bée called a Christian which beléeueth not that hee is in grace 5. Good woorkes doe not make a good man though a good man doth good workes 6. An euill man bringeth foorth euill workes which being repented of doe not make an euill man 7. Faith hope and charitie cannot bée seuered in one man in this life For the condemnation and burning of this man the diuines of Louane by letters gaue thankes vnto the Archbishoppe of Saint Andrewes and the Diuines of Scotland This Patricke Hamleton cited the blacke Frier called Cambell who accused him to appeare before God to aunswere the innocencie of his death and named a certayne daie when before which time the Frier died without remorse of conscience Patricke Hamelton wrote a Treatise of diuinitie called Patrickes places Patrickes places and they were translated out of Latine wherein he wrote them into Englishe by Iohn Frith A few yéeres after the Archbishoppe of S. Andrewes burned Henrie Forrest Henry Forest who had taken orders of Bennet and Collet for saying Maister Patricke was a martyr and his opinion good He was betraied by Walter Long a Fryer to whom he confessed himselfe He suffered death at the North Church stile of S. Andrewes Within a yéere after the martyrdome of Henry Forest or there about Iames Hamleton Iames Hamleton the brother of Patrick Hamleton the martyr was called in question for mainteining the opinions of his brother but the king Iames the 5. gaue him counsell to depart and not appeare which if hee did he could not helpe him for the Bishops had perswaded him that the cause of heresie did not appertaine vnto the king So he fled and was condemned as an heretike and all his goods confiscate Catherine Hamleton his sister and Aunt to the king Recant recanted her opinion touching iustification without respect of woorkes béeing thereto perswaded by the king and so escaped At the same time also an honest woman of Lieth for crying in her trauell Christ helpe me when the mydwife bad her say Our Lady helpe me was caused to recant Recant About the same time Maister Norman Gurley Norman Gurley because he denied purgatorie and said the Pope was Antichrist and would not recant was condemned by Iames Hay Bishop of Rose commissioner of Iames Beton Archbishop of S. Andrewes and burned vpon the gréenes side betwixt Lieth and Edenburgh With him was burned Dauid Straton Dauid Straton for saying there was no purgatory but the passion of Christ and tribulations of this world he was also falsly accused to haue said no tithes were to be paid for that he casting his fishes to the Vicar of Eglisgrige some fell into the Sea Anno 1532. Thomas Harding Harding who with his wife before had abiured after lōg penance was burned as a relapse being condemned by Iohn Longland Bishoppe of Lincolne at the North ende of the towne of Chesham in the Dell going to Botley when they had set fire on him there was one that dashed out his brayns with a billet It was supposed of them that they might haue fourtie dayes of pardon that shoulde carrie wood to his burning on hope whereof manie people caused their children to beare billets and fagottes to the burning of Martyrs He was burned on the euen
and therefore hath not God graunted your desire But I am a poore simple man as you sée and God hath heard my complaint and I trust he will strengthen me in his owne cause When their prayer would not preuaile they aduised to say a masse to sée what that would worke In the meane time Rawlins be tooke him to prayer in a secrete place till such time as the Priest came to the sacring When Rawlins heard the sacring bell ring he rose out of his place and came to the quire dore and standing a while turned himselfe to the people speaking these wordes Good people if there be at the least but one brother among you the same one shall beare witnesse at the day of iudgement that I howe not to this Idoll meaning the host that the Priest helde ouer his head Masse being ended and Rawlins persisting constant the Bishoppe procéedeth to sentence and hauing condemned him dismisseth him to be carried againe to Cardiffe there to be put into the prison of the towne called Clockemacell a very dark lothsome and most vile prison where Rawlins passed the time in singing of Psalmes About thrée or foure wéekes after he hauing intelligence that his tyme of death drewe néere sendeth foorthwith to his wife and willeth her by the messenger that in any wise she should make readie Rawlins wedding garmēts and send vnto him his wedding garments meanyng a shirte which afterwarde hée was burned in Whiche was accomplished accordyng to his mynde Now apparelled in his wedding garments when the houre was come and he passed to his death in the way his poore wife and children stood wéeping and making lamentation which so pearced his heart that hee let fall teares from his eyes but soone after as though he had misliked his infirmitie beganne to be angry with himselfe insomuch that striking his brest with his hande hée vsed these wordes Ah flesh stayest thou me so wouldest thou faine preuaile Rawlins a worthy martyr Well I tell thée do what thou canst thou shalt not by Gods grace haue the victorie By this time hée came to the stake and going towards it he fell down vpon his knées and kissed the ground and in rising againe the earth a little sticking on his face he saide these words Earth vnto earth and dust vnto dust thou art my mother and to thée shall I returne Then went he cherefully and very ioyfully to the stake and set his backe close thereunto and when hée had stoode there a while he cast his eye vpon the Reporter of this History calling him vnto him and sayde I féele a great fighting betwixt the Fleshe and the Spirit and the Fleshe woulde very fayne haue his swinge and therefore I pray you when you séeme any thing tempted holde your finger vp to me and I trust I shall remember my selfe After the Smith had made him fast to the Stake according as hée had required him being afrayde of his infirmitie and the Officers began to laie wood to him with strawe and réede hée himselfe as farre as hée could reach would catcht the same and very chéerefully disposed it about his bodie When all thinges were readie then stept vp a Priest addressing himselfe to speake and to peruert the people Which when Rawlins Rawlins perceiued hée beckened with his hand to the people and said come hither good people and heare not a false prophet preach And then said vnto the preacher oh thou naughtie hypocrite doost thou presume to prooue thy false doctrine by Scripture Looke in the text what followeth did not Christ say doo this in remembrance of mée after which wordes the Priest beyng amazed held his peace Then some that stood by cried put too fire put to fire which being put to he bathed his handes so long in the flame till the sinewes shrunke and the fatte dropped away and once he did as it were wipe his face with one of them All this while which was somewhat long he cried with a loud voice O Lord receiue my soule vntill he could not open his mouth He was at the same time of his death about 60. yéeres of age About this time Anno 1555. the 28. of March Quéene Marie was fully resolued and declared so much to foure of her Counsell to restore the Abbey landes againe to the Church And the moneth before the 19. of Februarie the Bishoppe of Ely with the Lord Montague and viij score horse were sent as Ambassadors from the king Quéene vnto Rome very likely for the cause of Abbey landes as it appeareth by the sequele For it was not long after but the Pope did set foorth in print a Bull of excommunication for all manner such persons without exception that kept any of the Church landes The P. excommunicateth those that hold Abbey lands Pope Iulius the monster dyeth And also all such as did not put the same Bull in execution About the latter end of this Moneth Pope Iulius dyed a monster of nature who missing on a time his Porke and answere being made that his Phisition forbad it because of his goute bursting out into a rage he vttered these wordes bring me my porke flesh in the despight of God An other time missing his cold Peacocke Popes Peacocke most horribly blasphemyng God he brake into a rage Wherevpon when one of his cardinals sitting by labored to pacifie him what said Iulius the Pope if God was so angry for one apple that hée cast our first parents out of Paradice therefore A blasphemous Pope why may not I being his vicar be angry then for my Peacocke sithence a Peacocke is a greater matter then an apple Hée confirmed the idoll of Lauretane Vpon Shrouesunday which was about the iij. of March the same yéere a préest in Kent named Nightingall parson of Crondall besides Canturbury reioycing at the alteration of religion and reading to the people the popes Bull of pardon that was sent into England hée sayd hée thanked God that euer hée had liued to sée that daie adding moreouer that hée beléeued that by the vertue of that Bull hee was as cléere of sinne as the night that he was borne and immediatly vpon the same fell suddenly downe out of the Pulpit Gods iudgement and neuer stirred hand nor foot but so died Testified by Robert Austen of Cartham who both heard and saw the same and it is witnessed also of the whole country round about In the moneth of Aprill and the second day Iohn Awcocke died in pryson and was buried in the fieldes The first of Aprill Anno 1555. a letter was sent to the Shiriffe of Kent to apprehend Thomas Woodgate and William Maynard for preachyng secréetly and to send them vp to the Counsell The vij day of the same moneth was sent another letter to the said Shiriffe for the apprehension of one Hardwich who went about with a boy with him preaching from place to place The fiftenth of Aprill a letter was directed
these with other mo were persecuted and sent vp to Boner specially by sir I. Mordāt Edmund Tyrrell Esquire and were condemned by him the third of Aprill and burned the sixtéenth of Maye The 5. day of May was Thomas Drewry Tho. Drewry a blinde boy and Thomas Croker Tho. Croker Bricklayer martyred in the fire at Glocester being condemned by D. Williams then Chaunceller Who when he said that the Chaunceller taught him that which he called Heresie in the pulpit and the Chaunceller bad him doe as he had done No said the boy to him though you can so easily dispense with your selfe and mocke with God the world and your conscience yet I will not so do Then God haue mercie vpon thée said the Chaunceller for I will reade sentence against thée and so did and committed him to the secular power to be burned with Thomas Croker The 21. of May Anno 1556. Thrée men Thomas Spicer Tho. Spicer of Winstone laborer Iohn Denny Ioh. Denny and Edmond Poole Edm. Poole were burned at Beckles for witnes bearing to the trueth They were persecuted by Syr Iohn Tyrrel Knight of Gipping hall in Suffolke and were condemned by Dunning Chauncelour of Norwich and maister Monges the register sitting at the towne of Beckles Where the Chancellour himselfe burst out in teares exhorting them to returne to the papistical Church Which when they refused he read the sentence against them euen with teares and deliuered them to the Secular power Sir Iohn Sylliard being then high Sheriffe of Norfolke and Suffolke notwithstanding that the writ de comburendo was not yet come downe After they had prayed they making confession of their Faith came to I beléeue the Catholike Church That is well saide quoth Sir Iohn Sylliard I am glad to heare that It is the best word I heard of you yet To the which wordes Edmunde Poole answered that though they beleue the Catholike Church yet doe they not beléeue in their Popishe Church and therefore no parte of their beléefe They being all at the stake and the fire burning about them praised God in such an audible voice The Martyrs praise God in the flames of fire as it was wonderfull to all those that stood by By the procurement of sir Iohn Tyrrel knight and other his fellow colleagues there were persecuted out of the towne of Winson in Suffolke these persons here following Anno 1556. Mistris Ales Twaites gentlewoman of the age of 60. yeares and more and two of her seruauntes Humfrey Smith and his wife William Catchpoole and his wife Iohn Mawlin and his wife Nicholas Burlingham and his wife and one Rought and his wife There were also driuen out of the Towne of Mendlesame in Suffolke Simon Harlestone and Catherin his wife with his fiue Children William Whitting and Catherin his wife Thomas Dobson and his wife Iohn Deacon his wife and his maide William Deacon Thomas Woodward the elder one Reynoldes wife a pore widowe one mother Symons maide besydes those that were constrained to do against their consciences The cause of their persecution was the they denyed the Popes supremacie held the Quéene to bée supreme the ministers might marry c. Many of these persōs were of great substance had possessions of their owne The last day of the moneth of May Iohn Slech being imprisoned in the kinges bench for the doctrine of the Gospell there died was buried on the backsyde of the same prison About the 6. day of Iune next following Thomas Harland Tho. Harland of Woodmancote Carpenter Iohn Oswald Iohn Oswalde ibid. husbandman Thomas Auington Th. Auington of Ardinglye Turner Thomas Read Tho. Read suffered at Lewis together for the testimony of the Gospel In the same towne of Lewis and the same moneth suffered Thomas Wood Tho. Wood. and Thomas Milles the 20. day of the same moneth for the testimonie of Iesus Iohn Milles. In the which moneth William Adheral minister dyed in the kinges bench the 24. day of the same moneth and was buried on the backe side And so also Clement whéelwright dying there was buryed vpon a dunghill the 25. of Iune A merchants seruant at Lecester Thirtene at one fire The xxvj of Iune suffered a merchants seruant at Leycester for the testimonie of the gospell The xxvij ot Iune xj men and two womē were burned in one fire at Stratford the Bow by London whose dwellings were in sundry places in Essex Their names were Henry Adlington H. Adlington Laurence Pernam L. Pernam Henry Wye Henry Wye William Halliwell W. Hallywell Thomas Bowyer Th. Bowyer Georges Searles G. Searles Edmund Hurst Edm. Hurst Lion Couch Lyon Couch Rafe Iackson Rafe Iackson Iohn Deryfall Iohn Derifall Iohn Routh Iohn Routh Elizabeth Pepper Eliz. Pepper Agnes George Agnes George vnto whom the sixt of Iune Anno 1556. Doctor Darbyshire Boners Chancellor in forme of law ministred articles of Poperie to which they made their answeres in simplicitie of good conscience When they were condemned and the day appointed that they should suffer which was the xxvij of Iune they were carried to Stratford bowe and deuided in two partes into seuerall chambers Afterward the Shiriffe came to each part and told them that the other parte had recanted and should not therefore suffer death The subtiltie of the diuell counsailyng them to doo the like c. To whom they answered as their brethren had doone before that their faith was not builded on Man but on Christ and his sure worde So the Shiriffe séeing no hope to preuaile had them to the stake which they kissed and embraced very hartely The two womē were loose and not tied to any stake Two women stood loose at the stake and so they all gladly suffered for the gospels sake the extremitie of the fire In the company of those before said were thrée more condemned to die whose names were Thomas Freeman William Stannard William Adams These being in the hands of the secular power Cardinall Poole Cardinall Poole pardoneth certaine condemned for the gospell sent dispensation for their liues by meanes whereof they escaped The Sunday after the condemnation of the sixtéene aforesaid Fecknam Deane of Paules preached at the crosse that they had as many sundry opinions as they were persons wherevpon they set foorth a confession of their fayth and set to their handes After the burning of these in Stratford the same moneth died in the prison of the kings bench in Southwarke one Tho. Parret and was buried in the backeside the 27. day of Iune Also Martine Hunt as is reported in the same prison was famished the 20. day At which time likewise died in the same prison Iohn Norice and was buried on the backside After the death of the thrée aforesaid Roger Bernard Roger Bernard a labouring man dwelling in Fransden in Suffolke was
the time of Licinius till Iohn Wickliffe was bound vp Sathan bound vp til Wicliffe Constantine deferred baptisme till his old age because he determined a iourney into Persia and thought in Iordan to haue béene baptized He entered into the Empire Anno 311. and raigned 30. yéeres as Letus saith 32. lacking two moneths Constantine borne in England Helena daughter of king Coilus Constantines mother He was borne in Brytaine His mothers name was Helena daughter of king Coilus He greatly trauelled for the peace of Christians and before hée had conquered Licinius wrote to his subiects inhabiting the East in their fauour He set also peace among the Bishops in the Church who were at dissention and made prouision for ministers and teachers of the people and caused all to be restored vnto the Christians that had béene taken from them in the persecutions Constantine a father of the Church writing to Syluius his chiefe Captaine to that end and commaunded him that in Affrica where he had to doo and where Cecilianus was bishop that Clarkes and ministers should be freed from all manner publike duties burthens He was greatly studious in taking vp causes among the bishops and wrote to that end to diuers as to Miltiades bishop of Rome to Crescēs bishop of Siracusa to Cecilianus bishop of Carthage also to Eusebius for the edifying of new Churches And after he had gathered the Nicene Councell Nicene councell for the vnitie of the Church he writeth to Alexander and Arrius to the same entent He prescribed a certaine prayer for euery one of his souldiers in stead of a brief Catechisme caused them to learne the same Constantine teacheth his souldiers a prayer which is this Wée acknowledge thée onely to be our God we confesse thée onely to be our king we call vpon thée our onely helper by thée we obtaine our victories by thée we vanquish our enemies to thée we attribute whatsoeuer commodities we presently enioy and by thée we hope for good things to come vnto thée we direct all our suits and peticions most humbly beséeching thée to kéepe Constantine our Emperour and his noble children to continew in long life and to giue them victory ouer all their enimies through Christ our Lord. Amen He graunted great immunities to the ministers that they might appeale from the ciuil iudge to their bishop Appeale granted by Constantine whose sētence was of as great value in such cases as if the Emperour himselfe had pronounced it He prouided also maintenance for liberall artes and sciences for the professors Prouision for learning their wiues and children and gaue thē great immunities He wrote also to Eusebius the B. of Nicomedia to procure 50. volumes of parchment wel boūd and cause to be written out of the scripture therein in a legeable hand The scriptures written for the vse of the church such things as were profitable for the instruction of the Church and allowed him two ministers for the businesse Finally he was a father to the Church and enforced himselfe euery way to set forth the Gospel and euery good thing and endeuoured to suppresse the contrary Constantine baptised a little before his death He was baptised at Nicomedia of Eusebius Bishoppe of Nicomedia in the 31. yéere of his raigne a little before his death The end of the ten persecutions The rest of this history concerneth chiefly the affaires of the Church of England and Scotland The rest of this history concerneth chiefly England and Scotland England receiued the Gospel in Tyberius time GIldas affirmeth that Britain receiued the Gospel in the time of Tiberius the Emperor vnder whom Christ suffred and that Ioseph of Arimathea after the dispersiō of the Iews was sent of Philip the apostle out of France into Britain ann 63. And here remained al his time and laid the foundation of the Gospel Easter kept in England after the maner of the East church The Gospel came into Enland from the Cast and not from Rome In the time of Bede almost a thousand yeeres after Christ as he testifieth Easter was kept after the manner of the East Church in the full moone what day of the wéeke soeuer it fell and not on the sunday as we doe now Wherby it may appeare that the preaching of the Gospell came into this land from the East and not from Rome About the yéere 180. King Lucius sonne of Coilus king of Britains which now are called English men hearing of the miracles done by Christians in diuers places K. Lucius the first Christian K. of England Fugatius and Damianus at that time wrote to Eleutherius B. of Rome to receiue of him the Christian faith who sent him therevpon certain preachers Fugatius or by some Faganus and Damianus or Dimianus which conuerted first the king and the people of Britain and baptized them and subuerted the temples and monuments of idolatrie And the 28 Flamines they turned to bishops and thrée Achflamines to thrée Archbishops hauing their seates in thrée head cities London Yorke and Glamorgantia by Wales This king also sent to him for the Romane lawes to frame his people therafter who answered that the lawes of God was to be his direction for lawes and not the Romanes that might be reproued the other being without exception Thus was the Christian faith confirmed in this lande by the meanes of Eleutherius Eleutherius and therein it continued two hundred and sixtéene yeres till the comming of the Pagane Saxons King Lucius raigned 77. yeres and died without issue the yere of our Lord 201. the xiiij yere after his baptisme some say the iiij and some the tenth and was buried at Glocester By reason that the king died without issue the Lande was spoyled and the Romanes inuaded and became sometimes masters When they raigned Gentilisme was aduaunced and when the Britaines the Gospell Albeit no persecution touched the Britaines that is read of Almost all Christianitie destroyed in England before the last persecution of Dioclesian and Maximinianus Herculeus At which time all Christianitie was almost in the whole land destroyed Now the Britanes being greatly distressed and brought to miserie the Archbishop of London called Gnetelinus procured helpe out of lesse Britanie and brought ouer Constantinus the kings brother by whose meanes the state of Religion and Common-wealth was in some quiet all the time of Constantine and the Archbishop till Vortiger cruellie caused his Prince to be slaine and inuaded the Crown Gnetelinus Archb. of London And fearing the other two brethren of Constantine his Prince Aurelius and Vter in litle Britaine he caused aide to be sent for to the Saxons being then Infidels and married him selfe also with Rowen an Infidel the daughter of Hengist Which Hengist depriued him and his people and droue the Britaines out of their Countrey after that the Saxons had slaine of their Nobles two hundred thrée score and eleuen some say foure
no money for baptizing of infants 10. The L praier and Creed in the English tongue That they should both learn teach the Lords prayer and the Créede in the English tongue 11. That al should ioyne together after one vniforme order in their Ministerie 12. That with a modest voyce they should sing in the Church 13. That all Holidayes should be celebrated at one time 14. That the Sabboth day be reuerently obserued 15. That the seuen houres Canonicall be euery day obserued 16. That the Rogation dayes both greater and lesser should not be omitted 17. That the feast of Saint Gregorie and Saint Augustine our Patron should be obserued 18. That the Feast of the foure times shoulde be kept 19. That Monks and Nunnes should goe regularlie apparrelled 20. That Bishops should sée these Decrées not to be neglected 21. That the Churchmen should not geue themselues to drunkennes 22. That the communion shoulde not be neglected of the Churchmen 23. That the same also should be obserued of the Lay men as time required 24. That Lay men shoulde first be wel tried before they enter into Monkerie 25. That almes be not neglected 26 That Bishops should sée these decrées notified to the people 27 They disputed also of the profite of almesse 28 Of the profite of singing Psalmes 29 That the congregation should be constitute after the habilitie of their goods 30 That Monkes should not dwell among lay men 31 That the publike prayer should be made for Kings and Princes These decrées among them concluded Cutbert Cutbert the Archbishop sendeth the copie thereof to Boniface Boniface the Pope an Englishman otherwise called Winfride an English man that was then Archbishop of Mentz This Boniface wrote a letter to Ethelbald who was present at the former Synod Boniface a great maintainer of nunnes admonishing him of his vicious life of his Nobles wantonnes euen with the Nunnes of which order this Boniface was a great setter vp maintainer afterward This Ethelbald after the departing of K. Celulph to his monkery spoiled the country of Northumberland and exercised mortall warre a great while against Cudred of some called Cutbert K. of West-saxons who encountering with Ethelbald that had the greater power by means of a certaine warriour a Consull called Edellim ouerthrew him Notwithstanding the next yéere he renewed battell was slaine of one Beornered after he had raigned 41. yéeres in Mercia where Beornered raigned after in that dition but a small time For Offa nephew to the said Ethelbald expulsed Beornered and succéeded king in that prouince of Mercia after he had raigned 39. yéeres Boniface before mētioned Religious fathers permitted to carry Nunnes about with them a preaching permitted religious fathers to carry about nunnes with them a preaching founded many monasteries canonized many Saints Among other he founded the great monastery of Fulde in Germany of English monkes into the which no women might enter but Libda Tecla Libda Tecla two English nunnes He deposed Childericus king of Fraunce by authoritie from Pope Zacharie Childerike deposed by the Pope and Pipinus the betrayer of his Maister was confirmed From this Boniface procéeded that detestable doctrine that although the Pope led with him innumerable soules into Hell A detestable doctrine of Boniface yet ought no man to rebuke him In the time of this Archbishop Pope Gregory the second Great maisteries wrought against the Greeke Emp. by Popes Philippicus the Emp. lost both his eyes and Empyre also Gregory the third and pope Zacharie and before these Pope Constantine the first wrought great maisteries against the Gréeke Emperours Philippicus and Leo and others for the maintayning of Images to be set vp in the Churches of whom Philippicus lost both his eies and his Empire Leo for the same cause was excommunicated of Gregory the third This Gregory the third is like to be he which wrote the 4. bookes of Dialogs in Gréeke falsly bearing the name of Gregory the first which bookes afterward Zacharie his successor translated into Latine Also this Gregory the third brought into the Masse Canon The clause for reliques the memoriall and offerings for the dead the clause for Reliques beginning Quorum solemnitates hodie in conspectu c. Item he brought into the same the memoriall the offering and sacrifice for the dead Like as Zacharie brought in the Priests vesture and ornaments And Constantinus the first The Priests vesture was he that gaue his féete to be kissed of the Emperour Constantinus the first gaue his feete to be kissed of the Emperour In the time of Egbert king of Northumberland Sigibert or Sigbert raigned in the West Saxonie and was for his cruelty deposed and wandering in a wood alone without comfort was slaine by the Swineherd of the earle Combranus whome hée before had slaine for giuing him counsell to gouerne his people and himselfe after a better sort This Sigebert beyng slaine in his place succéeded Kenulphus Anno 748. who with the agréement of the West-saxons was one of the chéefe doers against Sigebert his master Kenulphus reigned 31. yéeres till hée resorted to a paramour of his whō he kept at Merton where he was beset and slaine by a kinsman of Sigebert named Clito or Cliton Moreouer in the raigne of the foresaid Egbert king of Northumberland and the eight yéere of Kenulphus king of West Saxons Offa after he had slaine the tyrant Beornredus who before had slaine Ethelwald king of Mercia vncle to this foresaid Offa reigned king of that prouince Offa had such displeasure against the citizens of Canterburie that he remoued the Arthbishops sea and the lands of Lambrith Archbish of Canterbury by the agréement of Pope Adrian vnto Lichfield Lambrith to Lichfield About the later time of the raigne of Offa king of Mercia Ethelbert king of Eastangels came to sue to marrye with Offas daughter but the Quéene suspecting worse matter without cause caused him to be beheaded hauing trained him into a conuenient place by one Gnimbertus the yeere 793. but the Quéene liued not thrée moneths after and at her death was so tormented that shée bit and rent her tongue asunder with her téeth The K. giueth the tenth of his goods to the Church And Offa vnderstanding of the innocencie of this king gaue the tenth part of his owne good to holye Churche and to the Church of Hereford in remembrance of this Ethelbert he bestowed great lands Moreouer hee builded the abbey of Saint Albones c and went after to Rome to doe penance where he gaue to the Church of Saint Peter a peny through euery house in his dominion which was commonly called Romescot or Peter-pence Romescot or Peter-pence and there at length was transformed from a King to a Monke Anno 794. with Kenredus king of Northumberland although some denie that hée was a Monke After Offa when he had reigned 39. yéeres succéeded
Oskitellus hauing his sea in the Cathedrall Church there of S. Peter after he had first assaied the Canons and priests by faire meanes to become monkes and not preuailing néere to the same Church of S. Peter in the Churchyard he builded another Church of our Lady which when he had replenished with monks there he continually frequented and so the people left the other Church naked Wherevpon the priests did eyther become monks or depart from the place So did Ethelwold driue out the Canons and priests from the new monasterie in Winchester afterward called Hida and placed his monks The cause was pretēded for that they were thought slacke and negligent in their Church seruice and set in Vicars in their stéed Then the K. gaue to the same Vicars the land which belonged before to the Prebendaries who also not long after shewed them selues as negligent as the other Wherefore king Edgar by the consent of Pope Iohn voyded cléerelie the Priestes and ordeyned there Monkes Which Monkes did greatly differ and doe at this day disagrée with the auncient Monkes of olde time that were Lay men onely The new mōks differ from the olde who were lay men and were forbidden by the Councell of Chalcedon in any sorte to deale with matters of the Church and were such as by the Tyranny of Persecution were either constrained to hide themselues in solitarie places or els of their owne voluntarie deuotion withdrewe themselues from company hauing nothing proper of their owne or all things common with other Afterward Bonifacius the fourth made a decrée Anno 606. that Monkes might vse the office of preachyng of baptizing and hearing confession and assoiling them of their sinnes and in processe of time they so incroched vpon the office of ministers that at length priestes were discharged out of their cathedrall Churches and Monkes placed in their roomes King Edgar a mainteiner of learning King Edgar was a great mainteiner of religion and learning To auoid excessiue drinking by the example of the Danes which dwelt in diuerse places of the realme he ordained certaine cups with pinnes or nailes set in them adding thereto a law that what person did drinke past that mark at one draught should forfeite a certaine pennie the halfe part whereof should fall to the accuser the other to the ruler of the towne where the offence was done He was a noble Prince wise and victorious but fauoured the monkish superstition ouermuch and is reported by some to haue builded so many monasteries for them as there are Sundaies in the yéere or as Edmer reporteth 48. 48. monasteries builded by K. Edgar Notwithstanding he was much giuen to adulterie and fornication and vsed among others Egelfleda or Elfleda called the white daughter of Duke Odorere of whom he begate Edward in bastardie for the which he was enioyned by Dunstan seuen yeres penance and kept back from his Coronation so long till the one and thirtie yere of his age anno 974 although he began his Raigne at sixtéene His penance appoynted by Dunstane The K. enioyned penance by Dunstan was that he should weare on his head no crowne for the space of seuen yeares that he should fast twise in the wéeke that he should distribute the tribute left him by his ancesters liberally vnto the poore that he should build a Monasterie of Nuns at Shaftsburie Moreouer he should expell Clarkes of euill life meaning such Priestes as had wiues and children out of Churches and places couents of Monkes c. He raigned sixtéene yeeres was crowned onely thrée yeeres He adopted to succéede him Edward that was borne of the harlot Among other lawes of this king he ordained that the Sunday should be solemnized from Saturday at nine of the clocke till Munday morning The Saboth to be solemnised from Saturday nine of the clocke till Munday morning By reason of the displacing of the Priestes before there arose a great contention after Edgars death one part standing with them so that they called also the crowne in question another part fauouring Edward Great strife betwixt priests and monkes the other Egfride the lawfull sonne in which sturre Dunstan Archbishop of Canterburie and Oswald of Yorke with diuerse other Bishops Dukes and Lordes assembled a Councell where Dunstan comming with his crosse in his hand and bringing Edward with him so perswaded the Lordes that Edward was receiued king whom Dunstan hoped would become a patron of Monkery and aduaunce that estate but it fell out contrary to his expectation For shortly after the coronation Duke Alferus of Mercia droue out the Monkes from the Cathedrall Churches and restored the Priestes with their wiues In the end vpon this controuersie was holden a Councell of Bishops and other of the Clergie first at Winchester where the greater part of nobles commons iudged the Priests to haue great wrong and sought by all meanes to redresse it anno 977. Yet notwithstanding the strife ceased not in so much that a new assembly of clergy men other was appointed afterward in a place called the stréete of Calue where the Councell was kept on an vpper loft where diuerse cōplaints were made against Dunstan but he preuailed notwithstanding Not long after about the fourth yéere he was slaine with a dagger drinking on horsebacke by the procurement of the mother of Egelred whom he came to visite his brother her sonne Egelred He was buried not beyng knowne who he was at the towne of Warham thrée yéeres after was taken vp by Duke Alfere and with honor was remooued to the Minster of Shaftsbury there bestowed in the place called Edwardstow This Edward they hold for a martyr and say that the Quéene in repentance of her fact builded after two nunneries one at Amesbury by Salisbury the other at Werewell where she kept her selfe in continuall repentance all the dayes of her life Him succéeded Egelredus his brother Pope Iohn the thirtinth of whom Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury receiued his pall is noted to be monstrously vitious A monsterous vitious pope he was an whoremaster adulterous incestuous libidinous a gamester an extorcioner periured a fighter a murtherer cruell and tyrannous of his Cardinals some he put out their eies from some he cut out their tounges some their fingers some their noses c. In a generall councell before Otho the first Emperour of the Germanes these obiections were articulate against him first that he neuer said his seruice that in saying his Masse he did not communicate that he ordained Deacons in a stable that hée committed incest with two of his sisters that playing at dice he called for the Diuell to help that for mony he made boies bishops that he defloured virgins and straungers that of the palace of Laterane he made a stewes that he lay with Stephana his fathers concubine likewise with Ramera and with Anna and her néece that he put out the eies of bishop Benedict that he caused houses to
and Peter Cantor a Parisian for him grounding himselfe vpon myracles which hée was reported to haue doone after his death 270. myracles done by Becket and his quarrell for the Churches sake his miracles are reported to haue béene 270. Of this Thomas the papistes sing this blasphemous Antheme or Collect in English thus A blasphemous Antheme For the blood of Thomas which he for thée did spend Graunt vs Christ to climbe where Thomas did ascend But as it appeareth by the testimony of Robert Crickladensis the Péeres and nobles of this land néere about the king gaue out in straight charge vpon paine of death None shoulde hold Becket a martyr or preach his miracle The kings penance confiscation of all their goods that no man should be so hardy as to name Thomas a martir or to preach of his miracles The king for this fact was vpon his oath inioyned this penance First that he should send so much to the holy land as should find 200. knights for the defence of the land also that from Christmas day next following he should in his owne person fight for the holy land except he were otherwise dispensed with 3. yéeres Also that he should fight against the Saracens in Spaine Item that he should not hinder any appellations made to the Pope of Rome Also that neither he nor his sonne should euer depart from the pope his successors Itē that the possessions of the church of Canterbury should bée fully restored that the outlawes for Beckets cause should be restored Also that his decrées stablished against the church should be void besides other fastings and alms c. It is mētioned also in stories of the said king that returning out of Normandy into England he came first to Canterbury and so soon as he had séene Beckets Church lighting of his horse putting off his shoes he went barefoote to his tombe Sharpe penāce whose steps were found bloody through the roughnes of the stones and not onely that but also receiued farther penance of euery monke in the cloyster certaine discipline of a rodde Ann. 1174. In which yere the minster of Canterbury was clean burnt and almost all the citie Canterbury burnt The yéere 1175 was in the Conuocation at Westminster the contention renewed about the obedience of York to Cant. Also about Lincolne Chichester Worcester Hereford whether those churches were vnder the sea of York Contention betwixt Yorke and Canterb. or not About those matters grew such contention betwixt the seas that appeale was made to the sea of Rome on the one partie and a Cardinall was sent downe to make peace betwixt them for 5. yeres til they should haue full determination of their cause and that the Archb. should abstaine from the claime to the church of S. Oswald at Glocester and molest the sea of Yorke no more therein In the yéere 1176. Richard Archb. of Canterbury made 3. archdeacons in his dioces where there was wont to bée but one About which time also it was graunted by the king to the popes legate that a Clearke shold not be called before a temporall iudge except for offence in the forrest or for his lay fée which he holdeth Item that no Archb. or Bishoprick should remaine in the kings hands No bishoprick remain longer then one yeere in the K. hand aboue one yéere without great cause The same yéere there was one at Canterbury to be elect abbot in the house of S. Austen named Albert who required the Archbishop to cōsecrate him in his owne Church which the Archb. refused requiring him to come to him rather The matter grew hot betwixt thē so that appellation was made to Alexander the pope who through pence tooke the Abbots part and inioyned the Archb. to satisfie Alberts request who picked out a time when the Abbot was about his houshold affaires absent from home not finding him departed pretēding the fault of the abbot in great disdain So the abbot disappointed filled his purse and went to Rome and had his consecration of the Pope himselfe Contention againe betwixt the Archbishops This yéere began again the contention betwixt the Archbishops for superiority at a councel at Westminster where Yorke took the right hand of the Cardinal the popes legate where about grew such a cōtention that words begate blowes and the Archb. of Canterburies part pulled York from his seat to the ground and al to teare his casule chimer and Rochet from his backe and put the legate in such feare From wordes to blowes that he ranne away The next day after Yorke appealeth to Rome This king though his dominions were greater then euer before him yet neuer put taske on his subiects nor vpon the spiritualtie any first fruits or appropriations of benefices yet his treasure after his death amounted to 900000. No taske nor first fruites pounds besides Iewels and furniture Anno 1181. The archbishop died and his goods came to the king which extended to 11000. pounds beside plate This king died after he had liued with estimatiō of great valure and wisedome in the gouernment 35. yéeres The king died Pope Alexander sat 21. yéeres or as Grisburgensis writeth 23. yéeres This pope among many other his acts had certaine Councels some in France and some at Rome in Laterane by whom it was decréed that no Archb. should receiue his pall except he should first sweare The forme of the words wherby the pope is wont to giue his pal are these To the honor of almighty God The forme of words in giuing the pall of blessed Mary the virgin and of blessed S. Peter and Paul and of our Lord pope N. and of the holy church of Rome and also of the Church of N. committed to our charge we giue to you the pall taken from from the body of S. Peter as a fulnes of the office pontificiall which you may weare within your owne church vpon certaine daies that bee expressed in the priuileges of the same church granted by the sea Apostolike The pope might weare the pall at all times Order of the pall and in all places at his pleasure It must be asked within 3. moneths without the which any might be displaced Also it must be buryed with him to whom it belonged The bishops make this oath to the Pope I M B. of N. from this houre hencefoorth will be faithfull The B. oath to the Pope and obedient to blessed S. Peter to the holy apostolike church of Rome and to my Lord N. the Pope I shall be in no Councell nor helpe either with any consent or déede where by either of them or any of them may be empaired or whereby they may be taken with any euill taking The Councell which they shal commit to me either by themselues messengers or by letters wittingly or willingly I shall vtter to none to their hinderance and damage To the mainteining of the
almost to Rome and after that Vmbria and Picena yet for Christian and publicke tranquillitie sake hée sendeth vnto him his Legates to entreate a peace declaring that hée would if no other conceyued grudge were then pretended make to him an accompt voluntarily of all things that hée had doone in his life The Emp. offereth to giue accompt of his things to the Pope and that hée would and was contented to submit himselfe vnto the Church and that for this cause hée willingly offered vnto him both dutie and obseruancie and sent him Princes and Dukes of the Empyre to entreate for this peace yet was the popes insolencie such that hée would not that yéere be brought to any agréement but the next yéere after with much adoe Peace betwixt the Emp. and the pope a peace was made and concluded betwixt them by the helpe and industrie of Leopaldus of Austria and Hermannus Captaine of the Duitch souldiers and the President of Messana The Pope then absoluing the Emperour of his excommunication tooke therefore of him an hundred and twentie thousand ounces of golde 120000. ounces of gold to the Pope for the Emperours absolution and promised him the titles both of the empire and also of his kingdomes yet kept he not promise with him for besides other breaches he neither restored the customs in the land of Sicil neither yet the city Castellana Yet notwithstanding Frederike for peace sake bare the iniury and studied by liberall giftes to make the Pope his trustie frend But no meanes would serue so that he moued Henrie the Emperors sonne in his absence to rebell against his father The P. moueth the Emp. sonne to rebel against his father besides other conspiracies procured against the Emperor who returning into Italie to punish those that had rebelled with his sonne The P. admonished those that were faultie to ioyne themselues together and to furnish their Townes and Cities with garisons to send for ayde to their frendes and to prouide weapons méete for war And furthermore sendeth his Ambassador to the Emp. to whō vnder pretence of peace he sendeth out commandemēt to interdict him and his land so soone as he came within the borders of Italie yet the Emperour marcheth forth into Italie notwithstanding the Popes forbidding and brought vnder the cities that rebelled as Mantua The Emp. preuaileth for all the Popes curse Verona Ternisium Patauium and others ouerthrew the Popes confederates whereat the pope being somewhat dismaid began to feare the Emperor and now goeth about to depriue him which hée vnderstanding sendeth foure Legates vnto him that might answere and refute the crimes layd against him With which Embassadours the Pope refuseth to speake and at a day appointed pronounceth the sentence of proscription against the Emperour The pope pronounceth the sentence of proscription against the Emperour depriuing him of all his dignities honours titles prerogatiues kingdomes and the whole empire and and sollicited against him Tewepolus the Venetian who yet stood fast and faithfull to the Emperour Yet certaine princes of Germanie by the Popes meanes reuolted from the Emperour as Otho the Gouernour of Rhemes and Duke Boiora who also caused thrée other Princes and Dukes Reuolt from the Emperour to the Pope to reuolt from the Emperour to the Pope as Vuenceslaus and Belus Princes of che Hungarians and Henrie Duke of Polonia to whom also came Fredericus Austriacus his sonne These gathering a Councell when they had thought to haue translated the empire vnto the kings sonne of Denmarke desired to haue the Popes Legates to be sent from him to the effect of that election These newes being brought to the Emperor at Patauium hee purgeth himselfe of the crimes to the Christian Princes and denounceth a solemne Councell of all the princes and other Nobilitie of the Empire at Aegera to whom resorted diuers States The Church spoiled to maintaine the popes warres and Nobles The pope on the other side soliciting against the Emperor all that hee might so that some had tithes geuen them to fight against the Emperor other Glebe-lands and benefices other the spoyle of such Colledges and Monasteries as tooke not part with the Pope And to some other were geuen Colledges and Monasteries themselues yea there were certaine of the popes owne birdes that had their ecclesiasticall tithes taken from them and other some had the rentes and reuenewes of their Colleges pluckt away by force The Emp. preuaileth to the maintenaunce of the popes quarrell against the Emperour But the Emperour preuayled and came to Viterbium which draue the Pope into a feare least he would also come to Rome wherefore he caused a supplicatiō to be drawne pourtraying about the same the heads of Peter and Paule Euerlasting life promised to such as wold fight against the Emperor and with a sharpe and cōtumelious Oration he much defaced the Emperour promising them euerlasting life and giuing the badge of the crosse to as many as would arme themselues and fight against the Emperour as against the most wicked enemy of God and his church yet the Emperour by Gods blessing preuailed and subdued the popes confederates Now while this stir was betwixt the Emperour and the pope Ochodarius the Emperour of the Tartarians sonne with a great power inuaded the borders next adioyning vnto him there wan Ropolanum Rodolium Mūdanum with diuerse other cities townes killing man woman child and destroyed all Hungarie made great spoile in both the Pannonias Mesiarum Bulgaria Seruia When Belus the king of Hungarie had gotten to Pola a citie of Histria vnto Otho duke of Dalmatia hée sent his Legates to Fredericke the Emperour promising if that he would send him aid to expell the Tartars Hungarie should euer after bée vnder the iurisdiction of the Empire The Emperour was in respect of the common cause of Christians The pope hindereth the defence of christendome very willing to satisfie his request but the pope with his confederats hindered the same as he signified to the king of Hungarie by his letters Notwithstanding he sent Conradus Caesar king of Bohemia and other Princes more of Germanie to withstand the enemy as much as lay in them to doo But the great armie and number of souldiers that ware the crosse by the Popes assignement differed their iourney agaynst the Tartarians and had commaundement giuen them by Albertus the Popes procurator to abide at home till they should be called for in battle to fight against the Emperour and notwithstanding this spoile and hauocke of Polonia Bohemia and Hungaria by the Tartarians it was determined that at Libussa the Princes confederate should be assembled about the deposing of the Emperour and creating an other the league with him and the French king by the popes means The Emp. wasteth about Rome either was vtterly infringed or else in variable suspence Wherefore Fredericke now seing no other remedie prosecuteth his warre to
Towneshippe was condemned in sixe score thousand pound The Towne of Bury fined at 120000. poūd to be paide for damages of the house Iohn Berton Alderman with two and thirtie Priestes thirtéene women and one hundreth thirtie and eight others of the same Towne were outlawed of whom certaine confederated priuilie in the night burst to the Abbot of Chemington The Abbat of Cheuington and tooke him and secretelie conueyed him ouer Sea to Dist in Brabant where they kept him in great penurie and miserie till at length being knowen where he was hee was brought home with procession and restored to his house againe Nich. Trimet Flor. hist After Edward the 2. succéeded his sonne Edward 3. K. Edward 3. about the age of 15. and raigned 50. yéeres An. 1344. The clergy of England graunted to the king a tenth for thrée yéeres for the which the king againe in recompence graunted vnto them his charter A charter from the king to the clergy contayning these priuiledges That no Archbishop or Bishop should be arraigned before his iustices Siue ad sectam suam siue partis If the said clarke doo submit and claime his clergie professing himselfe to be a member of the holy Church who so doing shall not bée bound to come to his answere before the Iustices and if it shall be layd vnto them to haue married two wiues or to haue married a widow the Iustices shall haue no power to procéede against them to inquire for the matter so that the cause shall bée reserued to the spirituall court c. About this age as before God raysed vp learned men who layd open the abuses of the Church as Gregorius Arminensis Gregorius Arminensis according to Trithemius who dissented from the Papistes and Sophisters as wée doo in doctrine of Fréewill counting the Papistes and Sophisters in that point worse then the Pelagians Taulerus Taulerus a preacher of Germany in Argentine taught anno 1350. against mens merites and inuocation of Saints and was an enemy to all superstition to whom may be added Franciscus Petrarcha Franciscus Petrarcha of the same age who calleth Rome the whore of Babilon the mother of errour the Temple of Heresie c. and higher in the yéere one thousand thrée hundred and fortie Iohannes de rupe Scissa Iohannes de rupe Scissa was cast in pryson for rebuking the Spiritualtie of their great enormities hée called the Church of Rome the whore of Babylon Rome the whore of Babilon and the Pope the minister of Antichrist and the Cardinals false Prophetes beyng in pryson hée wrote a booke of prophestes touching the affliction that honge ouer the heades of the Spiritualtie calling his Booke Vade mecum in tribulatione Vade mecum in tribulatione About the yéere 1340. in the citie of Herbipone was one named Maister Conradus Hager M. Conradus Hager who is recorded to haue maintained and taught the space of foure and twentie yéeres the Masse to be no manner of Sacrifice for which his doctrine hée was taken and inclosed in pryson Not long after this about the yéere 1350. Gerhardus Rhiddor Gerhardus Rhiddor wrot against the Monkes and Friers a booke intituled Lachrima Ecclesiae Lachryma Ecclesiae About the yéere 1322. liued Michaell Cesenas Michael Cefenas principall of the Grayfriers and Petrus de Corbana of whom writeth Antonius in quarta parte summae and saith they were condemned in the extrauagant of Pope Iohn with one Iohannes de Poliaco Iohannes de Poliaco Their opinions were that Peter was no more the head of the Church then the other Apostles that the Pope hath no authoritie to depose Emperours that Priests are equall in authoritie Michaell wrote against the pryde tyrannie and primacie of the Pope accusing him to be Antichrist and the Church of Rome the whore of Babylon drunken with the bloud of Saints Rome Babylon drunken with the blood of the Saints c. For this cause hée was depriued of his dignitie and condemned of the Pope hée left behind him many followers of whom a great parte were slayne by the pope some were burned as Iohannes de Castilion Iohannes de Castilion and Franciscus de Alcatara Franciscus de Alcatara In extrauag Iohannis 23. With the foresaid Michaell was also condemned Iohannes de Poliaco whose assertions were that euery Pastor in his owne Church ought to suffice to heare confession that pastors and bishops had their authoritie immediatly from Christ and his Apostles and not from the Pope c. After Simon Mepham Archbishop of Canterburie who liued not long succéeded Iohn Stretford after whome came Iohn Offord and liued but ten moneths in whose roome succéeded Thomas and raigned but one yéere Anno 1350. and after him succéeded Simō Iselip Simon Iselip which was made by Pope Clement 6. who sat seuentéene yéeres and builded Canterbury Colledge in Oxforde Canterbury Colledge in Oxford which Simon Iselip succéeded the Bishoppe of Ely named Simon Langham who within two yéeres was made Cardinall In whose steade Pope Vrban the 5. ordeyned William Witlesey Bishop of Worcester to be archbishop of Canterbury ann 1366. In which yéere William Bishoppe of Winchester The new Colledge in Oxford founded the new Colledge in Oxford In the order of Popes next vnto Clement the sixt ann 1353. succéeded pope Innocent the sixt In the first yéere of which Pope two Friers Minors or Franciscans P. Innocent 6. were put to death at Auinion for certaine opinions that séemed to the Pope and his Cardinals erroneous whose names were one Iohannes Rochetailada or Hayabalus who béeyng a Frier minorite beganne first in time of Pope Clement the sixt Anno 1345. to preach that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon Rome the whore of Babylon and the Pope with his Cardinalles to be very Antichrist c. In the meane time of his accusation it happened that a certaine priest comming before the Pope cast the Popes bull downe before his féete saying Loe heere take the Bull vnto you for it doeth me no good at all I haue laboured nowe these thrée yéeres with it and yet cannot get my right The pope hearing this caused the poore Priest to bée scourged and imprisoned with the Frier Of Fryer Rachetailada Froyssard maketh mention in his first volume chap. 211. and sayth that Pope Innocent the sixt helde him in prison in the Castle of Baignour for shewing that manie thinges shoulde fall on the Prelates of the Churche for greate superfluitie and pride then vsed amongest them About the same time happened a contention betwéene the Frenche Prelates and the Friers of Paris Contention betwixt the French prelates and the Friers because they preached and hearde Confessions and after much adoo in fine the matter comming vnto open disputation it was concluded by maister Giles one of the Augustine Friers that after his iudgement the Prelates were more on the
Popes letters 18. hereticall opinions against Wickliffe that were held for erroneous were about 18. as first none hath power but Christ to ordaine that Peter and all his ofspring should politikely rule ouer the world for euer 2. God cannot giue to any man for him and his heires any ciuill dominion for euer All writings of men as touching perpetuall inheritance are impossible 4. Euery man being in grace iustifying hath right ouer all the good thinges of God 5. A man cannot but onely ministratoriously giue any temporall or continuall gift either to his naturall sonne or to his sonne by adoption 6. The temporall Lordes may lawfully take away the riches from the church when they do offend habitualiter 7. The Pope cannot any way make able or disable any man 8. A man cannot take hurt by excommunication except he be principally excommunicate by him selfe 6 No man ought but in Gods cause to procéed to any ecclesiastical censure 10. An excommunication doth onely binde when it is against the aduersary of Gods law 11. Ther is no power giuen to excommunicate any subiect for denying any temporalites 12. The Disciples of Christ haue no power to exact by any ciuill authoritie temporalities by censures 13. It is not possible by reason of the absolute power of God that any can bind or lose the people or whatsoeuer christian he be 14. The vicar of Christ doth onely binde and loose when he worketh conformably by the ordinaunce of Christ 15. any priest duly ordained hath power to minister the sacramentes and consequently absolue any man confessing his faultes being penitent for the same 16. Agréeth with the 6. 17. Whosoeuer haue endued any church with temporalities it is lawful for them to take them away by way of medicine for to auoide sinne notwithstanding any excommunication c. For as much as they are not giuen but vnder a condition 18. The Bishoppe of Rome or any Ecclesiasticall minister may lawfully bée rebuked of his subiects and for the profite of the Church bée accused eyther of the Cleargy or of the Laitie These letters made the Bishops maruellous bolde and bragge but God by a small occasion did lightly ouerthrow their deuises for the day of examination being come a certaine personage of the Princes Court of no great noble byrth named Lewis Clifford entring in among the Bishoppes commanded them that they should not procéede in any definitiue sentence against Iohn Wickliffe By which wordes they were amazed and durst not procéede and thus escaped Wickliffe the second time Wickliffe escapeth the second time and was by them cléerely dismissed with a certaine declaration made of his articles and protestation that hée woulde while hée liued mainteyne the lawe of Christ and if through ignoraunce c. Iohn Wickliffe was greately supported by the Londoners Wickliffe greatly supported by the Londoners by whose meanes hée escaped the handes of the Bishoppes the second time and procéeded publishing and preaching the trueth whom also it greatly helped because in the same yéere or the next following Gregorie the Pope dyed Pope Gregory dieth After whom ensued such schisme betwixt two Popes that it continued in the Church nine and thirty yéeres till the time of the councell of Constance A schisme betwixt 2. Popes 39. yeere the occasion of which schisme was through the pride of Vrban the sixt From whome about the same cause of his Cardinalles the most part and other Princes shronke and set vp another French Pope against him named Clement Clement who raigned eleuen yéeres and after him Benedictus 13. Benedict 13 that raigned sixe and twentie yéeres Again of the contrary side after Vrbanus 6. succéeded Boniface 9. Innocentius 8. Gregorius 12. Boniface 9. Innocent 8. Gregory 12. Alexander 5. Iohn 13. in this order Vrban 6. eleuen yéeres and eight moneths Boniface 9.14 yéeres 9. moneths Popes and Antipopes Antipopes Clement 11. yéers Benedictus the 13. 26. yéeres Pope Innocentius the 8. two yéeres Gregorius the 12. two yéeres 7. moneths Alexander 5. 11. moneths Iohannes 13. fiue yeres tenne moneths In which miserable schisme fell out many horrible tragedies as sheding of bloud imprisonment of priests Crueltie among the clergie during the Schisme murthering of Otho Duke of Brunswike Prince of Tarentū Ioan Quéene of Ierusalem and Sicilia his wife strangled in prison racking of Cardinals on gibets to death the beheading of fiue Cardinals together after long torments the slaughter of fiftie thousand slaine in battaile on both sides with a number of other cruelties practised among them which Theodorick Niem who was present at P. Vrbanus death doeth most largely discourse About thrée yeres after there fell a dissention betwéene the nobilitie and commons of the land in which tumult the rude people tooke and beheaded Simon Sudburie S. Sudburie beheaded by the rude people Archb. of Canterburie In whose place succéeded William Courtney who was very diligent in rooting out Heretikes notwithstanding in the meane season Wickliffes parte increased priuilie and dayly grew to great force vntill the time that William Barton Vicechancellor of the Vniuersitie of Oxford about the yere 1380. had the whole rule of that Vniuersitie who calling together eight Monastical Doctors with foure other and the rest of his affinitie W. Barton Vicechanceler of Oxford enemie to Wickliff putting the common seale of the Vniuersitie to a certaine writing set foorth an Edict declaring vnto euery man and threatning them vnder gréeuous penalty that no man should be so hardie hereafter as to associate themselues with any of Wickliffes sauourers and vnto Wickliffe himselfe he threateneth the greatest excommunication and further imprisonment and to all his fautors vnlesse that they after thrée dayes canonicall admonition did repent and amend Which thing when Wickliffe vnderstoode forsaking the Pope and all his Cleargie he thought to appeale vnto the Kinges Maiestie But the Duke of Lancaster forbad him that and counselled him to submitte himself to the censure and iudgement of his Ordinarie whereto he granted and made such qualifying of his assertions that he did mitigate the rigour of his enemies Wickliffe mittigateth his enemies The next yeare after 1382. by the commaundement of William Archb. of Canterbury there was a cōuocation holden at London where Iohn Wickliffe was commaunded to be present but whether he appeared personally or not it is not in stories certainly recorded In which councell Wickliffes articles were some of them condemned for heretical and other for erronious The articles condemned for hereticall are these Articles of Wickl condemned 1 There is no transubstantiation after the wordes of conconsecration 2. The accidentes remaine not without the substaunce after the wordes 3. Christ is not corporally present in the Sacrament 4. If a B. or Priest be in deadly sinne he can not order consecrate or baptize which article seemeth to be falsly taken 5 A man truly penitent needeth not outwardly to be confessed 6. Christ did not
but hée giueth full remission of all manner of sinnes whatsoeuer to all them that would bestow any thing to the Monastery of S. Bartholmew by Smithfield resorting to the said Church any of these daies following On maundy thursday goodfriday the feast of the Annunciation from the first ensuing to the latter But within the same yéere hée died and after him succéeded Iohn 23. Pope Iohn 23. In the time of Alexander great trouble grew in Bohemia by reason of the bookes of Iohn Wickliffe which were embraced of diuerse but specially of Iohn Husse Iohn Husse by whose means the people began to grow to great knowledge wherof complaint was made to Alexander 5. that caused by by Iohn Husse to be cited vp to Rome when he came not directed his letters to the archb Swinco charging him to forbid that way condemne such as he should apprehend for heretikes except they would recant Against which Bull Husse obiected many things shewed how it stood against the word of God An appeale to the same better aduised and therefore saith he from this mandate of pope Alexander I doo appeale to the said Alexander being better aduised And so as he was prosecuting his appeale immediatly Alexander died Then Swinco when he saw that Iohn Husse contemned the bull and had no hope in Vinceslaus the king of redresse he wēt to complaine to Sigismund king of Hungary and brother to Vinceslaus with whom after hée had spoken immediatly he died for sorrow By reason of whose death the Gospell tooke roote among the Bohemians Pope Iohn 23. bendeth all his power against the Bohemiās which held not long for Iohn the 23. bent all his might against the Bohemians About the yéere 1412. Thomas Arūdell brought into England the tolling of Auies in honor of our lady with certaine Auies to bee saide The tolling o Auies and daies of pardon to bee giuen for the same and for the ratifying hereof he directeth his mandate to the B. of London He graunted to euery one that shoulde say the Lords praier and salutation of the Angel fiue times at the morning peale with a deuout mind totiens quotiens 40. daies of pardon for saying Auies how oft soeuer 40. daies of pardon This Archb. was so proud that because the bels of London did not ring at his comming to the citie Bels steeple organs suspended by a proud Bishop he suspended both belles stéeple and organs til the ministers of such churches might attaine to the benefite of grace and mercie For this cause of ringing belles debate also fel betwéene the B. of Worcester and Pryor of the towne insomuch that the Archb. was saine to take vp the matter betwixt them such was the pompe and pride of Prelates in those daies Not vnlike was the dealing of William Courtney Predecessour to Arundell who because certaine poore men did not bring litter for his horse in cartes but in sackes did call and cite them before him sitting in his tribunal seate Pro littera A contention pro littera for litter that is for litter after his owne Latine and after their submission enioyned them penance that they going leisurely before procession Penance for bringing litter in sacks not in Carts euery one of them should carry openly his sacke or bagge stuffed with hay and straw so that the hay and straw might appeare hanging out of the mouths of the sacks being open the names of the poore men were Hugh Pennie Iohn Forestall Iohn Boy Iohn Wanderton William Hayward and Iohn White tenaunts to the Lorde of Wingham In this kings time diuers actes were established against the authoritie of the Pope and excesse of his Cleargy In the first yéere it was obiected against Richard 2. that he procured letters Apostolicall from the Pope to confirme certaine statutes of his which seemed to the Parlement to tend to the disgrace of the crowne and dignity and against the liberties of the land In the 2. yéere it was required in the Parlement that all such persons as should be arrested by force of the statute made against the Lollards in the 2. yeere of king Henry the the fourth may bée bayled and fréely make their purgation In the eight yéere it was propounded that none shoulde sue to the Church of Rome for anie Benefice collation or presentation of the same vnder paine of the statute of Prouisoes made in the 13. yéere of Richard the 2. whereunto the king graunted Item in the same parlement it was put vp in petition that the King might enioy halfe of the profites of anye Parsons benefice not resident thereon wherevnto the king answered that Ordinaries shoulde doe their dueties therein or els he woulde prouide further remedy or staye their pluralities The 9. yéere of the kings raigne the commons required the king that none presented be receiued by any ordinarie to haue any benefice of any incumbent for any cause of priuation or inhabitation wherof the processe is not foūded vpon Citation made within the realme and also that such incumbents may remaine in all their benefices vntil it be proued by due inquest in the court of the K that the citations whervpon such priuations inhabitations are granted were made within the realme if such ordinaries do or haue presented or others doe present to the contrary that thē they and their procurators c. incurre the pain conteined in the statute made against prouisoes ann 13. Richard 2. Also that no Popes collectour shoulde from thenceforth leuie any money within the realme for first fruits of any ecclesiastical dignitie vnder paine of incurring the statute of prouisoes A bill in Parlement to take the temporalties from the Cleargy Besides in the same parlement the commons of the land put vp a bill vnto the king to take the temporalties out of the spiritual mens hand The effect of the bill was that the temporalties disorderly wasted by men of the Church might suffice to finde the king fiftéene Earles fiftéene hundred knights sixe thousand two hundred Squires and an hundred houses of almes more then were in those dayes in the land And ouer all these charges the K. might put yerelie in his Cofers 20000. l. Prouided that euery Earle should haue of yerelie rent 3000. markes euery knight 100 markes and foure Plow land euery Squire 40. markes by the yere with two plow land and euery almes house with ouersight of two true Seculars to euerie house and also with prouision that euerie Township should kéepe al poore people Towne-dwellers which might not labor for their liuing with condition that if mo fell in a towne than it was able to mainteine the said almes houses to reléeue such townes And to beare these charges they alledged by their bill that the Temporalties being in the possession of Spiritual men amounted to thrée hundred and two and twentie thousande markes by the yere whereof they affirmed to be in the sea
contrary wil mainteyn defend the law of our Lord Iesu Christ and the deuout hūble and constant preachers thereof euen to the shedding of our blood dated at Sternberg ann 1415. c. Round about the same letters were 54 seales hāging and the names of them whose seales they were 54. seales to the letter subscribed An. 1414. by Henry Chichley Archb. of Cāterbury much was the affliction and trouble of good men here in England which cruelty Iohn Claydon Iohn Claydon currier of London Richard Turming Rich. Turming first tasted of The 17. day of August an 1415. Iohn Claydon did personally appeare arrested by the mayor of London for suspition of heresie before Henry Chichley Archbishop of Canterbury in Paules Church who being demaunded Constancy denied it not but frankly confessed that for 20. yéeres space he had bin suspected therof for which also he had suffered 2. yéeres imprisonment at Conuey thrée yéeres in the Fléete out of which prison he in the raigne of king Henrie the fourth was brought before L. Iohn Scarle then Chancelour to the king and there did abiure all heresie and errour And being demanded of the Archbishop confessed that since his abiuration he had in his house written English bookes of religion and had frequented the company of diuers godly mē Which confession being made the Archb. did command the bookes to be deliuered to maister Robert Gilbert Doctor of diuinity William Lindwood Doct. of both lawes and other Clearkes to bee examined And in the meane time Dauid Beare Alexander Phillip and Balthasar Mero were taken for witnesses against him and were committed to bee examined to maister Iohn Escourt general examiner of Cāterbury This done the Archb. continued his session til munday next in the same place which was the 20. day of the same moneth and maister Escourt publikely exhibited the witnesses which being read there were after that read diuers tractations found in his house out of which especially out of a booke called the Lantern of light The Lanterne of light that Claidon at his owne costs caused to be written by one called Ioh. Grime being examined diuers points were gathered and noted for heresie Articles First that the Pope was Antichrist and the enimy that sowed tares among the lawes of Christ That the Archbishops and Bishops speaking indifferently are the seats of the Beast Antichrist That the Bishoppes license for a man to preach the worde of God is the Character of the Beast That the Court of Rome is the head of Antichrist and the Bishoppes the bodie That no reprobate is a member of the Church That Christ did neuer plant priuate religions That the materiall Churche shoulde not bée decked with golde The causes of persecution That Priestes vnlawfully kéeping temporall goodes and vnsatiable begging of Friers were the twoo chiefe causes of the persecution of Christians That almes were to be giuen to the honour of GOD onely of goodes iustly gotten to bée giuen to one that is in charitie and to those that haue néede That often singing in the Church is not founded on the scripture That bread and wine remaine in the Sacrament That all Ecclesiasticall suffrages doe profite all godly persons indifferently That the Popes Indulgences bee vnprofitable That the Laytie is not bound to obey the prelates in what so euer they command except the prelates doe watch to geue God a iust accompt of their soules That Images are not to bée sought to by pilgrimages For these articles the archb with the rest did condemne and burne I. Claydons bookes and procéeded to a definitiue sentence of condemnation against him and shortly after hée was had to Smithfield where méekly he was made a burnt offering vnto the Lord an 1415. R. Fabian addeth that Richard Turning Baker was the same time also burned in Smithfield The next yere 1416. the archb of Canterburie in his Conuocation holden at London maketh sharper constitutitions then were before Sharper constitutions then before against the Lollards During the time of which Conuocation two priestes noted for Heretikes were brought before the Bishops the one Iohn Barton and the other Robert Chappel Iohn Barton Robert Chappell Barton because he had béene excommunicated and so stoode 6. or 7. yeres before vpon articles of religion yet sought no reconciliation which being proued against him he was committed to Philip B. of Lincoln to be kept in prison til otherwise it were determined R. Chappel otherwise Holbech sometime chaplen to the L. Cobham because he being vnder excōmunication 3. or 4. yeres did yet in contēpt of the keyes continue saying masse preaching sought no reconciliation So the session brake vp for the time which was about the end of May 1416. The 12. of Iulie next following Chappel submitteth Chappel appeared againe and submitting himselfe with much a doe receiued pardon and was in stead of penance enioyned certayne articles to publish at Paules Crosse As Articles enioyned Chappel that Prelates might lawfullie holde Temporall Lawes That it were vniust and vnlawfull for temporall men vpon any occasion to take away the Prelates temporalties notwithstanding the abuses of them That peregrinations are auaileable to the remission of sinnes That to worship Images doth profite Christians That auricular confession is necessarie That though a priest be in mortall sinne yet may he make the body of Christ That Priestes ought not to preach without the Bishoppes licence That priuate religions are profitable to the vniuersall Church That hee woulde promise and sweare neuer to holde any thing against the premisses Diuers caused to abiure After the setting out of the constitutions of H. Chichesly Archb. of Canterburie diuers godly men were sore vexed and caused outwardly to abiure as Iohn Tayler of the parish of S. Maries at Querne William Iames Master of art and Phisitian who had long time remayned in prison also Iohn Duerfer Iohn Gourdeley of Lincolnshire wel commended for his learning Katherin Dertford a Spinster the Parson of Hyggley in Lincolnshire named M. Robert William Henrie of Tenderden Iohn Gall a Priest of London Richard Monke Vicar of Chesham in Lincolnshire with other mo Collection for the P. to war against the Bohemians During the time of the Conuocation prouinciall Pope Martin had sent down to the cleargie of England for a subsidie to be gathered of the Church to mainteine the Popes warre against the Lollards of Bohemia Also another subsidie was demanded to persecute William Clarke master of arte in Oxford who sayling out of England was at the councell of Basill disputing on the Bohemians side and thirdly another subsidie was also required W. Clarke W. Russel to persecute William Russel which was Wardē of the Gray Friers in London who the same time was fledde and there escaped out of prison Among the rest which were at this time troubled for their faith was Radulph Mungin R Mungin priest against whom it was articulated at
vpon Vigill dayes Who after their purgation made escaped more easilie away Whose names followe here subscribed Robert Skirring of Harlestone William Skirring Iohn Terry of Ersham Iohn Aibre of Ersham Iohn Middleton of Haluergate Iohn Warde of Ersham Richard Clark of Sething Thomas VVhite of Bedingham Master Robert Beert of Berrie and Richard Page of Clepslie The other were more cruellie handled and some of them burned among whome speciall mention is made of these 3. Father Abraham Father Abraham William White priest I. Wad priest burned of Colchester VVilliam VVhite Priest and Iohn VVaddon Priest The residue abiured and suffered penance as Iohn Beuerley I. VVardon Io. Middleton Iohn Baker I. Knight Margerie Baxter Iohn Skillie Iohn Godhold Tomas Albeck Iohn Pierce Nicholas Canon of Ey Thomas Pie Iohn Mendham Io. Middleton Thomas Chatris Thomas VVade VVilliam Taylour Iohn Capper Vicar of Tunstall with thrée score and two other The articles which they held were these Against auricular confession That there remayneth bread and wine after the wordes of consecration and that no priest can make the bodie of Christ That euery true Christian is a Priest to God Articles That no man is bound to Lent or any dayes prohibited by the Church of Rome That the pope is Antichrist That necessitie vrging it is lawfull to doe bodilie labour on holie-daies That Priestes may marrie That Ecclesiasticall censures of the Prelates are not to be regarded Against swearing in priuate causes Against Pilgrimage Against honouring of Images Against holy water That the death of Becket was neither holy nor meritorious That Relikes ought not to be worshipped That prayers in all places are acceptable vnto God That no Saint is to bée prayed vnto That Bel-ringing was ordeyned to fill Priestes purses That it is no sinne to withstand the Ecclesiasticall processes That the Catholike Church is only the congregation of Gods elect In these articles they all agréed and it séemeth Williā White scholler to Wickliffe they had the doctrine from William White who was scholer and follower of Iohn Wickliffe This William White gaue ouer his priesthood benefice and tooke vnto him a godly woman to his wife named Ione yet ceassed not he from his dutie of teaching but preached continually wrote and instructed the people at Canterbury Before time he had recanted these points That men should séeke for the forgiuenes of sinnes onely at Gods hands That the wicked liuing of the pope and his holy ones is a diuelish and heauy yooke of Antichrist That men ought not to worship images nor holy men after they be dead That the Romish church is the fig trée which Christ accursed That such as weare coules or be annointed or shorne are the launceknights of Lucifer c. Which articles he abiured An. 1424. before Henry Chichesly at Canterb. but now being stronger in the truth endured to the end was condemned of 30. White burned in Norwich articles was burned at Norwich in the moneth of September 1428. hauing labored diligently before in teaching the people of Norfolke He was a man very godly deuout in somuch that all the people had him in great reuerence were woont to desire him to pray for them When he was come vnto the stake thinking to open his mouth to speake vnto the people to exhort and cōfirme them in the truth one of the Bishops seruāts stroke him on the mouth Crueltie thereby to force him to kéepe silence and so there patiently he ended his course being made a witnes of Christ Iesus His wife Ione followed her husbands footesteps and confirmed many in the truth and therefore suffered much trouble punishment at the Bishops handes the same yéere About the same time also suffered by burning father Abraham of Colchester and Iohn Waddon priest for the like articles Iohn Beuerly alias Batild was enioyned that the Friday and Saturday next after his dismission he should fast bread and water and vppon the Saturday to be whipped from the Palace of Norwich goyng round about by the Tomlands and by S. Michaels Church by Cottell Row and about the market hauing in his hand a waxe candle of two pence to offer to the Image of the Trinitie after hée had doone his penance c. and this doone hée should depart out of the Dioces and neuer come there any more Besides the same yéere diuerse did penaunce and abiured and the yéere following 1429. diuerse did the like penance to the number of 16. or 17. An. 1430. R. Houedon Rich. Houedō a woolwinder citizen of Lōdon was burnt at the Towrehill for the doctrine of Wickliffe Anno 1431. Thomas Bagley Thom. Bagley a Priest vicar of Monenden beside Malden beyng a valiant disciple of Wickliffe was condemned of Heresie by the Bishops at London about the midst of Lent was disgraded and burned in Smithfield The same yéere also Paule Craw Paule Crawe a Bohemian was takē at S. Andrewes by the Bishop Henry deliuered ouer to the secular power to be burnt for holding against the faith of Rome touching the sacrament of the Lords supper worshipping of Saints auricular confession with other of Wickliffes opinions Tho. Rhedon at Rome An. 1436. Th. Rhedon a Frenchman and a Carmelite frier was burned at Rome for these articles which notwithstanding they gathered falsly against him That the church lacketh reformation and that it shall be punished and reformed Articles That Infidels Iewes Turkes and Mores shall be cōuerted vnto Christ in the later daies That abominations are vsed at Rome That the vniust excommunication of the Pope is not to be feared Eugenius at this time was Pope Eugenius Pope and succéeded Pope Martin a litle before After sundry torments he was condemned for an heretike and was burned He was accused by William of Roan cardinall of S. Martins in the mount vicechancellor of the court of Rome About the same time Persecution about Germany diuers other suffered in the places about Germany as Henry Grunfelder priest of Ratispone ann 1420. Henry Rodgeber priest in the same citie anno 1423. Ioh. Draendorf a priest of noble birth at Wormes ann 1424. Peter Thraw at Spire ann 1426. Mathew Hager also suffered at Berline in Germany not long after Ex Basilei Centur. sept After the death of pope Martine who reigned 14. yéeres succéeded Eugenius the fourth about the yeere 1431. He began first to celebrate the Councel at Basill Eugenius beginneth the Councel at Basill which Councel Martine had before intended In the 39. session of the councel of Constance it was decréed prouided Order for the times of general councels concerning the orders and times of such general councels as shold after folow The first that shold next ensue to be kept the 5. yere after the councel of Cōstance The 2. 7. yeres after that so orderly al other to folow successiuely frō x. yere to x. yere Wherfore according to this
and were contented onely with their yerely pension which the K. payeth to euery page of the Heluetians to kéep peace The day and yere when this reformation began with them they caused to be engrauen in a piller with letters of golde A monument of their reformation 1528 for a perpetuall memorie to all posteritie to come This was an 1528. By these examples the ministers of Strausburgh began also to affirme and teach that the masse was naught The P. clergie laboured on the contrary part The Senat would haue brought it to a disputation but the Priests would agrée to no reasoning wherevpon the magistrates commaunded them silence The Bishop desired the Senate to perseuer in their old religiō but not preuailing they did sollicite the assembly of the Empire at Spires who sent a solemne Embassade to Strausborough requiring them to alter nothing but to refer all things to a generall Councell In like manner the Bishop of Heldessem hauing béene with them a litle before exhorted them in the name of the Emperour But the Senate of Strawsborough seing the matter did now hange in controuersie two yéeres the preachers dayly calling vpō them for reformatiō also suite being made by other Citizens assembled their great Citizens to the number of 300. in which the most voyces went against the masse Wherevpon immediatly the twentith of February ann 1529. 1529 Masse put downe in Strawsborough Basill reformed a decrée was made that the masse should be laid downe til the contrary part could proue it to bee lawfull by the scriptures Anon after at Basill also the masse was excluded and twelue Senatours fauouring popery displaced by the commons and the images throwne out of the churches and a decrée made that the masse and images should bee abolished through their whole iurisdiction in this citie taught Oecolampadius A memorial of their reformation The day of burning their images which was Ashwednesday they doe with mirth and pastime solemnise at this day Anno 1529. Ferdinando the Emperors brother and his Deputie in Germanie decréed against the Protestantes at Spires and refused to admitte the Ambassadors of Strausburgh because they had reiected the masse The other princes which were receiued as the Duke of Saxonie George of Brandenburgh Ernesus and Franciscus Earles of Lueburgh Lantgraue Anhaldius did withstād the decrée and shewed their cause in a long protestation written which done all such Cities as subscribed and consented to the Protestation of the Princes ioyned themselues in a common league with them whereupon they were called protestāts The names of the Cities were these Strausburgh The name of Protestants Norembergh Vlmes Constance Ruteling Winsenium Mēning Lindania Campodinum Hailburnim Isua Wesseburgum Norling and Sangallum The other Pages on the contrarie side made like confederacie which were especially fiue Lucernates Vrani A diuision of the Pages for religion Suicences Vnterualdij and Tugiani purposing to ouerrun the religion of Christ who also despitefully hanged vp the armes of the Cities Zurich and Berne vpon the gallowes In so much that Berne and Zurich raysed a power against the Suitzers aforesaid But as they were both readie to encounter through the meanes of the Citie of Strausburgh and other Intercessors they were parted at that time and so returned Which peace continued two yeares betwéene them till by reason of contumelies against the reformed cities the Tigurins and Bernates stopping al passage suffered no corn nor vitle to passe one to the other this was 1531. The French king with the Glarians Friburnians and Soliturnians endeuored to make peace betwixt them vpō certaine conditions which the other fiue Pages refused and armed themselues and approching néere Surich ouermatched them of Zurich with multitude and discomfited the armie among whom at that time Zuinglius was slaine Zuinglius slaine also the Abbot of Capella and Commendator Cunacensis with 13. other learned men as it is thought being falsly betrayed and brought into the hands of the enemie The maner of the Suitzers is when they goe to warre the chiefe Minister of their Church goeth with them which was the cause why he was present at the warre The minister goeth with the armie After he was slaine they burnt his bodie being dead Ex Sleid. li. 8. Zuinglius was 44. yeres of age when hee died They tooke the Abbot Capellensis being slaine and put out both his eyes and cloathed him in a Monks coule and so set him in a pulpit to preach rayling on him in most despitefull maner This battle was the xi of October The Bernats hearing of this ouerthrow armed themselues to make reuēge and attempting to take Tugie were ouermatched of the Page-men At the last through mediation a league was made betwéene them A league betwixt the Canons D. of Saxon dieth 1532 that the Tigurins Bernats and Basilians should forsake the league made with Strausburgh and the Lantgraue and likewise the v. pagemē their league with Ferdinandus And hereof were obligations sealed the last of Nouember Oecolampadius hearing of the death of Zuinglius departed this life also the last of Nouember being of the age of 49. The next following in the yere of our Lord 1532. in the moneth of August died Iohn Frederike Duke of Saxonie a great mainteiner of the trueth After whom succéeded Iohn Frederike his sonne 1533 H. Voes I. Ech burned Anno 1527. Two young men were burned at Bruxels one named Henrie Voes of the age 24. The other Ioh. Ech which were before of the order of Augustine Friers they were persecuted by Egmondanus the Popes Inquisitor the diuines of Louane The examiners were Lochestratus and others The cause was that they denied it was deadlie sinne to transgresse the decrées of the fathers and of the B. of Rome They were burned the first of Iuly marueylously ioying at their death in so much that one of them séeing fire kindled vnder his féete said me think you strowe roses vnder my féete The courage of the martir After their death their Monasterie was dissolued the President thereof called Iacobus Lutherianus after diuers afflictions was forced to recant at Bruxels but afterward being deliuered departed and fled to Luther An. 1524. About the citie of Diethmar was H. Sutphen monk burned wtout al order of iudgement or iust condēnation He was preacher at Breame greatly wtstoode by the chanons and prelates but mainteined by the senat people in so much that being sent for to the Archbishop and to a prouinciall councell at Burstade they refused to send him thether foreseing the malice of the councell But when the time came that the Lord would haue him witnes his truth an 1524. he was set vpon on a sudden at Meldorph in Diethmar whether he went to preach by the rude multitude through the instigatiō of the Frāciscane friers associated with certaine presidēts of the country who to the intent the husbandmen of the country should be more couragious gaue
Paulet Iohn Baker Rich Chauncellour of the Augmentation Winckfielde Vice-chauncellour There suffered besides those traytors in the time of king Henrie for the cause of Supremacie to the number of foure and twentie in all Such was the furious prosecuting of the commission for the vi Articles that in London a great number came into question and great trouble to the number almost of two hundreth persons and out of other quarters such a number were apprehended through this Inquisition that al the prisons in London were too little to holde them All prisons in London too litle to hold the persecuted in so much that they were fayne to lay them in Halles At the last through the meanes of the Lord Awdeley such pardon was obteyned of the king that the Lord Awdeley then Lorde Chauncellour being content that one should be bound for another they were all discharged Edmund Boner Boner turneth his opinion and becōmeth a persecutor who had before béen aduanced by Cromwell and preferred before another way being now B. of London shewed himselfe a most cruell executor of the commission in such sort that he burned Richard Mekins being but of xv yéeres of age for chauncing to speake against the Sacrament of the Altar as he had heard other say and other were caused to recant as Towling parson of S. Anthonies and Alexander Seaton a Scotish man and a worthy preacher this was Anno 1541. An. 1541. Iohn Porter a yoong man was by Boner cast into prison in Newgate for reading the Bible in Paules yet the king had commaunded it should be read and Boner himselfe in the daies of Cromwell appointed that vj. bibles of the great volume should be set vp in the church of Saint Paules in London for the people to read Six Bibles set vp in Paules to be read of the people Wherevpon great multitudes would resort thither to heare this Porter read Hereat Boner beyng grieued caused him to be put in the dungeon of Newgate where he was fettered in irons both legges and armes with a coller of iron aboute his necke fastened to the wall in the dungeon From this torment by suite of his brother and many other hée was released to be among the other prysoners fellons and murtherers whose blasphemie and wickednesse hée beyng not able to beare and therewith finding fault and giuing them instructions he was complained of and carried downe againe and layd in the lower dungeon of all and oppressed with boltes and irons It is thought that he was fettered with one Ingine in the pryson called The Deuill in the necke The diuell in the necke whiche is so deuised that within thrée or foure houres it breaketh and crusheth a mans backe or body in péeces Iohn Porter killed in pryson so that within six or eight dayes after being heard pitifully crying and groning he was found dead In the time of the Cardinall Thomas Somers an honest Merchant was in pryson in the Tower for hauing of Luthers bookes and penaunce beyng inioyned that hée should with thrée other Merchaunts ride with bookes into Cheapeside hanged about their neckes with a bason tinged on before them and there cast their Testamentes in the fire Now because he cast his booke ouer or through the fire and woulde not cast it into it Thomas Somers dieth in the Tower hée was complained of and cast againe into the Tower by the Cardinall where hée died In the diocesse of Lincolne vnder Iohn Longland and Doctor Dracot his Chancellour great persecution was about Buckingham and Amersham for the sixe Articles and the same time the Bishop burned two in one day the one named Thomas Barnarde Thomas Barnard Iames Morton martyrs and the other Iames Morton the one for teaching the Lordes prayer in English and the other for kéeping the Epistle of saint Iames translated into English In Oxford also the same time or much there about recanted one maister Barber a master of arts of that Vniuersitie a man excellently learned His cause was the matter of the Sacrament Not long before his recantation there was one maister Malarie maister of arts of Cambridge of Christs Colledge who for like opinions contrary to the Romish faith was conuented before the Bishoppes and in the end sent to Oxford there openly to recant and to beare his faggot to the terrour of the studentes of that Vniuersitie at whose recantation while Doctor Smith preached and treated of the Sacrament there rose a false imagination of firs that shoulde bée ouer their heades and suche impression it tooke in Doctor Smith that in manner hée first of all cried out in the pulpet A popish feare these are the traynes and subtilties of Heretikes agaynst mée Lorde haue mercie vppon mée Lorde haue mercie vppon mée c. Claymunde with other of the aged sorte that coulde not runne and make shift for themselues knéeled downe before the highe Altar committing themselues and their liues vnto the sacrament all ful of terror While the rest thronged thrust to get out of the Church among them there was a boy that séeing the dores so stopped with presse that he could not get out climed vp vpon the dore among them gate out ouer mens heads being vpon the doore he saw a Monke comming towardes him which had a great wide cowle hanging at his backe which the boy perceiuing leapes downe into the Monkes cowle the Monke at the first perceiuing nothing but after a while féeling his cowle heauie and hearing the voyce of the boy thought it had béene a diuell and began to coniure him in the name of God and all saints I commaund thée to declare what thou art that art behind my backe to whom the boy answered I am Bartrams boy Bartrams boy The diuell in the Monkes cowle But I saide the Monke adiure thée in the name of the vnseparable trinitie that thou wicked spirite doe tell mée who thou art from whence thou camest and that thou gette thée hence I am Bartrams boy sayde hée good maister let mée go and with that his cowle beganne to cracke vpon his shoulders the monke when he perceiued the matter tooke the boy out and discharged his cowle the boy tooke his legges and ran away as fast as he could and this was the perplexitie of the good Catholikes in that assemblie which rose vpon the crying of fire in the stréetes by one Hewster who sawe a chimney on fire and according to the custome cried Fire fire as hée passed by Saint Maries Church Nowe as touching the Heretike because hée had not done his sufficient penaunce there by occasion of this hurliburly therefore the next day hée was reclaymed into the Church of Saint Frisewide where hée supplied the rest of his penance that lacked An. 1541. By the sentence of the cōuocation house the Lady Anne of Cleue was diuorced Lady Anne of Cleue diuorced the king permitted to mary with the L. Katherine Hawarde and within a while she
fayth in Christ shall ouercome them c. In fine Chadsey perswaded him to consider of himselfe and to be wel aduised To whom M. Philpot said he would his burning day were to morow for this delay said he is euery day to die yet not to be dead So for that time they dismissed him The 12. examination was on Wednesday the fourth of December before the Bishop of London Worcester Bangor After Masse the Byshop called him before him into his Chappell and recited the Articles which often tymes he had done before with depositions of witnesses of whom some were not examined Philpot againe refused him for Iudge So he was had away and anone after he was called for to come before him the Byshop of Bangor Who being before them they cauilled with him where his religion was an hundreth yeare ago accusing him of singularitie c. and so dismissed him til after noone At which time he appeared againe and after reasoning with him touching the reall presence they againe dismissed him till Thursday after which was the 13. examination On which day he appeared before the Archb. of Yorke and other Bishops as the bishop of Chichester Bathe London c they reasoned with him touching the true Church and the authority thereof and vniuersality But being not able to deale or preuayle with him in strength of argument nor verity of their cause they departed The same day at night againe Boner called for him and required him to say directly whether he would be conformable or not To whom he answered that he required a sure proofe of that Church whereto Boner called him which when Boner could not prooue they gaue him ouer vntil the xiij or xiiij daye of December On which dayes the Bishop sitting iudicially in his Consistorie at Paules caused him to be brought thither before him and others and obiected vnto him 3. articles 1. That he refused to be reconciled to the Church 2. That he had blasphemed the masse Articles against M. Philpot. and called it Idolatrie 3. That he denied the reall presence And exhorted him to recant and to returne to his Romish Church Whereto when M. Philpot had shewed that he was not out of the church that he had not spoken against the masse nor sacrament of the Altar He was once againe dismissed till the sixtéenth day of the same moneth on which day when neither threatninges nor faire allurementes could mooue him The B. after he had brought foorth a certaine instrument containing articles and questions agréed vppon both in Oxforde and Cambridge and had exhibited two bookes in print the one the Catechisme made in King Edwardes dayes anno 1552. The other concerning the true reporte of the disputation in the Conuocation house which Philpot acknowledged to bée his penning without any iust cause he could pretend against him by forme of lawe Boner condemneth Philpot procéeded to his tyrannical sentence of condemnation so commited him to the Sheriffe whose officers led him away And in Pater noster row his seruaunt méeting him lamented to whom Philpot said content thy selfe I shal do well ynough thou shalt sée me againe So the officers had maister Philpot to Newgate whom Alexander the kéeper vsed very rigorously and would not strike off his yrons vnder foure pound but put him in Limbo Whereof the Sheriffe vnderstanding caused Alexander to vse him more gently Vpon Tuesday at supper being the 17. of December he had worde from the Sheriffe to prepare himselfe for the next day he should be burned Maister Philpot answered and said I am readie God graunt me strength and a ioyfull resurrection In the morning the sherifes came about viij of the clocke and called for him and hee most ioyfully came down vnto them When he was entred into Smithfield because the way was foule two Officers tooke him vp to bear him to the stake To whom he said merily what will you make me a Pope I am content to goe vnto my Iourneyes ende on my feete But first comming to Smithfielde M. Philpot payeth his vowes in Smithfield hée there knéeled downe vpon his knées saying with a loude voice these wordes I wil pay my vowes in thée O Smithfield When he was come to the place where he should suffer he kissed the stake and said Shal I disdaine to suffer at this stake séeing my Redéemer did not refuse to suffer most vile death on the crosse for me Then méekely he said the 10. 107. and 108. Psalmes The fire being put vnto him hee yelded his soule vnto God whose trueth he had witnessed the eyghtéenth day of December He wrote many fruitfull Letters Anno. 1556. 1556 Seuen persons burned together in Smithfield To beginne the new yere withall about the xxvij of Ianuarie were burned in Smithfield these seuē persons following Thomas Whittle Priest Bartlet Green Gentleman Iohn Tudson Artificer Iohn Went Artificer Thomas Browne Elizabeth Foster wife Ioane Warren alias Lashford maide all together in one fire The Articles obiected against them were touching the seuen Sacramēts the Sacrifice of the Masse the Sea of Rome c. Thomas Whittle was apprehended by one Edmund Alabaster and caried to the Bishop of Winchester lying sick hoping to be preferred for his diligence but the Bishop repulsed him So he was had to Boner who did beate buffet him and cast him into prison D. Harpsfielde offered him a Bill to subscribe vnto consisting of generall tearmes the rather to deceiue Whittle So he subscribed but afterwarde felt such horror in his conscience that he could not be in quiet till he had gotten his bill againe T. Whittle repenteth and is condemned T. Whittles Letters and rent away his name from it So the Bishoppe condemned him after many perswasions to haue made him recant and committed him to the Secular power He wrote diuers Letters of comforte and exhortation The next day after was Bartlet Greene condemned He had béene Student in Oxford and there by hearing the lectures of Peter Martir hee came to haue knowledge of the trueth Afterward he was Student of the common lawes in the Temple The cause of his first trouble was an answere to a letter of Master Goodmans banished at that time beyonde the Seas Wherein hee wrote that Quéene Marie was not dead whereof Master Goodman desired to bee satisfied These Letters came into the Counsels handes and they would haue made treason thereof if the lawes would haue serued But after they had long deteyned him in the tower and elswhere they sent him to Bishop Boner to be ordered after their Ecclesiasticall manner Against whom Sir Iohn Bourne then Secretarie to the Quéene was a principall dooer The xvij of Nouember at two of the clock in the after noone he was presented before the Bishop of London and two other Bishops Master Deane M. Roper M. Welch Doctor Harpsfielde D. Dale Master George Mordant and Master Dee Before whom after he had shewed the cause
they had heard the confession of his faith first they would not afterward haue suffered him to exhort the people About 9. of the clocke the L. Williams of Thame Syr Thomas Bridges Sir Iohn Browne c. came with their retaine and Cranmer was brought out of Bocardo vnto S. Maries Church where hee had his standing on a scaffold of a meane height there wayting til maister Cole made him ready to his sermon In which he declared causes why iustly the Quéene had determined his death for that he was a Traitor and an heretike c. And that it séemed méete according to the lawe of equality that as the death of the Duke of Northumberland made euen with Tho. Moore Law of equality so there should bée one that should make euen with Fisher of Rochester And because that Ridley Hooper and Farrar were not able to make euen with that man it séemed méete that Cranmer should be ioyned to them to fill vp this part of equality c. And then turning himselfe to the people bad them all beware of this mans example The latter part of his sermon he directed to the Archb. whom he encouraged and comforted and did promise in the name of al the priests that were present that immediatly after his death there should be Diriges masses and funerals executed for him in Oxford for his soules health Cranmer The pitiful case of Cranmer all this time stood heauy and more then twentye times the teares gushed out of his eyes and dropped in abundance all the time of Coles sermon Which beeing ended hee calleth backe the people béeing ready to depart to prayers and prayed Cranmer to expresse the vndoubted profession of his faith that he might take away all suspicion from men I wil do it said the Archb. and with a good wil. So hée first read a praier to the people which he pulled out of his bosome gaue them exhortation of contempt of the world of obedience of brotherly loue and aboue all thinges bewayled his recantation Cranmer bewaileth his recantation saying that when he came to the fire that hand which had subscribed therevnto should first burne And so defyed the Pope with his detestable doctrine c. The standers by that looked for other matter were all amazed at his wordes and the filthy priests prelates greatly deceiued who raged against him especially Cole so they pulled him downe from the stage and led him to the fire the Spanish Frier and the other railing on him in the way When he came to the place of execution hee not long tarying in his praiers Cranmer burneth first the hand wherewith he subscribed put of his apparell to his shirt prepared himselfe to the fire which being put vnto him and burning néere him he put his right hand in the flame which hée held so stedfast sauing that once with the same hand he wiped his face that all men might sée his hande burned before his bodie was touched which hée held immoueable all the time of his burning lifting his eyes vp to heauen and oftentimes repeating his vnwoorthy right hand and so long as his voyce woulde suffer him vsing oftentimes the wordes of Stephen Lord Iesus receiue my spirite Cranmer burned And in the greatnesse of the flame hée gaue vp the Ghost The wicked cannot discerne the spirits The Spaniard beholding this constancie of the Archbishop ran to the Lord Williams of Thame crying that Cranmer was vexed in minde and died in desperation And this was the ende of that woorthy seruaunt of GOD who suffered in the middest of Quéene Maries raigne and was almost the very middle man of all the martyrs of her daies Why Cranmer desired life It was thought he desired life to finish certaine woorkes and to reserue himselfe for better times for the vse of the Church About the same time that the Archbishop was burned at Oxforde suffered likewise in Ipswich twoo women the one named Agnes Potten the other called Ioan Trunchfield either in the same moneth of Marth or as some said in the end of Februarie the next before They suffered for the matter of the Sacrament and bare their martyrdome with great patience and godly courage After these women the same moneth suffered thrée men at one fire in Salesburie for the testimonie of the Gospell Their names were Iohn Spicer Iohn Spicer frée mason William Coberly Wil. Coberley Tayler Iohn Maundrell Iohn Maundrel husbandman Vppon a Sunday they beyng at the Parrish church called Keuell in Wiltshire and seeing the parrish in procession to follow and worship the Idoll there caryed aduised them to leaue the same and to turne to the liuing God namely speaking to one Robert Barkesdale headman of the parrish but hee tooke no regard to their woords After this the Vicar came into the pulpet who there being about to read his beadroll and to pray for the soules in purgatorie Iohn Maundrell speaking with an audible voice said that that was the popes pinfold the other two affirming the same Purgatorie the Popes Pinfold After which words by the commaundement of the priest they were had to the stockes where they remained till Seruice was done and then were brought before a Iustice of Peace and the next day were carryed to Salesburie and presented before Byshop Capon and William Ieffrey Chaunceller of the Dyoces by whom they were imprisoned and often examined priuatly At the last they were examined publicklie before them in the presence of the sheriffe of the Shire one M. Saint-Iohns and other popish priests in the Church of Fisherton-anger Where the Chauncellour obiected to them touching the Sacrament the Popes Supremacie Images c. To which when they answered frankly according to the trueth they were all there condemned an 1556 the xxiij of March And the foure and twentith day of the same moneth they were carried out of the gaole to a place betwixt Salisburie and Milton where they were committed to the fire Which they endured constantly witnessing the trueth Of which 3. Caberley had the painfullest death by reason of the standing of the winde which notwithstanding patiently he did endure About the 23. of Aprill Anno 1556. were burned in Smithfield at one fire vi at one fire in Smithfield vj constant Martyrs suffering for the testimonie of the truth viz. Robert Drakes Robert Drakes minister William Timmes Wil. Timmes Curate Richard Spurge Rich. Spurge Shereman Thomas Spurge Tho Spurge Fuller Iohn Cauell Iohn Cauell Weauer George Ambrose Geo. Ambrose Fuller all of Essex and so of the dyoces of London and were sent vp some by the L. Ritch and some by others at sundrie times vnto Stephē Gardiner B. of Winchester about the 22. of March Anno. 1555. who vppon smal examination sent some of them vnto the kings bench others vnto the marshalsea where they remained almost al the yéere vntill the Bishops death and had
his bodie touched the ground After all this hee was brought before the Mayor of Reading and there those false Brethren which before had robbed his studie obiected against him Treason Sedition Murther and Adulterie c. Which when they coulde not proue they laide vnto his charge the writings that they had stolne out of his Studie Wherefore once againe he was called out of pryson and appeared before the Mayor and Byrd the officiall and two other Iustices to render an accompt of his faith And when they had gathered of his owne mouth sufficient matter to entrap him they deuised a byll of instructions against him to be directed to Doctor Geffery who had determined to hold his visitation the next tuesday at Newbery beyng the sixtéenth day of Iuly So he was sent to Newbery and came thether on the Munday at night and with him Thomas Askins his felow prisoner where they found Iohn Grome their faithfull brother in the Lord. So the xv of Iuly the prysoners appeared before Doctor Geffery and other Commissioners where after reasoning of the authoritie and vniuersalitie of the church of Rome and of the presence in the Sacrament c. when no allurements nor perswasions would preuayle they were all thrée condemned and burned together Being at the place of their martyrdome Palmer comforteth his fellowes with the promises of God and pronounced with an audible voice the xxxj Psalme But the other two made their prayers secretly to almightie God all thrée falling to the ground and as Palmer beganne to rise there came behind him a popish priest exhorting him to recant to whome Palmer Palmer at the stake answered Away away tempt me no longer away I said from mée all yée that worke iniquitie for the Lord hath heard the voyce of my teares And foorthwith they put of their rayment went to the stake and kissed it and when they were bound to the post Palmer said good people pray for vs that we may perseuere to the end and for Christes sake beware of popish teachers for they deceiue you Which as hée spake a seruaunt of one of the Bayliffes threwe a faggot at his face that the bloud gushed out in diuerse places Thus fire being put to them they all crying Lord Iesu strengthen vs Lord Iesu assist vs Lord Iesu receiue our soules they ended this mortall life Palmer was about 24. yeares old when he suffered The last time of his being at Oxford one Barwicke then fellow of Trinitie Colledge a rancke papist began to reason with him and perceiuing him to be earnest and zealous said vnto him in the hearing of Maister Thomas Perrey others there present Well Palmer well now thou art stoute and hardie in thyne opinion but if thou were once brought to the stake I beléeue thou wouldest tell me another tale I aduise thée beware of the fire it is a shrewd matter to burne Truly said Palmer Palmer diuers times in daunger of burning I haue bene in daunger of burning once or twise and hetherto I thanke God I haue escaped it but I iudge verily it wil be mine end at the last welcom be it by the grace of God In déed it is an hard matter for them to burne that haue the minde and soule linked to the bodie as a théefe is tyed in a paire of Fetters But if a man be once able through the helpe of Gods spirite to separate and deuide the soule from the bodie for him it is no more maisterie to burne then for me to eate a péece of bread For whom it is easy to burne About the same moneth of Iuly Agnes Wardal of the towne of Ipswich a vertuous woman and one that hated the Romish trash was persecuted by Richard Argentine a phisition in the towne Phillip Vlmes Edmond Leach Iohn Steward and Mathew Butler malicious enemies of Gods children But by Gods great prouidence they escaped their handes and was deliuered In the same moneth also Peter Mone a Tailer of the towne of Ipswich with his wife were called before the B. kéeping visitation at Ipswich and through frailtie yelded to the Byshop Whereof after they fsll into great griefe of conscience when they came home to their house and looking when they should be sent for againe to the B. the next day who had appointed them then to appeare The time appointed drawing nigh they heard the belles ring for the B. departure out of the towne So they escaped farther trial Against these was one Richard Smart a Portman of the towne an earnest member of the Popish Church but afterwardes he repented him thereof with teares In the Isle of Gernesey 3. women Katherine Couches Catherine Couches Guillemme Gilbert Perotine Massey The mother and 2. daughters at Gernsey the mother and one Guillemme Gilbert and Perotine Massey her daughters were burned for the cause of the Gospel refusing to come to Church Notwithstanding they protested to hold nothing against the Popish Church neither was there heard any information against them neither were they examined before of their religion at anye time yet were they condemned by Syr Iames Amy Dean and the Curates of the Isle to be burned for Heretikes Which when the Bayliefes and Iurates vnderstood howe they had not examined them of their faith yet condemned them for heretikes they would not sit in iudgement that day but ordeyned they should first bée examined of them Which being done an Act and sentence was deliuered against them to the former effect that they should be executed as heretikes no accuser hauing béene heard against them Cruelty against the mother and her 2. daughters and the innocent parties protesting they would entirely obey the ordinances of the Church So sentence being giuen against them by Elier Gosseline Bailieffe notwithstanding they had appealed from the same to the king Quéene and Councel yet were they the 18. of Iuly all burned together at 3. stakes the mother in the middest the eldest daughter on the right side and the youngest on the left They were first strangled but the rope brake before they were dead so the poore women fell into the fire Marueilous cruelty Perotine great with child brast asunder by the vehemencie of the fire and her infant being a faire manchild fell into the fire and eftsoones taken out of the fire by one W. Howse was laid vppon the grasse from thence it was had to the prouost and from him to the Baylife Whose censure was that it should be caried backe and cast into the fire so was the child baptized in his owne blood to fil vp the number of the saints Néere about the same time that these 3. women with the infant were burned there suffered for the doctrine of the Gospel at Gréenstéed in Sussex two men Thomas Dungate Tho. Dungate and Iohn Foreman Iohn Forman and one woman called mother Dree the 18. of Iuly About the 26. of Iune one Tho. Moore Tho. More of the age of
Epistle of Casse to the church of England eadem The pope still reigneth his exactions 246 Pope Eugenius eadem Articles against the spiritualtie eadem Knowledge of ciuil causes belōgeth not to the clergy 247 Reformatiō to be done ead The king dieth 248 Crouched Friers ead Knights of the Rhodes ead Templars burnt at Paris ead The Templars put down vniuersally eadem The pope selleth the Tēplars lands eadem Cistercian monks exempt ea The pope couseneth the Frāciscane Friers 249 The Venetians cursed of the pope eadem A monstrous tyranny ead Walter Reinald 250 Clement 5. dieth ead Papacy voyd 2. yeeres ead Pope maketh profite of the variance of princes ead 8. pence in euery marke ead Michael house founded in Cambridge eadē Nicholaus de lyra ead Guilielmus 251 Occham ead Adam eadem Simon M. eadem Clement 252 A great heresie ead Ludouicus ead Bauarus Emperor eadem Contentiō betwixt the pope Emp. 24. yeeres eadem pope hath ful power to creat and depose Emperors at his pleasure ead Marsilius Patauinus ead Defensor pacis eadē Pope Nicholas 253 Benedict 12 eadem Emperor depriued ead Variance betwixt the pope French king ead The Emp. must resigne all to the pope eadem The feends hant the pope ea Black curses against the Emperor ead Archb. of Mētz depriued ea Warre with the king of England eadem The Emperour giueth ouer to the pope eadem The Emp. poisoned eadem Gunterus de monte nigro chosen Emperour eadem Charles chosen Emp. 255 The Iubile euery 50. yeere From Auinion to Rome ea 50000. pilgrims eadem The forme of the bull of Iubile eadem The pope commandeth the Angels eadem Against prouisions from Rome 256 Tenths to the king ead Orial colledge and S. Marie hall eadem The abbey of Bury spoyled by the townes men eadem The towne of Bury fyned at 120000. pound eadem The abbot of Cheuingtō ea King Edward the 3. 257 Charter from the king to the cleargy eadem Gregorius Ariminensis ead Taulerus eadem Franciscus Petrarcha ead Iohan. de rupe Scisca eadem Rome the whore of Babylō ea Vade mecum in tribulatione ead Conradus Hayer 258 Gerardus Rydder ead Lachrimae Ecclesiae ead Michael Cesenas ead Petrus de Carbona ead Iohannes de Poliaco ead Rome drunk with the blood of saints ead Iohannes de Castilion ead Francisc de Alcatara ead Simon Islip ead Cāterb college in Oxford 259 New colledge in Oxford ead Pope Innocent the 6. ead Rome the whore of Babylō ea Strife betweene French prelats and Friers eadem Towns-mē of Oxford spoile the scholers 260 Idle holy dayes 262 A priests wages 263 S. Bridgets Nunnes 261 Q. colledge in Oxford ead Holy speare holy nayles ead The order of the bishops of Canterbury eadem A prophecy eadem Haynchardus eadem A prophecy of antichrist 264 Complaint of the plowmen against the cleargy eadem Church of Rome a byrde decked with other byrdes feathers ead Armanach archb of Irelād ea Richard Fitzrafe eadem Iohn Badenthorp ead 9 cōclusiōs against friers ea A long controuersie among the friers 265 Fauourers of friers ead Defensorium curatotiū ead Armanachus a mighty piller of Gods church ead How Rome came by her patrimonie eadem Nicholaus Orem 266 Iesuits begin eadem Offices remoued frō the clergie to the laitie eadem The P. remoueth frō France to Rome eadem Melitzing a Bohemian ead Reseruations of benefices in England no more for the Popes vse 267 Premunire to make appeal to Rome for any cause 268 Holy Briget a great rebuker of the popish clergie ead The x. commandemēts turned into two wordes Dapecuniam eadem M. Paris of Antichrist ead Ioh. Montziger ead Nilus archb of Thessal ead Henricus de Iota 269 Henricus de Hassia ead The deuils belly ful of the P. voluptuousnes eadem 36. burned for the truth ead 140. suffered for refusing the Decretals eadem 24. suffer at Paris ead The act of prouision 270 An acte to continue for euer ead Decrees against oppressiō of the pope ea In Wickliffs time the worlde in worst case 271 Wickliffe against Images ea Iohn of Gaunt L. Percy fauorers of Wickliffe ead The opinions of Wic ead Wic brought before the bishops 272 Wic bid sit down 273 Frō brauling to threats ead A proud B. wounded ea K. Edw. the greatest brideler of the P. dieth ead Wickl goeth barefoot preaching ea Articles out of Wick preaching ead Wic articles cōdemned for heretical 274 Popes bul against Wic ead P. diligence against W. ea 18. heretical opiniōs against Wick 275 W. escapeth the 2. time 276 W. greatly supported by Lōdoners ead pope Gregorie dieth ead A schisme betwixt 2. Popes 39. yeres ea Popes and antipopes ead Clement ead Benedictus 3 ead Boniface 9 ead Innocentius 8 ead Gregorie 12 ead Crueltie among the clergie during the schisme 277 S. Sudburie beheaded of the rude people ead Vicechancellor of Oxford enemie to Wickliffe ead Wic mitigateth his enemies 278 Wickliffes articles condemned ead Tenths are pure almes 279 A terrible earthquake ead Fauourers of Wick appointed to preach 280 Stokes an enemie to Wick 281 D. of Lancastar forsooke the schollers of Wick ead Repington Ashton reconciled ead Repington abiureth ead Lōdiners fauor the truth 282 VVick banished ead Schisme cause of W. quiet ea A cruel bishop 283 Wic parson at Lutterworth ead Wickliffs constancie ead Wick bookes burned ead VVic fauorers 284 Londoners take on them the bishops office ead Bones of wick burned after his death ead I. Husse W. Swinderby 285 Articles against Swinderbie 286 Henry 4. first persecuting K. in England 287 Articles against Brute ead Temporalties takē from the Clergie 288 A turncote persecutor 289 Lucifer to the clergie ead Feendes glad at the want of preaching ead Deuil teacheth what should be preached ead Abiurers 290 VVel affected about Leicest ead R. Dexter N. Tayler ead Leicester interdicted ead Matild an anchores of Wic doctrine 291 Margaret Cailie a Nun forsaketh her order ead Penance ead Peter Pateshul ead Londoners zealous 292 The kings wife hath the gospel in English ead Thomas Arundel ead Articles in behalfe of the gospell eadem Multitude of artes not necessary 293 Rithme agaynst the popish priests eadem Fauourers of the gospel ea Pope Boniface the 9. ead The king writeth a christian admonition to the P. 294 Parlements holden against the pope eadem Thomas Arundell proued a traytor 295 The king deposed 296 William Sawtree eadem Obiections against William Sawtree eadem Relapse 297 The māner of disgrading ea The surples of a sexten 298 The time of Henry 4. ead Thomas Badby martir 299 Crocodiles teares ead The statute ex officio 300 Many shrinke from the truth eadem Articles eadem William Thorpe ead Transubstantiatiō inuented by Thomas Aquinas 301 Against swearing on a boke eadem A constant confessor of the truth eadem Iohn Puruey the library of Lollards 302 Articles recanted ead The popes curse the blast of Lucifer eadem