Camdene Seldeni gloria creuit Ingentes Dominos titulorum dote superbos Famo sosque Equites simul omnes si perijssent Quiuis Rex Orbi potis est renouare beatum Cottoni pectus nullâ est reparabile cera Ingenio quicunque vigent tua tecta frequenter Visebant tanquam à Phoebo responsa petentes Nunc Oracla silent sed non Schediasmate tantae Oceanum laudis liceat transnare misellum Nescio quid gaudens ad amici iusta litasse Omnia complectar celebrat Wigornia verbis Queis Neckami obitum crescitque in carmine verum Eclipsim patitur sapientia Sol sepelitur Cui si par vnus minus esset flebile funus He died at his house in Westminster the sixt of May about ten of the clocke in the forenoone Anno 1631. being aged threescore yeares three moneths and some few odde dayes He tooke to wife Elizabeth one of the daughters and heires of William Brocas Esquire by whom hee had issue onely one Sonne Sir Thomas Cotton Baronet now liuing who married Margaret Daughter of the Lord William Howard grandchild to Thomas Duke of Norfolke by whom hee hath issue one Sonne named Iohn and two Daughters Lucie and Francis But to returne I haue had many helpes I confesse from Sir Henry Spelman Knight and Iohn Selden Esquire the most learned Antiquaries now liuing of our times nor haue the helpes beene few which I haue long receiued from the well furnisht and daily increasing Librarie of Sir Simonds D'Ewes Knight whose iudicious directions and ready assistance were as often vouchsafed vnto mee as I had occasion to request and whose long studied and still intended labours for the publique good though in another kinde may in due time make his memory and themselues deare vnto posteritie Diuers of the Heralds haue much furthered these my intended designes namely Sir Richard and Sir Henry Saint George Knights Iohn Philipot and William Le Neue Esquires which I shall euer acknowledge as occasion presents it selfe Venerable Bede when hee compiled the Chronicles of the English Saxons had all the helpe that might be of the Bishops and learned men of this Land Cymbertus wrote vnto him all that was done in Lincolnshire Nothelmus also sent vnto him all that he had gathered together in Sussex Surrey and Kent Alcuinus gaue him his labours and collections for the Prouince of Yorke Daniel of Winchester made him priuie of all that was done amongst the west Saxons And from all other quarters of the Land were Letters Scrowles and writings directed vnto him by messengers to aide and assist him in his enterprise as he doth himselfe acknowledge in his Epistle Dedicatory to Ceolnulph King of the Northumbers Now generous Reader as hee had these helpes for the perfecting of his Ecclesiasticall Historie and as I haue had the acceptable assistance of many of my good friends studious in this kinde for the finishing of this first part and the rest of the worke now in hand which is already in a good forwardnesse let me intreate thy furtherance in the same thus farre that in thy neighbouring Churches if thou shalt finde any ancient funerall Inscriptions or antique obliterated Monuments thou wouldst be pleased to copie out the one and take so much relation of the other as tradition can deliuer as also to take the Inscriptions and Epitaphs vpon Tombes and Grauestones which are of these times and withall to take order that such thy collections notes and obseruations may come safely to my hands and I shall rest euer obliged to acknowledge thy paines and curtesie And I would earnestly desire the Tombe-makers of this Citie of London and elsewhere that they would be so carefull of posteritie as to preserue in writing the Inscriptions or Epitaphs which they daily engraue vpon Funerall Monuments from whom I shall expect the like kindnesse and to whom I will euer remaine alike thankfull For I intend God willing hereafter to publish to the view of the world as well the moderne as the ancient memorialls of the dead throughout all his Maiesties foresaid Dominions if God spare me life if not it is enough for me to haue begun as Camden saith in his Epistle to the Reader of his booke Britannia and I haue gained as much as I looke for if I shall draw others when I am dead into this argument whose inquisitiue diligence and learning may finde out more and amend mine It may seeme peraduenture vnpleasing to some for that I do speake so much of and extoll the ardent pietie of our forefathers in the erecting of Abbeyes Priories and such like sacred Foundations To the which I answer with Camden that I hold it not fit for vs to forget that our Ancestours were and we are of the Christian profession and that there are not extant any other more conspicuous and certaine Monuments of their zealous deuotion towards God then these Monasteries with their endowments for the maintenance of religious persons neither any other seed-plots besides these from whence Christian Religion and good literature were propagated ouer this our Island Neither is there any other act of pietie more acceptable in the sight of Almighty God then that of building Churches Oratories and such like sacred edifices for the true seruice of his heauenly Maiestie Ethelbert the first Christian King of Kent hauing built S. Pauls Church London and diuers other Churches and religious structures as I shew hereafter is thus commended to posteritie by this Epitaph following which passed with applause no question in those dayes Rex Ethelbertus hic clauditur in Polyandro Fana pians certus Christo meat absque Meandro King Ethelbert lyeth here closed in this Polyander For building Churches sure he goes To Christ without Maeander The pious care likewise and gracious intention of our late Lord and Soueraigne King Iames of famous memory had for the repairing of the foresaid Church of Saint Paul and the earnest desire and purpose which our dread Lord and Soueraigne now hath proceeding out of his zeale to Gods glory and his diuine worship for the repairing and vpholding as his Father intended of that venerable large Fabricke and goodly Pyle of building will be had in remembrance to all generations and their names will be registred in the booke of the liuing And the munificent allowance towards the said worke from William Laud now Lord Bishop of London of one hundred pounds by the yeare while he doth contiune there Bishop shall be commended and had in remembrance of all his Successours for euer It may perhaps bee distastfull to some for that I write so fully of the fall and backsliding of Religious Persons from their primitiue zealous ardour of piety making that the maine cause of the dissolution of Abbeyes which I doe for that some are of opinion that because many of these Monasteries were built vpon the occasion of rapine and bloud the Founders thereby thinking to expiate their guilt and make satisfaction for their sinnes an
Sanguine perfuso reparasti quem pretioso Here lieth entombed the body of Raph Selby descended from the ancient family of the Selbies of Billesdun in the County of Northumberland a Monke of this fraternitie a learned Doctor in the ciuill and canon lawes and one exceedingly beloued and fauoured of King Henry the fourth and Henry the fift in the eight yeare of whose raigne hee departed this world Anno 1420. as by this Epitaph appeareth Ecce Radulphus ita Selby iacet hic Cenobita Doctor per merita prepotens lege perita Legibus ornatus a regibus et veneratus Ordo eiusque status per cum fit conciliatus M. C quater x bis post partum virginis iste Michaelis festo tibi spirauit bone Christe Not farre from this Selby lieth buried vnder a marble stone the body of Iohn Windsore one of the noble familie of the Windsores sometime residing at Stanwell in this County a great commander in the warres of Ireland vnder Richard the second and in the battaile of Shrewesbury vnder King Henry the fourth who died in the second yeare of King Henry the fift vpon Eester Eue the seuenth of Aprill 1414. as this Epitaph sheweth Est bis septenus M. Christi C quater annus Vespera Paschalis dum septima lux fit Aprilis Transijt a mundo Io. Windsore nomine notus Corde gemens mundo confessus crimine lotus Fecerat heredem Gulielmus auunculus istum Miles et Armigerum dignus de nomine dignum Dum iuuenilis erat bello multos perimebat Postea penituit eorum vulnera fleuit Recumbens obijt hic nunc in carcere quiescit Viuat in eternum Spiritus ante Deum But now I will conclude the funerall Monuments of this Abbey with the death and buriall of our most learned English Poet Geffery Chaucer whose life is written at large by Thomas Speght who by old copies reformed his workes which the Reader may see a little before the beginning of his bookes He departed out of this world the 25. day of October in the yeare of our Lord 1400. after had liued 72. yeares Thus writeth Leland Chaucer liued till he was an old man and found old age to be grieuous and whilest he followed his causes at London he died and was buried at Westminster The old verses which were written on his graue at the first were these Galfridus Chaucer vates et fama Poesis Materne hac sacra sum tumulatus humo Thomas Occleue or Okelefe of the office of the priuie Seale sometime Chaucers scholler for the loue he bare to the said Geffray his master caused his picture to be truely drawne in his booke De Regimine Principis dedicated to Henry the fift according to which that his picture drawn vpon his Monument was made as also the Monument it selfe at the cost and charges of Nicholas Brigham gentleman Anno 1555. who buried his daughter Rachell a childe of foure yeares of age neare to the Tombe of this old Poet the 21. of Iune 1557. such was his loue to the Muses But to returne againe to Chaucers picture to which these verses were added by the said Occleue Although his life be queint the resemblaunce Of him that hath in me so fresh liuelinesse That to put other men in remembraunce Of his Person I haue here the likenesse Doe make to the end in soothfastnesse That they that of him haue lost thought and minde By this Peniture may againe him finde The Inscriptions vpon his Tombe at this day are after this manner Qui fuit Anglorum vates ter maximus olim Galfridus Chaucer conditur hoc tumulo Annum si quaeras Domini si tempora mortis Ecce notae subsunt quae tibi cuncta notant 25 Octobris 1400. Aerumnarum requies mors N Brigham hos fecit musarum nomine sumptus About the ledge of the Tombe these verses were written Si rogitas quis eraâ— forsan te fama docebit Quod si Fama negat mundi quia gloria transit Haec monumenta lege Now it shall not be amisse to adde to these Epitaphs the iudgements and reports of some learned men of this worthy and famous Poet and first of all let vs heare his Scholler Occleue Vir tam bonis literâ—s quam generis prosapia clarus these are his lines of him in his foresaid booke de regimine Principis Alas my worthy maister honourable This lands very treasure and richesse Death by thy death hath harme irreperable Vnto vs done her vengeable duresse Dispoiled hath this land of the sweetnesse Of Rhetorige for vnto Tullius Was neuer man so like among vs. Also who was heire in Philosophy To Aristotle in our tongue but thee The steppes of Virgill in Poese Thou suedst eken men know well inough What combre world that thee my master slough Would I slaine were Iohn Lidgate a Monke of Burie in his Prologue of Bocchas of the fall of Princes by him translated saith thus in his commendation My Master Chaucer with his fresh Comedies Is dead alas chiefe Poet of Britaine That whilome made full pitous Tragedies The faule also of Princes he did complaine As he that was of making soueraine Whom all this Land should of right preferre Sith of our Language he was the load-sterre That excellent and learned Scottish Poet Gawyne Dowglas Bishop of Dunkeld in the Preface of Virgils Aeneados turned into Scottish verse doth thus speake of Chaucer Venerable Chaucer principall Poet without pere Heuenly trumpet orloge and regulere In eloquence baulme conduct and dyall Milkie fountaine cleare strand and rose ryall Of fresh endite through Albione Island brayed In his legend of noble Ladies sayed Spenser in his Fairie Queene calleth his writings The works of heauenly wit Concluding his commendation in this manner Dan Chaucer Well of English vndefiled On Fames eternall beadrole worthy to be filed Sir Philip Sidney likewise and M. Camden speake much in the deserued praise of this worthy Poet whom I leaue to his eternall rest Vnder the Clocke in the Church I haue read this Inscription Dic mihi quid prodest horas numerare fugaces Cum cessant perdas quod numerare libet This Church hath had great priuiledge of Sanctuarie within the precinct thereof as Stow saith in his Suruay of London to wit the Church Churchyard Close and all that which is still called the Sanctuarie Which Priuiledge was first granted by Sebert king of the East Saxons the first Founder thereof Since encreased by Edgar King of the West Saxons renewed and confirmed by King Edward the Confessor as appeareth by this his Charter following Edward by the grace of God king of Englishmen I make it to bee knowne to all generations of the world after me that by especiall commandement of our holy Father Pope Leo I haue renewed and honoured the holy Church of the blessed Apostle Saint Peter of Westminster and I order and establish for euer that what person of what condition or estate soeuer he be from
the Supremacie of Kings is very apparent and also that once for all I may by this one shew my Reader the forme of all those Cartularies by which such deuout Saxon Princes endowed their sacred Structures Fundatio Monasterij Sancti Albani vbi Regia potestas apparet REgnante imperpetuum Deo Domino nostro Iesu Christo licet per totum mundum beatorum Martyâ—um qui suum in Christo sanguinem fuderunt merita diuine laudis exultatione celebranda sint Eorumque Dei auxilio exempla gloriosa consequenda precipue tamen nobis beatissimi Albani qui sub hac Britannie Insula gloriosus Martyrio effulsit memoria pia semper intentione et sedula sollicitudine obseruanda est Vnde ego offa gratia Dei Rex Merciorum cum filio meo Egfrido pro amore omnipotentis Dei huius Sancti intercessione terram XXX manentium in locis quorum subinferuntur nomina Domino meo Iesu Christo ad Ecclesiam sancti Albani vbi ipse Tyro primus in passione victima effectus est iure perpetuo perdonabo Eoque deleclabilius hanc donationem perficio quia superna protectio tam nobilem temporibus nostris thesaurum qui diu fuit clausus et huius terre indigenis abditus reuelare dignata est Hec itaque supradictarum vocabula terrarum Et Wineslawe XII manentium cum terminis suis. Et Stelsdune sine Bâ—ldinistotum trium Manentium quorum scilicet trium manentium termini sunt hij Suanaburna Heortmere Stretreolab Item vero X. Manentium vbi dicitur Senecaulilan vel Feutun cum sylua que cognominatur Lioropuda cum terminis suis. Et Lystune V. Manentium quam videlicet terram Albumundus Abbas expeditionem subterfugiens mihi reconciliacionis gracia dabat Et quia ipse Martyr almifluus caput et exemplum Christianitatis omnis Britannie indubitanter habetur dignum est vt locus in quo sanctum corpus eius requiescit et ab omni populo veneratur speciali quaâ—dam et singulari priuilegij libertate per nos honoretur Hoc igitur con 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 us Episcopis et Abbatibus Ducibus et Principibus meis sub inuoâ—aâ—ione sancle Trinitatis indiuidue Vnitatis donando precipio vt Ecclesia â—ancti Albani omnisque possessio nunc et in futuris temporibus illi subdita sâ—mper sit libera et quieta ab omni tributo et necessitate seu Regis seu Episcopi ducis indicis et exactorum et operum que iudici solent neque emendatione Pontium neque fossam adversum immicos faciendam totum omne prefatur terre stipendium et exactio ad supradicti martyris tumbam insolubiliter persoluatur Statuo etiam et cum fidelium meorum assensiâ— confirmo vt Episcopi vel eorum Ministrinudam aliquatenus super ipsam Ecclesiam vel super perochiales Ecclesias eidem quibuscunque temporibus subiacentes nisi tantummodo cum advocati fuerint dedicandi vel in Paschali solennitate sanctum Chrisma et oleum ex more tribuendi potestatem habeant â—ec earum Presbiteros ad Sinodum suam vel capitulum conuocare vel ab officio diuino suspendere seu aliquod in eos vel minimum ius exercere presumant Sed omnia quecunque Ecclesie sancte fuerint Abbatis solummodo â—â—usdem Monasterij potestati tractanda libere subiaceant De censu quoque singulis annis per vniuersam Britanniam colligendo et sacre Romane Ecclesie pro slabilitate Regni nostri et salute communi transmittendo decernimus vt quantum in terra sancti Martyris peruenerit ab hijs quibus iniunctum fuerit ab Abbate vndecunque collectum nullatenus alias asportetur sed aliari sancti Albani fideliter oblatum ad vtilitatem eiusdem Ecclesâ—e secundum quod Abbas decreuerit inviolabiliter expendatur Esi forte quis intra eiusdem Ecclesie protestatem aut exitum cum Episcopo seu Abbate inveniatur bello surto vel fornicacione aut alio quolibet simili reatu astrictus semper â—a pars pene et emendacionis que Regi Episcopo committi debetur ad beati Albani Monasterium inviolato semper federe reddatur Credo enim et veraâ—iter consido quod hec munificentia non solum mihi meisque sed etiam vniuersis Anglorum populis summopere prodesse uult Quia pro eius amore ille miles intrepidus meruit coronari qui totius mundi pericula passus est suo sanguine expiare Si autem quod absit vspiam quis laruarico attactus instinctu mâ—nte subdola hec machinatus fuerit annullare vel quippiam in penis quod constiâ—uimus transuertere sua pro audacia à cetu in hac vita anathematizetur fidelium et in tremendo Dei examine astantibus celorum agminibus hominumque turmis nec non et horrendis herebi vermulis palam cunctis damxetur cum hedis Auerni cruciamenta sine fine lucturus ni ante obitum condigne emendauerit Hec sunt nomina qui hanc donationem meam consentientes signo crucis Christi confirmauerunt ✚ Ego offa Rex huic donationi mee signum crucis impono ✚ Ego Egfridus paterne munificentie consentiens subscripst ✚ Ego Higberht Archiepiscopus consensi subscripst ✚ Ego Ceelnulf Episcopus consensi ✚ Ego Hethered Episcopus consensi ✚ Ego Vmmona Episcopus consensi ✚ Signum manus Alhmundi Abbatis ✚ Signum Beonnon Abbatis ✚ Signum Yigmundi Abbatis ✚ Signum Brordon Patricij ✚ Signum Bynman Principis ✚ Signum Esnuini Ducis ✚ Signum Alhumundi Ducis ✚ Signum Yighberti Ducis ✚ Signum Athelmundi Ducis ✚ Signum Radgari Ducis ✚ Signum Heardberhti Ducis ✚ Signum Althmundi Ducis ✚ Signum Cuthberti Ducis ✚ Signum Radbirhti Ducis ✚ Signum Vulpheardi Ducis Perscripta est autem huius donationis cartula Anno Dominice incarnationu D. CC.XC.V Regni Regis Offani XXXV Indictione V. sub IIII. Nonas Maiâ—s in loco qui dicitur Beoranporda It was generally conceiued and truly as I thinke that these politike wayes for the taking away from the Pope his vnlimited authoritie here in England as also in the suppression of religious houses of which in the next Chapter were principally deuised by Secretarie Cromwell afterwards Earle of Essex which may appeare both by the premises and sequele of this my discourse as also by the intimation of Nicholas Shaxton Bishop of Sarum in a letter sent vnto him the said Cromwell thus worded Honorable syr I certifie your good mastership that I haue this daye receyued the Kyng his most honorable letters sent vnto me from you by my servant And reioyse nott a litle that itt hath pleased his highnes to write so ernestly vnto the Bishopps in this so ernest a cause thynkyng suyrly that God hath vsed your wisdom to stire vp the good Prynce herevnto whereof I heighli thanke the almighti Lord preyeng you also to goo on still from one thyng to another as your wisdom yea Gods veray wisdom
none and ye wolde turne therto Me seeth a bond mannes sone somtym a knyght bycome And of a grom a Squyer and aftur knyghts some And such ye haueth the forme of men beth men in alle wise And torneth yow to Manhede and kepeth youre Franchise So it followes how this Bishop went into little Britaine and entreated Aldroennus the king there to send ouer Constantine his brother with a certaine number of men by whose helpe the enemie might bee expelled which was granted and performed accordingly Fastidius Priscus succeeded him in the gouernement of this See who writ diuers bookes of diuine learning mentioned by Bale Hee was a sincere expositor of the sacred Scriptures and a painefull Preacher throughout the whole kingdome Cui abunde suppeditebant cum perbenigno ingenio excellens memoria morum integritas et vita incorrupta quibus cumulatissime caeteros suae gentis praecedebat verbi Praecones He flourished vnder Honorius and Theodosius Emperours 420. By an old namelesse Chronicle which I haue read one Ternekine succeeded Fastidius a piercing wise Prelate into matters of state and in speciall fauour with Aurelius Ambrose King of great Britaine but Vodinus followeth next in the catalogue a man of singular deuotion and good life who for reprehending King Vortigers vnlawfull marriage with Rowenna Hengists daughter his lawfull wife being then liuing was barbarously murdered by the said Hengist and with him many other Priests and religious Persons circa an 452. After the comming of the Saxons the succession of Archbishops was still continued in London for the space of many yeares but secretly euen vntill the time that S. Gregorie sent Augustine hither I finde onely one of them named to wit Theonus who with Thadiocus or Tadiacus of which I haue spoken before in Rochester Bishop of Yorke taking their Clergie with them got them into Wales and Cornewall to the rest of their countrimen whom the Saxons had lately driuen thither this man did not write himselfe Archbishop which is one cause of some controuersie amongst our Historiographers Saint Michaels Cornehill Here lyeth Robert Fabian Alderman and Sheriffe of London who composed a laborious Chronicle of England and France with the monuments and the succession of the Lord Maiors of London and died Anno Dom. 1511. for whom this Epitaph was made now altogether defaced Like as the day his course doth consume And the new morrow springeth againe as fast So man and woman by Natures custome This life to passe at last in earth are cast In ioy and sorrow which here their time doe wast Neuer in one state but in course transitorie So full of change is of this world the glory Hic iacet in tumulo Doctor venerabilis Hugo Dauset olim Rector vere fideique protector M C quater .x. ter ix sit et I sex Aprilisque die ter I V semel I migrat ille Here vndyr was beryed Robart Barnes by name Citizon of London and Mercer of the same And this is written that others may remembyr How godly he departed the twentyth on of Nouembyr ................... Here lyth the body of Iohn Bootes wiff Dissoluyd by deth to her fyrst matter dust Who from the cares of this world departyd her liff The twenty third day of the monyth of August On thowsand fyue hundryd and seuen beyng threescore yeerys old iust Saint Benets Grasse Church Prey for the saulygs of Henry Denne and Ioan his wyf theyr fadyrs theyr modyrs Bredyrs and good frendys and of al Christian saulygs Iesu haue mercy Amen who departyd this lif .... M. cccc.lxxxxi Saint Bartholomewes exchange Vpon an old Tombe the defunct thus seemeth to pray Exte vite principium per te vite remedium In te vite solatium da nobis vite premium Genitor ineffabilis ipsius prolis Paracliti consimilis memento vite fragilis This monument by relation was made to the memorie of Thomas Pike Alderman who with the assistance of Nicholas Yoo one of the Sheriffes of this Citie about the yeare 1438. new builded this Church Hic ..... Willielmus Capel .... Maior Lon ... fil Iohannis Capel ... Neyland in com ... ob ... 1509. Out of this broken Inscription I fynde this whole history how that Sir Richard Empson Knight a Sieue-makers sonne in Tocester and Edmund Dudley Esquire both Lawiers were two instruments for King Henry the seuenth to enrich his and their owne coffers and to empouerâ—sh the subiects by way of calling the richer sort into question for breach of old moth eaten vnreuiued penall Lawes amongst many others whom they most treacherously abused by a false packt Iurie they scruzed from this Sir William Capell aboue sixteene hundred pounds and some twelue or thirteene yeeres after they were at him againe afresh for two thousand pounds more which because he would not pay he was commanded by Dudley Prisoner to the Tower but by the death of the said King which happened the same yeere he was released both of imprisonment and payment in which yeere he also departed this world in the loue of all good men leauing a great inheritance and an honourable remembrance to his posteritie and not long after Empson and Dudley cater-pillers of the common-wealth hatefull to all good people were beheaded on the Tower hill the 17. of August 1510. leauing behinde them nothing they could dispose of for their heires saue the staine of euerlasting infamie He lyeth here entombed in a Chappell of his owne Foundation he was the sonne of Iohn Capell of Stoke Neyland in the county of Suffolke Saint Bennets Finke O God the father of heauyn which art the euerlastyng lyght Haue mercy on the sowl of me poor Water Knyght Who departyd this lyf the monyth of Ianuary In the yere of my Redemer on M .... and fifty Borne I was in Canterbery in the County of Kent Sonne to on Iohn Knyght and Alyse his wife this is verament And to be short all worldly things to confound Of the Earth I was made and to the Earth I am retournd Within this Parish was the Hospitall of Saint Anthony sometime a cell belonging to Saint Anthonies of Vienna founded by King Henry the third for a Master two Priests one Schoolemaster and twelue poore men the reuenewes of this house were much augmented and the number of the houshold increased by King Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth to which Iohn Tate Mercer was a right bountifull benefactor who was here entombed vnder a faire monument he died Anno 1514. and so was VVater Champion Sheriffe of London 1529. who was here buried The lands by yeare of this Hospitall were valued in the 37. yeare of Henry the eight to be 55 l. sixe shillings 8 d. Stow in his Suruay saith that one Iohnson Schoole-master of this Hospitall and Prebend of Windsor spoiled both the Schoole and Hospitall and the Quire of the Church conuayed away the Plate and ornaments then the Bels
aged 94. yeares The Hermitage Hospitall and Free-Schoole at Highgate-hill In ancient times vpon the top of this hill was an Hermitage one of the Hermites whereof caused to bee made the Causway betweene Highgate and Islington taking the grauell from the top of the hill where now is a standing pond of water One William Poole Yeoman of the Crowne founded the Hospitall below on the hill in the raigne of King Edward the fourth The free Schoole was built by Sir Roger Cholmundely or Cholmeley knight sometime Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench about the yeare 1564. the sixth of Queene Elizabeth The Pencion of the Master is vncertaine saith Norden there is no Vsher and the Schoole is in the disposition of sixe Gouernours or Ouerseers Our Ladies Chappell of Muswell or Mousewell hill Here was in ancient times a Chappell bearing the name of our Lady of Muswell in the place whereof Alderman Roe erected a faire house The place taketh name of the Well and of the Hill for there is on the hill a spring of faire water which is now within the compasse of Sir Nicholas Roes Cellar in the said house Here was sometime an Image of our Lady of Muswell whereunto was a continuall resort in the way of pilgrimage growing as it goes by tradition from father to the sonne in regard of a great cure which was performed by this water vpon a king of Scots who being strangely diseased was by some diuine intelligence aduised to take the water of a Well in England called Muswell which after long scrutation and inquisition this Well was found and performed the cure Absolutely to deny the cure saith Norden I dare not for that the high God hath giuen vertue vnto waters to heale infirmities as may appeare by the cure of Naaman the Leper by washing himselfe seuen times in Iordan and by the Poole Bethesda which healed the next that stepped thereinto after the water was moued by the Angell The Hermitage at Kilbourne In the time of King Henry the first Herbert Abbot of Westminster by permission of Gilbert Bishop of London and by consent of the Couent granted to three Maides the Hermitage of Kilbourne with all the land of that place which Hermitage one Gorbone had builded long before The Hospitall of S. Giles in the Fields for Leprous people This Hospitall was founded by Queene Maude wife to king Henry the first in the yeare 1117. and was a Cell belonging to Burton Lazers of Ierusalem in the County of Leicester as may appeare by a deed dated the 24. of Hen. 7. in these words Thomas Norton knight Master of Burton Lazers of Ierusalem in England and the brethren of the same place keepers of the Hospitall of Saint Giles without the Barres of the old Temple of London haue sold to Geffrey Kent Citizen and Draper of London a messuage or house with two Sollars aboue edified in the Parish of Alhallowes Hony-Jane in Westcheape adioyning to the West part of a Tenement called the Goate on the Hope pertaining to the Drapers of London for 31. l. At this Hospitall the prisoners conueyed from the Citie of London towards Teyborne there to be executed were presented with a great Bowle of Ale thereof to drinke at their pleasure The Hospitall of Saint Mary Bethlem commonly called Bedlam In the yeare 1247. Simon Fitzmary one of the Sheriffes of London founded this Hospitall for lame and indigent people which afterwards was conuerted to that vse which the Citie now makes of it vpon this occasion In the Parish of Saint Martins in the field there was an house wherein sometime were distraught and Lunaticke people of what antiquitie founded by whom or what time suppressed saith Stow I haue not read But it was said that a King of England not liking such a kinde of people to remaine so neare his Pallace caused them to be remoued further off to Bethlem without Bishopsgate of London and to that Hospitall the said house by â—haring-crosse doth yet remaine S. Peters Chappell within the Tower Here lie interred the headlesse remaines of Iohn Fisher Doctor of Diuinitie sometime Bishop of Rochester brought vp a Scholler in Cambridge Master of our Colledge I meane Queenes Colledge in Cambridge and Chancellour of that Vniuersitie He was made Cardinall t t. S. Vitalis the one and twentieth of May which honour was to him parum vitalis for the Cardinals hat and his head neuer met together he being beheaded on the Tower-hill the 22. of Iune following Ann. Dom. 1535. His bodie was first buried in Barking Church-yard and afterwards vpon occasion as followeth remoued to this place He was a man in great estimation with Margaret Countesse of Richmond by whose exhortation shee built and endowed two Colledges in Cambridge S. Iohns and Christ Colledge she made him one of her executours He liued likewise a long time in great fauour with her Grandchild King Henry the eight euen vntill his marriage with Anne Bullein which he euer seemed to disallow Whereupon he was suspected and accused to be of councell with Elizabeth Barton commonly called the holy Maide of Kent a Nunne of Saint Sepulchres in Canterbury who by sundrie suggestiue reuelations gaue out that if the King proceeded in diuorce and second marriage he should not raigne in his realme seuen moneths after nor rest in Gods fauour the space of an houre The story is frequent Of which imputation he thus excused himselfe by his letters to the Kings Maiestie To the Kings most gracious Highnes Please it your graciouse Highenes benignely to heare this my most humble sute which I haue to make vnto your grace at this time and to pardon me that I come not my selfe vnto your grace for the same For in good faith I haue had so many periculouse diseases oone after another which began with me before Advent and so by long continuance hath now brought my body into that weakenesse that withouten perill of destruction of the same which I darr saye your grace for your soueraigne goodnes wold not I may not as yet take any traueyling vpon me And soo I wrote to Maister Cromwell your moost trustie Councellor beseeching him to obtayne your graciouse licence for me to be absent from this Parliament for that same cause and he put me in comforthe soo to doo Now thus it is most graciouse soueraygne Lord that in your most high Court of Parliament is put in a bill against me concerning the Nunne of Canterbury and intending my condempnation for not reuelyng of such wordes as she hadde vnto me towchyng your Highnes Wherein I moost humblie beseech your grace that without displeasor I maye shew vnto you the consideration that moued me so to doo which when your moost exâ—cellent wisdome hath deaplye considered I trust assuredlie that your charitable goodnes will not impute any blame to me therfore A trowth it is this Nunne was with me thries in commyng from London by Rochester as I wrote to Master
you be desirous further to know how this Abbey Church hath beene honoured by the Sepultures of many worthy persons will it please you peruse these verses following by which both her foundation and fall is plainly deciphered Behold that goodly Fane which ruin'd now doth stand To holy Albon built first Martyr of this Land Who in the faith of Christ from Rome to Britaine came And dying in this place resign'd his glorious name In memory of whom as more then halfe Diuine Our English Offa rear'd a rich and sumptuous Shrine And Monastery here which our succeeding Kings From time to time endow'd with many goodly things And many a Christian Knight was buried here before The Norman set his foot vpon this conquered shore And after those braue spirits in all those balefull stowers That with Duke Robert went against the Pagan powers And in their countries right as Cressy those that stood And that at Poyters bath'd their bilbowes in French blood Their valiant Nephewes next at Agincourt that fought Whereas rebellious France vpon her knees was brought In this religious house at some of their returnes When nature claim'd her due here plac't their hallowed vrnes Which now deuouring Time in his so mighty waste Demollishing those walls hath vtterly defac't So that the earth to feele the ruinous heapes of stones That with the burth'nous weight now presse their sacred bones Forbids this wicked brood should by her fruits be fed As loathing her owne wombe that such loose children bred But I will come to the quarrell of the houses of Yorke and Lancaster which filled vp our Ladies Chappell here with the dead bodies of the Nobilitie slaine in and about this Towne of Saint Albans whose funerall Trophies are wasted with deuouring time and seates or Pewes for the Townesmen made ouer their honorable remaines Of these Lords here buried thus writeth the old Poet Iohn Gower Quos mors quos Martis sors saeua suaeque sororis Bella prostrarunt villae medioque necarunt Mors sic occiÌ„sos tumulauerat hic simul ipsos Postque necem requiem causauit habere perennem Et medium sine quo vult hic requiescere nemo Hic lis hic pugna mors est qui terminat arma Mors sors Mauors qui strauerunt Dominos hos But amongst so many of the Nobilitie here interred I finde few remembred saue Edmund Duke of Somerset Henry Earle of Northumberland and Iohn the valiant old Lord Clifford The death of this Edmund Duke of Somerset grandchilde to Iohn of Gaunt sore grieued King Henry the sixth because in him he had alwayes put great trust and confidence being a chiefe Commander and one who had long gouerned Normandy beene Regent of France and for his countries sake had alwayes right valiantly borne himselfe against the French Yet his actions whatsoeuer they were did not please the common people nor many other of ranke and qualitie in those times For Harding who liued in those dayes thus writ of him Thei slewe the Duke Edmond then of Somerset For cause he had the realmes we le so lette He was slaine vnder the signe of the Castle in the Towne being long before warned as it is reported to auoide all Castles Henry Lord Percy Earle of Northumberland aforesaid was the sonne of Henry surnamed Hot-spurr slaine at the battell of Shrewsbury by King Henry the fourth But his fathers offence and his Grandfathers being forgiuen him he was restored to his Grandfathers dignities by Henry the fifth to whom and to his sonne Henry the sixth he euer continued a loyall subiect stoutly maintaining their right to the Crowne of England in which quarrell he here lost his life The old Lord Clifford here interred is specially remembred in the battell for so valiantly defending and strongly keeping the Barre-yates and entrance in the Towne insomuch that the Duke of Yorke had euer the repulse vntill great Warwicke brake in by a garden side with a noise of Trumpets and voices crying A Warwicke a Warwicke Whereupon ensued that fierce and cruell battel in which this valourous old Lord manfully lost his life Of these two last remembred will you reade this Stanza Th erle then of Northumberland was there Of sodein chaunce drawen furth by the kyng And slain vnknowne by any manne ther were The Lord Clifford ouer busie in werking At the Barres them mette sore fightyng Was slain that day vpon his owne assaute As eche manne saied it was his owne defaute This battell wherein they were slaine was the first battell at Saint Albans which was fought in the yeare 1455. the Thursday before Pentecost Iohn Whethamsted the fore remembred Abbot made certaine Epitaphs for religious persons and others here interred as also in other Churches hereabouts Which for the most part are now either taken away by time or stolne away with the brasse from their Graue-stones which howsoeuer I know not well how to appropriate to the Persons for whom they were intended Yet it will not be lost labour to take and imprint them out of the Manuscript for that the Reader may see the rare compositions in that age 1. Duplex est vita duplex mors corporis vna Nominis astch altra miserorum mors ea dicta Non sic hic obijt non sic hic nunc requiescit â—mo mors prima fuit illi vita secunda Et si quod rapere voluit mors id tribuisse Fertur quasque dare tenebras has surripuisse Estque lucet sic ei lux perpetue requiei Atque libro vite quo nunc inscribitur ipse Nomen eius legitur cum sanctis numeratur 2. Vpon a Prior of this house here buried who was neuer beloued in his life time yet much bewailed after his death Quem dens momordit liuoris dummodo vixit Linguaque detraxit mors nunc bene glorificauit Nunc redeunt varia tumulata prius benefacta Famaque recrescit liuor post facta quiescit Nunc acus invidie lingue fel serra loquele Carpere cessarunt nunc aicere sic didicerunt Quando cadens obijt abijt pater hicque recessit Secum dapsilitas secum virtus honestas Istius Ecclesie quasi plangentes abiere Secum claustrale frenum que iugum Monachale Migrarunt eciam claustro dederantque salutem Secum vera fides bine secumque sorores Ibant ad puteum dixere locoque tuantem Secum fertilitas pietas secumque facultas Que parcit miseris sua que confert egenis Secum Iusticia pax lex policia In breuibus quicquia virtutem gignere possit Secum transiuit abijt secumque recessit Cur Dominus secum secum requies in idipsum 3. Vpon a Monke buried in this Church Alter honestatis Sol serens grauitatis Hesperus ac morum lampas rutilans monachorum Nunc occultatur hic sub modio tenebratur Nec tribuit lumen Claustro quod tribuit olim Mors eclipsari cansauerat tenebrari Est tamen
this Monasterie to which Hugh Nevill aforesaid gaue by his deed the Mannor of Thorndon in these words Omnibus ad quos c. Hugo de Nevil salutem Noveritis quod ego pro salute anime mee et Iohanne uxoris mee per consensum bonam voluntatem Iohannis filij mei et heredis concessi Ecclesie de Waltham in liberam Eleâ—mosinam totum manerium meum de Thorndon c. Robert Passelew before remembred was here likewise interred who was one of the Kings instruments for gathering vp money in which his office be vsed such rigor as multitudes of people were vtterlie vndone so vnsafe are priuate mens estates where Princes fall into great wants He was Archdeacon of Lewes and for his good seruice in this businesse Kings haue euer such seruants to expresse their pleasures in what course soeuer they take he should haue bin preferred to the Bishoprick of Chichester but the Bishops withstanding the King therein his election was disanuld in the yeare 1234. being with other called to a strict account for the Kings Treasure ill spent or worse employed he was constrained to take Sanctuarie and seeke odde corners for his safety yet afterwards an argument of the Kings lenitie he was receiued into grace and fauour at the length leauing the troubles which attend the Court hee liued priuately at his parsonage of Derham in Norfolke but died at his house here in Waltham vpon the sixt day of Iune in the yeare 1252. of whom will it please you heare Mathew Paris speake in his owne language Archidiaconus Lewensis Robertus Passeleue eodem quoque anno octauo Idus Iunij obijt apud Waltham de quo multa praescribuntur Hic Robertus Clericus et praelatus non est veritus Regi adhaerendo multos multiformiter depauperare vt Regem impinguaret Opera autem sua sequuntur eum In the Sun-shine of his fortune hee was flattered as all Kings Fauorites are by this allusion to his name Pass-le-eau as surpassing the pure water the most excellent element of all if you beleeue Pindar whereupon these verses were written not the worst in that age if you pardon a little improprietie Out of the collections of Camden Mss. in Bib. Cot. Robertus transgressor aquae nec enim quia transit Sed precellit aquam cognomine credo notari Est aqua lenis est aqua dulcis et est aqua clara Mulcens albiciens emundans omnia lenis Languenti dulcis gustanti clara videnti Tu praecellis aquam nam leni lenior es tu Dulci dulcior es tu clara clarior estu Mente quidem lenis re dulcis sanguine clarus In tribus his excellis aquam nam murmure lenis Est aqua tu mente gustu dulciflua tu re Limpiditate nitens tu sanguine quodlibet horum Est magis intensum procul in te quam sit in ipsa Here lyeth Ion and Ione Cressy On whos sowlys Iesu hav mercy Amen Of yowr cherite for vs and al Christian sowlys Say a Pater Noster and an Aue. On lyue when we wer God sent vs spase To yink on hym and of his grete grase For as we be both body and fase So both mor and less must be in lik case In piteous aray as now yow see It is no nay so sal ye be Your self mak mon or ye bin gon and prey for vs Wythout deley past is the dey we may not prey for yow it s thus Whylst yat yow mey both nyght and dey look yat yow prey Iesu of grase When ye bin gon help is ther non wherfor yink on Whylye hav spase Here stands a faire monument to the memory of Sir Edward Denny sonne of the right honourable Sir Antony Denny Counsellor of Estate and one of the executors of King Henry the eight and of Ioane Champernoun his wife of whom more hereafter This Monasterie is now one of the mansion houses of that honourable Lord Sir Edward Denny Knight Baron Denny of Waltham and Earle of Norwich I found since I writ the premisses that Edward the Confessour was the prime cause of this religious foundation for that he gaue to Harold certaine Lands here conditionally that hee should thereupon build a Monasterie and furnish it with all necessaries as appeares by his Charter of that donation amongst the Records in the Tower Ego Edwardus Dei dono Anglorum Rex c. Haraldo Comiti meo quandam terram antiquitus ab incolis istius loci Waltham nuncupatam cum omnibus ad se pertinentijs â—ampis pratis sylvis aquis c. sub conditione quod in prescripto loco Monasterium edificet in memoriam mei et conjugis mee Eadithe Et insuper ornet diversis Sanctorum martyrum et reliquijs et libris Anglicisque vestibus et alijs ornamentis congruentibus Ibique Catervulam quorundam Fratrum Canonice Regule subjectam constituet Plurimeque terre ut donentur in Monasterij illius extruendi usum et alimentum ipsius etiam Haraldi cure et fidei commisi c. Here he names the lands in particular which are many Et hec omnia saith he ad diluenda mea et Antecessorum meorum peccata collata sunt Quod si quis meorum successorum aliquam partem illius terre subtrahat vel subtrahi proinde requisitus emendare noluerit Ei Dominus justus judex Regnum pariter ac Coronam auferat c. Preterea volo et promitto quod omnia in Monasterij illius opem data vel danda sint semper libera et a Sherifs et a hundredis et extra Curiam sancte Crucis omnibus placitis Geldis c. Scriptum est autem istud privilegium Ann. Dominice incarnationis M.lxii Indictionibus terquinis Epactis Septembris concurrentibus Hijs testibus Ego Edwardus Anglorum Basileus confirmo et corrobero Ego Editha divini numine Christi Regina hec eadem confirmando testimonium do Ego Stigandus Archiepiscopus Dorobernens eadem affirmo Ego Ealdredus Ebor Archiepiscopus hec consollido cum multis alijs Episcopis et Abbatibus Horne-Church Named in times past saith M. Camden Cornutum Monasterium the Horned Minster for that there shoot out at the end of the Church certaine points of Lead fashioned like hotnes To the brethren de monte Iovis or Mountioy or Priory de cornuto by Hauering at the Bower saith Stow the house of Savoy in the Strand did sometime belong which Eleanor wife to King Henry the third purchased of the said Fraternitie or Brotherhood for her sonne Edmond Earle of Lancaster The inhabitants of this parish say by tradition that this Church was built by a female conuertite to expiate and make satisfaction for her former sinnes and that it was called Hore-Church at the first vntill by a certaine King but by what King they are vncertaine which came riding that way it was called The Horned-Church who caused those Hornes to be
he that is sufficiently mine Of two I haue the one is common to all my race yea and also to others There is a family at Paris and another at Montpellier called Montaigne another in Brittany and one in Zantoigne surnamed de la Montaigne The remouing of one only sillable may so confound our webbe as I shall haue a share in their glory and they perhaps a part of my shame And my Ancestors haue heretofore beene surnamed Heigham or Hyquem a surname which also belongs to a house well knowne in England Here is another Tombe on the South side of the Chancell vpon which is the pourtraiture of Sir VVilliam Butts in his complete armour kneeling his sword by his side his spurres his helmet at his feet His Lady by him kneeling hauing her coat-armour Here are the coats of Butts and Bacon quartered vpon the Tombe Arwerton saith Camden in Suffolke the house long since of the Family of the Bacoâ—s who held this Mannor and Brome by conducting all the footmen of Suffolke and Norfolke from S. Edmunds-dike in the warres of Wales These Bacons haue at this day their residence at Culfurth in Suffolke a goodly house erected by Sir Nicholas Bacon knight the first Baronet sonne vnto that Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England who for his singular wisedome and most sound iudgement was right worthily esteemed one of the two supporters of this kingdome in his time Who lieth entombed in S. Pauls with his two wiues Who died An. 1578. You may reade this Inscription vpon the said Monument Hic Nicolaum ne Baconem conditum Existima illum tam diu Britannici Regni secundum columen exitium Malis Bonis Asylum caeca quem non extulit Ad hunc honorem sors sed aequitas fides Doctrina pietas vnica prudentia Neu morte raptum crede quia vnica breui Vita perennes emerit duas agit Vitam secundam caelites inter animus Fama implet orbem vita quae illi tertia est Hac positum in Ara est corpus olim animi domus Ara dicata sempiternae Memoriae No lesse worthie of praise for his many excellent good parts was his sonne who followed the fathers steps I meane Sir Francis Bacon knight Lord Verulam Viscount Saint Alban and Lord Chancellour of England lately deceased Snoring Here vnder a faire Tombe lieth the daughter of Sir Iohn Heydon who married one of the Heninghams These Heydons are an ancient race of Knights degree Orate pro animabus Radulphi Shelton militis Domine Alicie vxoris eius filie Thome de Vnedal Militis qui quidem Radulphus obiit xxv die Aprilis Anno M. ccccxxiiii Blackney A famous religious house of Carmelite Friers in this late age aforegoing built and endowed by Sir Robert de Roos or Rosse Sir Robert Bacon and Sir Iohn Bret Knights about the yeare 1321. out of which came Iohn Baconthorpe of whom I haue spoken somewhat before And now here giue me leaue to speake a little more which I had omitted our of Camden A man saith he in that age of such varietie and depth withall of excellent learning that he was had in exceeding great admiration among the Italians and commonly called the Resolute Doctor Whence it is that Paulus Pansa thus writeth of him If thy minde stand to enter into the secret power of the Almighty and most mercifull God no man hath written of his Essence more exactly If any man desireth to learne the causes of things or the effects of Nature if he wish to know the sundrie motions of heauen and the contrary qualities of the Elements this man offereth himselfe as a storehouse to furnish him The armour of Christian Religion of better proofe and defence then those of Vulcans making against the Iewes this resolute Doctor alone hath deliuered Sculthorpe Orate pro anima Henrici Vnton qui obijt Anno Millesimo cccxx Statton Saint Michaels Orate pro anima Iohannis Cowal quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie quiistam Cancellam de nouo fieri fecit Anno Domini M. cccclxxxvii pro quibus tenetur orare .... Stratton Saint Mary Orate pro animabus Iohannis Bocher Margarete vxoris eius quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen Orate pro anima Thome Drake qui obijt Anno Domini 1490. Orate pro animabus Iohannis Waith Margerie vxoris eius qui Iohannes obijt xviii die mensis Februar Anno Domini M. cccclxxxx Quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen Bunwell Of your charity pray for the soul of Iohn Darosse and Margaret his wyffe on whos souls Ihesu haue mercy Amen Tybenham Orate pro anima Iohannis Avelyn quondam vicarij istius Ecclesie qui obijt xxviii die Decembris anno M. cccccvii Cuius ..... Orate pro anima Iacobi Glouer quondam Vicarii istius Ecclesie Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Orate pro animabus Roberti Buxton Cristiane Agnetis vxorum eius qui quidem Robertus obiit anno Domini M. cccccxxviii Quorum animabus propitietur altissimus Here lieth likewise vnder a faire Grauestone Iohn Buxton sonne and heire of Robert aforesaid who married Margaret Warner by whom he had issue two sonnes and two daughters Annos spirauit octoginta quatuor euen to our times Of whom more hereafter North Walsham Orate pro anima Willelmi Roys qui obiit x. die Kalend. Martii M. cccc Ashwelthorp Hic iacet Isabella que fuit vxor Philippi Tylney Armigeri vna filiarum heredum Edmundi Thorp Militis Domine Iohanne quondam Domine de Scales consortis sue que obiit decimo die mensis Nouembris anno Domini M. ccccxxxvi Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Iane Knyvet resteth here the only heire by right Of the Lord Berners that Sir Iohn Bourcher hight Twenty yeres and thre a wydoos life she ledd Alwayes keping howse where rich and pore were fedd Gentell iust quyet voyd of debate and stryfe Euer doying good Lo thus she ledd her life Euen to the Graue where Erth on Erth doth ly On whos soul God graunt of his abundant mercy The xvii of February M.D.lxi. Spikesworth or Spixford Orate pro animabus Iohannis Styward et Margarete vxoris eius Orate pro anima Georgii Linsted qui obiit in festo Assumptionis beate Marie anno Domini M.D.xvii Orate pro anima Willelmi Davy quondam Ciuis Norwic. Vinter et huins Ecclesie spiritualis benefactor Orate pro anima Margarete Thorne nuper vxoris Thome Thorne que obiit tertio die Septembris 1544. South-acre In the Chancell vnder the South wall lieth entombed Sir Roger Harsicke Knight the sonne and heire of Iohn who liued in the eight yeare of King Henry the fifth and in the twenty ninth of Henry the sixth in whom the issue male ended leauing his inheritance to his two daughters Sir Alexander Harsick