began to tell him in plain termes that the Marriage between him and his wife in regard she had been his Brothers was not lawfull and that it was a thing which was much spoken of as well in forraign Nations as in his own Realm and that therefore he was bound in conscience to tell him of it to the intent he might consider of it and inquire further The King looking a long time very earnestly upon the Cardinall as if he had been greatly dismayed at last answered him in these mild termeâ— Why my Lord you know this Marriage was sufficiently discussed at the beginning by sundry grave and learned men and was at last by them concluded to be good lawfull which was afterwards confirmed and dispensed with by the Pope himself and therefore good Father take hâ—ed what you say in this great and weighty matter whereupon they thus parted for that time from one another Having once broke the Ice he thus intends to passe thorough the Ford he sends for one Dr. Iohn Longland Bishop of Lincoln Confessor to the King a very timerous man and one that was afraid to say or doe any thing that might displease the Cardinall and therefore was there placed as a man wholy for his purpose him the Cardinall conjures that when the King should deal with him concerning a Scruple of conscience about the marriage of his wife Queen Katharine that by any means he should further the same as much as in him lay and make it a great matter of Conscience to co-habit with her being not his lawfull wife Longland as he supposed having given him his lesson within two or three daies the Cardinall addresseth himselfe to the King and after that he had discussed a while with him concerning the invalidity of the Marriage he adviseth him by all means to resolve on nothing rashly but to advise with his ghostly Father which when he had done his ghostly Father was not altogether the man which the Card took him to be for when the King advised with him concerning the businesse he put it off from himself and advised his Majesty to consult with some other that were the most learned Bishops whereupon the Cardinall had a gâ—me to play for that which he thought to have got by slight of hand for now the King was pleased to send for the most able Bishops and Divines that he could think upon amongst all which there was not any one in all his kingdome of whom he had a more reverend estimation both for honestly and learning than he had of Doctor Fisher Bishop of Rochester wherefore he was one of the nominates within the list of summons to a meeting at the Cardinall's house in Westminster where after much debatement of the businesse and that the Bishop of Roshester had fully answered and refelled all the Arguments and Reasons which were there made and given concerning the validity of the Mâ—rriage to the satisfaction of most of the Bishops he concluded that there was no cause at all of any question to be made seeing the marriage between the King and the Queen was good and lawfull from the beginning and that therefore it was necessary to remove that scruple from the Kings breast as soone as possible and so the Conference was ended While the Clergy were all thus dancing about a scruple in a lofty room led by the Cardinall they were not aware of the loose fire which was brought into the powder room which was under them ready and at last blew them all up for just in this nick of time the King was deeply falne in love with a faire young Gentlewoman of the Court then waiting upon the Queen called Mrs. A. Bullein secretly a Lutheran and the first that ever opened her mouth to advise the K. to al eration in Religion Daughter to Sir Thomas Bullein Knight who afterward for his daughters sake was promoted to many high honours and dignities This Mrs. Anno had formerly been brought up in the Court of France under the Lady Mary the French Queen Sister to King Henry and sometimes wife of Lewis the 12. King of France wherd she had learnt much courtly fashion and behaviour then strange and dainty in the English Court whereby she farre surpassed all other Ladâ—es her companions which so inslamed the Kings minde having conceived within himself a possibility of riddance from his old wife and probability of having issue Male by this that inwardly he was resolved to have her nolens volens whereupon for the present he shewed her great favour and expressed unto her many signs of the love which she was yet ignorant of so that now he was resolved upon a hand gallop in this businesse Insomuch that when the Cardinall inscious of his design made his addresse uâ—to him to give him account of the Conference which was between the Bishops and had told the King how that all did and was likely to stick in the Lord of Rochesten as the onely Remora to that proceeding supposing that if the King could take him off all the rest would follow his judgement the King by this time desiring nothing more than that the Divorce should take effect speedily fell into consultaâ—ion with the Cardinall how the Bishop might be won to his now design the Cardinall advised his Majesty to send for the Biâ—â—shop and to work him to him by faire means and gentle usage whereupon the King did as he was advised for the Bishop being sent for and come into the Kings presence the King treated him with exceeding courtesie and liberality of good language and at last took him with him into the long gallery and there walking awhile with him after that he had bestowed many words of praise and commendation upon him for his great Learning and Vertue at length in the presence of the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk and some Bishops that were there he unâ—olded his minde unto him concerning the businesse that was in hand telling him how sore his Conscience was tormented and how for that cause he had secretly consulted with his ghostly Father and divers other men by whom he was not yet satisfied therefore he said upon special confidence which he had in his great learning he had now made choicâ— of him to use his advise above all others requiring him to declare his opinion therein freely whereby he might be sufficiently instructed in his conscience and remaine no longer in suspence The Bishop hearing all this â—ell suddenlâ— upon his knees and in that posture would have delivered his minde unto him but the King immediately lifted him up with his own â—ands and blamed him for so doing where upon he spake as followeth I beseech your Grace to be of good cheer not to disquiet your self one whit concerning this matter nor to be dismayed or troubled at this businesse for there is no heed to be taken of these men who account themselves so wife and do arrogate to themselves more knowledge and learning in
half alive you shall be cut downe and throwne to the ground your bowels to he taken out of your body before you being alive your head to be smitten off and your body to be divided into four quarters and after your head and quarters to be set up where the King shall apoint And God have mercy upon your soule After the pronouncing of this cruell sertence the Lieutenant of the Tower with his band of men stood ready to receive and carry him back again to his prison Beâ—ore his departure he desired audience of the Commissioners for a few words which being granted he said thus in effect My Lords I am here condemned before you of high Treason for deniall of the Kings Supremacy over the Church of England but by what order of Iustice I lâ—ave to God who is the searchâ—r both of the Kings Majesty's conscience and yours Neverthelesse being found guilty as it is termed I am and must be consented with all that God shall send to whose will I wholly referre and submit my self And now to tell you more plainly my minde touching this matter of the Kings Supremacy I think indeed and alwaies have thought and do now lastly affirm that his Grace cannot justly claime any such Supremacy over the Church of God as he now taketh upon him neither hath it ever been seen or heard of that any temporall Prince before his daies hath presumed to that dignity wherefore if the King will now adventure himself in proceeding in this strange and unwonted case no doubt but he shall deeply incurre the griâ—vous displeasure of Almighty God to the great dammage of his owne soule and of many others and to the utter ruine of this Realme committed to his charge whereof will ensuâ— some sharp punishment at his hand wherefore I pray God his Grace may remember himself in time and hearken to good counsell for the preservaâ—ion of himselfe and his Realme and the quietnesse of all Christendome Which words being ended he was conveyed back againe to the Tower of London part on foot and part on horseback with a number of men bearing holberts and other weapons about him as was before at his coming to raignment And when he was come to the Towâ—r 〈◊〉 he turned him back to all his traâ—â—◠〈◊〉 had thus conducted him forward and 〈◊〉 and said unto them My Masterâ— I thank you all for the great labour and paines 〈…〉 with me this day I am not able to give you any thing in recompence for I have nothing left and therefore I pray you accept in good part my hearty thanks And this he 〈◊〉 with so luâ—ty a couragâ— so amiable a countenance and with so fresh and lively a colour as he seemed rather â—o have come from some great feast or banquet than from his arraignment shewing by all his gesture and outward countenance nothing else but joy and gladnesse Thus being after his condemnation the space of three or four daies in his prison he occupiâ—d himselfe in continuall pâ—ayer most fervently and although he looked daily for death yet could ye not have perceived him one whit dismayed thereat neither in word nor countenance but still continued his former trade of constancy and patience and that rather with a more joyfull cheere and free minde than ever he had done before which appeared well by this chance that I will tell you There hapned a false rumour to rise sodainely among the people that he should bâ— brought to his execution by a certain day whereupon his Cook that was wont to dresâ— his dinner and carry it daily unto him hearing among others of this Exâ—cution dressed him no dinner at all that day wherefore at the â—â—ook's next repaire unto him he demanded the cause why he bâ—ought him not his dinner as he was wont to doe Sir said the Cook it was commonly talked all the towne over that you should have died that day and therefore I thought it but in vaine to dresse any thing for you Well said he merrily unto him againe for all that report thou seest me yet alive and therefore whatsoever newes thou shalt heare of me hereafter let me no more lack my dinner but make it ready as thou art wont to do and if thou see me dead when thou comest then eat it thy selfe but I promise thee if I be alive I minde by Gods grace to eat never a bit the lesse Thus while this blessed Bâ—shop lay daily expecting the houre of hâ—s death the King who no lesse desired his death than himself looked for it caused at last a writ of Execution to be made and brought to Sir Edmond Walsingham Lieutenant of the Tower Buâ— where by his Judgement at Westminster he was condemned as ye have read before to Drawing Hanging and Quartering as Traitors alwaies use to be yet was he spared from that cruell execution wherefore order was taken that he should be led no further than Tower-Hill and there to have his Head struck off After the Lieutenant had received this bloody writ he called unto him certaine persons whose service and presence was to be used in that businesse commanding them to be ready against the next day in the morning and because that was very late in the night and the Prisoner asleep he was loath to disease him of his rest for that time and so in the morning before five of the clock he came to him in his chamber in the Bell tower finding him yet aslâ—ep in his bed and waked him shâ—wing him that he was come to him on a message from the King and after some circumstance used with perswasion that he should remember himself to be an old man and that for age he could not by course of Nature live long he told him at last that he was come to signifie unto him that the Kings pleasure was he should suffer death that forenoone Well quoth this blessed Father if this be your errand you bring me no great newes for I have long time looked for this message I most humbly thank his Majesty that it pleaseth him to rid me from all this worldly businesse and I thank you also for your tidings But I pray you Mr. Liâ—utenant said he when is mine houre that I must go hence your houre said the Lieutenant must be nine of the clock and what houre is it now said he it is now about five said the Lieutenant Well then said he let me by your patience sleep an houre or two for I have slept very little this night And yet to tell you the truth not for any feare of Death I thank God but by reason of my great infirmity and weaknesse The Kings further pleasure is said the Lieutenant that you should use as little speech as may be especially any thing touching his Majâ—sty whereby the people should have any cause to think of him or his proceedings otherwise than well For that said he you shall see me order my self as by Gods grace neither the King
subscribe your name and put your seale thereto and you would allow the same as if it had been your act and deed then my Lord of Rochester seeing himself so unjustly charged said unto the Archbishop No no my Lord by your â—avour and licence that had been all one and that which you charge me with is not true And as he was proceeding in his speech the King interrupted him saying Well well my Lord of Rochester it makes no great matter we will not stand with you in argument you are but one man amongst the rest if the worst fall out but the rest of the Bishops that had bin dealt with in like manner said not a word so that the fiâ—st encounter on the Queenâ— side was not so well performed through want of seconds And this was all that was done for that day CHAP. XI 1. The pleadings of the Counsell on both sides 2. The dâ—position of the severall Witnesse 3. The honest Plea of Bishop Fisher. 4. The stout Plea of Doctor Ridley 5. Cardinall Wolâ—ey takes him up 6. The Doctors Reply thereto UPon the second meeting there was much matter propounded by the Counsell of the Kings part concerning the invalidity of the foresaid marriage from the beginning by reason of the carnall copulation there vehemently uâ—ged to have bin committed between Prince Arthur the Kings brother and the present Queene but being again as vehemently denied by the Queenes Counsell the whole matter rested onely upon proof to this purpose divers witnesses were produced As 1. Agnes the old Datchesse of Norfolk 〈◊〉 dâ—posed that she was present at the marriage of Pâ—ince Arthur at Sâ— Paul's in London and that shâ— saw them both in bed together the next night after they were married the Prince being of the age of fifteen yeares and the Princesse elder 2. George Earle of Shrewsbury who deposed as to the celebration of the Marriage Decimo septimo Henrici 7. 1501. that he was born at Winchester secundo Hen. 7. that he believed Prince Arthur knew the Queen carnally and was able so to doe because he knew his wife before she was sixteen 3. William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury that never liked the marriage and that he told Hen. 7. as much 4. Sir William Thomas Knight who deposed as to the age of the parties and their cohabitation as man and wife five moneths together both at London and in Lâ—dlow 5. Sir Anthony Poynes as to the age onely 6. Thomas Marquesse of Dorset as to age and that he wasâ—of a good sanguine complexion and able as he supposed for the businâ—sse 7. Robert Viscount Firâ—water as to the age and that the next day after they had been â— bed together he waited on Prince Arthur whiles he was at breakfast where Maurice St. Iohn carved and the Lord Firzwater was Cupbearer where he heard Prince Arthur upon the said Maurice hiâ— asking the Prince how he had done the last night Answer I have been in Spain the last night 8. Thomas Lord Darcy William Lord Montjoy and Henry Guildford Knights of the Garter little to any purpose but what they had heard by publique fame 9. Charles Duke of Suffolk deposed to the â—ame effect with Mauâ—iâ—e S. Iohn and that the Prince soon after begâ—n to decay in bodily health which said he as the said S. Iohn related grew by the Prince his lying with the Lady Katharine 10. David Owen as to the age onely 11. Thomas Duke of Norfolk Lord Treasurer of England to the same effect with Maurice S. Iohn by which words he believed that the Prince carnally knew the Lady and because he was of a good complexion and age as he supposed sufficient having performed the like himselfe at the same age 12. Anth Willoughby Kt. that the morrow after the Marriagâ— in the presence of divers witnesses being in the Privy chamber the Prince called to the sâ—id Willougby saying Willoughby give me a cup of Ale for I have been in the midst of Spain the last night 13. Nicholas Bâ—shop of Ely that he could say nothing concerning the carnalis copula but that he very much doubted it in regard the Queen often sub testimonio conscientiae suae said to this Dâ—ponent that she was never carnally kâ—own by Prince 〈◊〉 These things being 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Rochester stood up and spoke in this manner And all this is no more than what hath formerly been deposed examined throughly debated and scanned by the best and lâ—arnedst Divines and Lawyers that could possibly be got which time I do very well remember and am not ignoranc of the manner of their proceedings when and where all the allegations in respect of what was then produced to the contrary was a juâ—lged vain and frivolous whereupon the Marriage was concluded which Marriage was afterwards approved and ratified by the See Apostoa bque and that in such large an lample maâ—ner as that I think it a very hard matter now againe to call the same in question before another Iudge Then stood up another of the Qâ—â—enes Counsell Doctor 〈…〉 we have heard how the Queene her selfe here in the face of the whole Court 〈…〉 presence and hearing of the King himself called the great God of heaven and earth to witness that she was a pure Virgin when she first came into the Kings bed and how she put it to his conscience speaking unto him face to face and if it were otherwise we cannot imagine that either the Queen durst so appeale â—â—to him or the King so spoke unto if unworthily would not have contradicted her besides we have here the testimony of a most reverend Father who hath deposed upon his oath how the Queen had often 〈◊〉 testimonio 〈…〉 said unto him â—ow that she never had any carnall knowledge of Prince Arâ—hur Now my Lords that such a â—rolick or a jâ—st as that about a cup of Ale or the midst oâ— Spaine which together with all the rest that hath beene said are but meere conjectures and presumptions should stand in competition with so great a testimony as a soveraigne 〈…〉 attestation of her cause upon the 〈◊〉 conscience and that conscience 〈…〉 such presumption by its own silence 〈…〉 to lay aside all reverence which 〈…〉 power and authority as that all the 〈◊〉 consultations 〈…〉 of all former powers even of the See Apostolique it selfe should become 〈◊〉 by your calling this matter againe into 〈◊〉 is a thing in my conceit â—ost detestable to be rehearsed and a great shaâ—e to this honourable Court to heare â—uch stuffe ripped up to no other purpose but in contempt of former Power and câ—lling the wisdome of our Ancestors and 〈◊〉 together with our owne into question and derision Whereat Cardinall Wolâ—ey that he might not seeme to say nothing by saying something said unto him 〈…〉 Dâ—mine Doctor magis reverenter No no my Lord said the Doctor there belongeth no reverence to be given at all for an 〈◊〉 matter would be unreverently answer'd Whereupon
hoping by a voluntary condescention in these particulars to save the râ—st were of a minde to satisfie the Kiâ—g therâ—in which the Bishop of Rochester perceiviâ—g spake as followeth My Lords and the rest of our Brethren here assembled I pray you to take good heed to what you doe lâ—st you do you know not what and what you cannot do for indeed the things that are demanded at our hands are none of ours to grant nor theirs to whom we should bestow them if we should grant them their desires but they are the Legacies of those testators who have given them unto the Church for ever under the penalty of a heavy â—urse imposed on all those who shall any way go abouâ— to alienaâ— their property from the Church and besides if we should grant these smaller Abbeys c. to the King what should we do otherwise than shew him the way how in time it may be lawfull for him to demand the greater wherefore the manner of these proceedings puts me in minde of a â—able how the Ax which wanted a handle came upon a time unto the Wood making his mâ—an to the great Trees how he wanted a handle to work withall and â—or that cause he was constrained to sit idle wherefore he made it his request unto them that they would be pleased to grant him one of their small saplings within the Wood to make him a Handle who mistrusting no guile granted him one of the smaller trees wherewith he madâ— himself a handle so becoming a compleat Ax â—e so fell to work within the same wood that in processe of time there was neither great nor small tree to be found in the place where the wood stood And so my Lord if you grant the King these smaller Monasteries you do but make him a handle whereby at his owne pleasure he may â—ut downe all the Cedars within your 〈◊〉 and then you may thank your selves after ye have incurred the heavy displeasure of Almighty God This Spâ—â—ch quâ—te changed the mindes of all those which were formerly bent to gratifie the Kâ—ngs dâ—mands herein so that all was rejected for that time After this the Bishop escaped a very great danger for one R. Rose came into the Bâ—shops kitchin being acquainted with the Cook at his house in Lamb. Mâ—rsh having proviâ—ed a quantity of deâ—dly poyson whiles the Câ—ok went into the buterie to fetch him some drink he took his opportunity to throw that poyson into a mâ—ss of Grueâ—â— which was prepared for the Bâ—shops dinner and after he had stayed there awhile went his way but so it happened that when the Bishop was called unto his dinner he had no appâ—tite to any meat but wished his servants to fall to and be of good chear and that he would not eat till towards nâ—ght the Servants being set to dinner they that did eat of that poysoned dish were miserably infected whereof one Gentleman namâ—d Mr. Bennet Carwin and an old Widow died sodainly and the rest never recovered their healths till their dying day The person that did this wicked deed was afterwards for the same offence boyled alive in Smithfield in the 22. yeare of K. Henry's reign Shortly after this there happened another great danger to him in this same house by reason of a Cannon bullet that was shâ—t thorough his house close by his study window where he was used to spend much time in Prâ—yâ—r and holy Meditations which made such a horrible noyse and clutter as it went thorough that all the house were suddenly amazed upon enquâ—ry made from whence this mischief shouâ—d proceed it was fâ—und out how that it came from the other siâ—e of the River â—nd out of the Eâ—â—le of 〈◊〉 house Father to the Laâ—dy Anne Bullein which being told unto the Bâ—shop he calâ—ed all his Seâ—vants before him and said uâ—to thâ—m Let a trusse up ouâ— baggage and be gone this is no place for us to abide in any longer so he set forwards in his jâ—urnâ—y towards 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Coâ—spiracies wâ—re contrived by the Kâ—ngâ— consent or pâ—ivity it is not handsome to determine being 〈…〉 words against him at his table elsâ—where which words â—xperience telâ— us how too great 〈◊〉 may often take so large commission from them as to attempâ— such things as are beyond the nature of their warrant The Bishop now come to Rochester fâ—ll to his old accustomed manner of frequent preaching visiting the Sick converting the Seduced and for his recreation he would sometimes go and see his workmen whiles they wâ—re employed in the reparation of Rochester 〈◊〉 upon which he had bestowed great cost â—ut 〈◊〉 had not long remained in those paâ—ts but he was robbed almost of all his Plate by Thieves in the night-time who brake into his Manour house of Halling nâ—are Rochester which being perceived in the morning by his Servants they were all in great perplexity and pursued the thieves as well as they could and following them thorough the wood the thieves leâ— fall severall pieces of Plate through the great hast which they had made in flying so that they brought some of the Plate back â—gain before the Bishop had heard of the losse of any but the Bp. coming downe to his dinner perceived an unwonted kinde of heavinesse and sadnesse in their countenances insomuch that he asked them what was the matter they seeming unwilling to relate the story and looking upon one another who should begin he commanded them to inform him of the cause of such dâ—straction assuring them that he was armd for all adventures deeming it to be some great matter but when they had given a full relation of the whole businesse and how they had recovered some of the Plate back again the Bish. replyed if this be all we have more cause to rejoice that God hath restored to us some than to be discontented that wicked men have taken away any for the least favour of God Almighty is more to be esteemed than all the evill which the Devil and all his wicked instruments can doe unto us is to be valued wherefore let us sit down and be merry thank God it is no worse and look ye better to the rest CHAP. XV. 1. The Kings Agents are returned from Rome with sufficient matter of vexation to the Clergie 2. The King calls another Parliament 3. The whole Clergie are condemned in a praemunire 4. The King laies hold on that advantage to make himself head of the Church 5. The Bishop of Rochester his most admirable Speech upon that occasion whereupon the Proposition was rejected 6. The King persists in his demand BY this time the Kings Agents which were sent to Rome were returned with sufficient matter wherewith to veâ— the whole Clergie for they had learned our how that there had been a priviledge formerly granted from the See of Rome no Legate de latere should enter the Realme of England except he were first sent for by the King now it happened that
them so solemne an oath and protestation falling into disputation with the Bishops how farre a temporall Princes power was over the Clergie but the Bishops soon disputed them into having nothing else to say but whosoever would refuse to condescend to the Kings demands herein was not worthy to be accounted a true and loving subject nor to have the benefit of such a one After which nothing could prevaile for then the Clergie answered with unanimous consent and full resolution that they neither could nor would grant unto the King the Supremâ—cy of the Church without those conditionall words quantem per legem Dei licet and so the Orators departed relating unto the King all that had passed who seeing no other remedy accepted it with that condition granting unto the Clergie a pardon for their bodies and goods paying him â—00000 l. which was paid every penny CHAP. XVII 1. How Campeius related the whole businesse of the Divorce unto the Pope and was blamed for the same 2. The King sendâ— two Doctors of the Civil law with private Câ—mmissions to treat with the Pope about the Divorce 3 The Pope solemnly ratifies the Marriage 4. The Sentence it self BUt we cannot well go on with our History except we fiâ—st arive our discourse within the gates of Rome to observe what account Cardinall Campeius had given unto the Pope of all these proceedings which was no otherwise than what had passed directly here in England which being related to his Holinesse by the Cardinall the Pope blamed him exceedingly for that he had not over-ruled Queen Katharine to have waved her Appeale whereby the businesse might have been determined within the Kings own Dominious for which cause-â—ake he sent him thither So slâ—ppery is the gâ—ound whereon Mâ—nisters of state do set their feet in any businâ—ssâ— that his businesse would doe right well to make a separation between them by his definitive sentence the Pope demanded to see their Commission and Authority which they had to treat with him they answered that the Kiâ—g was by this time grown somewhat unruly and that therefore what they did they did it upon their own score and for the love-sake which they bare unto the common good of the 〈◊〉 Church and for the peace and unity-â—ake thereof Then the Pope demanded of them to see the Certificate under the Bâ—shâ—ps 〈◊〉 whereby it might appeare that they had so consented to which they answered that they had no such certificate for the present but that they expected such a certificâ—te daily to come unto them together with a Commission to treat with his Holinesse Whereupon his Holinesse bad them expeâ—t All this while the King was framing a new Model of a Church and sent these men over on purpose if it were pâ—ssible to retard all proceeding at Rome untill such time as by a new court of Judicature under a new Supremacy the Marriage should have been adjudged 〈◊〉 bâ—fore the Popes 〈◊〉 of Ratification which was feared should have made it good All which policies and workings here in England you must not imagine them of Rome to be ignorant of Wherefore the Pope takes the best and most substantiall advise that could be given him and calls unto him not onely his Cardinalls c. but the most able Canonists and Divines that could be heard of and consults with the most famous Universities procuring the censures of the most famous men that had written of this case among the rest the two books of the before-mentioned Dâ— Tunstall Bishop of London and this out Dr. Fisher Bishop of Rochester of which â—ast book if you will believe that reverend and famous Clerk Alphonso de castro it is said of him to be the most excellent and learned of all other works and at last after diligent examination of the businesse 〈◊〉 himself in his Tribunall seat and open consistory by assent and counsel of his 〈◊〉 the Cardâ—â—alâ— pronounced this definitive 〈◊〉 in the cause The words begin as followeth Clemens papa septimus Christi nomine invocato in throno justitiae pro tribunali sedentes c. which in English is thus Pope Clement the seventh We invocating the name of Christ and having for our Tribunall the Throne of Iustice and the glory of the Almighty God onely before our eyes by this our definitive Sentence which by the counsell and assent of our venerable Brethren the Cardinalls of the holy Church of Rome assembled before us in consistory we doe in these Writings pronounce decree and declare in the cause and causes lawfully devolved upon us and the See Apostolique by an Appeal brought before us of our welbeloved Daughter in Christ Catharine Queen of England from the judgements of the Legates deputed by and sent from us and the see Apostolique between the foresaid Queen Catharine and our welbeloved Sonne in Christ Henry the eight the most illustrious King of England upon the validity and invalidity of the Matrimony between them contracted and consummated and upon other matters more largely deduced in the acts of such like cause or causes and committed to our Son Paulus Capissuchus then Dean of the Causes of our hâ—ly Palace and in his absence to our reverend Father Symoneta Bâ—shop of Pausaâ—ia supplying the place of one of our Audâ—tors of 〈◊〉 said Palace to be heard intrustâ—d and in our Consistory to be reporâ—ed and by them to us and the said 〈…〉 and maturely discussâ—d duâ—â—ng the time of the matter 〈…〉 that the Matrimony coâ—tractâ—◠〈◊〉 the saâ—d Queen Catharinâ— and K. Henry of England with all 〈…〉 of the same was and is Canoâ—â—call and of good force and that they may and ought to enjoy to them their due effects and that the â—ssâ—e between them heretofore born or hereafter to be born was and shall be lâ—gitimate and that the â—oresaâ—d King Henry ought is and shall be â—ound and obliged to cohabit and dwell with the said Queen Catharine his lawfull wife and to entreat her with all Husbandly affâ—ction and Kingly honour and that the said King Henry is condemned and by all remedies of Law is to be restrained and câ—mpelled as we do condemn constraine and compell him to accomplâ—sh and â—ulfill all and singular the premises â—ffâ—ctually and that the molestatâ—oâ—s and râ—fusalls by the foresaid King Henry by any manner of wayes made to the said Queene Catharine touching the inâ—alidâ—ty of the sâ—id Matrimony and alwaies from the beginning were unlawfull and 〈◊〉 and that perpetuall silence 〈◊〉 all the foresaid matters and 〈…〉 of the said Matrimony 〈…〉 unto the said Henry and 〈…〉 it and that the said King Henry of England be condemned and we doe condemn him in the expences lawfully made before us and our said Brethren in such case on the behalf of the said Queen Catharine the Taxation of which Expences we reserve to our selve till another time So we have pronounced This was published in the Palace of Rome in open consistory the 23. of March in
as Callis 6. The King sends to stop it from coming any further THe Lords were by this time put to their trumpâ— and to use their wits how they might bring this thing to passe wherefore the next morning they sent for Sir Thomas Moore to come to Court and after they had kept them there three houreâ— waiting upon them they admitted him into their presence and causing the Doore to be close shut they discoursed with him about half an houre the main subject of the discourse being to perswade him to conformity and compliance with the King in these demands and to assure him how gracioâ—sly thereupon he should be received into the Kings favour and accustomed good opinion of him but all being in vain he was deâ—ained in sâ—fe custody within the Court and a strict chargâ— was given that he should not speak with any man and that none should be permitted to speak to him This being done it was given out that Sir Thomas Moor had taken the Oâ—th so that all men believed it This done they sent for the Bâ—shop of Rochester the same day and urged him very sorâ—ly to take the Oath of Supremacy saying that he resting himself wholly upon Sir Thomas Moore by whose perswasion he stood out so stâ—fly against the King had now no reason but to do as he had done who shewing him now the way they all expâ—cted him to doe no otherwâ—se than to foâ—low the good example which he had given him and be received unto the like grace and favour with the King as his fellow-prisoner was at that time received the good Bâ—shop hearing as much beforâ— and now those Lords justifying as much as he had heard believed no less anâ— seemed to be much troubled thereat and sorrowfull for his sake â—ut in the end he thus spake unto the Lords My Lords I confesse I am a little perplexed at that which you now tell me which is no more than what I have heard already am exceeding sorrowfull that that courage should row be wanting to him which I once thought never would have failed him and thâ—t constancy had not been an addition to all his other great and singular vertues But I am not a fit man to blame him in regard I was never assaulâ—â—d with those strong temptations 〈◊〉 of and childrâ—â—n the which it 〈…〉 lodgings and it was likewise given out that the Bishop had subscribed to and taken the oath of Supremacy and that he was then conducted to the King to kisse his hand In this interim it hapned that Mrs. Margaret Roper the darling daughter to Sir Thomas Moore one that had much accesse unto the Lords by reason of her great friends and manifold perfections was at the same time at the Councel doore with a Petition in her hand thinking to deliver it unto the Lords in the behalf of her Father to procure him more enlargement within the Tower than what he formerly had enjoyed and hearing of her Fathers being there was resolved to inform her self of the event of that daies Conference which the Lord Chancellour Audely perceiving and knowing her businesse went out unto her and thus thought to perswade how the daughters thimble might prick a needle into the fathers conscience viz. Mrs. Roper I am sorry I can doe you no more service in that which you so earnestly solicite in your fathers behalfe truly Mrs. Roper your father is to blame to be so obstinate and self-will'd in a businesse wherein no man in the whole Realm stands out but onely he and a blinde Bishop and yet that bishop was not so blinde but at the laâ—â— with much adoe we have brought him to see his own error with that Mrs. Margaret gave a spring for joy and asked him Are you sure that my Lord of Rochester hath taken the Oath Yes said the Lord Chancellour and more than that he is now with the King and you will see him at liberty and in great favour with the King then I will warrant you said the poore Gentlewoman that my Father will not hold out Go said the Lord Chancelour and perswade your Father that he doe not before he be brought before us for I wish him well and it is a great pity that such a man as he should be cast away Away goes Mrs. Margaret to her father but could not be admitted to speak with him back she comes to the L. Chan. and procures his warrant of admittance in she comes unto her father tells him all that she heard with a great deal of confidence when her father had heard all that she would say he onely answered her with a soft voice peace daughter my L. of Rochester hath not taken the Oath yes indeed father it is so said his daughtter for my L. Chancelor told me as much with his own mouth who wisheth you well and my L. of Rochest is at liberty and is now with the K. and in great favour Away away you foole said Sir Tho Moore thou are not used to these sâ—â—ights I know the tricks of them all they think to take me in a Poppet snatch but they are deceived and I tell thee more if the Bishop had taken the Oath yet it should never be taken by me A Bishop is a correcter of Vice but no president for Sin After they had had much talk to this and no purpose Sir Thomas Moore was sent for to appeare before the Lords where he was no sooner entred the Room but they all called upon him to do as my Lord of Rochester had done before him all of them using no other arguments but my Lord of Rochester my Lord of Rochester as my Lord of Rochester had shewed him a good example Sir Thomas Moor asked them where my Lord of Rochester was saying that if he could but speak with my Lord of Rochester it may be his motives might induce him to take the Oath they told him that my L. of Roch. was where he might also be viz. with the King if that he would do but as he hath done May I not speak with him said Sir Thomas Moor before I take this Oath They answered that he should speak with him as soon as ever he had taken it but to speak with him before was not so proper because then it would be said he pinn'd his judgement upon anothers sleeve neither would they wish him to desire it in regard that the King would then have cause to thank the Bishop and not him for such his condescention and besides that would be too great a slâ—ghting of us that are here in that you will not take our words for such a businesse I pray you then said Sir Thomas Moore let me see his hand if he have subscrâ—bed That said the Chancelour is carried also with him to the King Then let me tell you said Sir Thomas Moore that I do not believe that my Lord of Rochester hath either subscribed his hand or taken the Oath and if he had done both
I could do neither Whereupon they were both sent back to the Tower The King seeing these engines would not hold betook himself to the advice which the Lords had formerly given him and he reâ—used to take viz. of sending unto him men of his owne Coat to perswade with him in this businesse wherefore he sent for Dr. Stokesly Bishop of London Stâ—phen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Dr. Tunstall Bâ—shop of Durham and commanded them to repaire immediately unto their Brother of Rochester and see what they could do and see they did it for he would have it done These men knowing there was no mercy to be had if they did not do their uttermost endeavour at the least to give the King all manner of satisfaction herein went to the Tower and dealt heartily with the Bishop in that businesse But before I will tell you what answer the Bishop made unto their importunities therein that you may the better know the miseries of those times you shall first understand that these very men after that this good man was dead and rotten perceiving this Supremacy to exercise its authority more and more untill at last it came to alteration of their Religion in point of Doctrine would often weep most bitterly and carelesse of themselves wâ—sh â—hat they had stuck to their Brother Fisher and not to have left him wholly to â—â—mself as wickedly they did and not onely so buâ— they would preach the same openly in their Pulpits and upon all other occasions and times of meeting and that bâ—fore the Lords of the 〈◊〉 and sometimes in the Kings hearing which dâ—â—w great commiseration from their hearers and at last the Kâ—ng himsâ—lfe to serious animadversions of what he had 〈◊〉 and at last to a rectification of what he 〈◊〉 he had done amisse by his 〈◊〉 enjoyâ—â—g of the six maine Articlâ—s of 〈◊〉 Râ—ligâ—on which these Bishops 〈…〉 to be propounded unto alâ— his Subjâ—cts to be subscribed unto in which Religion the K. died and in the reign of K. Eâ—w 6. when 〈◊〉 Supremacy was held in a 〈…〉 over a childs head being then 〈◊〉 before the Kings Commissioners and 〈◊〉 urged to proceed according to the fruits of those times they did not onely recant their former doings but suffered themsâ—lves to be dâ—prived of so great dignities and to endure the same prison where for the space of five years they had no other comfort but the expectation of that Martyrdome which might be an expiation to them of those errors which fear and worldly vanity had causâ—d them to run into which resignation of themselves so willingly into the hands of Almighty God was answered with a meâ—cy which restored thâ—m unto their former liberties dignities and honours in the beginning of the reign of Qu. Mary But to return to my former story When theâ—e men had perswaded the good Bâ—shop all they could to do what their owne conscience tolâ— thâ—m should not havâ— been done the good Bâ—shâ—p made them this reply My Lords 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 me so much to be urged so sorely â—n a 〈◊〉 of this nature as it doth wound me grievously that I should be urged by you whom it concerns as much as 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 but defend your cause whiles you so plead against your selves it would 〈◊〉 become us all to stick together in repressing the violences and injuries which daily are obtruded upon our holy mother the Catholique Church whom we have all in common than thus divided amongst our selves to help on the mischief but I see judgement is begun at the house of God and I see no hope if we fall that the rest will stand you see we are besieged on every side and the fort is betrayed by those who should defend it and since We have made no better resistance We are not the men that shall see an end of these calamities wherefore I pray leave me to Almighty god in whom onely there is comfort which no man can deprive me of and for that you have so often told me of the Kings heavy displeasure agasnst me I pray remember my duty to his Grace and tell him I had rather exercise the duty that I owe unto his Grace in praying for him than in pleasing him in this kinde So they departed from him with heavy hearts and fad countenances and never came unto him any more Within a while after that the Bishops were thus gone the poore fellow his man that waited upon him being somewhat simple and hearing all the discourse began to take his Master in hand thinking he had not got reason enough to speak thus unto his Lord and Master Alas my Lord why should you stick said he with the King more than the rest of the Bâ—shops which are learned and godly men Doubt ye not he requireth no more of you but onely that you would say he is Head of the Church and methinks that is no great matter for your Lordship may still think as you please whereat the Bishop fell into such a fit of laughter that he little thought he shâ—â—ld have laughed so much so long as he had a day to live but the man taking courage at this began to prosecute his begun discourse in a manner which he thought more serious which the Bishop cut short with this composure of jest and eâ—rnest Tush tush thou art but a foole and knows but little what belongs to this businesse but hereafter thou maist know more Alas poore fellow I know thou lovest me and speakest this out of simplicity and love together but I tell thee it is not onely for the Supremacy that I am thus tossed and tumbled but also for another Oath meaning the Oath of Succession which if I would have sworn unto I believe I should never have been much questioned for the Supremacy nor is it for these two that I stand out but for the ensuing evills that must necessarily follow hereupon And this thou maist say another day thou hast heard me speak when I am dead and gone Upon the 21. of May and in the yeare of our Lord 1535 Paul the third Pope of Rome hearing the fame of this good Bâ—shops constancy and sufferings in defence of the Catholique Church at the solemn creation of Cardinalls in Rome in the first yeare of his consecâ—ation among divers other worthy and famous men he nominated this good Bishop Fisher for one that should be made a Cardinall where upon the same day before specified he also was intituled Sanct. Ro. Ecclesiae tituli Sancti vit pretriter Cardinalis This the Pope did for his great worth and merits sake thinking that by reason of the dignity and advancement of so high a degree of eminence that either the King would use him with more clemency for his dignity sake or else that he might thereby heap further trouble and danger upon the King if notwithstanding that dignity he continued such his displeasure against him and this was it that clean threw him over the perch and brought
said a few prayers which were not long but fervent and devout which being ended he laid his head down on the middle of a little block where the Executioner being ready with a sharp and heavy Ax cut asunder his slender neck at one blow which bled so abundantly that many wondred to see so much blood issuâ— out of so slender and leane a body As concerning the Head the Executioner put it into a bag and carried it away with him meaning to have set it on the Bridge that night as he was commanded The Lady Anne Bullein who was the chief cause of this holy mans death had a certain desire to see the head before it was set up whereupon being brought unto her she beheld it a space and at last contemptuously said these or the like words Is this the head that so often exclaimed against me I trust it shall never do no more harm with that striking it upon the mouth with the back of her hand hurt one of her fingers upon a tooth that stuck somewhat more out than the rest did which finger after grew sore and putting her to pain many dayes after was nevertheless cured at last with much difficulty But after it was healed the mark of the hurt place remained to be seen when her own head was not to be seen upon her shoulders This may seem strange as a rare example of cruell boldness in that sex which by nature is fearfull and cannot behold such spectacles and therefore argueth no doubt a wonderfull malice which she by likelihood bare to the holy man living that could thus cruelly use his head being dead Then the Executioner stripping the body of his shirt and all his clothes he departed thence leaving the headless carkasse naked upon the Scaffold where it remained after that sort for the most part of that day saving that one for pity and humanity sake cast a little straw over his privities about eight of the clock in the evening commandment came from the Kings Commissioners to such as watched about the dead body for it was still watched with many halberds weapons that they should cause it to be buried Whereupon two of the watchers took it upon a holbert between them and so carried it to a Church-yard there hard by called Alh Barkin where on the Northside of the Church hard by the wall they digged a grave with their halberds and therein without any reverence tumbled the body of this holy Prelate all naked and flat upon his belly without either shirt or other accustomed thing belonging to a christian mans buriall and so covered quickly with earth And this was done on the day of St. Albane the Proâ—omartyr of England being Tuesday the 22. of Iune in the year of ouâ— redemption 1535. and in the 27. year of the Kings reigne after he had lived full threescore and sixteen years nine moneths and odde daies The next day after his burying the head being parboyled was pricked upon a pole and set on high upon London Bridge among the rest of the holy Carthusians heads that suffered death lately before him And here I cannot omit to declare unto you the miraculous sight of this head which after it had stood up the space of fourteen dayes upon the bridge could not be perceived to wast nor consume neither for the weather which then was very hot neither for the parboyling in hot water but grew daily fresher and fresher so that in his life-time he never looked so well for his cheeks being beautified with a comely red the face looked as though it had beholden the people passing by and would have spoken to them which many took for a miracle that Almighty God was pleased to shew above the course of nature in this preserving the fresh and lively colour in his face surpâ—ssing the colour he had being alive whereby was noted to the world the innocence and holinesse of this blessed Father that thus innocently was content to lose his head in defence of his Mother the holy Catholique Church of Christ wherefore the people coming daily to see this strange sight the passage over the bridge was so stopped with their going and coming that almost neither cart nor horse could passe and therfore at the end of fourteen daies this Executioner was commanded to throw downe the head in the night-time into the Râ—ver of Thames and in the place thereof was set the head of the most blessed and constant Martyr Sir Thomas Moore his Companion and fellow in all his troubles who suffered his passion the 6. day of Iuly next following And touching the place of his buriall in Barkin Church yard it was well observed at that time by divers worthy persons of the nations of Italy Spain and France that were then abiding in the Realme and more diligently noted and wrote the course of things and with lesse fear and suspition then any of the Kings subjects might or durst doe that for the space of seaven yeares after his buriall there grew neither leaf nor grasse upon his grave but the earth still remained as bare as though it had been continually occupied and trodden When by common fame this bloudy Execution was blown and spread abroad straight way the name of King Henry begun to grow odious among all good people not onely in his own Realm at home but also among all forreign Princes and Nations abroad through Christendome insomuch that Paul the third then Pope of Rome with great grief signified these doings by severall Letters to all the Christian Princes openly detesting the outrage of King Henry in committing such a wicked and manifest injury not onely against the freedome and priviledge of the Church of Rome but also against the whole state of Christs universall Church for the which in short space after he pronounced the terrible sentence of Excommunication against him Likewise the most noble and christian Emperour Charles the fifth at such time as Sir Thomas Moore was beheaded and word thâ—â—eof brought to him sent speedily for Sir Thomas Eliot the Kings Embassadour there 〈◊〉 with him and asked him whether he heard any such newes or no who answered him that he heard no such thing yes said the Emperour it is true and too true that Sir Thomas Moore is now executed to death as a good Bishop hath lately been before and with that giving a sigh said alas what meant the K. to kill two such man for said he the Bishop was such a one as for all purposes I think the King had not the like agaiâ—â—â— in all his Râ—alm neither yet was to be matched through Christendome so that said he the King your Master hath in killing that Bishop killed at one blow all the Bishops in England And Sir Thomas Moore said he was well known for a man of such profound wisdome cunning and vertue that if he had been towards me as he was towards the King your Master I had rather have lost the best City in all
mans ruine and for a most vilâ— and abominable Incest committed with her owne brother condemn'd and accused to be worthy of death by her owne fathâ—r together with divers others of her own kindred and the Nobility then sitting in judgement who not long before were her Idolaters and she their Idoll whereupon she was executed at Tower hill her head being stricken off of whose losse the King himself took such sorrow that the very next day after she was dead he mourned for her in a Wedding garment Next to the Queen we will call to minde M. Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who of his own power without any other warrant or authority pronounced the sentence of Divorce between the King and Queene being calculated to the height of that Meridian and afterwards called this holy man before him and cast him into prison for refusing the two new Oaths the one of the Kings new Marriage the other of the new Supremacy from whence he was never delivered till death rid him of all worldly 〈◊〉 This Archbishop lived till he was condemned for a traitour because he spred certain seditious Libels amongst the people and assisted the Duke of Nortâ—umberland in his Rebellion in the behalf of the Lady Iane against his lawfull Soveraigne But forasmuch as this was done in Quâ—en Mary her daies and the Clergie had somewhat else to say to him they burned him as a Heretique As for Mr. Rich the Kings Soliciter and the Dequoy to this good man who gave such strange and injurious testimony against him at his arrâ—ignment he lived to be deposed from all his high places and preferments and fell into deep disgrace not onely with the King his Master but with those who afterwards sate at the stern in the young Kings time insomuch that affiction brought him to understand and the knowledge of himself to true repentance so that it is to be believed that he escaped without any further punishment than the clipping of his wings whilest he was alive and the singing of his qody when he was dead for his dead body being laid into a coffiâ— seared imbalmed câ—rtain candles that were set upon the hearse through the watchers negligence or absence fell downe and took hold first on the cloaths and then upon the coffin till at length came unto the seâ—rcloaths that before any man could come unto the rescue the fire was preâ—â—y onward in his way to have deceived the worms Lastly we shall conclude with Mr. Cromwell a shrewd enemy to this good man and a great Agent in this businesse a man in whose behalf the Archbâ—shop of Canterbury thus writ in his behalf in his Letter to the King after his troubles had beginning viz. A man that was so advanced by your Majesty whose surety was onely by your Majesty who loved your Majesty no lesse than God who studied alwaies to set forward whatsoever was your Majâ—sties will and pleasure who cared for no mans displeasure to serve your Maiesties who was such a servant in my judgement in wisdome diligencâ— faithfulnesse and experience as no Prince in this Realm ever had the like who was so vigilant to preserve your Maiesty from all treasons that few could be so secretly conceived but he detected the same in the beginning such a man that if the noble Princes of memory King John Henry the second Richard the second had had such a Councellour about them I suppose they should never have been so treacherously abandoned and overthrowne as those good Princes were Who shall your Grace trust hereafter if you mistrust him Alas I bewaile and lameâ—t your Grace's chance herein I wot not whom your Grace may trust c. And for this fidelity ability and good service advanced successively to the dâ—gnities of the Master of the Rolls Biron Lord Privy Seale Knight of the Gâ—rter Earle of Essex Lord high Chamberlaine of England and higher than all this Vâ—car generall of the Church of ENGLAND by vertue of which Office he took place above them who were Metropolitanes of all England and yet notwâ—thstanding he was arrested at the Councell â—â—ble of high Treason by the Duke of Norfolke when he least suspected any such desigâ—e committed to the Tower brought â—hence unto the Hill and without being permitted to plead for himselfe there beheaded without any more adoe But the strangest thing of all is that he that was the Kingâ— Vicegerent in spirituall causes should be accused for an Heretique and that made one of the causes of his death and that that was such a great enemy to the Catholiquâ—s kicking downe all the Religious houses of the Lâ—nd and grinded the Religious together with the rubbâ—sh under his feet should at his death openly professâ— that he would die in the Catholick faith Thus we see Gods justice in the dâ—struction of the Churches enemies who knowes but that he may help her to such friends though not such as may restore her her own Jewells yet such as may heale her of her Wounds And who knowes but that it may be affâ—cted by the same name sithencâ— the Almighty hath communicated so great a secret unto mortalls as that there should be such a salve made known to them whereby the same weapon that made the Wound shouâ—d work the Cure Oliva Vera is not so hard to be construed Olivâ—rus as that it may not be believed that a Prophet rather than a Herâ—uld gave the Common Fâ—ther of Christendomâ— the now Pope of Rome Innocent the tenth such Ensignes of his Nobility viz. â— dove holding an Olive branch in her mouth since it falls short in nothing of being both a Prophesie and fulfilled but onely his Highnesse running into her armes whose Emblem of innocence beares him already in her mouth FINIS Stat. King Rich. 2. â— Bils in his true difference between Christian Antichriâ—â—ian Rebellion part 3. pag. 243. 244. Hol. in his second volume of the last edition pâ— 309. b. line 66. Holins ib. pag. 310. line 2. Ibid. p. 30. a. line 11. Ibid. pag. 310. a. l. 11. Ibid. pag. 310. a. l. 14. Ibid. pag. 311. a. l. 2. Ibid. pag. 311. a. l. 9. Annotations upon the Râ—â—m 〈◊〉 cap. 13. 2. An. in 1 Pet. cap. 2. 13. Bell. li. de â—aicâ—s c. 10. 11. of Dr. Keilison in his Survey printed 1603. p. 480. Tract 3. sect 5. written by I. Brerâ—ly An. 1608. Exo. 22 28 Act. 23. 5. Eccl. 10. 20 Rom. 13. 2. Rom. 13. 5. Hol. vol 3. An. Eliz. 26. p. 1358 Ib. p. 1360. b. line 26. Ib l. 26. Ib. l. 35. Ib. l. 40. Ib. l. 53. 54. c. Holiâ—s ubi supra p. 1170. 2. l. 35. 36. Goodwin in his Catalogue of Bishops Hol. ubi supra p. 1170. l. 15 As the Suffolk people Sâ—ow in his Annals p. â— 1046. Sâ—ow An printed 1592. p. 1039. and 1045. Stow. An. p. 1046. Stow. An. p. 1047. Stow. ubi supra pag. 1039. p. 1058.