than to Henauld for a wife A Bishop and other Lordes temporall Wher in Chaumbre prevy and secretife At discouerit dischenely also in all As semyng was to estate Virginall Emong theim selfes our lordes for hie prudence Of the Bishop asked counsaill and sentence Whiche daughter of fiue should be the Queene Who counsailled thus with sad auisement Wee will haue hir with good hippis I mene For she will bere good soonnes at myne entent To which thei all accorded by one assent And chase Philip that was full feminine As the Bishop moost wise did determine But then emong theim selfes thei laugh fast ay The lordes than saied the Bishop couth Full mekill skill of a woman al way That so couth chese a lady that was vncouth And for the mery woordes that came of his mouth Thei trowed he had right great experience Of womanes rule and hir conuenience Now what experience this Bishop had in womens conueniency of bringing forth children I know not but it so fell out that she had issue by her said husband King Edward seuen sonnes and fiue daughters borne for the glory of our Nation 1. Edward Prince of Wales borne at Woodstocke 2. William borne at Hatfield in the County of Hertford 3. Lionell borne at the Citie of Antwerpe Duke of Clarence 4. Iohn borne at Gaunt the chiefe Towne of Flanders Duke of Lancaster 5. Edmond surnamed of Langley Duke of Yorke 6. William another of their Sonnes surnamed of Windsore where he was borne 7. Thomas the youngest sonne of King Edward and Queene Philip surnamed of Woodstocke the place of his birth Duke of Glocester Daughters 1. Isabell the eldest Daughter was married with great pompe at Windsore to Ingelram of Guisnes Lord of Coucy Earle of Soissoms and after Archduke of Austria whom king Edward his Father in law created also Earle of Bedford 2. Ioane desired in marriage by solemne Embassage from Alphons king of Castile and Leon sonne of king Ferdinando the fourth was espoused by Proxie intituled Queene of Spaine conueyed into that countrey where she presently deceased of a great plague that then raigned 3. Blanch the third daughter died young and lieth buried in this Abbey Church 4. Mary the fourth daughter was married to Iohn Montford Duke of Britaine 5. Margaret their youngest daughter was the first wife of Iohn de Hastings Earle of Penbroke It is reported of this Queene saith Milles that when she perceiued her life would enâ— she requested to speake with the King her husband who accordingly came to her in great heauinesse being come she tooke him by the hand and after a few words of induction shee prayed him that hee would in no wise deny her in three requests First that all Merchants and others to whom she ought any debt whether on this side or beyond the seas might be payd and discharged Secondly that all such promises as she had made to Churches as well within the realme as without might be performed Thirdly that hee would be pleased whensoeuer God should call him to chuse none other Sepulchre but that wherein her body should be layed all which were performed and so I leaue them both lying in one Graue expecting a ioyfull resurrection Richard the second King of England and France Lord of Ireland sonne to Edward Prince of Wales by Ioane daughter to the Earle of Kent being depriued both of liuing and life by that popular vsurper Henry the 〈…〉 by his commandement obscurely buried at Langley in Hertfortshire in the Church of the Friers Predicants was by the appointment of Henry the fift remoued from thence with great honour in a Chaire royall himselfe and his nobilitie attending the sacred reliques of this annointed King which he solemnly here enterred amongst his ancestors and founded perpetually one day euery weeke a Dirge with nine Lessons and a morning masse to be celebrated for the soule of the said King Richard and vpon each of those daies sixe shillings eight pence to be giuen to the poore people and once euery yeare vpon the same day of his Anniuerse twentie pounds in pence to be distributed to the most needfull He made for him a glorious Tombe and this glosing Epitaph deciphering the lineaments of his body and qualities of mind which to any who knowes vpon what points he was put out of Maiestie and State may seeme strange if not ridiculous thus it runnes Prudens et mundus Richardus iure secundus Per fatum victus iacet hic sub marmore pictus Verax sermone prudens suit et ratione Corpore procerus animo prudens vt Homerus Ecclesie fauit elatos suppeditauit Quemuis prostrauit Regalia qui violauit O bruit hereticos et eorum strauit amicos O clemens christe tibi deuotus suit iste Votis Baptiste salues quem protulit iste Hic iacet immiti consumptus morte Richardus fuisse felicem miserrimum Fabian who translated this Epitaph into English desirous as it seemes to extenuate the force of such palpable grosse flattery annexeth this stanza But yet alas although this meter or ryme Thus doth embellish this noble Princes fame And that some Clerke which fauored him somtyme Lâ—st by his cunnyng thus to enhanse his name Yet by his story appereth in him some blame Wherfore to Princes is surest memory Their lyues to exercyse in vertuous constancy But Iohn Harding speaking of the greatnesse of his houshold and the pride and whoredome therein as well amongst the Clergie as Laitie is more inuectiue in his rimes which to reade I hope will not be troublesome thus he begins Truly I herd Robert Ireleffe saye Clerke of the Grenecloth and that to the Houshold Came euery daye forthe most partie alwaye Ten thousand folke by his messis told That folowed the hous aye as thei wold And in the Kechin three hundred Seruitours And in eche office many occupiours And Ladies faire with their gentlewomen Chamberers also and lauenders Three hundred of theim were occupied then There was greate pride emong the Officers And of all men far passyng their compeers Of rich araye and much more costious Then was before or sith and more pretious In his Chappell were Bishoppes then of Beame Some of Irelond and some also of France Some of Englond and clerkes of many a realme That litill connyng had or conisance In musike honorably God his seruice to auance In the Chappell or in holy Scripture On mater of Goddis to refigure Lewed menne thei were in clerkes clothyng Disguysed faire in fourme of clerkes wise Their Perishyns full litill enfourmyng In Lawe diuine or else in God his seruise But right practyfe they were in couetise Eche yere to make full greate collection At home in stede of soules correction Greate Lechery and fornication Was in that house and also greate aduoutree Of Paramours was great consolacion Of ech degre well more of Prelacie Then of the temporall or of the chiualrie Greate taxe ay the kyng tooke through all the lond
For the foundation of these Friers I will vse the words of the famous Antiquary Iohn Leyland in his Commentaries who flourished in the raigne of King Henry the eighth Cui à Bibliothecis erat who died in the raigne of Edward the sixth of a Phrenesie to the great griefe of all such as then did or â—ow do take delight in the abstruse studie of reuerend Antiquitie Hee lieth buried in Saint Michaels Church in Pater Noster Row London The Priorie of Knasborough saith hee is three quarters of a mile beneath Maâ—ch Bridge which goes ouer Nid one Robert Flower sonne of one Tork Flower that had beene twice Maior of Yorke was the first beginner of this Priory he had beene a little while before a Monke in New minster Abbey in Morpeth within the County of Northumberland forsaking the lands and goods of his father to whom hee was heire and first-borne sonne and desiring a solitarie life as an Hermit resorted to the Rockes by the riuer of Nid and thither vpon opinion of his sanctitie others resorted for whom and himselfe he built a little Monasterie got institution and confirmation of an Order about the yeare 1137 which after his owne name he called Robertins Howsoeuer his companie of Friers were instituted of the order De redemptione captiuorum alias S. Trinitatis King Iohn as he saith was of an ill will to this Robert Flower at the first yet afterwards very beneficiall both to him and his Some of the Flowers lands at Yorke were giuen to this Priory and the name of the Flowers of late dayes remained in that Citie Many miracles as it is said were wrought at the Tombe in his owne Priory wherein he was interred Eodem anno claruâ—t fama Roberti Heremitae apud Knaresburgh cuius 〈◊〉 oleum medicinale fertur abundanter emisisse In the same yeare the same of Robert the Hermite of Knarsborrow spread it selfe clearely abroad whose Tombe as the report went cast forth abundantly medicinable oyle saith Mat. Paris the Monke of Saint Albonâ— who liued in those dayes This Order as I take it was abolished before the dissolution These Friers challenge and deriue their first institution from Saint Antonie who liued about the yeare of our redemption 345. howsoeuer they obsâ—rae and follow the rule of Saint Augustine but whosoeuer was their first Patron it skills not much Vpon this occasion following they came first into England Edmund the sonne and heire of Richard Earle of Cornwall who was second sonne to King Iohn being with his father in Germany where beholding the reliques and other precious monuments of the ancient Emperours he espied a boxe of Gold by the Inscription whereof hee perceiued as the opinion of men then gaue that therein was contained a portion of the bloud of our blessed Sauiour He therefore being desirous to haue some part thereof by faire intreatie and money obtained his desire and brought the Boxe ouer with him into England bestowing a third part thereof in the Abbey of Hales which his father had founded and wherein his father and mother were both buried thereby to enrich the said Monasterie and reseruing the other two parts in his owne custodie till at length moued vpon such deuotion as was then vsed he founded an Abbey at Ashrugge in Hertfordshire a little from his Manor of Berkamsted in which hee placed Monkes of this order Bonhommes Good men and assigned to them and their Abbey the other two parts of the said sacred bloud Whereupon followed great resort of people to those two places induced thereunto by a certaine blinde deuotion to the great emolument and profit of these Good-men the religious Votaries The superiour of this Order was called a Rector or a Father Guardian About the yeare 1257. the Bethlemit Friers had their dwelling in Cambridge who should be the first institutor I do not reade their rule and habite was much what like that of the Dominicans sauing that they wore a starre in their breast wrought vpon their habite in memoriall of the starre which appeared at the time that our Sauiour was borne in Bethlem This Order was extinct before the suppression This religious Order was first instituted in the yeare of our Lord God 1080. vpon this occasion the story is frequent a Doctor of Paris famous both for his learning and godly life being dead and carried to the Church to be buried when as they sung ouer his bodie the lesson which begins Responde mihi quot habes iniquitates Answer me how many iniquities thou hast the bodie sitting vp in the coffin answered with a terrible voice Iusto Dei iudicio accusatus sum I am accused by the iust iudgement of God at which voice all the companie being much amazed they defeâ—red the interment vntill the next day at which time vpon the rehearsall of the same words the body did rise in like manner and said Iusto Dei iudicio iudicatus sum I am iudged by the iust iudgement of God The third day hee raised himselfe vp as before saying Iusto Dei iudicio condemnatus sum I am condemned by the iust iudgement of God Amongst many Doctors which assisted these Funeralls one Bruno a German borne at Colleyn of a rich and noble familie Chanon of the Cathedrall Church of Rheimes in Champaigne being strucken and fearfully affrighted at this strange and neuer-heard of spectacle began to consider with himselfe and to reuolue and iâ—erate very often these words following Si iustus vix salvabitur impius peccator vbi erit If such a pious man as hee was in the opinion of the world be damned by the iust iudgement of God thinkes hee what will become of me and many thousands more farre worse and more wicked in the eye of the world then this man was Vpon this deepe consideration Bruno departed from Paris and tooke his iourney together with sixe of his Schollers to liue solitarily in some wildernesse and not long after came to the Prouince of Dolphine in France neare to the Citie of Grenoble where hee obtained of Hugh Bishop of that Citie a place to build him a Monasterie on the top of an high stupendious hill called Carthusia from whence the Order tooke the name They gaue themselues to silence and reading and separated themselues by little Cels one from another lest they should interrupt one anothers quiet They spent some houres in the labour of their hands and some in the writing of godly books both to relieue their wants and to do seruice to the Church of God Many workes of theirs are still extant out of which tending to mortification the Iesuite Parsons collected the Resolution They did macerate their bodies by fasting and discipline and in the end resolued to eat no flesh during their liues This donation of Bishop Hugh who became himselfe one of their order was confirmed by Hugh Bishop of Lions and afterwards by Pope Vrban the second The said Pope Vrban as the story
many Townes and Cities the bodies of the Christians haue wanted the rites and ceremonies of buriall it was neither fault in the liuing that could not performe them nor hurt to the dead that could not feele them Yet notwithstanding all this which I haue spoken the bodies of the dead are not to be contemned and cast away especially of the righteous and faithfull which the holy Ghost hath vsed as Organs and instruments vnto all good works for if the garment or ring of ones father be so much the more esteemed of his posterity by how much they held him dearer in their affection then are not our bodies to bee despised being wee weare them more neare vnto our selues then any attire whatsoeuer CHAP. VII Of Cenotaphs Honorarie and religious Of the reuerence attributed to these emptie Monuments A Cenotaph is an emptie Funerall Monument or Tombe erected for the honour of the dead wherein neither the corps nor reliques of any defunct are deposited in imitation of which our Hearses here in England are set vp in Churches during the continuance of a yeare or for the space of certaine moneths Octauia the sister of Augustus buried her sonne young Marcellus that should haue beene heire in the Empire with sixe hundred Cenotaphs or hearses and gaue to Virgil more then fiue thousand French crownes in reward for the writing of sixe and twentie Hexameters in her sonnes commendation all which you may haue for nothing in the latter end of the sixth booke of his Aeneidos These Cenotaphs were of two sorts they were made either to the memory of such as were buried in some other remote funerall monument or to such which had no buriall at all The first kinde of these Cenotaphs are called by Suetonius in the life of Claudius Honorarie tombes erected Honoris vel memoriae gratia Such as the souldiers made to the memorie of Drusus neare vpon the riuer of Rhine howsoeuer his body was carried to Rome and there interred in Campo Martio Alexander Seuerus slaine by the treacherie of certaine seditious French souldiers about the yeare of grace 238 An Emperour saith Sir Thomas Eliot who translated his story out of Greeke whose death all Rome lamented all good men bewailed all the world repented whom the Senate deified noble fame renowned all wise men honoured noble writers commended had his Cenotaph erected in France neare vnto the place where he was slaine but his body was carried to Rome and there interred vnder a most rich magnificent sepulchre as Lampridius affirmes Septimius Seuerus the Romane Emperour died in Yorke in the yeare of mans saluation 212. out of which Citie his corps were carried forth to the funerall fire by the sixth Legion of his souldiers called Victrix after the militarie fashion committed to the flames and honoured with iusts and Turneaments in a place neare beneath the Citie Westward where is to be seene a great mount of earth raised vp as for his Cenotaph But his ashes being bestowed in a little golden pot or vessell of the Porpherite-stone were carried to Rome and shrined there in the Monument of the Antonines Constantine or Constantius the younger sonne to Constantine the Great who is supposed to be the builder of Silcester in Hampshire died at Mopsuestia in Cilicia and was interred in Constantinople in the Sepulchre of his Ancestours Yet he had a Cenotaph or emptie monument built to his memory in the said now-ruined Citie of Silcester And many there were that in honour and remembrance of them had such monuments built about which the souldiers were wont yearely to iust and keepe solemne Turneaments in honour of the dead The second kinde of Cenotaphs were made Religionis causa to the memory of such whose carcases or dispersed reliques were in no wise to bee found for example of such as perished by shipwracke of such as were slaine cut mangled and hew'd apeeces in battell or of such that died in forraine nations whose burials were vnknowne For in ancient times it was thought that the Ghost of the defunct could not rest in any place quietly before the body had decent buriall or the performance thereof in as ample manner as could possibly be imagined Aeneas as it is fained by the helpe of Sibylla Cumea descending into hell found Palinurus his shipmaster drownd not long before among many more wandring about the lake of Styx because his body was vnburied which kinde of punishment is thus related by the Prophetesse Phaers translation This prease that here thou seest beene people dead not laid in graue A pitious rable poore that no reliefe nor comfort haue This Boate-man Charon is And those whom now this water beares Are bodies put in ground with worship due of weeping teares Nor from these fearfull bankes nor riuers hoarce they passage get Till vnder earth in graues their bodies bones at rest are set An hundred yeares they walke and round about these shores they houe And then at last full glad to further pooles they do remoue Then after this she puts him in comfort with hope of Exequies and honorable buriall thus Since whan O Palinure both all this madnesse come on thee Wouldst thou the Limbo-lake and dolefull flouds vntombed see Vnbidden from this banke doest thou indeed to scape intend Seeke neuer Gods eternall doome with speech to thinke to bend Yet take with thee Aeneas word and comfort thus thy fall For they that border next vnto that mount and Cities all By tâ—kens great from heauen shall be compelld thy bones to take And tombe they shall thee build and solemne seruice shall thee make And Palinurus name for euermore the place shall keepe This spoken from his heauy heart his cares abating creepe And sorrowes partly shranke and glad on earth his name he knew Vlysses at the commandement of Circes went downe into the lower shades where he met with his companion or fellow-traueller Elpenor who desired of him buriall with the ceremonies thereof as also a Sepulchre which Vlysses granted and erected to his memory a Cenotaph Doe not depart from hence and leaue me thus Vnmournd vnburied lest neglected I Bring on thy selfe th incensed Deitie I know that saiâ—d from hence thy ship must touch On th' Isle Aeaea where vouchsafe thus much Good King that landed thou wilt instantly Bestow on me thy royall memory And on the foamie shore a Sepulchre Erect to me that after times may heare Of one so haplesse Let me these implore And fixe vpon my Sepulchre the Ore With which aliue I shooke the aged Seas And had of friends the deare societies To these inania busta or vacua Sepulchra the friends of the defunct would yearely repaire and there offer sacrifice vpon Altars erected neare to the Cenotaph for that purpose calling vpon the spirit ghost or Manes of him to whose memory the Cenotaph was made by which ceremony they imagined that the body of the party deceased would lie some where or other at reâ—â— and his
Canterbury Hee the said Saint Benet died about the yeare of our Lord fiue hundred and eighteene and was buried in his owne Oratorie consecrated to Saint Iohn where as before was wont to be the Altar of Apollo He liued 63. yeares Saint Francis was borne in the Towne of Assile in the Duchie of Spoletum in Italy in his young yeares he dealt in the trade of Merchandise but by reason of a great sicknesse at the age of two and twenty yeares he contemned all worldly dealings and gaue himselfe wholly to heauenly meditations he put a shirt of haire vpon his bare skinne and a sacke vpon it girding himselfe with a cord going also without hose or shooes Et victus ostiatim emendicans begging from doore to doore so as the fame of him being spread ouer neighbour countreys many drawne by his holinesse abandoned the world and became his disciples making profession of pouerty but yet to labour and take paines for a poore liuing For these he built an Abbey in the Towne where he was borne and wrate a rule as well for those which were vnited vnto him as for such as should come after him which was approued and confirmed with many Indulgences Priuiledges Graces and Pardons by Pope Innocent the third and Honorius that succeeded him After the confirmacion whereof he ordained that his Friers should be called Fratres minores or Minorite Friers to witnesse their greater humilitie One Adam Sousbout a Germane Diuine Ann. 1227. vpon his entrance into this order writes thus to his Father at Delphos Quà m sit vita breuis quam sit via lubrica quamque Mors incerta bonis quae praemia quaeque parata Sint tormenta malis horum meditatio nostra est Quod facimus quod firmamus quod et esse perenne Optamus testamentum Saluete valete Care pater cari Fratres caraeque Sorores This Scraphicall Saint Francis died the fourth of October 1226. and was canonised by Pope Gregorie the ninth ann 1276. Ann. 1224. About two yeares before the death of Saint Francis these Friers Minorites came into England Et benigne a Rege Henrico tertio sunt suscepti Cantuar collocati fuerunt They were graciously receiued of Henry the third and placed in Canterbury And afterwards anno 1269 one of the Ancestours of Sir Dudley Digge commonly called Digges Emit Insulam vocatam Bynnewyght in Cantuar. et locum Porte super stonestreete ad opus Fratrum Minorum et tempore oportuno transtulit Fratres ad illam bought an Island in Canterbury called Bynnewyght and the place of a gate ouer Stone-streete for the vse of the Friers Minorites to which hee translated them in conuenient time The Friers Minors saith Stow first arriued in England at Douer nine in number fiue of them remained at Canterbury and did there build the first Couent of Friers Minors that euer was in England the other foure came to London and lodged at the preaching Friers the space of fifteene dayes and then hired an house in Cornhill of Iohn Traners one of the Sheriffes they buiâ—â—ded there little cels wherein they inhabited the deuotion of the Citizens toward them and also the multitude of Friers so increased that they were remoued by the Citizens to a place in S. Nicholas Shambles which Iohn Iwyn Citizen and Mercer of London appropriated vnto the Communalty of the Citie to the vse of the said Friers and became himselfe a lay Brother Contemporarie with Saint Francis was Saint Dominicke a Spaniard borne in a Towne called Calogora in the Diocesse of Osma His fader was namyd Felix and his Meder Iohane saith an old Agon from Calogora hee came into Gascoigne where hee continued ten yeares preaching and drawing Christian Princes into armes against the Albigeoâ—s certeyne Heretiques Qui damnato matrimonio vagos suadebant corcubitus atque â—sum carnium prohibebant Who condemned Matrimonie perswaded licentious copulations and forbad the eating of flesh whose errours hee repressed by his Sermons From thence he went to Rome to the Councell of Lateran vnder Innocent the third where hee obtained licence of the said Pope to put himselfe vnder what rule he should like best that was allowed by the Church whereupon he made choise of that of Saint Antonie with sixteene of his disciples and hauing made certaine constitutions it was confirmed by Honorius the third about the yeare of our Lord 1206. Then going to Tholouse he exhorted his Friers and sent them to preach two and two together perswading them to bee preachers both in deed and name These Friers Preachers came first into England in the yeare 1221. where they had louing entertainment and houses built Of which my old Author Then deide Seynt Hugh an half yer and no mo That was Bishop of Lincolne and ther after the fyrst yer The order of Frere prechours bygan that â—as neuer Seynt Domnyk hit bygan in the yere of gease ywis M. C. C. no mor forsothe hit ys Of the gluttonie and drunkennesse of this order which so farre declined like others from the first institution one of their owne side thus writ Sanctus Dominicus sit nobis semper amiâ—us Cuicanimus nostro iugiter praeconia rosâ—ro De cordis venis siccatis ante lagenis Ergo was laudes si tu nos pangere gaudes Tempore Paschali fac ne potu puteali Conveniat vti quod si sit vndique muti Semper erant Fratres qui non curant nisi ventres All things degenerate in time and stray in a manner from the right course for example the order of Saint Benet which had flourished a long space with great reputation of holinesse diâ—â—ered so much from the first institution of their Founder that neither the decrees and authoritie of holy Fathers generall and prouinciall Councels could reforme or draw them to their first principles vntill the sanctitie of one Odo or Otho Abbot of Cluâ—â—â— Burgandy and one of Saint Benets order reuiued in a manner from 〈◊〉 to life this Monasticall profession forcing them to obserue and obseruing himselfe from point to point all that was practised in the time of S. Benedict So as many of their Abbots which were drawne by his good example reformed also their Abbeyes not onely in France but as well in Spâ—â—ne Germany Italy and England and for that this reformation 〈◊〉 his first beginning at Cluni the vnion of so many Abbeyes was called the congregation of Cluni and euery yeare by the Popes permission and authoritie all the Abbots of this congregation met at a certaine place and they called it the generall Chapter whereas they treated of the order and life of Monkes putting out and punishâ—ng such as had offended This Odo liued in the yeare of our Lord 913. It was no long time after ere that these Benedictines fell againe to their old vomit their great wealth hauing made them proud idle luxurious carelesse of Gods house and in most or all of their actions
which I haue read depicted round about the Cloister of the Carthusians at Paris doth shew sent for the foresaid Bruno to Rome whose disciple hee had beene where he remained for a time and did much helpe to pacifie the troubles there at that time by his prayers he parted from Rome and taking his way by Calabria he came into a desart called the Tower in the Diocesse of Squilace where he stayed with his compaâ—ions making their residence in certaine caues vnder the ground The which when one Roger the Prince of that countrey vnderstood he went to visit this holy man Bruno and gaue to him and his societie all that desart whereas they built a Church in the which Bruno remained alone where his companions liued and in that place hee died ann 1102. and there was buried Vpon whose Sepulchre this Epitaph was insculped Primus in hac Christi fundator ouilis Eremo Promerui fieri qui tegor hoc lapide Bruno mihi nomen Genetrix Germania meque Transtulit ad Calabros grata quies nemoris Doctor eram Preco Christi virnotus in orbe Desuper illud erat gratia non meritum Carnis vincla dies Octobris sexta resoluit Ossa manent tumulo spiritus astra petit He was canonized in the yeare 1520. Priors of their grand Monasterie at Carthusia from Bruno the first till Bruno d' Affrinques who gouerned that house ann 1611. haue beene fourty and foure This order came into England about the yeare 1180. and at Witham in Somersetshire built their first cloister Afterwards they came to London and had a faire sumptuous house neare vnto Smithfield London which is now Suttons Hospitall another they had called Sein or Shene in the countie of Surrey now best knowne by the name of Richmond There were foure Orders here in England of begging Friers who did challenge for their Patrons S. Augustine S. Francis S. Dominicke and Saint Basill but in their discipline and rule of life they came farre short of their first Institutors who both tooke paines with their hands as labourers and as learned writers as their workes do testifie of all Orders these Mendicants haue euer been most bitterly inueighed against by their owne writers as I shall shew hereafter Quidam nouus ordo Fratrum Londini apparuit incognitus Papale tamen autenticum palam ostendens ita vt tot ordinum confusio videretur A certaine new and vnknowne order of Friers appeared in London shewing openly the Popes authenticall Bull for their admission so that then there seemed to be a confusion of so many Orders saith Paris These were called Fratres de poenitentia Iesu or Fratres de Sacca Friers of the repentance of Iesus or Friers of the Sacke for that they carried sacks and for that they were clad in sackcloth These had their first house a little without Aldersgate London and obtained licence of King Henry the third in the fifth yeare of his raigne to remoue from thence vnto any other place and within some two yeares afterwards hee gaue to them the Iewes Synagogue in Colmanstreet ward which was defaced by the Citizens of London after they had slaine seuen hundred Iewes and taken away all their goods After which time Eleanor wife to King Edward the first tooke into her protection and warranted vnto the Prior and Brethren De poenitentia Iesu Christi of London the said land in Colechurch street in the Parish of Saint Olaue in the old Iury and S. Margaret in Lothbury by her granted with consent of Stephen de Fulborne Vnder-Warden of the Bridge-house and other Brethren of that house for threescore Markes of siluer which they had receiued of the said Prior and Brethren of Repentance toward the building of the said Bridge This Order of Friers gathered many good Schollers and multiplied in number exceedingly vntill by a generall Councell it was decreed that there should no more Orders of begging Friers be permitted but onely the foure Orders and so from that time these Friers decreased and fell to nothing There were also Nunnes of this order which were called Sachettes whether they had any Couent in England or not I do not know But great S. Lewis King of France being stirred vp by Queene Blaunch his mother in the yeare of our saluation 1261. hauing giuen vnto the Brethren of the Sacke or of the repentance of Iesus Christ a certaine house vpon the riuer of Seine a little beneath S. Michaels bridge in the Parish of Saint Andrew des Artes at Paris as by his charter which I haue read appeares gaue also to the Nunnes of the same order another house to inhabite in the said Parish where neither of the orders made there any long abode but were expelled in the time of the said King leauing onely the name of Sachettes vnto the streete About the yeare 1048. the Sarazins being masters of Ierusalem and of the holy Temple which they ruined certaine gentlemen and Italian Merchants vsed to frequent the ports and maritime towns of Syria and Aegypt who for that they brought merchandise which was pleasing vnto those countries were well entertained not onely by the gouernour of the Towne but by the Calife of Aegypt These Christians going often to Ierusalem to visit the holy places and hauing no place of retreat within the citie they obtained leaue to build a Church a Pallace with certaine Monasteries for the lodging of Pilgrimes But in the end they caused an Hospitall to bee built for the receiuing of all sorts of Pilgrimes both sicke and whole and in like manner a Church which was dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist. In the yeare 1099. the citie of Ierusalem being recouered against the impulsions of the Infidels by Godfrey of Bullein Duke of Lorraine this order was instituted the Kings of France were soueraignes of this order who granted them diuers immunities They bare fiue crosses gules in forme of that which is at this day called Ierusalem crosse representing thereby the fiue wounds that violated the bodie of our Sauiour None were to be admitted if of a defamed life or not of the Catholike religion They were to be gentlemen of bloud and of sufficient meanes to maintaine a port agreeable to that calling without the exercise of mechanicall sciences as appeares by these demands propounded by the Pater-Guardian vpon their admission and the Knights answers Guard Quid quaeris Miles Quaero effici Militem sanctissimi Sepulchri Guard Cuius coâ—ditionis es Mil. Nobilis genere Pare 〈…〉 bis Christianis ortus Guard Habes vnde 〈…〉 litaris dignitatis conseruare possis absque mercibus et 〈…〉 Habeo Dei gratia They tooke the Sacrament to heare euery day 〈◊〉 if they might conueniently if warres were commenced against the 〈◊〉 to serue there in person or to lend other in their stead no 〈…〉 To oppugne the persecutours of the Church to shunne vniust warres 〈◊〉 honest gaine and priuate duels Lastly to
precor horum He was a very seuere corrector of sinne depriuing many Clergie-men of their liuings in the first visitation of his owne Diocesse He repaired his pallace with 1101. l. and odde money which he recouered of Andrew Vfford Archdeacon of Midlesex adminâ—stratour of Iohn Vfford his predecessour for dilapidations hee built and endowed with good possessions a Colledge in this Citie which is now become a parcell of Christ-church in Oxford He bequeathed to his Church a thousand sheepe his vestments which were all cloth of gold a very sumptuous Coape and much plate he was a very â—â—ugall and sparing man neuer esteeming pompe nor outward brauery which he shewed at his end desiring to be buried obscurely to auoid superfluous expence William Wittlesey succeeded the said Simon and was brought vp at Oxford at the charges of Simon Islip who was his Vnkle where hee proceeded Doctor of the Canon Law and by him sent to Rome to sollicite his causes and also to get experience by seeing the practise of that Court who after he had stayed there a time was called home and preferred by his Vnkles meanes vnto the place of Vicar generall then to the Deanrie of the Arches the Archdeaconrie of Huntington the Parsonages of Croydon and Cliff to the Bishopricke of Rochester from thence to Worcester and lastly after the decease of his said Vncle to this Archbishopricke of Canterbury in which he continued almost seuen yeares being the most of his time troubled with a tedious lingring disease whereof he died Iuly 5. 1374. He lieth buried ouer against his Vncle betweene two pillars vnder a marble Tombe inlaid with brasse which with his Epitaph is altogether defaced the brasse worne torne or stolne away these few words onely remaining ............ tumulatus Wittelesey natus gemmata luce ..... Sudburie natus Simon iacet hic tumulatus Martirizatus nece pro republica stratus Heu scelus infernum trux exitiale nefandum Presulis eximij corpus venerabile dandum In rabiem Vulgi ......... This is a fragment of an Epitaph composed to the memory of Simon Tibold the sonne of one Nigellus Tibold surnamed Sudbury of a Towne in Suffolke where he was borne a Doctor of the Canon Law who by degrees came to this Metropolitan Grace of Canterbury A man very wise learned eloquent liberall mercifull and wondrous reuerend all which could not deliuer him from vntimely death For he together with Sir Robert Hales Lord Prior of Saint Iohns Ierusalem and Chancellour or England were haled to the Tower-hill by the Rebels of Kent and Essex with infernall shouts and yells and there vniustly Nam ius calcatur violâ—â—tia cum dominatur and horriblie hackâ— hewed and in that barbarous manner beheaded by these arch Trayâ—ours Iune the fourteenth the yeare of our Lord 1381. and of the raigne of that vnfortunate King Richard the second the fourth hauing sate Bishop about six yeares Which lamentable storie the Chronicles at large declare When these hurlie burlies were at an end the body of this good Archbishop was conueyed to his owne Church and there honourablie inteâ—â—ed vpon the South side of the Altar of Saint Dunstan This Bishop built the West-gate of this Citie and the wall from that gate vnto the North-gate commonly called by the name of the long wall and would haue done likewise about all the Towne if hee had liued The Maior and the Aldermen once a yeare vsed to come solemnly to his Tombe to pray for his soule in memory of this his good deed to their Citie saith Leland in his Commentaries It was the custome of old and so it is in these dayes for men of eminent ranke and qualitie to haue Tombes erected in more places then one for example and proofe of my speech I finde here in this Church a Monument of Alabaster at the feete of the blacke Prince wherein both by tradition and writing it is affirmed that the bones of William Courtney the sonne of Hugh Courtney the third of that Christian name Earle of Deuonshire Archbishop of this See lies entombed And I finde another to the memory of the same man at Maidstone here in Kent wherein because of the Epitaph I rather beleeue that his body lieth buried Of which hereafter when I come to that Towne Here lieth interred vnder a faire Monument Thomas Fitz-Alan or Arundell the third sonne of Richard Fitz-Alan Earle of Arundell Warren and Surrey by Eleanor his wife daughter of Henry Plantaginet Earle of Lancaster as I haue it in the Catalogue of Honour Who at the age of two and twenty yeares was consecrated Bishop of Ely which hee laudablie gouerned considering the greennesse of his age the space of fourteene yeares three moneths and eighteene dayes In which time hee was Lord Chancellour of England from Ely he was translated to Yorke leauing for an implement at his house of Ely a wonderfull sumptuous and costly Table adorned with gold and precious stones which belonged first to the King of Spaine and was sold to this Bishop by the blacke Prince for three hundred Markes Hee also bestowed the building of the great Gate-house of Ely house in Houlborne during his abode at Yorke which was about eight years he bestowed much in building vpon diuers of his houses and vnto the Church Besides many rich ornaments he gaue two great Basons of siluer and gilt two great Censers two other Basons of siluer and two Creuetts he gaue to the Vicars a siluer cup of great waight and a massie bowle of siluer to the Canons From Yorke he was remoued hither to Canterbury and here he sate one moneth aboue seuenteene yeares In which time at the West end of his Church hee built a faire spiâ—e steeple called to this day Arundell steeple and bestowed a tunable ring of fiue bels vpon the same which he dedicated to the holy Trinity to the blessed Virgine Mary to the Angell Gabriel to Saint Blase and the fifth to S. Iohn Euangelist Thus much he effected howsoeuer hee was no sooner warme in his seate then that he with his brother the Earle of Arundell were condemned of high Treason his brother executed and he banished the kingdome and so liued in exilement the space of neare two yeares vntill the first of the raigne of Henry the fourth This worthy Prelate died of a swelling in his tongue which made him vnable to eate drinke or speake for a time before his death Which happened Februar 20. Ann. 1413. An Author contemporarie with this Archbishop writes as followeth of the passages in those times as also much in the grace and commendation of this worthy Metropolitan Heu mea penna madet lachrimis dum scribere suadet Infortunata sceleris quibus horreo fata Non satis est Regem mundi deflectere legem Vt pereant gentes sub eo sine lege manentes Sed magis in Christum seuit qua propter ad istum Casum deslendum
Edwin king of Northumberland Sandwich Before the generall suppression here was a religious house of white Friers Carmelites founded by one Henry Cowfeld an Almaine Ann. 1272. and an Hospitall founded by Thomas Rabyng William Swanne Clerkes Iohn Goddard and Richard Long. In a booke of this order of Carmes written by Iohn Bale of which I haue spoken in the prefixed discourse I finde the Foundation of this Religious structure as also certaine Epitaphs made to the memorie of diuers of the Fraternitie therein interred in this manner following Anno Domini M.CC.LXXII fundatus erat Conuentus Sandwici per Henricum Cowfeld de Alemania Epitaphium Magistri Fratris Thome Legatt qui obijt Anno Domini M. CCCCIX Carmelita Thomas Legatt qui Theologie Doctor erat quondam conditur hoc lapide Epitaphium Fratris Thome Hadlow Hic Prior iste Hadlow nunc hoc sub marmore tectus Turmas celicolas adeat nostra prece vectus M.C. quater X. sepâ—eno transijt anno Huic deciâ—o sexto Septembris lumina nexo Magister Frater Willelmus Becklee hic sepultus cum hoc Epitaphio Nunc me petra tenet saxoque includor in isto Et lacerum vermes laniant nunc vndique corpus Quid mihi diuicie quid alta palacia prosunt Cum mihi sufficiat paruo quo marmore claudor Quam fastus quam pompa leuis quam gloria mundi Sit breuis fragilis humana potencia quam sit Collige ab exemplo qui transis perlege posco Obijt Ann Dom. M. CCCC.XXXVIII Epitaphium Magistri Iohannis Sandwich huius Conuentus Prioris perquam amabilis Subiacet huic Tumbe deuotus mente Iohannes De Sandwich dictus huiusce Prior que domus Mille quadringentos tres annos congere lumen Quindecimam Iunij sumite tempus habes Quo sors superna rapuit de corpore vitam Fundito queso preces vt sit ei requies Epitaphium Fratris Dionisij Plumcooper Cuspide lethisera mors que premit impia cuncta Mole sub hac gelià a clausit ossa viri Qui rogitat nomen cognomen postulat ipsum Hoc Dionisius est Plumcooper illud erat Mollibus hic annis Carmeli dulcis alumnus Extitit placide Pacis amator erat Ad canos veniens nature iura reliquit Mors dedit lassis artubus hic requiem Valedicit mundo xx Febr. Ann. Dom. MCCCC LXXXI Ann. 1563. Sir Roger Manwood before remembred natiue of this place founded here a free Schoole which hee endowed with fourty pounds of yearely reuenue Right famous in former times saith Camden was the Citie of Richborow whereof now nothing remaines saue certaine walls of a Castie of rough flint and Britane brickes in forme of a Quadrant Ouer the entrie whereof is the head of Queene Berta as some say grauen in stone the wife of King Ethelbert who here had a royall pallace The Romanes had their Presidents or Prouosts who had the gouernment of this Citie of which I finde but onely two to haue beene here interred namely Flauius Sanctius and Claudius Contentus the one ruling with all peace the other liuing in all riches and prosperitie whose memories are thus preserued by the Poet Ausonius Militiam nullo qui turbine sedulus egit Praeside letatus quae Rhutupinus ager His martiall seruice he discharg'd with care without all strife And Rutupin reioyc'd in him whilst there he was in life The same Authour setteth forth likewise in a lamentable funerall verse in the praise of Claudius Contentus whom he calls Vnkle who being ouertaken with death left behinde him vnto strangers a mighty great stocke of money which he had put out to vsury among the Britaines and increased by interest Et patruos Elegia meos reminiscere cantus Contentum tellus quem Rhutupina tegit My dolefull Muse now call to minde the songs of Vnkle mine Contentus who enterred lyes within mould Rutupine Ashe-Church In this Church are many ancient Monuments of worthy Gentlemen namely Sir ... Goshalls Sir ... Leuericks who lye crosse-legged as knights of Ierusalem One of the Septvaus with a collar of S S about his necke his wifes portraiture vpon the same Tombe diuers of the surname of Saint Nicholas of the Harslets and others all without Inscriptions sauing two and those shamefully defaced Claus. 25. Hen. 6. Memb. 30. 1446. Christian S. Nicholas Lady Prioresse of the Minories without Algate was daughter and heire of Nicholas S. Nicholas of S. Nicholas in Thanet and Thomas S. Nicholas is named in the same Record Hic iacet .... Clitherow Ar. ..... vxor eius silia Iohannis Oldcastell qui obijt ..... Pray for the sowle of Ioane Keriell Ye frends all that forth ypasse In endlesse lyff perpetuall That god it grant mercy and grase Roger Clitherow her fader was Tho erth to erth of kynd returne Pray that her sowle to lyff may come The name of Kiriell hath beene of great note and antiquity within this County Sir Nicholas Kiriell flourished in the raigne of King Richard the second and Sir Thomas Kiriell beheaded with the Lord Bouvile the day after the second battell at Saint Albons in the raigne of King Henry the sixth or slaine in the battell according to Iohn Harding ..... The Lords of the North Southward came To Sainct Albones vpon the fasting gang eue Wher then thei slewe the Lord Bouvile â—eue And Sir Thomas Kyriell also of Kent With mekell folke that pitee was to se. Sibbertswood In this Church are some ancient Monuments but now without Inscriptions erected to the memory of the Philipots or Philpots a familie which hath resided here a long time at Vpton Court within this Parish of which name and family was that renowned Lord Maior of London Sir Iohn Philpot knighted in the field by King Richard the second together with Sir William Wallworth then Maior and other Aldermen for the good seruice they performed against Watt Tylar and his complices Rebels of Kent and Essex This Sir Iohn gaue to the City certaine lands for the finding of thirteene poore people for euer It is likewise remembred of him to his eternall honour that Ann. 2. R. 2. he manned forth a Fleete at his owne charges to scoure the narrow Seas of such Scottish French and Spanish Pyrats as had done much villany by their often incursions to many of our English Ports and Harbours with which he not onely guarded both water and Land from their intollerable violences but also tooke their prime Captaine one Iohn Mercer a Scot with all his whole Nauie consisting of fifteene Spanish ships all being fraught with very rich commodities Which memorable atchieuement as it was right worthily applauded extolled and admired of all the faithfull Commonaltie so was it most wrongfully vnderualued enuied and drawne into question by some of the slothfull Nobilitie Ikham In this Church I saw an old Monument vpon
And besides Geruasius Dorobernens or Geruis a Monke in Canterbury who flourished in the raigne of king Henry the first affirmeth that the fore-ward in all battels belongeth to them by a certaine preheminence in right of their manhood And it is agreed by all men that there were neuer any bondmen or villaines as the law calleth them in Kent Neither bee they here so much bounden to the Gentrie by Copyhold or customarie tenures as the Inhabitants of the westerne Countries of the Realme be nor at all indangered by the feeble hold of Tenant Right which is but a descent of a tenancie at will as the Common people in the Northerne parts be for Copyhold tenure is rare in Kent and Tenant Right not heard of at all But in place of these the custome of Gauelkinde that is Giue all Kinne preuailing euery where in manner euery man is a Free-holder and hath some part of his owne to liue vpon And in this their estate they please themselues and ioy exceedingly in so much as a man may finde sundrie Yeomen although otherwise for wealth comparable with many of the gentile sort that will not yet for all that change their condition nor desire to be apparrelled with the titles of Gentrie Neither is this any cause of disdaine or of alienation of the good minds of the one sort from the other For no where else in all this Realme is the common people more willingly gouerned To be short they be most commonly ciuill iust and bountifull so that the estate of the old Franklyns and Yeomen of England either yet liueth in Kent or else it is quite dead and departed out of the Realme for altogether Thus farre in effect out of Lambard Briefly saith Selden it had the first English King in it was the first Christianity among the English and Canterbury then honoured with the Metropolitique See all which giue note of Honourable Prerogatiue But I will conclude this commendation of Kent with these verses following taken out of the foresaid Author of Polyolbion in the same Song When as the pliant Muse straight turning her about And comming to the Land as Medway goeth out Saluting the deare soyle O famous Kent quoth she What countrey hath this Isle that can compare with thee Which hast within thy selfe as much as thou canst wish Thy conies Venson Fruit thy sorts of Fowle and Fish And what with strength comports thy hay thy corne thy wood Nor any thing doth want that any where is good Now here before I take my leaue of this little See of Rochester it shall not seeme impertinent I hope to shew with what great courage and happinesse this Church hath euer vpholden her rights and priuiledges not onely against the Monkes of Canterbury which laboured much to bring it vnder but also against the See it selfe of the Archbishops For example in the raigne of king Henry the third and after the death of Benedict the Bishop of Rochester the Monkes made choise of one Henry Sanford that great wise Clerke which preached at Sittingbourne that such a day the soules of king Richard the first Stephen Langton Archbishop of Canterbury and another Priest were deliuered out of Purgatory and no more soules that day but onely they three as God had reuealed it vnto him three seuerall times whereof when the Monkes of Christ-Church had intelligence they resisted the election challenging that the Pastorall staffe or Crosyer of Rochester ought of very right to be brought to their house after the decease of the Bishop and that the election ought to be made in their Chapiter The Monkes of Rochester maintained their owne choise and so the matter waxing warme betweene them it was at the length referred to the determination of the Archbishop he againe posted it ouer to certaine Delegates who hearing the parties and weighing the proofes gaue sentence with the Monkes of Rochester and yet lost as they thought good loue and amity among them But as the Poet saith Male sarta gratia nequicquam coit sed rescinditur Fauour that is euill peeced will not ioyne close but falleth asunder And therefore this their opinion failed them and their cure proued but to be patched for soone after the sore brake out anew and the Canterbury Monkes reuiued their displeasure with such a heat that Hubert of Burgh Earle of Kent and chiefe Iustice of England was driuen to come into the Chapter house and coole it and to worke a second reconciliation betweene them Neither for all that as it may seeme was that flame quite extinguished For not long after viz. Ann. 1238. the Monkes of Christ-Church seeing that they themselues could not preuaile intituled their Archbishop Edmund with whom also the Rochester Monkes waged law at Rome before the holy Father as touching the election of Richard Wendeouer whom they would haue had Bishop by the space of three whole yeares together and at the length either through the equitie of the cause or the weight of their purse saith my Author ouerthrew him vpon Saint Cuthberts day in ioy whereof they returned home with all hast and enacted in their Chapter house that from thenceforth for euer Saint Cuthberts feast as a Trophey of their victory should be holden double both in their Church and Kitchin And not thus onely but otherwise also hath the See at Rochester well holden her owne for during the whole succession of fourescore Bishops and one as I haue said before which in right line haue followed Iustus she hath continually maintained her chaire at this one place whereas in most parts of the Realme besides the Sees of the Bishops haue suffered sundrie translations by reason that in the Conquerours time order was taken that such Bishops as before had their Churches in countrey Townes and Villages should forthwith remoue and from thenceforth remaine in walled Townes and Cities which ordinance could not by any meanes touch Rochester that was a walled Citie long time before king Williams gouernment Here endeth the Diocesse of Rochester ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE Diocesse of LONDON AS before I haue said somewhat of the Cities of Canterbury and Rochester so giue me leaue to speak a little of this great Citie of London collected out of as well ancient as moderne writers And first I will borrow a few lines from Iohn Iohnston before remembred sometimes Professour of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of S. Andrewes in Scotland who in a graue note and serious stile compiled certaine Latine verses in praise of this our Metropolis or soueraigne Citie of this Island Which I finde to be translated by Philemon Holland thus This Citie well Augusta call'd to which a truth to say Aire Land Sea and all Elements shew fauour euery way The weather no where milder is the ground most rich to see Doth yeeld all fruits of fertile soile that neuer spent will be And Ocean that with Tams streame his flowing tide doth blend Conueyes to it commodities all that
by King Henry the second remoued into Ireland who supposed that he should disburden himselfe of the worlds hatred for that fact in case hee aduanced the Kinsfolke and Allies of the said Thomas to rich reuenues and high honours The first Earle of Ormond saith he in this familie was Iames sonne to Edmund Earle of Caricke who wedded the daughter of Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford whom he had by a daughter of King Edward the first And here was his first step vnto this honour hereupon Iames his sonne by this marriage came to be commonly named among the people The noble Earle The fifth Earle of these named Iames that I may not stand particularly vpon euere one receiued at the hands of King Henry the sixth the title and honour of Earle of Wiltshire to him and to the heires of his body who being Lord Deputie of Ireland as diuers others of this race and Lord Treasurer of England standing attainted by King Edward the fourth was streight waies apprehended and beheaded but his brethren Iohn and Thomas likewise proclaimed Traitors kept themselues close out of the way Iohn died at Ierusalem without issue Thomas here entombed through the speciall fauour of King Henry the seuenth was in the end restored to his bloud who departed this life as before in his Epitaph An. 1515. leauing behinde him two daughters Anne married to Sir Iames de Sancto Leodegario called commonly Sellenger and Margaret vnto Sir William Bullein who bare vnto him Sir Thomas Bollein whom King Henry the eight created first Viscount Rochford afterwards Earle of Wiltshire and Ormund the father of Anne Bollein as I haue written before Here lyeth ..... Iohn Riche .... the sonne of Richard Riche Sheriffe .... 1469. Respice quid prodest presentis temporis euum Omne quod est nihil est preter amare deum Richard Rich one of the Sheriffes of London Anno 1442. and the father of this Iohn founded certaine Almes-houses at Hodsdon in Hertfordshire He lieth buried in Saint Laurence Church old Iewrie with the like Distich vpon his monument Vndyr this ston lyeth in the holy plas Ambros Cressacre ...... he was Late of Dedington in Huntington shyre Passyd fro this world worshcipfull Esquyre The yere of our Lord God M. cccc.lxxvii it is Iesu for his mercy grant his sowl bliss Iohn Peris and Margaret his wyf The whych late departyd fro this present lyf Here beryed and ther sonn vndyr this ston And ther soulys to God ben passyd and gon To thee for help of mercy thou blessyd Saint Ion And to Saint Margarite also I mak my mon. Here lieth Raph Tilney Grocer sometyme Alderman and Sheriffe of this City and Ioan his wyff who dyed 1503 and Ioan died 1500 .... on whos soulys Clausa sub bac fossa pacis hic Yerford pronus ossa ............... Prudens pacificus in omnes pacis amicus Vixit Mercerus in promissis cuique verus Mors properata nimis dum floruit impia primis Annis vanescit et à nobis sicque recessit Anno milleno quater cccc octuagenâ— Migrat ab hac vita sua spes succurre Maria. Siste precorque legas Alleyneia et eâ—ce Iohannes Londini quondam Pretor erat celebris Confilio Regis summa probitate probatus Inclytus et miles nobilitate valens Quem Deus omnipotens secum dignetur Olympo Et precor eternam donet ei requiem obijt An. 1544. This Lord Maior who for his singular wisedome was made a Priuie Councellour to King Henry the eight built a beautifull Chappell here wherein he was first buried but since his Tombe is remoued thence into the body of the Hospitall Church and his Chappell diuided into Shops He gaue to the city a rich coller of gold to be worne by the Maior he gaue a stocke of 500 markes to be employed for the vse of the poore of London besides the rents of certaine lands by him purchased of the King To Prisons Hospitals and Lazer houses within and two miles without the Citie he was abundantly charitable Saint Mary Bow Magnificus sed iustificus misâ—ris et amicus Vir speciosus vir generosus virque pudicus Et peramabilis et venerabilis atque piarum Vis dux lex lampas flos Maior Londoniarum In terre ventre iacet hic Iohn rite Couentre Dictus quem necuit veluti decuit lue plenus Bis septingenus tricenus citra his et vnus Martius in sole triceno si trahis vnum Virginis a partu carnis modo mortuus artu Viuus erit celis tuba clanxerit vt Gabrielis Amen This Iohn was the sonne of William Couentrie of the Citie of Couentrie in Warwickshire He was Lord Maior of this Citie An. 1425 a man much commended he is in our English Chronicles for his discreet carriage in the debate betwixt Humphrey Duke of Glocester and Henry Beaufort that wealthy Bishop of Winchester One William Copeland Church-warden gaue the great Bell which is rung nightly at nine of the clocke which had this inscription cast in the mettall An. 1515. Dudum fundabar Bowbel campana vocabar Sexta sonat bis sexta sonat ter tertia pulsat No maruaile death in childhood tooke from men This roiall Prince he was a father then Three Hospitalls erected this rate gem And ended praising God for ending them Saint Anthonies commonly called Saint Antlins Here lyth grauyn vndyr this ston Thomas Knowles both flesh and bon Grocer and Alderman yeres fortye Sheriff and twis Maior truly And for he shold not ly alone Here lyth wyth him his good wyff Ione They weren togeder sixty yere And nineteen chyldren they had in feer Now ben they gon wee them miss Christ haue here sowlys to heuen bliss Amen ob Ann. 14 ...... This Lord Maior with the Aldermen his brethren began to new build the Guild Hall he reedified this Church gaue to the Grocers his house neare vnto the same for reliefe of the poore for euer and caused water to be conuayed to the gate of Newgate and Ludgate for reliefe of the prisoners He was Lord Maior Ann. 1. of Hen. the fourth and againe An. 12. eiusdem Regis Thomas Knowles sonne of the foresaid Thomas a great benefactour to this Church was buried here in the North Isle by his father vnder a faire marble stone thus sometimes engrauen but now quite taken away for the gaine of the brasse Thomas Knolles lyeth vndre this ston And his wyff Isabell flesh and bon They weren togeder nyntene yere And x. chyldren they had in fere His Fader and he to this Chyrch Many good dedys they did wyrch Example by him ye may see That this world is but vanitie For wheder he be smal or gret All sall turne to wormys mete This seyd Thomas was leyd on Bere The eighth dey the moneth Fevrer The date of Iesu Crist truly An. M. CCCC fiue and forty Wee mey not prey hertely
Church with timber couered it with lead and beautifully glased it Iohannem tegit hic cognomine Gray lapis iste Mentem queso suam celo tene as tibi Christe Aspice mortalis quid sit nisi mors tua vita Vt modo sum talis breuiter quoque tu fies ita .................. 1424. Debita qui teneriâ— Nature soluit in annis Ipsorum prolis Iesu miserere Iohannis Hic iacet Thomas Cornwaleis quondam ciuis London qui obijt quarto die Ianuarij Ann. Dom. 1384. Cuius This Thomas was Sheriffe of London Ann. 1378. Henry Gisors gist yci Deeu de sa Ame tien pite e Iohn le filz a mercy Qui morust le veille de S. Katherine En l'an de grace 1343. Here lieth also Sir Iohn Gisors knight who was Maior of this Citie An. 1311. the father of this Henry Saint Iames Garlickehyth Gemmarius Lion hic Richardus est tumulatus Qui fuit in rabie vulgi ve decapitatus Hic bonus extiterat cunctis hospes egenorum Pacis et author erat dilector et vrbis honorum Anno milleno tricenteno numerato Sic octogeno currente cum simul vno Plebe rea perij ...... morte dolosa Basily festo dum regnat plebs furiosa This Richard Lion here interred whose corporall proportion is engrauen wondrous curiously vpon his Graue-stone was a famous Wine-merchant a skilfull Lapidarie sometime Sheriffe of London Hee was drawne and hailed out of his owne house by Wat. Tyler and other Rebels and by them beheaded in Cheape the yeare 1381. Not many yeares since here stood a monument in the North wall erected to the memory of Sir George Stanley Knight of the Garter and Lord Strange in right of his wife Ioan daughter and heire of Iohn Lord Strange of Knocking sonne and heire of Thomas Stanley Lord Stanley of Lathum in Lancashire and Earle of Derby which George died before his Father at Derby house now the Heralds Office Anno 1487. the third of Henry the seuenth And neere to the same place Elianor his mother Countesse of Derby the daughter of Richard Neuill Earle of Salisbury was likewise entombed This Church was honoured with the monuments of many worthy personages of which no mention is now remayning Saint Michaels Pater Noster in the Royall This Church was new builded and made a Colledge of S. Spirit and S. Mary founded by Richard Whitington Mercer foure times Maior for a Master foure Fellowes Masters of Art Clarkes Conducts Quiristers c. and an Almes house called Gods house or Hospitall for thirteene poore men one of them to be Tutor and to haue xvi d the weeke the other twelue each of them to haue xiiij d. the weeke for euer with other necessary prouisions These were bound to pray for the good estate of Richard Whitington and Alice his wife their Founders and for Sir William Whitington Knight and Dame Ioan his wife and for Hugh Fitz-Warren and Dame Maud his wife the Fathers and Mothers of the said Richard Whitington and Alice his wife for King Richard the second and Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester speciall Lords and promoters of the said Richard Whitington The licence for this foundation was granted by King Henry the fourth the eleuenth of his raigne and confirmed by King Henry the sixt the third of his raigne This Richard Whitington saith my Author Stow was three times buried in this his owne Church first by his Executors vnder a faire monument then in the raigne of Edward the sixt the Parson of the Church thinking some great riches as hee said to be buried with him caused his monument to be broken his body to be spoyled of his leaden sheet and againe the second time to be buried And in the raigne of Queene Mary the Parishioners were forced to take him vp to lap him in lead as afore to bury him the third time and to place his monument or the like ouer him againe whereupon this Epitaph is engrauen partly erazed and imperfect Vt fragrans Nardus fama fuit iste Richardus Albisicans villam qui iuste rexerat illam Flos Mercatorum Fundator presbiterorum Sic Egenorum testis sit cetus eorum Omnibus exemplum Barathrum vincendo molosum Condidit hoc templum Michaelis quod specio sum Regia ....... res rata turbiss Pauperibus Pater extiterat Maior quater vrbis Martius hunc vicit en Annos gens tibi dicit Finijt ipse dies sis sibi christe quies Amen Eius sponsa pia generosa probata Sophia Iungitur This Whitington flourished in the raigne of King Richard the second Henry the fourth Henry the fift and died about the beginning of Henry the sixt hauing begun to build Newgate and the Librarie of Gray Friers at Christ Church London with that at Guild hall all which were finished by his Executors with his goods His Colledge here was suppressed by the Statute of Edward the sixt the Almes houses with the poore men doe remaine to this day and are paid by the Mercers Alhallowes the great Willelmus dudum Lichfeeld quem mors fera pressit Ista post ludum mundi sub rupe quiescit In Domini rure cultor sator ac operosus Dum preciat ture Pastor vigil et studiosus Hanc Edem rexit ornauit et amplificauit Pignora prouexit ac sacro dogmate pauit Pauperibus carus inopes in mente gerebat Consilio gnarus dubitantibus esse solebat Christe pugil fortis eius dissolue reatus Vt viuat mortis post morsum glorificatus Luce bis X quater I. migrat octobris sine panno E .... quater X quater V semel .... M anno 1447. This Doctor was a great student and compiled many bookes both morall and diuine as well in verse as prose Sta precor interne qui transis aspice cerne Non nitidis pannis sed â—lentibus ossa Iohannis Brickles ista mei specus includit requiei Taliter indutus tumulabere tu resolutus Dormit in hac cella mea coniux ac Isabella Apollinaris .... vixit lux nece stratus Et quater x ter v. I bis et M. sociatis This Brickles was a linnen Draper a worthy benefactor to this Church who gaue by his Testament certaine Tenements to the reliefe of the poore Alhallowes the lesse Iesu that sufferyd bitter passion and peyn Haue mercy on my sowl Iohn Chamberleyn And my Wyfs too Agnes and Ione also The seyd Iohn deceised the sooth for to sey In the Monyth of Decembyr the fowrth dey The yere of owr Lord God reckond ful euin A thowsand fowr hundryd fowrscor and seuin Before this time that here yee haue seene Lyeth buried the body of William Greene Barbor and Surgeon late master of that company And Clark of this Church yeeres fiftie Which William decesyd the truth for to say The month of December the fourth day The yere of our Lord God as by books doth appere On thowsand
fyue hundryd and eighteen yere Inscriptions in the Stilliard the house sometime of the German-Merchants Haec domus est laeta semper bonitate repleta Hic Pax hic requies hic gaudia semper honesta Item Aurum blanditiae pater est natusque doloris Qui caret hoc maeret qui tenet hic metuit Item Qui bonis parere recusat quasi vitato fumo in flammam incidit Saint Mary Bothaw .......... Chich .... vocitatus ..... Robertus omni bonitate refertus Bauperibus largus pius extitit ad mala tardus Moribus ornatus iacet istic intumulatus Corpore procerus his Maior arte Grocerus Anno milleno C quater x quater anno ............. This Robert Chichley was Lord Maior An. 1422. hee appointed by his Testament that on his birth day acompetent dinner should be ordained for 2400 poore men housholders of this city euery man to haue two pence in money Saint Michaels Crooked lane Here lieth entombed in a Chappell of his owne foundation Sir William Walworth Knight Lord Maior of London whose manfull prowesse against that arch-Rebell VVat Tyler and his confederates is much commended in our English Chronicles his monument was shamefully defaced in the raigne of King Edward the sixt as many others were but since it was renewed by the Fishmongers he died Anno 1383. as appeareth by this Epitaph Here vnder lyth a man of Fame William Walworth callyd by name Fishmonger he was in life time here And twise Lord Maior as in bookes appere Who with courage stout and manly might Slew Wat Tyler in King Richards sight For which act done and trew entent The King made him Knight incontinent And gaue him armes as here you see To declare his fact and Chiualrie He left this life the yere of our God Thirteene hundryd fourescore and three od Iohn Philpot Nicholas Brember and Robert Launde Aldermen were knighted with him the same day To this Maior the King gaue 100 pound land yeerely and to each of the other 40 pound land by yeare to them and their heires for euer He founded a Colledge to this parish Church for a Master and nine Priests or Chaplaines Worthy Iohn Louekin Stockfishmonger of London here is leyd Four times of this City Lord Maior hee was if truth be seyd Twise he was by election of Citizens then being And twise by the commandment of his good Lord the King Cheef Founder of this Church in his life time was he Such louers of the common-welth too few ther be Of August the fourth thirteene hundryth sixty and eyght His flesh to Erth his soul to God went streyght Sir William Walworth was an apprentice to this Iohn Louekin Here lyeth wrapt in clay The body of William VVray I haue no more to say Saint Laurence Poultney This Church was increased with a Chappell of Iesus by one Thomas Cole for a Master and a Chaplaine the which Chappell and Parish-Church was made a Colledge of Iesus and of Corpus Christi for a Master and seuen Chaplaines by Iohn Poultney Maior and was confirmed by Edward the third in the twentieth of his raigne So that of him it was called Saint Laurence Poultney in Candlewickstreet This Colledge was valued at 79. l. 17. s. 11. d. per ann and surrendred in the raigne of Ed. the sixth The thrice honourable Lord Robert Radcliffe the first earle of Sussex of that name and Henry Radcliffe his sonne and heire as of his possessions so of his honours were first interred in this Collegiate Church whose relique were afterwards remoued to Boreham in Essex Saint Mary Abchurch Hac gradiens fortis tua lingua precando laboret Esto memor mortis dum virtus vivida floret Dum vita fueris quid agas circumspice mente Nam tu talis eris qualis concido repente Corpora Gilberti Melites celat lapis iste Eius vxoris Christine quos cape Christe Saint Mary Colechurch So called of one Cole the builder thereof King Henry the fourth granted licence to William Marshall and others to found a brotherhood of S. Katherine in this Church to the helpe of Gods seruice because Thomas Becket and S. Edmund Archbishops of Canterbury were baptised herein Alhallowes Barking On the North side of this Church was sometime builded a faire Chappell founded by king Richard the first and much augmented by king Edward the first Edward the fourth gaue licence to his cosin Iohn Lord Tiptost Earle of Worcester to found here a Brotherhood for a Master and Brethren And he gaue to the Custos of that Fraternitie the advowsion of the Parish Church of Stretham in Surrey with all the members and appurtenances the Priory of Totingbeck and a part of the Priory of Okeborne in Wiltshire both Priors Aliens and appointed it to be called the Kings Chantrie In Capella beate Marie de Barking king Richard the third founded herein a Colledge of Priests and reedified the decayed structure Great concourse of people came hither to our Lady of Barking a pilgrimage vntill the Colledge was suppressed and pulled downe in the second of Edward the sixth and the ground whereupon it stood imployed as a Garden plot Many funerall Monuments are yet remaining in this Parish Church which you may reade in the Suruay of this Citie Saint Mary Wolnoth Here lieth Sir Iohn Arundell knight of the Bath and knight Baneret Receiuor of the Duchy ....... Grey daughter to the Lord Marquese Dorset who died 8. Febr. the 36. of the reigne of king Hen. the 8. This Sir Iohn Arundell was of the house of Lanherne in Cornwall a family of great respect in that county Of which I shall haue further occasion to speake when I come to Saint Columbs where this mans Ancestors lye entombed The Christian name of his wife with time worne or torne out of the brasse was Elianor the third daughter of Thomas Grey Marquesse Dorset halfe brother by the mother to Edward the fifth by Cicely daughter and heire of William Bonvile Lord Harrington Quid caro letatur cum vermibus esca paratur Terre terra datur Caro nascitur moriatur Orate pro anima Simonis Eyre ......................................... vnder this defaced Monument Simon Eyre the sonne of Iohn Eyre of Brandon in Suffolk lieth interred He was Lord Maior in the yeare 1445. Hee built Leaden Hall for a common Granary for the Citie and a faire large Chappell on the East side of the Quadrant ouer the Porch whereof was painted Dextra Domini exaltauit me And on the North wall Honorandus famosus Mercator Symon Eyre huius operis Fundator He gaue 5000. l. and aboue the poore Maids marriages and did many other works of charitie Hee died the 18. day of September 1459. Saint Nicholas Acons O ye dere frendys whych sall here aftyr be Of yowr deuotion plese ye to remembyr Me Richard Payne which of this noble cite Somtym whylst I liud was
Citizen and Drapier And now thro goddys grace buryd am I here For mercy to abyd aftyr this lif present Trestyng by preyer celestiall Ioy to be my iudgment Wherfor o my Frendys dere my soul ye like assist And eke Elisabyth my wyf and chyldren on by on And I sall prey God fro peyne yowr souls to resist The sooner by mediation of blessyd Sant Albion On whos day in Iun on M. cccc.lx and thrice on Then being the yere of God as hit did him plese Out of this present world did I discese Here lieth Sir Iohn Brug or Bruges knight Lord Maior of this Citie the sonne of Thomas Brug or Bruges of Dimmock in Glocestershire Who executed that honourable and famous high office the yeare 1520. the tweluth of king Hen. the eight Saint Edmunds Lumbardstreet Richard Nordell lyeth buryd here Somtym of London Citizen and Drapier And Margerie his wyf of her progenie Returnyd to erth and so sall ye Of the erth we wer made and formed And to the erth we bin returned Haue yis in mynd and memory Ye yat liuen lerneth to dy And beholdyth here yowr destine Such as ye erne somtym weren we Ye sall be dyght in yis aray Be ye nere so stout and gay Therfor Frendys we yow prey Make yow redy for to dey Yat ye be not forr sinn atteynt At ye dey of Iudgment Man the behovyth oft to haue yis in mynd Yat thow geueth wyth yin hond yat sall thow fynd For wydowes be sloful and chyldren beth vnkynd Executors be covetos and kep al yat they fynd If eny body esk wher ye deddys goodys becam Yey ansqueare So god me help and halidam he died a pore man Yink on yis Saint Peters Cornhill Be hit known to al men that the yeerys of owr Lord God an clxxix Lucius the fyrst christen kyng of this lond then callyd Brytayne fowndyd the fyrst chyrch in London that is to sey the Chyrch of Sent Peter apon Cornhyl and he fowndyd ther an Archbishoppys See and made that Chirch the Metropolitant and cheef Chirch of this kingdom and so enduryd the space of cccc yeerys and more vnto the commyng of Sent Austen an Apostyl of Englond the whych was sent into the lond by Sent Gregory the Doctor of the Chirch in the tym of king Ethelbert and then was the Archbishoppys See and Pol removyd from the aforeseyd Chirch of S. Peters apon Cornhyl vnto Derebernaum that now ys callyd Canterbury and ther yt remeynyth to this dey And Millet Monk whych cam in to this lond wyth Sent Austen was made the fyrst Bishop of London and hys See was made in Powllys Chyrch And this Lucius kyng was the fyrst Fowndyr of Peters Chyrch apon Cornhyl And he regnyd kyng in thys Ilond aftyr Brut M. cc.xl.v yeerys And the yeerys of owr Lord god a cxxiiii Lucius was crownyd kyng and the yeerys of hys reygne lxxvii yeerys and he was beryd aftyr sum cronekil at London and aftyr sum cronekil he was beryd at Glowcester at that plase wher the ordyr of Sent Francys standyth The truth of this Inscription is questioned in diuers points by some of the learned Senate of our Ecclesiasticall Historians but I will adhere to the common receiued opinion that Lucius was the first Christian king of this Island and indeed of the world that he founded an Archbishops See here in London after which time Christianitie was alwayes profest in some part of this kingdome and especially in Wales Of which if it be not troublesome reade these old rimes Among ye Brutons in Walys was alway Christendom Sitthe hit furst thurghe Lucye Brutons king hit com And that was tofore Sent Austens tyme a cccc yer And about xxiiii as they writ of er Iocelin of Fournes seith that one Thean was the first Archbishop and the first builder of this Church by the helpe of one Cyran chiefe Butler vnto king Lucius Eluanus was the second who built a Librarie neare vnto his Church and conuerted many of the British Druides learned men in the Pagan law to Christianitie The rest vntill you come to Restitutus who was the 12. Archbishop are but onely named in my Author Restitutus saith Bishop Godwin was at the Councell of Arles in France the yeare 326. vnder Constantius the sonne of Constantine the great and subscribed vnto the Decrees of the same Councell which he brought ouer with him One Decree amongst the rest was that if a Deacon at the time of his ordering did protest he intended to marrie it should be lawfull for him so to doe Restitus himselfe was married One Kebius the sonne of Salomon a certaine Duke of Cornwall Bishop of Anglesey in Wales flourished in his dayes and trauelled with him into France and afterwards went himselfe into Ireland where by his good doctrine he conuerted many of that Nation to Christianitie Guitelnius the thirteenth Archbishop trauelled ouer Seas to the king of little Britaine to craue his aide against the Scots and Picts which mightily infested this kingdome insomuch that the Romanes rather chose to remit the Britaines their tribute then to afoard them any more aide Of which this Bishop made an oration to his countriemen a little before his departure who at that time like the Romanes were wearied out with their often incursions and altogether afraid to encounter with the enemie that fierce valiant Scot. Imagine his words were wondrous old from our times and that they were deliuered in this Dialect Alle ye grete of this lond to London ycome Therchbishop thus sede Gwithelin benome Our leue frendes of Rome her to speke to yough me bede But beter wille ich haue to wepe then to do eny othur dede For pite hit is of this londe and of our wretchede Aftur that Maximian our folk a wey gan lede Alle our knyghtes and our Swayn and much of our yong hede And othur londes storede therwyth alas the deolfull dede And ye beth men bet ytaught to shouele and to spade To cart eke and to plough and to a fishyng wade To hamer and to nedle and othur craftes also Than with sper or with swerd battaile for to do Whan your enemyes cometh you ne kunneth but fle As shep before UUolues hough myght more woo be And the See biset yow al abowte hough mowe ye than by thenche Othur ligge a don and be a slawe othur fle and a drenche Help is ther nan with yow but clenlich alle this londe Al the helpyng and lokyng is in othur mans honde And the Romaynes beth anoyed of hure traualle so sore Of perile of See and londe ek hii wole come here no more Hii wolleth hure truage rather leue that ye berith him a yere Be konne ye nought lerny thyng that ye dede neuer ere Applieth yowr hondes to the sper and to the swerd also For strongur men buth ther
vestimentorum asperitate disciplinarum que assiduitate corpus suum extenuauit vt fere simul cum Iob sanctissimo pelli sue consumptis carnibus os suum adhereret Et hec talis tantaque sublata est et hec omnia simul Migrauit autem ad illum qui sibi fructuum decimas persolui voluit qui etiam Decalogum constituit mandatorum Miseremini igitur nostri miseremini nostri saltem vos amici nostri et vobis miseris compatiamini fluentes lacrimas per orationum suffragia desiccantes quia pium est saluberrimum pro defunctis exorare vt à peccatis solvantur Subuenite igitur benigni Monachi subuenite venerabiles Canonici vos sancte virgines in conspectu Altissimi preces bostias offerentes vt ipsius pie misercatur qui abstergit omnem lacrimam ab oculis Sanctorum quatenus que ei macule de terrenis contagijs adheserunt remissionis eius remedio deleantur Amen To this Supplication the religious of all houses answer in this forme Titulus Ecclesie Apostolorum Petri Pauli sancte Osithe Virginis Matris de Chich. Anima Domine Lucie Priorisse de Hengeham et anime omnium sidelium defunctorum per Dei miserecordiam requiescant in pace Amen Concedimus ei commune beneficium Ecclesie nostre Oranimus pro vestris orate pro nostris Some againe do answer thus Preter autem commune beneficium et orationes communes Ecclesie nostre concedimus ei ab vnoquoque Sacerdote vnam Missam inferioris ordinis vnum Psalterium et diem ipsius obitus in Martyrilogio nostro annotari fecimus All concluding euer with Oranimus pro vestris orate pro nostris Vnder the picture of the Crucifix the blessed Virgine and vpon her portraiture drawne vpon her Tombe these nicking nice allusiue verses were cut and engrauen Crux bona crux digna lignum super omnia ligna Me tibi consigna redimens a peste maligna Stella Maris candoris ebur speculum Paradysi Fons venie vite ianua Virgo vale Hec Virgo vite mitis super astra locatur Et sic Lucie lux sine fine datur Transijt ad superos venerabilis hec Monialis Vix succedit ei virtutum munere talis Luci lucie prece lux mediente Marie Luceat eterna quia floruit vt rosa verna Ad lucem Lucia venit sine fine manentem Et sic quem coluit patrem videt omnipotentem Tres tibi gemmate lucent Lucia coronâ— Insuper aurate dic lector qua rationâ— Mater virgo tamen Martir fuit ergo inu Amen Cernat ad examen districti Iudicis Amen Subueniant anime Lucie celica queque Ad quorum laudes dapsilis vrna fâ—it Sible Heueningham In this Parish Church sometime stood a Tombe arched ouer and engrauen to the likenesse of Hawkes flying in a wood which was raised to the remembrance of Sir Iohn Hawkewood knight borne in this village the sonne of Gilbert Hawkewood Tanner bound an apprentice to a Tailor in the Citie of London from whence he was prest in the seruice of King Edward the third in the warres of France Of whom for his admired valour he was honoured with the order of knighthood and in the like regard of his notable demerits Barnabie the warlicke brother of Galeasius Lord of Millaine father to Iohn the first Duke of Millaine gaue him his daughter Domnia in marriage by whom he had a sonne named Iohn borne in Italie made knight and naturalized in the seuenth yeare of King Hon. the fourth as I haue it out of a Manuscript in these words Iohannes silius Iohannis Haukewood Miles natus in partibus Italie factus indigena Ann. viii Hen. iiij mater eius nata in partibus transmarinis The Florentines in testimony of his surpassing valour and singular faithfull seruice to their state adorned him with the statue of a man of armes and a sumptuous Monument wherein his ashes remaine honoured at this present day The Italian writers both Historians and Poets resound his worthie acts with full mouth But for my part to vse M. Camdens words it may suffice to adde vnto the rest these foure verses of Iulius Feroldus Hawkwood Anglorum decus et decus addite genti Italicae Italico praesidiumque solo Vt tumuli quondam Florentia sic simulacri Virtutem Iouius donat honore tuam The glorie prime of Englishmen then of Italians bold O Hawkwood and to Italie a sure defensiue hold Thy vertue Florence honored sometime with costly Graue And Iouius adornes the same now with a Statue braue He died an aged man in the yeare of our redemption 1394. and in the eighteenth of King Richard the second His friends here in England who erected for him the foresaid Monument in this Church which were Robert Rokeden senior Robert Rokeden iunior and Iohn Coe founded here also for him a Chantrie and another in the Priorie of Heningham Castle to pray for his soule and the soules of Iohn Oliuer and Thomas Newenton Esquires his militarie companions Chesterford Here ly the bodyes of William Holden and Agnes his wyf whych William dyed ... 1532. on whos sowlys and al Christian sowlys ... Here ly William Holden and Katherin his wyf ...... 1524. This familie as I was told is now extinct here is an old ruinous house still remaining called Holdens Saffron Walden So called of the great plentie of Saffron growing in the fields round about the Towne a commoditie brought into England in the time of King Edward the third But I digresse and am quite off my Subiect being out of the Parish Church wherein Sir Thomas Audley knight of the Garter Baron Audley of this Towne sometime Sergeant at Law Attourney of the Duchie of Lancaster and Lord Chancellour of England lieth entombed with this seeli Epitaph The stroke of deaths ineuitable dart Hath now alas of life bereft the hart Of Sir Thomas Audley of the Garter knight Later Chancellor of England vnder our Prince of might Henry the eight worthie of high renowne And made by him Lord Audley of this Towne Obijt vltimo Aprilu Ann. Dom. 1544. Henrici 36. Cancelleriatus sui 13. aetatis 56. Haue mercy good Lord on the soul of Thomas Holden That hit may rest wyth God good neyghbors say Amen He gave the new Organs wheron hys name is set For bycause only yee shold not hym forget In yowr good preyers to God he took hys wey On thowsand fyve hundryd and eleuin in Nouembyr the fourth dey Hic iacet his stratus West Matheus tumulatus Qui fuit hic gratus vicarius ciueque natus M. Dominiter C .... terris sit remeatus Huic ...... existit propiciatus Of yowr cherite prey for the soulys of Ion Nichols Alys Ione Alys and Ione his wyfs Iohannes Pater Noster miserere nobis Alisia Fili redemptor mundi miserere nobis Ioanna Spiritus sancte miserere nobis Alisia Sancta
husband Eleanor the second wife of the foresaid Sir Iohn Wriothesley Here lieth buried Ioan wyfe to Thomas Wriothesley sonne to the said Sir Iohn Wriothesley Here lyeth Iohn Wriothesley the younger sonne to Sir Iohn Wriothesly and Eleanor with others of that familie mentioned by Stow in his Suruay of London This Church is likewise much honoured by the Sepultures of Sir Henry Grey knight sonne and heire to George Grey Earle of Kent as also by Reginald Grey Earle of Kent Of which their Funeralls being so neare these times in another place S. Benet Pauls Wharfe In this Church lie entombed the bodyes of Sir William Cheyney knight and Dame Margaret his wife which Sir William Cheyney deceased Ann. 1422. In this Parish and partly as I take it in Saint Peters the little is a faire house sometime belonging to the Stanleys vpon the outward wall whereof are embossed the Armes or rather if you will the legges of the Isle of Man for that the Stanleys honoured with the title of Earles of Darby were commonly called Kings of Man This house was built by Thomas Stanley first of that sirname Earle of Darby and so for a long time it was called Darbie House but at length it being in the tenure of Sir Richard Sackuile knight fallen by morgage vnto him for which morgage Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke out of his affection to the office of Armes satisfied the said Sir Richard who thereupon past it ouer to Q. Mary and at the instant request of the said Duke she by her Charter granted it to Sir Gilbert Dethicke as then Garter principall King of Armes who lieth buried in this Church Thomas Hauley Clarencieux king of Armes of the south parts William Haruey Norroy king of Armes of the north parts and to the other Heralds and Pursuiuants of Armes expressing their titles and order qui pro tempore fuerint in perpetuum vt essent vnum corpus corporatum in re facto nomine habeantque successionem perpetuam nec non quoddam sigillum commune To the end that the said King of Armes Heralds and Pursuiuants of Armes and their successors might at their liking dwell together and at conuenient times meete together speake conferre and agree among themselues for the good gouernement of their faculty and their Records might be more safely kept c. Dated the 18. day of Iuly 1555. Philip and Mary the first and third yeare This Corporation consists of thirteene in number whose names and titles at this time viz. Anno 1631. are as followeth Sir William Segar Knight Garter Principall King of Armes Sir Richard S. George Knight Clarencieux Sir Iohn Borough Knight Norroy Prouinciall Kings William Penson Lancaster Sir Henry S. George Knight Richmond Henry Chitting Chester Iohn Philipot Somerset William le Neue Yorke Iohn Bradshaw Windsore Heralds These sixe Heralds non ab Officiorum praestantia sed è creationis cuiusque antiquitate locos obtinet not from the excellencie of their office but according to the prioritie of their creation take preheminence And to make vp the number there are foure Pursuiuants in this Colledge helpers and furtherers likewise in matters of Heraldry although of an inferiour Classe viz. Rouge-crosse so called of the red crosse by which Saint George the Tutelar Saint of all Englishmen is famozed Blewmantle so called of a skie-coloured coate of Armes Francica maiestatis of a French-like Maiesty assumed by K. Edward the third Rouge-Dragon of a red Dragon sustaining the Shield Roiall of the English instituted by King Henry the seuenth Port cullis of the Port cullis which the said Henry the seuenth vsed in his Cognisance If you would know more of this Colledge may it please you peruse Sir Henry Spilmans Glossarie litera H. Saint Michaels Querne Here lieth interred the body of Iohn Leland or Leyland Natiue of this honourable Citie of London brought vp in the Vniuersities of England and France where he greatly profited in all good learning and languages Keeper of the Libraries he was to King Henry the Eight in which Office he chiefly applied himselfe to the study of Antiquities wherein he was so laborious and exquisite that few or none either before or since may bee with him compared which will best appeare by his New yeares gift to the said King Henry written in Latine and translated into English by his contemporarie companion Iohn Bale and by him intituled The loboryouse Iourney and serche of Iohan Leylande for Englandes Antiquitees giuen of him as a New yeares gift to Kynge Henry the Eyghte in the thirty seuenth yeere of his Reygne Vbi tuae celsit udini visum fuit c. so it begins in Latine Where as it pleased youre hyghnesse vpon very iust consideratyons to encourage mee by the authoryte of youre moste graciouse Commyssion to peruse and dyligently to serche all the Libraries of Monasteries and Collegies of this youre noble Realme to the entent that the Monuments of auncyent Wryters as well of other Nacyons as of your owne Prouynce myghte be brought out of deadly darkenesse to lyuely lyght and to receiue lyke thankes of their posteryte as they hoped for at such time as they employed their long and great studies to the publique wealthe Yea and furthermore that the holy scripture of God might both be sincerely taught and learned all maner of supersticion and crafty coloured doctrine of a rowte of romane Bishops totally expelled oute of this your most Catholique realme I thinke it now no lesse than my very dewtie breuely to declare to your Maiestie what frutes haue spronge of my laboriouse iourney and costly enterprise both roted vpon your infinite goodnesse and liberalite qualitees right highly to be estemed in al Princes and most specially in yow as naturally your owne wele knowne proprietes First I haue conserued many good authors the which otherwise had ben like to haue perished to no small incommodite of good letters Of the which parte remaine in the most magnificent libraries of your royall Palaces Part also remaine in my custodie whereby I trust right shortly so to describe your most noble Realme and to publish the Maiestie of the excellent actes of youre progenitors hitherto sore obscured bothe for lacke of emprinting of such workes as lay secretly in corners And also because men of eloquence hath not enterprised to set them forth in a florishing stile in some times past not commonly vsed in England of Writers otherwise wele learned and now in such estimacion that except truth be delicately clothed in purpure her written veritees can scant finde a Reader That all the world shall euidently perceiue that no particular region may iustly be more extolled than yours for true nobilitie and vertues at all points renoumed Farther more part of the exemplaries curiously sought by me and fortunately found in sundry places of this your dominion hath bene emprinted in Germany and now be in the presses chefely
Cauendish late wife of William Cauendish which William was one of the sonnes of the aboue named Alice Cauendish Which Margaret dyed the xvi day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord God M. cccccxl whossoul Iesu pardon Amen Heuen blis be here mede Yat for the sing prey or rede Cauendish is a Towne or Village in Suffolke wherein that valiant Gentleman Iohn Cauendish Esquire who slew that Arch-Rebell Watt Tyler Anno Reg. Regis Ric 2.4 was borne which fact was not long vnreuenged for in the same yeare the Rebels of Norfolke and Suffolke vnder the conduct of their Captaine Sir Iohn Wraw a detestable Priest tooke Sir Iohn Cauendish knight cosin to the foresaid Iohn chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench and beheaded him together with Sir Iohn of Cambridge Prior of Saint Edmundsbury whose heads they set on the Pillory in the Market place Here restyth the body of William Burd Esquyr late Clark of the Pipe and Priuy Seale whych payd the generall tribute of Nature deuyded from the mundane vexations by naturall death the xv day of August the xxi yere of kyng Henry the eyght Clarke of the Pipe saith the Interpreter is an Officer in the Kings Exchequer who hauing all accounts and debts due vnto the king deliuered and drawne downe out of the Remembrancers Offices chargeth them downe into the great Roll. Who also writeth summons vnto the Shiriffe to leuie the said debts vpon the goods and chattels of the said debtors and if they haue no goods then doth he draw them downe to the Lord Treasurers Remembrancer to write Extreats against their Land The ancient Reuenew of the Crowne remayneth in charge before him and he seeth the same answered by the Fermers and Shiriffes to the king He maketh a charge to all Shiriffes of their summons of the Pipe and Greenewax and seeth it answered vpon their accounts He hath the ingrossing of all Leasses of the Kings lands and it is likely that it was at the first called and still hath denomination of Pipe and Clarke of the Pipe and Pipe Office because their Records that are registred in their smallest Rolles are altogether like Organe Pipes but their great Roll called the Great Roll Ann. 37. Ed. 3. ca. 4. is of another forme Clericus Priuati Sigilii or Clarke of the priuie Seale is an Officer whereof there be foure in number that attendeth the Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale or if there be none such vpon the principall Secretarie writing and making out all things that be sent by warrant from the Signet to the Priuie Seale and are to be passed to the Great Seale as also to make out as they are tearmed Priuie Seales vpon any especiall occasion of his Maiesties affaires for loane or lending of money or such like Of this Officer and his function you may reade the Statute Ann. 27. Hen. 8. cap. 11. Hic iacet Iohannes Hartishorne quondam Seruiens Domini Regis ad Arma qui obijt viij die Martij Ann. Dom. M. ccccxxix Agnes vxor eius que obiit ..... M. cccc The office of Sergeants at Armes is to attend the person of the King to arrest Traitors or great men that do or are like to contemne messengers of ordinarie condition for other causes and to attend the Lord high Steward of England sitting in Iudgement vpon any Traitor and such like Of these by the Statute Ann. 13. Ric. 2. cap. 6. there may not be aboue thirtie in the Realme There be also two of these Sergeants of the Parliament one of the vpper and another of the lower house whose office seemeth for the execution of such commandements especially touching the apprehension of any offender as either house shall thinke good to enioyne them There is one Sergeant at Armes that belongeth to the Chancerie who is called Sergeant of the Mace as the rest may be because they carrie Maces by their office He of the Chancerie attendeth the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper in that Court Another in like manner attends the Lord Treasurer Of your cherite prey for the souls of George ... Maior of London and Iohan and Margaret his wyffs which .... decessyd M. ccccc.xxxvi on whos sowls ..... By the computation of yeares I finde no such man by the Christian name of George to haue beene Lord Maior about this time excepting George Monox who lieth buried at Waltham Stow. Hic iacet Iohannes Kirkham nuper Ciuis Attornatus London Elisabetha vxor eius qui quidem Iohannes obijt primo die Septembris .... M. cccc.xxvij quorum animabus ... Here lyeth Iohn Mynne Esquyr late mastyr of the Kyngs wooddys of his new granted Court of Generall Surueyours of his Londes and Auditour of diuers and sundry Reuenews of the same Courts which desessyd the xv dey of Decemb. M. ccccc.xlii on whos soul Iesu haue mercy Diuers other Inscriptions hee collected of persons here interred about the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raigne which are not as now visible In this Church was sometime saith Stow a Brotherhood of Saint Fabian and Sebastian founded in the yeare 1377. the 51. of Edward the third and confirmed by Henry the fourth in the sixt of his raigne Henry the sixt in the 24. of his raigne to the honour of the Trinitie gaue licence to Dame Ioan Astley sometime his Nurse to Robert Cawood Clarke of the Pipe who lieth buried in this Church but of whom no remembrance is remaining and Thomas Smith to found the same a Fraternitie perpetually to haue a Master and two Custos with Brethren and Sisters c. This Botherhood was endowed with lands more then thirtie pound by the yeere and was suppressed Edward the sixt Saint Mary Magdalens Milkestreete Of your charity pray for the soul of Edward Murell ... and Martha his wyff which Edward decessyd the ... day of ... Of your cherite prey for the souls of William Campion Citizen and Grocer of London sometime one of the Masters of the Bridghouse and Alys and Anne his wyffes The which William decessyd the xvii of December M. ccccc.xxxi Anne the .... day of M. ccccc.xx on whos souls Iesu haue pitte Amen Prey for the soul of Henry Cantlow Mercer Merchant of the Staple at Callys the builder of this Chappell wherein hee lyeth buried M. cccc.lxxxxv Here lieth also buried in this Church Sir William Cantlow Knight and Sheriffe of London in the yeare 1448. who died in the yeare 1462. Cantlow siue de Cantelupo an ancient Familie of great repute in many places of this Kingdome of which hereafter Hic iacet Iohannes Olney quondam ciuis et Mercerus Aldermannus Maior Ciuitatis London qui obijt die Martis xxiiij die octobris M cccc liiij cuius anime propitietur Deus This Iohn was the sonne of Iohn Olney of the Citie of Couentrie saith Stowes Suruay Orate pro animabus Thome Muschampe ........ This Thomas Muschampe was Sheriffe
twelue shillings The Austine Friers founded by one Remigius or by the King but by what King or to what Saint dedicated or to what value it amounted I do not know Others say it was founded by one Roger Mynyoth The bodies which I finde to haue beene herein buried are these which follow Elizabeth daughter of Sir Tirru Rosabart Elisabeth wife of William Garueys ..... sonne of Sir Raphe Pigott Sir Edmond Hengrane and Dame Alyce his wife daughter of Iohn Lile Margaret Howard 1416. Sir Iohn â—owell Knight Sir Robert Vfford Sir Iohn Geney and Dame Alice his wife obijt 1454. Dame Margery wife of Sir Edward Hastings and of Sir Iohn Wyndham daughter of Robert Clyfton 1456. Dame Katherin Ferris wife of Sir Iohn Radclyffe 1452. Iohn Bacun sonne of Sir Roger 1461. and Maude his wife 1456. Iohn sonne of Iohn Bacun obijt 1462. and Margaret his wife Ione wife of Robert Boys daughter of .... Wychingham 1400 Edmond Wychingham Esquier who died 1472. Sir Thomas Lord Morley obijt in Calleis Sir Robert Morley and Dame Anne his wife Iohn Morley Esquire Sir Thomas Soterley Esquire and Elisabeth his wife obieerunt 1477. Thomas Wedderby Alderman Amongst many other of this Fraternitie I finde that one Benedictus Icenus or Benet of Norfolke a Brother of this House and of this Order of Saint Augustine was likewise here buried in the Chapter house who died in the yeare of our saluation 1340. Vir pius prudens facundus omni serentiarum genere nobiliter instructus et cum primis sui temporis Theologis meritò conferendus A man godly wise fluent of speech in all kindes of Sciences nobly instructed and right deseruingly to be compared with the prime Diuines of his dayes For his singular grace in preaching and his able power in perswading he was so beloued of Antony Becke the Bishop of this Diocesse as that he made him Suffragane or as it were Copartner with him in his Episcopall function The Grey Friers was founded by one Iohn Heslynford and of this Foundation I finde no further Some say that the Blacke Friers was founded by King Edward the second which I confesse I cannot contradict For I finde no otherwise neither of the Foundation the time dedication order nor value onely my Notes from Master Le Neue tell me that these persons following were in the same interred William Manteley Iohn Debenham Margaret Harpington Ione wife of Richard Wychingham daughter of Fastolfe obijt 1459. Thomas Yugham obijt 1455. Sir Simond Felbrigge obiit 1442. and Dame Katherin his wife obiit 1449. Dame Margaret first wedded to Sir Gilber Talbot afterward to Constantyne Clyfton obijt 1434. Dame Alice wife of Sir Roger Hâ—rsik 1458. Iohn Pagraue Esquire 1467. Iohn Berney Esquire and Ione his wâ—â—e Iohn Howldiche 1487. Iohn â—illys 1490. Edmond sonne of Iohn Hastings 1487 and Eleanor his wife daughter of Sir Edward Woodhowse Knight The religious Monastery of the white Friers or Carmelites was founded by Philip Cowgate a rich Merchant and Maior of this Citie Ann. Dom. 1268. who when he had made an end of the Fabricke thereof which he endowed with faire possessions tooke vpon him the habite and order of a Carmelite and entred the house wherein he ended his dayes In the Church of this religious structure was buried Sir Oliuer Ingham Knight obijt 1292. Dame Lo .... Argentein Dame Eleanor Boteler Dame Alice Boyland Sir Bartholomew Somerton knight and Dame Katherin his wife Sir Will. Crongthorp and Dame Alice his wife Sir Oliuer Gros Knight Iohn father of Sir Raph Benhall Dame Ione wife of Sir Thomas Morley Robert Banyard Esquire Sir Oliuer Wigth Sir Peter Tye Knights Marg. Pulham Dame Elizabeth Hetersete Dame Katherin wife of Sir Nich. Borne Ione wife of Iohn Fastolphe Thomas Crunthorp and Alice his wife Dame Alice Euerard 1321. Dame Alice Withe 1361. Sir Walter Cotet Sir Thomas Gerbrigge 1430. Dame Eliz. his third wife first married to Sir Iohn Berry and daughter of Sir Robert Wachesham obijt 1402. Sir Edmond Berry 1433. And Dame Alice his wife daughter of Sir Thomas Gerbrigge Elizabeth first wife of William Calthorpe daughter of Sir Reignold Lord Hastings Waysford and Ruthin which died 1437. Haukin fil .... de Com. Lanc. Clement Paston obijt 14 .... Richard 1479. children of Sir William Calthorp George 1479. children of Sir William Calthorp Cecily children of Sir William Calthorp Iohn 1400. children of Sir William Calthorp Thomas 1400. children of Sir William Calthorp Iohn Deugayne gent. obiit 1488. Robert Smart Esquire abijt 1488. Sir William Calthorp obijt 1494. Dame Margery wife of Sir Iohn Paston daughter of Sir Thomas Brews 1495. Iohn sonne of Sir William Stoarer 1495. Margaret wife of Sir Thomas Pigott 1498. In the Manuscript of this Religious Order before remembred written by Iohn Bale these Carmelites following are registred to haue beene buried in this Monastery I will vse his Latine Hiâ— sunt viri illustres qui sepeliuntur in Conventu Carmelitarum Norwici Frater Gilbertus de Norwico Episcopus Hamensis obijt Anno Dom. 1287. 9. die Octobris Frater Iohannes Leycester Archiepiscopus Smirnanensis obijt Anno Domini 1424. 6. Nouembris Frater Vmfridus Necton obijt 1303. This Necton was Doctor of Diuinitie in Cambridge and Professour Erat viâ— solidè doctus disputator subtilis Concionator vehemens He was a man solidly learned a subtle disputant a very earnest Preacher saith Pitseus Of whom Leland hath left this Distichon Laudibus Humfredum meritis super astra feramus Cui data Grantenae laurea prima scholae He writ diuers bookes mentioned by Bale as also by Pitseus Frater Andreas Felmingham Frater Robertus Walsingham obijt 1310. This Walsingham saith Pitseus was Vir acuti ingenij solidi iudicij bonae vitae magnae doctrinae A man of an acute wit a sound iudgement a good life of great learning And Bale speaking of him saith He was a man of great repute in the Vniuersitie of Oxford for his Quodlibets ordinary questions and his Interpretations of the sacred Scriptures which he made manifest to the world Frater Galfridus Stalham Frater Galfridus Mylsam obijt anno Dom. 1346. 5. Ianuar. Frater Adam Saxlingham Frater Iohannes Folsham Prior Prouincialis Anglie obijt 1348. April 8. This Folsham proceeded Doctor of Diuinity in Cambridge Pitseus giues him his praise in a graue stile Bale ironically saith that indeed he was a Doctor and none of the meanest for by his chopping of Logicke hee could turne blacke into white men into Asses and Schoole-diuinitie into naturall Philosophie He writ many learned workes Frater Ricardus Euges ob 4. die Iulij 1361. Frater Willelmus de Sancta fide ob 25. April 1372. Frater Thomas Ziburgh obijt 24. Iulij 1382. Frater Robertus Pulham Frater Walterus Disse Legatus Apostolicus ob 22. Aug. 1404. Frater Adam Hawling ob 25. Feb. 1408. Frater Thomas Keming obijt 26 Aug.
1421. Frater Robertus Rose obijt 16. Decemb. 1420. This Carmelite was Doctor of Diuinitie in Oxford of whom that Vniuersitie had such an opinion for his learning that they honoured him with the title of supreme Master He writ much yet neuer offended the VVickleuists he liued long and enricht his Monastery many as well in estate as with diuers kindes of Sciences Frater Iohannes Thorpe Doctor ingeniosus obijt 12 Augusti 1440. This Thorpe writ many bookes as well Diuine as humane but for one he was most remarkable which he entituled The Laborinth of Logicke wherein he shewed so exquisitely the subtle Elenchs of that Art that thereby he gained the surname of Ingenious Doctor Which with his Epitaph was engrauen vpon his Tombe Frater Henricus Wychingham obijt 14. Marcij 1447. Frater Iohannes Kynynghale Prior Prouincialis Anglie obijt 28. Aprilis 1451. Frater Iohannes Tauerham obiit 19. Septemb. 1451. Frater Petrus de Sancta fide 8. die Nouemb. 1452. Frater Nicolaus Grey obiit 7. Aprilis 1458. Frater Adam Berton Frater Galfridus Bee obiit 13. Octobris 1492. Frater Thomas Martirxet obiit 18. Iunii 1508. Frater Robertus Loue Prior Prouincialis Anglie 1517. Frater Willelmus Wroxham obiit in Conventu Calisie 23. Augusti 1383. Frater Willelmus Raymund obiit 1. Augusti 1386. Frater Henricus Mylebam Frater Ricardus Water obiit 5. Marcii 1485. Frater Willelmus Worsted obiit 11 Septemb. 1494. Frater Thomas Penyman Frater Iohannes VVhytyng obiit 24. Iunii 1524 Frater Symon Pykerynge obiit 24. Februar 1525. Frater Robertus Browne 1525. Domina Emma Carmelita reclusa Soror in Religione obijt 2. Decemb. 1422. Frater Hugo de Vuedale miles ante ingressum ordinis obijt 10. Aprilis 1390. Frater Willelmus Crongethorpe miles ante ingressum ordinis obijt 12. Aprilis 1332. Frater Philippus Cowgate magnus Mercator primus Fundator Conventus ante ingressum ordinis obijt 23. Aprilis 1283. In the yeares 1348. from the first of Ianuary to theÌ„ first of Iuly there died in this Citie of Norwich fifty seuen thousand one hundred and foure persons besides religious Votaries Whereupon the Prior and Couent of this house deuised a Prayer for the deliuerance of certaine Carmelites out of Purgatory which died in that contagious sicknesse as followeth Deus immense bonitatis ac sempiterne clementie pietatis affectu pro alijs rogare cogimar qui pro nostris peccatis nequaquam sufficimus confisi tamen de tua gratuita benignitate humiliter deprecamur vt per meritum passionis vnigenitiatque dilecti filij tui Iesu Christi per merita piissime matris eius ac omnium Sanctorum atque Sanctarum animas Fratrum nostrorum omnium fidelium defunctorum a penis liberare digneris qui liberasti tres pueros de Camino ignis ardentis et de manu Regis iniqui Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum Amen Now here to make an end of the Funerall Monuments which I finde in this famous Citie as also to take my leaue of the same may it please you runne ouer these verses of Iohn Ionston a Scottish Britan penned in the praise of the foresaid Citie of Norwich Vrbs speciosa situ nitidis pulcherrima tectis Grata peregrinis delitiosa suis. Bellorum sedes trepido turbante tumultu Tristia Neustriaco sub duce damna tulit Victis dissidijs postquam caput ardua coelo Extulit immensis creuit opima opibus Cultus vincit opes et cultum gratia rerum Quam benè si luxus non comitetur opes Omnia sic adeò sola haec sibi sufficit vt si Fo rs regno desit haec caput esse queat Thus translated by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke A Citie seated daintily most faire built she is knowne Pleasing and kinde to strangers all delightfull to her owne The seat of war whiles ciuill stirs and tumults yet remaind In William the Normans daies she grieuous losse sustaind These broiles and iars once past her head aloft againe She bare in richnesse infinite and wealth she grew amaine Her port exceeds that wealth and things all superfine this port How happy were it if excesse with such wealth did not sort So alsufficient in her selfe and so compleate is she That if neede were of all the Realme the Mistresse she might be Attilborrough The Booke of Woodbridge saith that Sir William Mortimer Knight Lord of this Mannor here founded a Chappell of the holy Crosse who died on Tuesday the 12 of Nouember 1297. and was buried in this his owne Chappell others say that Sir Robert Mortimer and Margery his wife were the founders of a Colledge here which they likewise consecrated to the honour of the holy Crosse valued in the Kings bookes at twenty one pounds sixteene shillings halfe pennie Burials in the Chappell of this Colledge were as followeth Sir William Mortimer as before Sir Robert Mortimer who died at Attilburgh the 25 of September 1387. Sir Thomas Mortimer Mary Falstalph who was wife to Sir Thomas Mortimer who died the second of May 1406. Sibill Mortimer died the 9 of Nouember 1334. Margery Falstalphe daughter of ... died 24. of October 1341. Constantine Mortimer Father to Constantine who died 12 Nouember 1334. Sir Iohn Radcliffe knight of the Garter in the raigne of Henry the sixt Roger his brother and Philip his wife Thomas Brampton Robert Wetnall Alice Warner Elisabeth wife of Thomas Garret Esquire Of this Village and the foundation of the Colledge thus Camden writes Attilborrough saith he the seat of the Mortimers an ancient family who being different from those of Wigmore bare for their Armes a shield Or Seme de floures de Lyz Sables and founded here a Collegiat Church where there is little now to be seene the Inheritance of these Mortimâ—rs hath by marriage long since accrued to the Radcliffes now Earles of Sussex to the Familie of Fitz-Ralph and to Sir Ralph Bigot it is the inheritance at this day of Sir Alexander Radcliffe of Ordsall in the County of Lancaster knight of the Bath Windham William d Albiny Butler to King Henry the first founded here a Priory of which thus much out of his Charter as followeth Notum sit c. quod Ego Willelmus de Albenâ—yo Pincerna Domini Regis Henrici primido concedo c. Priori et conuentui de Wymundeham in liberam puram et perpetuam eleemosinam pro salute anime mee et vxoris mee patris mei matris mee et omnium parentum meorum totam Ecclesiam de Wymundeham cum omnibus pertinencijs c. Test. Rog. Bygoth et filij eius c. He endowed this his religious edifice with faire possessions consecrated it to the blessed Virgin Mary placed blacke Monkes therein and gaue it to the Abbey of Saint Albans for a Cell it was valued in the Exchequer to be yearely worth seuentie two pounds fiue shillings foure pence