Abby of Ramsey that the Abbot of Ramsey should give to the Abbot and Covent of Peterburgh 4000 Eeles in the time of Lent and in consideration thereof the Abbot of Peterburgh should give to the Abbot of Ramsey as much Free-stone from his Pitts in Bernack and as much Rag-stone from his Pitts in Peterburgh as he should need Nor did the Abbot of Peterburgh from these Pitts furnish only that but other Abbies also as that of S. Edmunds-Bury In memory whereof there are two long stones yet standing upon a balk in Castor-field near unto Gunwade-Ferry which erroneous tradition hath given out to be two draughts of Arrows from Alwalton Church-yard thither the one of Robin Hood and the other of Little John but the truth is they were set up for witnesses that the carriages of Stone from Bernack to Gunwade-Ferry to be conveyed to S. Edmunds-Bury might pass that way without paying Toll And in some old Terrars they are called S. Edmunds Stones These Stones are nicked in their tops after the manner of Arrows probably enough in memory of S. Edmund who was shot to death with arrows by the Danes King Wolfere dying without issue his Brother Etheldred succeeded him and continued his good affection to the Monastery of Speed speaks as if K. Wolfere was buried at Peterburgh Medeshamsted the Royal Founder whereof built also an house for the Abbot which upon the dissolution by Henry the Eighth became the Bishops-Palace A building very large and stately as this present age can testifie all the rooms of common habitation being built above stairs and underneath were very fair Vaults and goodly Cellars for several uses The great Hall a magnificent room had at the upper end in the Wall very high above the ground three stately Thrones wherein were placed sitting the three Royal Founders carved curiously of Wood painted and gilt which in the Year 1644. were pulled down and broken to pieces Under them were written in ancient Characters lately renewed these three Verses Per Peadam primo domus haec fundatur ab imo Post per Wolferum stabat possessio rerum Favit Ethelredus fraternum ponere foedus To which there was added a fourth when the three old ones were renewed Praebeat exemplum rara est concordia fratrum Johannes Brampton pag. 773. King Ethelred having reigned thirty years laid down his Crown and Scepter and shaving himself became first a Monk and afterwards Abbot of Bardney as Malmsbury writeth Anno 704. And Konredus succeeded him as in the Chronological Table annexed to Ingulphus The nest being thus fitted and prepared care was taken to furnish it with birds And first with an Abbot who should procreate and nourish a brood of religious underling Monks and the first of all that was made Abbot was 1. SAXVLFVS A pious and prudent man He being an Earl thought it no shame to assume a Religious presidency in this place and arriving at a great height of fame and reputation by his piety and holy life he quickly gathered a Covent of Monks who flocked to him from several places so that in a short time this nest produced many birds by whom other Monasteries were also founded and replenished especially that of Thorney was founded by this Abbot Saxulf which place was so called from the woody or thornie nature thereof whence others of like nature so called also as that of Westminster though it was otherwise known and recorded in ancient Writings by the name of Ancarig There did Saxulf build a place for Anchorites and having been Abbot of Medeshamsted the space of thirteen years he was translated to the Bishoprick of Durham or as some say to the Archbishoprick of the Midland English or Mercians Bishop Godwin reckoneth him amongst the Bishops of Coventry and Litchfield whom there succeeded in the Monastery of Medeshamsted 2. CVTHBALDVS He being a Monk of this place was by reason of his holy and devout life thought the fittest to succeed Saxulf So observant he was in the practice of devotion and withall so prudent in Ecclesiastical affairs that many other places were desirous of him for their Governour which because they could not obtain they desired some of his appointing whence Thorney Bricclesworth Bredune Wermondsey Repingas Wochingas and many other places were furnished with Abbots of his commending It was in the time of this Cuthbaldus that King Wolfere died and his Brother Ethelred succeeded who also was very liberal to this Monastery confirming to it what his Brethren had granted and likewise added more donations and priviledges of his own gift Amongst the rest that the Abbot of Medeshamsted should be chiefest of all the Abbots on that side of the River Thames and should have the first place in all Conventions and Ecclesiastical Assemblies And according to the present reputation of the Church and City of Rome for Rome it self had but lately some 73 years before this at the request of Pope Boniface the fourth to the Emperor Phocas Sigebert Gembl ad an 607. Lanquet Platina saith Boniface 3. obtained the Primacy over all the Churches of the world which from the beginning was not so if at any time the people of whole Britain or any of the neighbouring Nations should have a desire to visit the City of Rome and either by the length of the journey or by any other impediment should be hindered from such a purpose it should then suffice if they visited S. Peter in this Monastery Here they might pay their vows be absolved from their sins and receive the Apostolical blessing which with other priviledges was confirmed by Pope Agatho in a publick See the Appendix Council of an hundred and twenty five Bishops then assembled at Rome in the Year 680. I find not how long this Cuthbaldus continued in this place but there succeeded 3. EGBALDVS Whose life and actions are wholly buried in oblivion that I have nothing to say of him what he was how or how long he governed this Monastery onely that he was Abbot when Ethelbaldus the then King of Mercia granted his Charter for the founding of the Monastery of Croyland making Kenulphus a Monk of Evesham the first Abbot thereof which Charter was signed Anno 716. And this Abbot Egbaldus was one of the witnesses to it as Ingulphus writes 4. PVSA 5. BENNA or BEONNA He was a witness to the Charter of King Offa granted to the Monastery of Croyland Anno 793. Ingulphus 6. SELREDVS or CELREDVS He was a witness to the Charter which Kenulphus King of Mercia granted to Croyland Anno 806. Ingulphus 7. HEDDA He was a witness to the Charter of Witlafius King of Mercia granted to Siwardus Abbot of Croyland for that the said Siwardus concealed King Witlafius in a time of danger in his Monastery The Charter beareth date Anno 833. As also to another Charter granted by King Bertulphus Anno 851. To another of King Beorredus Anno 860. as Ingulphus telleth us He was also present at a general
they had received investiture into their Abbeys from the King and not from Anselme So Godricus held his Abbey of Peterburgh but one year which was an unhappy year too for in that year Foreign Thieves from Almain France and Flanders broke in through a window into the Church and stole away a Cross of beaten Gold with many Jewels two Chalices and Patins two golden Candlesticks which Elfricus Archbishop of York had given to this Church Although the Thieves were pursued and taken yet the goods were not recovered but came into the Kings hand who held them so fast that the Abbey could not retrieve them Godricus being deposed the Abbey was destitute of an Abbot about the space of four years all which time it continued in the Kings hand at length King Henry 1. in the year 1103. and the 3 or 4. of his Reign sent an Abbot unto them Until these days of King Henry all the Charters and Grants of former Kings and other Benefactors to the Church were without Seals and signed only with their Names and Figures of a Cross but now they began to affix Seals to their Deeds 16. MATTHIAS Was the man whom King Henry sent to the Abbey of Burgh after that Godricus was deposed One may almost smell the wind that blew Matthias hither for he was Brother to Galfridus Ridel the Kings Chief Justice to whom Matthias gave the Mannor of Pightesly belonging then to his Church What conveyance Abbot Matthias made to his brother Galfridus I cannot determine but Galfridus resolved to hold the Mannor of Pightesly as his own and not of the Monastery of Peterburgh which caused a long suit betwixt them until at length an agree-ment was made betwixt the Abbot not this Matthias but one of his Successors and Galfridus that he should hold the said Mannor for his life paying to the Abbot the yearly rent of four Marks and that after his decease the Mannor should return again to the Church of Peterburgh which it did not long after for Galfridus was drowned at Sea with William Son of King Henry Not long after Abbot John de Sais gave the King 60 Marks in Silver to confirm again the Mannor of Pightesly to his Monastery Matthias held his Monastery of Peterburgh but one year for on the same day he entred thereon on the same day twelve month he died at Gloucester about the year 1105. and the King again kept the Monastery in his hand three years till the coming of 17. ERNVLFVS He was Prior of Canterbury and there being then a Council holden at London wherein many were promoted to Ecclesiastical Dignities Ernulfus was offered to the Monks of Peterburgh for their Abbot and they willingly accepted of him knowing him to be both a pious and prudent man Whilst he was Prior of Canterbury the business concerning the marriage of Priests was hastily agitated and Anselme the then Archbishop was strongly for the negative writing Letters to this Ernulfus which are to be seen in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments Whilst Ernulfus was Abbot here all things went happily with the Monastery Ernulfus promoting the good thereof by the Kings favour which he had in a plentiful measure He built the new Dormitory the Necessary and finished the Chapter-house which was began before he made an agreement betwixt his Convent and those Knights who held Lands of his Abby that every Knight See in Adulphus should pay yearly to the Sacristary two parts of his Tythes and at his death the third part of his whole Estate for his burial in the Church all his Knightly endowments as well Horses as Armes being to be brought with his body and offer'd up to S. Peter the Convent were to receive the Corps with procession and to perform the office for the dead In the time of this Ernulfus Anno 1112. was the Church of Thirlby near Bourn in Lincolnshire dedicated by Robert Bloet then Bishop of Lincoln Thirlby Church dedicated Swapham fol. 115. pag. 1. which Church with the Mannor belonged then to this Monastery of Peterburgh Abbot Ernulfus was translated from this his government in his seventh year Anno 1114. For King Henry being to pass over the Sea and waiting for a wind at Bourn he sent to Peterburgh for Ernulfus to come unto him to consult about weighty Affairs he being the Kings Confessor but being come the King with Raulfus so our Peterburgh writers call him but Bishop Godwin Rodolphus the Archbishop of Canterbury importuned him to take upon him the Bishoprick of Rochester which Ernulfus did though much against his will the Monks also taking it very heavily wept for the loss of their Abbot Ernulfus being Bishop of Rochester wrote a Book in answer to certain questions propounded See the Catalogue at the end O. and B. by Lambertus Abbot of S. Bertine as also another book of incestuous Marriages although Pitseus makes no mention of him Ernulfus being thus removed the King gave his Monastery to Johannes de Sais or 18. JOHN of Salisbury He being appointed Abbot was honourably received of the Monks He took a journey to Rome but I find not to what end and returned the year following In his time the Monastery was burnt again only the Chapter-house Dormitory Necessary and the new Refectory escaped the flames which took hold of the Village and wholly consumed it Wittlesey writes that one in the Bakehouse being to kindle a fire with much pains could not make it burn which John the Abbot being present seeing in a cholerick mood cried The Devil kindle it and presently the fire flamed to the top of the house ran through all the Abbots Offices and thence to the Town The life burning in one of the Towers for nine days together a violent wind drove the Coals upon the Abbots house and fired that also Afterwards Abbot John began to build the Church anew Anno 1118. which he industriously prosecuted but lived not to finish it for he held his Abby but eleven years and died of a Dropsie Anno 1125. being the 25 or 26 of King Henry I. A year before this was the Church of Castri dedicated as may be seen by an Inscription yet continuing over the Chancel door XV KL MAII DEDICATIO HUJUS ECCLESIAE MCXXIIII Abbot John being dead the King again kept the Monastery in his hand two years And although as hath been said this John gave the King 60 Marks for the confirmation of the Mannor of Pightesly yet upon the death of John the Abbot of Peterburgh the King having all at his disposing for 60 Marks more sold Pightesly to Richard Basset and for Abbot of this Monastery appointed 19. HENRICVS de Angeli Or Henry of Anjou who was made Abbot Anno 1128. He being ambitious sought after many preferments but held them not long for besides he was unstable and voluntarily deserted his present Governments or else found opposition in new ones that he was compelled to withdraw Having an Abbey beyond Sea he got a
ably with his Countrymen and Friends dyedin peace after he had lived many Years Other Writers say he having taken Ivo Talbois in Battle would not deliver him until the King to have his Nephew preserved promised by Oath unto Hereward Reconciliation Pardon his former dignity with full restitution of all that had been his Which was done in the year 1076. Until which time from the death of Brando not only this Monastery but others also suffered very much For in the year 1070. many Abbots as well as Bishops by the Kings procurement were deposed or ejected upon slight surmises that the English might be deprived of all dignities So John Abbot who after he had related how Stigandus was deposed to make way for Lanfranc adds Plures eo anno tam Episcopi quam Abbates vel nullis vel levibus suspitionibus deponuntur aut ejiciuntr procurante Rege ut Angli nullis dignitatibus potirentur In the year 1072 the Monks of Eli were Outlawed having afforded succour to some Great men who were in Rebellion against the King I suppose to those who in the year before were in that Isle and in that Church in open rebellion with Hereward So Abbot John MLXXI Hereward le Wake Ecclesia intra paludes Heliensi cum multis aliis Anglis exlegatis resistit And then it follows An. MLXXII Monachi Helienses quibusdam Angliae Magnatibus contra Regem rebellantibus succursum praebentes exlegati sunt Et multi Monachi Anglici per totam Angliam malè tractati plurimum vexati Multa Monasteria tam de propriis pecuniis quam de aliorum apud ipsos depositis ad quadrantem ultimum spoliata Walsingham Hypodigm Neustriae p. 418. writes much to the same purpose telling us the Conqueror made all the Abbeys in England to be searched and caused all the money which the Richer people had there deposited to be brought into his Coffers only he places this in the year 1070. In the year MLXXV. Comes Northampt. Sanctus Walterus apud Wynton decollatus as the same Abbot John writes Which was done he saith notwithstanding that Lansranc pronounced him innocent and that if he was put to death he would be a Martyr And accordingly he was honoured by Wlfketulus Abbot of Croyland who gave him an honourable Burial and thereupon was violently deposed As indeed all the Bishops and Abbots were if they were Angligenae as he again repeats it introductis in eorum sedes Normannis Which I the rather mention because this Wlfketulus had been bred up in this Church of Burgh as we learn from what follows For that Coronicle saith that Ingulphus succeeding Wlfketulus for though he was an Englishman born he had lived long among the Normans interceeded with the King for his predecessor that he might come from Glastonbury where he was shut up in the Cloyster ad Ecclesiam suam de Burgo Which was granted ubi post paucos dies morbo correpto in Domino requievit Ingulphus P. 78 79. Oxon. Edit himself saith he was taken with a Palsy and that having been kept ten Year at Glastonbury he dyed 1085 after he had been not a few days but four Months at Burgh While he was here Ingulphus had frequent conversation with him for he procured leave that Wlfketulus might come from Burgh to Croyland as often as he thought good to call him Who informed Ingulphus of the Estate of the Church of Croyland and brought back to it many rich things but some he saith still remained at Burgh He was the more acceptable because there were Lands concealed from that Monastery in the discovery of which he thought Wlfketulus might assist him For one Alsford Bailiff of the Church of Croyland had been notoriously guilty of it and was called to an account for it by Ingulphus presently after he entred upon his Government But as he was in the way to appear before the King's Justices at Stamford he broke his neck by a fall off from his Horse and was carried to be buried at Burgh according to the order he had taken about it in his life time They that delight to read wonderful things may look into Ingulphus Pag. 77. and find a story he tells of a miraculous cloud about the Sun as they were carrying his body thither But it is time to return to Turoldus who as Hugo writes was a mischief to this Church eight and twenty years Which is not to be understood so rigorously as if he did no good for first as he gave away much Land so he got some back again particularly the Mannors that had been granted to Ivo Talbois which he was perswaded to restore to the Monks in his life time so that after his decease they should return ad dominium Sancti Petri. This I find in a Charter of William Rufus which runs thus Gulielmus Rex Anglorum Roberto Lincolniensi Episcopo by this it appears this was William the second for he made Robert Bishop of Linc. in the 6th year of his Reign 1092 Oswino vicecomite omnibus Baronibus suis fidelibus salutem Sciatis me concessisse Sancto Petro de Burgo Thuroldo Abbati Monachis ejusdem Ecclesiae ad victum eorum terras illas quas Ivo Talbois de praedicto Abbate tenuit ipse idem Yvo eisdem Monachis in vita sua reddidit ita sc ut post decessum ejus ad dominium Sancti Petri redirent Testante Cyrographo ab eodem Yvone Thuroldo Abbate conscripto Haec autem sunt terrarum nomina scil Scotere Walcote cum omnibus appendiciis c. And secondly all these Soldiers who had feods given them out of the Estate of the Church for its defence were bound by the original grant to serve the King also when there was occasion in his Wars This I understand out of a description of all the feoda militum still remaining in the Book called Swapham Fol. CCLXX. where this account is given why they were granted Quia omnes milites praedicti pro defensione domus facienda in exercitu Domini Regis alibi cum necesse esset de dominico Abbatis conventus feodati fuerant There also it appears how they sewed in King John's time and before that in Henry the seconds nay from the time of their first Infeoffement So the words are Et ante tempus ejusdem Henrici postquam feodati fuerunt à tempore dicti regis usque ad praesens hac ratione quia c. And Thirdly He and his Souldiers not only built Towns in those wast places which Adulphus had cleared from Wood and let the Lands out to Farm at a certain Rent c. some of which Towns were called by their names and remain to this day as Gunthorp Melton Walton Barnak c. but also Churches and Chappels the profits of which the Monastery received intirely for many years till the time of Ernulphus So the words are Ibid. fol. CCXCV. eodem vero tempore construebatur
jacet inter terram Thome Speciarii terram Agnetis quondam uxoris Henrici in cultura que jacet inter boscum de Westwoode Capellam Sancti Botulphi pro quadam placia pertinente ad ortum Eleemosynarie Burgi super q. cancellum capellae Sancti Johannis Bapt. constructum est c. Which Chapel also of St. John Baptist seems to be distinct from the Church of that name Swapham doth not tell us when he dyed But the often mentioned Chron. of John Abbot saith An. MCC obiit Andreas Abbas Burgi cui successit Acharius Sancti Albani So he governed not about 5. but about seven year His memory was celebrated on the twenty first of February when I find in the Kalander was Depositio Domini Andreae Abbatis ACHARIVS As King John gave the Abbey of Burgh to this Prior of St. Albans so in the same year he gave the Abbey of Ramsey to the Prior of Burgh They are the words of Rog. Hoveden Ad An. 1200. p. 802. in that place where he calls this Abbot Zacharias as Mr. G. observes But he did not put him in presently upon the death of Andreas for Swapham tells us he received the Abbey in Rogation week and found it so bare of all manner of Provisions that there was not food enough for one day The reason was the Archbishop of St. Andrews in Scotland to whom the King had given the custody of the Abbey while it was void had left nothing but carried all that he could away with him Notwithstanding which this good man in a short time was able to furnish the place not merely with necessaries but superfluities For besides a great many rich vestments he gave to the Church Silver Basins for the great Altar with a case of Gold and Silver set with pretious stones opere pulcherrimo subtilissimo for the Arm of St. Oswald A yearly Rent also to the Refectory and the Pittancia to the former of which he gave likewise two excellent Cups de Mazaro with great Silver feet richly gilt and Covers to them one of which had the three Kings offering their gifts to our Saviour in the bottom of it He gave moreover to the said Refectory Nine great drinking Cups de Mazaro and four Table Knives with Ivory hafts He assigned Thurleby also to the Chamberlain from whence saith Swapham we have XII Coverlids of St. Alban and as many Coats He assigned also to the Chamber the house which Richard Crookman offered to St. Peter when he was made a Monk which yielded the yearly Rent of a Noble And when the Celleraria upon a time wanted Provision he fed the whole Convent from the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul to the Feast of St. Andrew at his own charge And caused the Mill of Athelwalton to be repaired the Land to be ploughed and Sown and the Corn gathered which he caused to be brought into the Cellerary And out of his pitty to the infirm Monks who had no where to take the comfort of the air he gave them of his own accord without asking a part of his Vineyard where Rich. de Scoter afterwards planted a garden He also bought houses hard by St. Pauls London which cost him above two hundred and fifty Marks and in several of the Mannors belonging to the Church caused Halls Chambers and other edifices to be built as the Hall at Scottere the Hall at Fiskertune and divers other places which Swapham mentions He gave two hundred Marks to King John for his Charter of Liberties which is still remaining and discharged the house of above a thousand Marks in the Exchequer He recovered the Mannor of Walcote from Peter Son of Radulphus who had held it long and got many confirmations of it from the Kings of England as well as the Marsh between Singlesholt and Croyland mentioned by Mr. G. from which he received yearly by the consent and agreement of the Abbot of Croyland four Stone of Wax which he appointed to be imployed for Wax-Candles on the Feasts of the Saints of this Church They that have a mind may read the whole story of this recovery in the continuation of the History of Crowland lately put out at Oxford with Ingulphus c. P. 471 472. which tells us it was in the year 1202. not long after he came to the Abbotship But though the King himself then after many meetings and treaties and great expences made a final end as they speak yet the controversie was renewed again not long after as shall be shewed in its place His Constitution wherein with the consent of the Brethren he orders how the four Stone of Wax should be yearly spent is as follows That it should be delivered to the Keeper of the Altar of St. Mary who was to take care that in each of the 3. Festivals of St. Peter one Wax Candle of five pound weight should burn continually before the great Altar from the beginning of the first Vespers till after the completorium of the Festival In like manner in the four Festivals of St. Mary and in those of St. Oswald St. Kyneberge St. Kyneswithe and St. Tibbe What remained of the four Stone of Wax and was left after the completorium of those Festivals he was to take care should be spent every day ad missam Sanctae Mariae There is another agreement between him and the Abbot of Crowland which I find at the very end of the Book called Swapham whose title is this De bunda de Fynfet Be it knowen to all that be olyve and to all that shall come here after that the Bounde of Fynfete which is made mention of in the Fyne betwix Akary Abbot of Peterburgh and his Covent and Henry Abbot of Croyland and his Covent it is set in an Angyl besyde a Plot that is called now a days Nomansland betwix the waters of Weland and of Nene Wich water of Nene hath its course directly from thence until Croyland-Brig after the cours of water be the wich men rowe from Croyland unto Dowesdale on the South syde of a Crosse set there And the water of Weland hath his cours directly from Croyland Brig unto Nomansland Hyrum by a water called Twandam Dyke And there the water of Weland fallyth into Nene And the seid Hyrum is set at a barre and an Old Welow anens the Dyke by the wich men go to a place called Tutlakisland He bought Land at Stowe near Simpringham where Abbot Robert afterward built houses and the custom being that the Abbot should have the Auxilia Sancti Michaelis before mentioned from Alwallon and Flettune viz. twenty Mark he gave 15. to the Convent and left only 5. to his Successors which Abbot Robert also assigned to the Convent This goodness therefore of his saith Swapham deserves to be had in everlasting remembrance and yet it would be tedious to tell the persecutions he endured Which were exceeding great from a hard King and from untamed Tyrants from Forresters and other
Chambers ut plures haberent testes suae Sanctimoniae castitatis The other belonging to Subjects that all Monks and Nuns who were under a Rule should every year openly in the Chapterhouse recite their profession before the whole company ut semper illius memores siant ad Deum devotiores He was commemorated here on the day after Symon and Jude as appears by the Kalander where over against that day I find Deposuio Domini Roberti de Lyndsey which doth not agree with Swapham's account who places his death on the 25th of October ALEXANDER de Holderness So named from the Country where he was born which also gave the preceding Abbot the name of Lyndesay He was a man much beloved by his Convent because he was a good Pastor who gave many very rich Vestments to the Church mentioned particularly in Swapham and built not only the Halls Mr. G. speaks of but the solarium magnum at the door of the Abbots Chamber and a Cellerarium under it and furnished the Church also with that pretious Crystal Vessel as Swapham calls it wherein the blood of Thomas a Becket was kept and with divers Reliquerâ—â— And the was about many other works in which death stopt him after he had governed four years compleat For he dyed on the same day he was chosen Abbot which was the Feast of St. Edmund King and Martyr or as he saith a little after the Vigils of that day An. 1226. And so it is in the Kalander Nov. 17. it should be 19. Depositio Alexandri Abbatis Anniversarium Reginaldi de Castre Matildis Vxoris ejus The Chron. Johan Abbatis agrees to the year beginning An. MCCXXVI with these words Ob. Alexander Abbas Burgi cui successit Martinus In his time the fifteenth part of all the Goods in England were given to the King Hen. 3. as appears by his Charter The Friers Minors also came into England as Abbot John bewails with many deep sighs and groans at the end of An. MCCXXIV Eodem Anno O dolor plusquam dolor O pestis truculentissima fratres Minores venerunt in Angliam He made this composition with Baldwin de Ver of Thrapestone from whom the Abbot and Convent claimed many payments de auxiliis Vicecom sectis Hundredorum visu franciplegil c. that he should he be free from those and all other demands upon the account of his Lands in the Abbots VII Hundreds paying yearly on the Feast of St. Michael half a Mark of Silver c Swaph fol. CCIII He made also a friendly confederacy with Hugo the Abbot of St. Edmund and their respective Convents who by this league were tied in a Bond of special affection for mutual Counsel and assistance for ever It is set down at large in Swapham Fol. XCIX but I shall only give the Reader a taste of it They were so linkt together as to account themselves one and the same Convent so that if one of the Abbots dyed the survivor being desired was immediately to go to his Convent and there before him they were to make a Canonical Election or if already made they were to declare it in his presence If the Friers of either place were by any necessity driven from their Monastery the other was to receive them and afford them a familiar refuge and aid with a place in their Quire Chapterhouse and Refectory secundum conversionis suae tempus This Abbot among others signed the confirmation of the great Charter of England and the Charter de Foresta in the 9th year of Hen. 3. unto which the great Bishops and Abbots and Earls are witnesses and among the rest Abbas de Burgo Sancti Petri but he is not named in the Annales Burton ad An. 1224. But that which was most memorable concerning this Abbot is the care he took about the VIII Monks augmented by his Predecessor which I find in a Charter by it self in these terms Vniversis Sanctae Ecclesiae filiis ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit Alexander permissione Dei Abbas de Burgo salutem in Domino c. Wherein out of his paternal care to provide well for those eight Monks which Robert his predecessor had added to their wonted number and at the Petition of the Convent he granted and confirmed to the Celerary all the new assarts belonging to the Monastery in Nasso Burgi sc Belasis with all its appurtenances Glintonhawe and the assart of Estuude and Franehawe of the purchace of the forenamed Robert Abbot of Will. de Ginniges and all the Meadow in Norburch to find fifty seam of Wheat and threescore of Barley and 80. of Oates for the drink of those VIII Monks He grants also to the Chamber of the Monastery for the increment of those Monks X. Marks of Silver to the wonted Rent of LXX Marks from Fiskerton Collingham and Scottere to be paid yearly at the 4. quarters viz. XX. Marks at the Feast of the Nativity c. And besides he grants to the same Chamber all his Land in Thurlbey with all the appurtenances c. His Successor Martin confirmed this Charter in the very same words Fol. CVI. MARTINVS de Ramsey Alexander dying on the Viglis of St. Edmund and being buried the next day after Martin was chosen on the fourth of the Nones of December that is on the second day of that month and was received by King Henry on the Octaves of St. Andrew and the same day confirmed by the Bishop of Lincoln after the examination of the Prior and three Monks About his Election in St. Katherines Chapel at Westminister and received his Bendiction as Mr. G. observes on the Feast of St. John Evang. apud Tinghurst and then was installed at Peterburgh on the Sunday after the Octaves of Epiphany Thus Swapham who lived in his time who tells he immediately discharged the Abbey of a debt remaining to the Exchequer from Abbot Robert for the disafforestation of Nassaburgh which was fifty Marks And so the Chron. Johan Abbatis relates ad An. 1227. Martinus Abbas Burgi solvit ad scaccarium Regis pro disafforestatione Nassa de Burgo 50. Marcas argenti The same year he got their Charters confirmed by King Henry for sixscore Marks of Silver to his own use and eight and twenty more to the Chancellors besides many other gifts The Story of Brianus is related by John Abbot as belonging to the same year 1227. with very little difference from the account Mr. G. hath given of it The Inquisition made before the Kings Justice was whether Brians Predecessors held of the Monastery or of the Forest utrum prius fuerunt Predecessores dicti Briani feoffati de domo Burgi an de foresta The Inquisition was taken apud Bernack per XII legales homines Regi transmissa Adjudicata est Warda dicti Briani Abbati de Burgo suis successoribus in perpetuum The next year 1228. the same Chronicon tells us the Pope summoned a Council at Rome but the ways were stopt by
that he had stollen out of S. Oswalds shrine certain Jewels and what he could elsewhere lay his hands on and given them to Women in the Town That one Reginald Bray what he was I know not but he is called Dominus should have a due proportion of Diet for number of Dishes That the Monks haunted a Tavern near the Monastery and gave themselves to singing and dancing in the Dormitory till 10 or 11 a Clock at Night to the trouble of the rest That at the Celebration of the Funeral of the late William Abbot of the Monastery there was withholden from every Priest 6 s. 8 d. and from every Monk 3 s. 4 d. which was used to be given at such times This Robert Kirton had great contention with his Tenants in Peterburgh about Pasturage in the Fenn called Burgh a little Fenn adjoyning to the Monastery which as the Inhabitants alledged the Abbot had overcharged with 1500 Sheep in two flocks complaining also to the King then Hen. 8. that he had suffered thirty Tenements in the street called Boongate-street to fall to utter decay and then emparked the same ground and made it a place The Park for his own Deer But notwithstanding these contests Abbot Robert forgat not to enlarge and beautifie the buildings of his Monastery for he built that goodly building at the East end of the Church now commonly known by the name of The New Building New buildings wherein he placed three Altars opposite to three pair of Stairs descending from the back of the great Altar The places of those Altars are yet discernable though their use be not known He built a Chamber in his dwelling House calling it Heaven-gate-Chamber which is extant and retaineth its name to this day Heaven-gate Chamber He made in his great Hall that goodly Bow window overlooking the Cloyster the memory whereof is fresh to this present age He set up in the Church the Crucifixerium or Rood-loft now standing at the entrance into the Quire though placed something lower than it was at its first erection He set up the Gate leading to the Deanry which is yet standing and retaineth the memory of the Builder in his Hieroglyphick of a Crosier with the letter R and a Church or Kirk placed upon a Tun which must be construed with the allusion thus Abbot Robert Kirk-Tun and so Kirton He beautified the Chappel of S. Mary or The Ladies Chappel with pictures and gilded work much of which was lately extant He maintained a long suit in Law against Margaret Countess of Richmond and Darby about Knights-service for Lands in Torpell Thorpe Watervile and Achirch wherein at last he prevailed I know not whether I have done well or ill in declaring the acts of this Robert but this must be according to the capacity of the Reader for I find Abbot Robert thus pleading for himself Legitur in historia scholastica quod Antipater Idumaeus M. Herodis pater in quodam praelio in servitio Imperatoris multis vulneribus confossus est qui tandem accusatus rejectis vestibus dixit Ego nolo me Domine Imperator excusare apud te sed ista vulnera quae suscepi pro te loquantur pro me si ego diligo te Sic ista parva praedicta loquantur pro me si aliqua feci digna Deo laude Si interrogaretur utrum haec manifestari vel celari debent nec carnalibus incredulis sunt revelanda nec devotis prudentibus vere fidelibus sunt abscondenda And when he had been Abbot about thirty two years he was buried in the said Chappel His Monument was in the year 1651. levelled with the ground above which it was erected some four foot and placed upon an hollow Arch where his body lay and at the head thereof was a fair Stone lying even with the pavement which covered a pair of stairs going down into the Sepulchre There let him rest if I may say he rested till we pass to his Successor the last of all the Abbots 45. JOHN CHAMBERS Was born in Peterburgh but what he was or upon what score made Abbot Records are wanting to inform us His advancement to the Abbatical Chair was Anno 1528. which might be the 19 or 20. of King Henry 8. In his first year Cardinal Wolsey came to Peterburgh where he kept his Easter upon Palm-Sunday he carried his Palm going with the Monks in procession and the Thursday following he kept his Maundy washing and kissing the feet of fifty nine poor people and having dried them he gave to every one of them 12d and three Ells of Canvass for a shirt he gave also to each of them a pair of shoes and a portion of red herrings On Easter-day he went in procession in his Cardinals Vestments and sang the High-Mass himself after a solemn manner which he concluded with his benediction and remission upon all the hearers In the seventh year of this John Katherine the first wife of King Hen. 8. and Mother of Queen Mary died at Kimbolton Castle in the County of Huntingdon Jan. 8. 1535. and was buried in this Church betwixt two pillars on the Northside of the Quire near to the great Altar her Hearse being covered with a black Velvet Pall crossed with white Cloth of silver which how it came to degenerate into one of meaner value is unknown to us yet this changeling was also taken away Anno 1643. with her Spanish Scutcheons affixed thereunto Some write that for her sake the Church of Peterburgh fared Lord Herbert in King Hen. 2 Kings 23. 18. the better at the dissolution of Abbys and was turned into a Cathedral as if King Hen. like King Josiah who favoured the grave of the Prophet should favour his Wifes grave in this place Be it so or no the goodly structure of the place convenient situation for a new erection with accommodations thereunto might make a fair plea for a reprieve from the stroke of that Ax which cut others down I have not as yet seen any Record showing how John Chambers demeaned himself towards King Henry or complied with him in that great dissolution of Abbys that the King should continue him in his place and not put him to death as he did some or depose him as he did others But probable it is that Abbot John loved to sleep in a whole skin and desired to die in his nest wherein he had lived so long and perhaps might use such means as might preserve if not his means to his Church yet his Church to posterity And now that we are come to those times wherein that great alteration in the Church and alienation of her Revenues hapned for our more orderly proceeding in the declaration thereof we shall first present the Reader with an Inventory of the Church-Utensils and of the Abbots domestick goods and then take him abroad to view the Mannors and Lands that he may understand what was taken from and what continued to the Church
troubled for her After Supper she perused her Will and Inventory At her usual hour she went to Bed slept some part of the night and spent the rest in Prayer Her fatal day being come she arose to prepare her self for her last lying down when calling her servants together she read over her Will to them letting them know what Legacies she had bequeathed Then did she apparel her self after this manner In borrowed hair a Bourn having on her head a dressing of Lawn edged with bone-lace and above that a vail of the same bowed out with wire and her Cuffs suitable about her neck a Pomander chain and an Agnus Dei hanging at a black Ribband a Crucifix in her hand a pair of Beads at her girdle with a golden Cross at the end Her uppermost gown was of black Satin printed training upon the ground with long hanging sleeves trimmed with Akorn buttons of Jet and Pearl the sleeves over her arms being cut to give sight to a pair of purple Velvet underneath her Kirtle as her Gown was of black printed Satin her Boddies of Crimson Satin unlaced in the back the skirt being of Crimson Velvet her Stockins of Worsted watchet clocked and edged at the top with silver and under them a pair of white Her Shoes of Spanish Leather with the rough side outward Thus attired she came forth of her Chamber to the Commissioners who were ready in the passage to receive her and to accompany her to the Stage whereon she was to act the last scene of her life making as yet no show of sadness until Melvin her servant presenting himself on his knees bewailing not only hers but also his own misfortune that he was to be a sad reporter to Scotland of her death then with some flux of tears she comforted him that he should shortly see the troubles of Mary Stuart have an end sending by him her commands to her Son and bidding him tell him that she had done nothing prejudicial to his Kingdom of Scotland Then addressing her self to the Commissioners she told them that she had certain requests to make to them viz. that a certain summ of money might be paid to one Curle her servant which Sir Amyas Pawlet had knowledge of That her servants might enjoy such Legacies as by her Will she had bequeathed unto them That they might be fairly used and safely sent into their own Country To the first Sir Aymas Pawlet gave his testimony and promise The rest were also promised and performed Yet said the Queen of Scots I have one request more to make that you would suffer my servants to be about me at my death to which the Commissioners returned a refusal the Earl of Kent saying that their presence would be a disturbance to her and besides he feared there would be some superstition practised in pressing to dip their handkerchiefs in her bloud My Lord said the Queen I will pass my word they shall do no such things Alas poor souls it will do them good to bid their Mistress farwell Your Mistriss meaning Queen Elizabeth being a Maiden Queen for womanhoods sake would not deny me this courtesie and I know she hath not so straitned your Commission but that you might grant me more than this if I were of a far meaner condition Whereupon the Commissioners consulted and granted her the nomination of six persons to be with her so she nominated four men Melvin her Apothecary her Chirurgeon and another old man And two women which used to lie in her Chamber After this she proceeded towards the great Hall in the Castle Melvin bearing up her train two Gentlemen of Sir Amyas Pawlets on each hand one and Mr. Andrews the Sheriff going before The Scaffold at the upper end of the Hall was two foot high and twelve foot broad hanged with black and she seemed to monnt it with as much willingness as ease and took her seat the Earls of Shrewsbury and Kent standing on her right hand Mr. Andrews the Sheriff on her left and the two Executioners opposite before her Then was the Commission read by Beal Clerk of the Council which she seemed as little to regard as if it had not concerned her at all After the reading of the Commission Doctor Fletcher Dean of Peterburgh addressed an Exhortation to the Queen of Scots that she would consider her present condition and withal the vanity of her Religion which he besought her to renounce but she refused professing her readiness to die therein The Lords desiring her to joyn with them in prayers she also refused alledging the difference in their Religions and saying she would pray by her self But the Dean was by the Commissioners desired to pray which he did in these words Dr. Fletcher's Prayer O Most gracious God and merciful Father who according to the multitude of thy mercies dost so put away the sins of them that truly repent that thou remembrest them no more Open we beseech thee thine eyes of mercy and behold this Person appointed unto death whose eyes of understanding and spiritual light albeit thou hast hitherto shut up that the glorious beams of thy favour in Jesus Christ do not shine unto her but is possessed with blindness and ignorance of heavenly things a certain token of thy heavy displeasure if thy unspeakable mercy do not triumph against thy judgment yet O Lord our God impute not we beseech thee unto her those her offences which separate her from thy mercy and if it may stand with thine everlasting purpose and good pleasure O Lord grant unto us we beseech thee this mercy which is about thy throne that the eyes of her heart may be enlightned that she may understand and be converted unto thee and grant her also if it be thy blessed will the heavenly comfort of thy Holy Spirit that she may taste and see how gracious the Lord is Thou hast no pleasure good Lord in the death of a sinner and no man shall praise thy Name in the pit renew in her O Lord we most humbly beseech thy Majesty whatsoever is corrupt in her either by her own frailty or by the malice of the ghostly enemy visit her O Lord if it be thy good pleasure with thy saving health as thou didst the offender at the side of thy Cross with this consolation This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise say unto her soul as thou didst unto thy servant David I am thy salvation so shall thy mercy being more mighty be more magnified Grant these mercies O Lord to us thy servants to the increase of thy Kingdom and glory at this time And further O most merciful Father preserve we most humbly beseech thy Majesty in long and honourable peace and safety Elizabeth thy servant our most natural Soveraign Lady and Queen let them be ashamed and confounded O Lord that seek after her soul let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish her evil And strengthen still Lord we pray thee
for the same which being done by him we require you that he may have the Pall to be used for the purpose aforesaid Given under our Signet at our Honour of Hampton Court the eight and twentieth day of Septemb. in the tenth year of our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the six and fortieth In obedience to this Letter the Body of the Queen of Scots was taken up the eleventh of October following in the year of our Lord 1612. and translated to Westminster where we shall leave Her and return to our succession of the Bishops of Peterburgh Howland having been Bishop here the space of 15 years died at Castor and was buried in his own Cathedral at the upper end of the Quire And there succeeded 49. THOMAS DOVE Who was Dean of Norwich and Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth who had so good esteem of him for his excellency in preaching reverend aspect and deportment that she was wont to call him The Dove with silver wings He entred upon his Bishoprick in the year 1600. and continued therein the space of 30 years During which time he was like S. Paul's Bishop a lover of Hospitality keeping a very free house and having always a numerous Family yet was he so careful of posterity that he left a fair estate to his Heirs He died upon the 30 of August 1630. in the 75 year of his age and lieth buried in the North cross Isle of the Church Over his body was erected a very comely Monument of a long quadrangular form having four corner pilasters supporting a fair Table of black Marble and within the pourtraiture of the Bishop lying in his Episcopal habit At the feet on the outside were these Inscriptions Si quaeras viator quo hospite glorietur elegans haec mortis domus ipsa prose loquetur ipsa pro illo quae ideo loqui didicit ut sciant illi qui eò ingratitudinis inhumaniter obriguerunt ut in manes in urnas saevire studeant non defuturam saxis linguam quae doceat de mortuis bene loqui Vindex hoc pium marmor sacros cineres tegit sanctiorem memoriam protegit Charissimum utrumque pignus redituri Domini Reverendissimi in Christo Patris Thomae Dove quem novit Waldenum Ecclesiasten doctissimum Nordovicum Decanum vigilantissimum haec ipsa Ecclesia Episcopum piissimum cui postquam trigint a annis magno cum honore praefuisset ad magnum illum animarum Episcopum transmigravit Bonus pastor translatus ab ovibus in terris ad Agnum in coelis quocum regnabit in secula Hoc me loqui voluit Gulielmus Dove Equ Aur. Optimi hujus patris filius natu-maximus honoris pietatis ergo Carmine non pous est sat sat praestabit abunde Si sat flere potest officiosus amor Vixt Epitaphium sibi Te sprevisse Poeta Quam facile poterit qui bene vixit Abi. Atque abeo durum est numeris aptare dolorem Atque aequo lachrymas currere posse pede Me muto tibi non poterunt monumenta deesse Vivum quem soboles tam numerosa refert Hoc addam Hic illa est senio argentata Columba Davidis coelos hinc petit ille suos Dixi Musa loquax tanto non apta dolori Si non flere satis nostra silere potest But this Monument was in the year 1643. levelled with the ground so that Bishop Dove's Epitaph in stead of Marble must now live in paper 50. WILLIAM PEIRSE Being Canon of Christs Church in Oxford and Dean of Peterburgh was made Bishop after the death of Dove and installed Nov. 14. A man of excellent parts both in Divinity and knowledge of the Laws very vigilant and active he was for the good both of the Ecclesiastical and Civil State and had he continued longer in this See he would have rectified many things then amiss But he was translated to the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells after two years presidency at Peterburgh 51. AVGVSTINE LINDSELL Was Dean of Lichfield and upon the translation of Peirse made Bishop of this Diocess being elected December 22. 1632. and installed by Proxy Febr. 25. following He was a man of very great learning and gave sufficient evidence thereof to the Church by setting forth that excellent edition of Theophylact upon S. Paul's Epistles which work will make his name worth live be honoured among all learned Divines Foreign and Domestick In his time the Parsonage of Castor was annexed to the Bishoprick to be held in Commendam which was effected by W. Laud Archbishop of Canterbury as he left recorded in his Diary When he had been Bishop here the space of two years he was translated to Hereford and shortly after ended his life to the greatloss of the Church of England 52. FRANCIS d ee Was taken from his Deanry of Chichester and made Bishop here being elected April 9. 1634. and in May 28. following installed by Proxy He was a man of very pious life and affable behaviour After he had with much diligence and honesty meekness and hospitality gloriously shined in his Ecclesiastical Orb here the space of four years and six months he died much lamented October 8. 1638. bequeathing by his will towards the reparation of his Cathedral Church the summ of an hundred pounds and lieth buried in the upper part of the Quire near to his Episcopal Seat 53. JOHN TOWERS Being Dean of this Church ascended the other step and was made Bishop after the death of Dee being installed March. 8. 1638. He enjoyed his Bishoprick in peace a very little while for presently great dissensions arose betwixt the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland which occasioned the Bishops attendance upon the King both in the North at York and at London in time of Parliaments that which was convened April 13. 1640. and dissolved May 5. following the Convocation sitting by the Kings express Commission until May 29 wherein the new Canons were made and that also which began the same year November 3. and was of a far longer continuance On August 5. this year the great Commission for draining the Fenns began to be holden at Peterburgh the Commissioners sitting in the Bishops great Hall until the 11. of the same month the determinations therein being since known by the name of Peterburgh Law On the third of November following a new Parliament began to sit Bishop Towers according to his place giving attendance there In the year following arose great opposition against Bishops as to their Office and power in having Votes in Parliament insomuch that many of them apprehending their insecurity in attending upon the House much opposition meeting them in the way some of them to the number of twelve drew up a Protestation against all such Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence from December 27. 1641. had passed or should afterwards pass during the time of their forced absence from
Ministers the days then being very evil because there was great discord inter Regnum Sacerdotium between the Civil and the Ecclesiastical power For they that should have defended the Church took Arms against it and they who seemed to be friends of Religion endeavoured to destroy it There had been a Petition preferred by the Almoner of Burgh in his Predecessors time to Pope Clement showing that he having no Ecclesiastical benefice belonging to the Almonry whereby he might be able to keep good hospitality was willing to assign the Church of Makeseia to that use if the Abbot and Convent who had the right of presentation would consent Whereupon the Pope moved Hugo Bishop of Lincoln to use his Authority to perswade them to grant the said Parsonage to that use which Hugo did and Pope Celestine afterward confirmed the Grant of the Church of Makeseia and Normanby with all their appurtenances unto the use of the Almonry After which Acarius by the Petition and advice of the Convent setled all the Tythes of all their Lands for the maintenance of Hospitality except of those two Mannors de Stanewig de Irtlingburgh Which was afterward confirmed by William Bishop of Lincoln who recites the whole Charter of Akarius in his Fol. XCIII He granted also out of reverence and respect to this Church of Makeseia and at the Petition of Galfridus Son of Radulphus de Halone one of the Milites of Burgh and at the desire of the Parishioners that they would hereafter have no passage through the Church-yard of Makeseia for their Horses Oxen Cows Hoggs or other Animals nor by themselves nor Servants lay any thing in the Church-yard which might discolour or dishonour it saving to themselves only the herbage of the Church-yard and liberty to mow it c. Galfridus on his part giving the Eleemosynary of the Church of Burgh two Acres of Arable Land in the field of Makeseia so that the Church yard might be freed from all that filth which was caused by the Carriages of the Procurators of the Eleemosynary Both these Charters are remaining Swaph fol. CIII In another Charter this Abbot granted to the same Eleemosynary the offerings of the Chapel before mentioned of Tho. a Becket called there Capella Sancti Thomae ad Portam for the use of the Hospital which belonged to it Yet so as that on Festival days when the Parishioners of St. John Baptist were bound to make their Oblation at that Church none should be admitted to hear Mass in the Church of the Hospital to the prejudice of the said Church of St. John Baptist But if any man were so weak in Body that he could not go so far as the Parish-Church and therefore made his Oblation in the aforesaid Chapel two parts of three of such Oblation should be given to the Sacrist and the remaining third to the Chaplain of St. J. Baptist Upon other days if any body came out of devotion to this Chapel and made his offerings here they should be wholly applied to the use of the Hospital In like manner if Strangers came to pray there whether on Festival or other days and offered any thing or if any Legacy were given to the Hospital all should be intirely applied to the uses of the poor people there Fol. CIV and fol. CC. And accordingly an agreement was made and drawn in writing between the Sacrist the Chaplain of St. John Baptist and the Almoner In which the Festivals are expressed on which the Parishioners of St. J. Baptist were wont to offer and might not be admitted unless in case of weakness to hear Mass in the Chapel of the Hospital viz. All-Saints All-Souls Christmas Circumcision Epiphany Purification Good-Friday Easter Ascension Whitsunday St. John Baptist the Assumption and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Giles This Abbot did many other memorable things for the benefit of the Infirmary and of the Monks Chamber and many things were done by others in his time particularly Robert de Tot by the will and assent of Akarius whom he calls his Lord gave seven acres of Arable Land in Paston to the Chapel beatae Mariae de Parco which I cannot set down without inlarging this Supplement too much beyond the bounds to which I am confined One thing done in his time I must not forget which is a Bull sent from Gregory the IXth to the Bishop of Lincoln and him the Abbot of Burgh importing that the Abbot had represented to him how some Monks of his Church had incurred the sentence of Excommunication for laying violent hands one upon another and upon other both Secular and Religious persons and Secular Clergy and other Monks were under the same sentence for denying due obedience to the Abbot when they were corrected by him others because they had entred the Monastery by Simony and how some of these Excommunicated Persons had presumed to celebrate divine Offices not having obtained absolution For whose Salvation the Abbot being solicitous had petitioned the said Gregory that it might not be necessary for them to come to the Apostolical See for the benefit of absolution and dispensation he in confidence of his discretion granted him power to absolve them in all the forenamed cases except such enormous excesses in laying hands on any body as might seem fit to be referred to the See Apostolique after satisfaction made to those who had been injured And that he should proceed against the Simoniacal Monks according to the constitution in a General Council and suspend those who in contempt of Ecclesiastical discipline had officiated in the Church during their Excommunication for two years à suorum executione ordinum Which being finished he might mercifully dispense with them if they were of an honest Conversation and a better life Several compositions also made by him I must omit and conclude as R. Swapham doth that this good man governed the Monastery for about X. years and was such an example to all of order honesty kindness and bounty that from him posterity might learn how to behave themselves both in the cloyster and in the World And particularly he was extroardinary kind to the Convent unto whom he sent meat every day from his own Table for the consolation of the Brethren which the Prior divided among them The like he did to the domus infirmorum sending flesh-meat to those who were weak and would often say in the Convent Domini Domini nisi per quosdam vestrum stetisset c. My Masters my Masters had not some of you hindred I had done much good to you Which saying saith Swapham from which we may gather he lived in this time was not understood by us then but after his death we perceived why he said this and knew of whom it was meant But it is no matter saith he they are gone they lifted up themselves and the Lord hath cast them down As for this good man he never rendred evil for evil to any man but studied more