thou doe after his counsell that shall deliuer thée and follow him if hee shewe thée a better way of life to whom he promised faithfully so he would Then he laying his hand vppon his head when saith hée this token happeneth vnto thée A vision then remember this time of thy tribulation and the promise which thou hast made and sodainly he vanished out of sight Now Paulinus séeing the king to hard to beléeue praied for him and God reuealed vnto him the vision aboue mentioned Wherevppon Paulinus comming vnto the king vpon a time and laying his hand vpon the Kings head asked him if hee knew that token the king hearing this and remembring the token was readie to fall downe at his féete But Paulinus would not suffer that and declared vnto him the victories he obtained by Christ and put him in minde of his former promise Whereupon the king conferring with his Nobles was by him baptized in Yorke with many of his Subiects In so much that Coysi the chiefe of the Idolatrous prelates with others of that kinde Edwine baptized destroyed the Idoles with their Temples which was at Godmunham not farre from York And this was the eleuenth yere of his Reigne This Edwine after he had first brought in the Faith into the North partes continued after his baptisme vi yeres At length he was slaine in battaile by Ced walla king of the Britaines and by wicked Penda king of the Mercians with his sonne and Offricus in the field called Hatfield This Paulinus was the first Archbishoppe of Yorke and ordeyned by Iustus Archbishoppe of Canterburie After whose decease he ordeyned Honorius Archbishop of Canterburie Paulinus after the death of Edwin fled from the vnmercifull Cedwalla and the wicked and Idolatrous Penda who had neither regarde of Sexe nor age by water into Kent with Edelberge the Quéene and Eufled her daughter Where he remayned Bishop of Rochester the space of xix yeres And so the Church of Northumberland lacked a Bishop the space of xxx yeres Notwithstanding he left one Iames a Deacon in those quarters Paulinus the first archbishop of York who continued there preaching til peace was recouered and the Church brought againe to a stay By the meanes of this Edwine Erpwaldus king of the East-angles sonne to Redwaldus aboue mentined was brought to the faith After Edwin and his sonne reigned Osricus and Eaufridus the one in Deira who were first christened in Scotlād but after they were kings reuolted to Idolatrie and in the yeres following were slaine one after another by Cedwalla and wicked Penda After whom succéeded in Northumberland the second sonne of Ethelfrede named Oswaldus hauing rule ouer both the prouinces as wel Deira as Bernicia He by prayer made vnto God ouercame Cedwalla or Cadwallo the Britaine king which sent Penda with an armie against him that was ouerthrowen after hee had reigned ouer the Britaines 22. yeres leauing after him a sonne wohm Gaufridus called Cadwalladius Oswald a notable king the last K. of Britans This Oswald was very religiously disposed and sent for a certain bishop out of Scotland named Aidanus to preach to his people And as he preached in Scottish so the K. did interprete it hauing learned the Scottish tongue in his banishment there By the meanes of Oswald Kinigilsus K. of the Westsaxons was conuerted to Christs faith especially through the godly labor of Berinus who was sent by P. Honorius to preach in England then made Bishop of Dorcester Kinigilsus conuerted To whom Quincelinus brother to the foresaid Kinigilsus after he had receiued baptisme of Berinus Bernius gaue to him the said citie therein to make his Sea and gaue after to the B. of Winchester The Sea of Winchester 7. miles compasse of land to buyld there the bishops Sea which was accomplished finished by Kenwalcus his sonne This Bernius was driuen by the weather to the Coast of the West-saxons where Kinigilsus and his brother Quincelinus did raigne and were baptized with their people It so fell out that Oswaldus King of Northumberlande was there present and the same day married Kinigilsus his daughter and was also Godfather to the king Oswald after he had raigned ix yeres was at the length slaine in the field called Maxfield by wicked Penda king of Mercians Which Penda likewise was ouercome slaine by Oswy brother to Oswald the next king of Northumberland after Oswald not withstanding hee had himselfe as many people as Oswy had Penda had iij. sonnes Wolferus Weda and Egfridus The second sonne Weda Oswy had before time maried his daughter Weda conuerted by consent of Penda his father Who also by the helpe of Oswy was made king of Southmercia and promised when he married his daughter he would become a christian which thing he perfourmed after the death of Penda And within thrée yeres following by reason of his wife he was slaine Wolferus conuerted After him the kingdome fell to Wolferus the other brother who being wedded to Armenilda daughter to Ercombert K. of Kent was afterward christened so that he is accounted the first christian king of Mercia This Wolferus conquered Kenwalcus K. of Kent and gat the I le of Wight which after he gaue to Sigbert king of the East-angels vpon condition he would be christened Sigbert baptized And thus the East-angles which before had expulsed Mellitus their B recouered againe the christian faith vnder Sigbert their king who was baptized by Finanus Finanus the bishop Now to Oswy was ioyned Oswinus his cosin ouer the prouince of Deira there raigned with Oswy seuen yéere a Prince gentill liberall and deuout but not long after Oswy the king of Bernicia disdaining at him caused him traiterously to be slaine and so Oswy with his sonne Egfride raigned in Northumberland alone In that time and also in the house of Oswy and his sonne Egfride was Butolphus the abbot who builded in the East part of Lincoln an abbey Also Aidanus Finianus and Colmannus with 3. scottish Bishops of Northumberland holy men that held with the Brittains against the Romish order for kéeping of Easter Moreouer Cuthbertus Iarmuannus Cedda and Wilfridus liued at the same time About this time or not much before vnder the raigne of Oswy and Oswine the question of Easter The questions of Easter and hauing of other ceremonies was debated in the Abbey called Sternehalt Of which Hilda Hilda a deuout woman was abbesse to the which place came both the kings the father and the sonne Bishop Colman with his Cleargy of Scotland Aigelbert with Agathon and Wilfride Priestes Iames and Roman were on their sides Hilda the Abbesse was on the Scottish part with her companie And the reuerend Bishop Cedda Cedda was appointed Prolocutor for both partes in that parlemēt Now there was much debating of the matter on both partes one standing to the custome of Iohn the Euangeliste to be kept according to the
honorable parentage and not mariageable when she professed Christ wherefore being brought before the iudge she was threatned torments which she contemned then was she threatned to be cōmitted to the common stewes yoonkers appointed to assaile her whom when she refused cōmandement was giuen that shee should bee tied at a corner of a stréete naked where cōmon strumpets vsed to resort At this the multitude being greatly ashamed went away sauing one who beholding the virgin with vnchast eies was stricken with lightning A miracle his eies dasht out of his head whom Agnes praied for restored In the end she was beheaded and greatly reioyced to sée the executioner preferring him before all the amorous companie There are many miracles reported of her Catharine Katherine openly resisted the Emperour Maxentius to his face rebuking him for his crueltie wherefore after shee had felt the racke and the foure sharpe cutting wheeles she was beheaded about the yeere of the Lord 310. There was also one Iulitta Iulitta who was dispossessed wrōgfullie of her goods by the Emperors Deputie for which shée complayned to the Emperor but the couetous and false deputie accused her of Christianitie wherefore she could haue no redresse Whereupon being commaunde to doe sacrifice with Incense she refused it and confirmed and encouraged others She was burnt in the fire so slept in the Lord. Also Barbara a noble womā in Thuscia after she had suffered most cruel torments as cordes burning of her sides was at the last beheaded Also Fausta Fausta the virgin who suffered vnder Maximinus by whom Euelasius a ruler in the Emperors palace and Maximinius the president were both conuerted suffered martyrdome Also Iuliana of Nicomedia vnder Maximinus Item Anisia a mayd of Thessalonica vnder the same Maximinus Iustina which suffered with Cyprianus bishop of Antioch Also Lucia Agatha and Tecla who rather suffered vnder Nero as most doo agrée which all holy virgins suffered in the tenth persecution of Dioclesian Succession of Bishops of Rome Now during the time of this persecution these Bishops succéeded one the other Caius who succéeded next after Xistus Marcellinus Marcellus Eusebius and then Miltiades all which died martyrs in the time of this persecution Marcellinus hauing giuen place to Dioclesian and sacrificed was excommunicated but repented and was martyred with Claudius Cyrinnus and Antonius Marcellus also refusing to doe sacrifice was beaten with wasters and expelled the citie and entred into the house of Lucina Lucina a widow assembled the congregation Which the tyrant hearing of turned the house of Lucina into a stable and made Marcellus a kéeper of beasts and so with stinch thereof and miserable handling he died Eusebius sate Bishop of Rome two moneths some say eight some sixe moneths Miltiades by the testimonie of Platina sate thrée yéeres seuen moneths suffered vnder Maximinus Which séemeth not to be true because he died before Miltiades He was the last of the bishops of Rome that were in danger to suffer Yet persecutiō in Asia Now in the East partes in all Asia as yet for the space of iiij yerers persecutiō did not cease by the meanes of wicked Licinius vnder whom suffered diuers as Hermylus a Deacon and Stratonicides a kéeper of the prison Which both after punishments sustayned were strangled in the floud Ister Now also vnder Sapores Vnder Sapores king of Persia suffered Acyndinus Pegasius Anempodistus and Epidephorus also Simeon Archbishoppe of Selentia with Ctesiphon another Bishop in Persia with other ministers and religious men 128. martirs to the number of 128. The Magicians of Persia accused Simeon and Ctesiphō to Sapores that they fauoured the Romane Empire and reuealed to the Emperor such things The magiciās raise persecution as were done in Persia Whereupon he called for Simeon the chief Bishop and endeuoured to perswade him to doe sacrifice which he refusing was committed to prison and in the way going to the Gaole there was sitting at the kings gate a certaine Eunuche an olde Schoolemaster and Tutor of the kinges named Vsthazares Vsthazares who had fallen from Christianitie to Idolatrie who séeing the. B. passing by led to prison rose vp did reuerence vnto him Simeon Simeon againe with sharpe words rebuked him and cried out against him Whereat the Eunuche burst out into teares and laying away his Courtly attire put vpon him a mourning wéede and sate before the Court gates wéeping and saying within himselfe woe is me with what hope shall I hereafter looke for my God whē Simeon my familiar acquaintance so much disdayneth me Which being made known vnto the king A notable historie and he confessing himselfe a christian after many perswasible words in vain he was by the kings commandement led away to be beheaded Going vnto execution hée desired that the king woulde graunt him for the old and faithfull seruice he had done him that it might be proclaimed by a Crier that Vsthazares was not beheaded for any offence against the king or Realm but onlie because he was a christiā Which he required because his shrinking from the faith gaue great offence to many Christians that heard thereof And so it was granted vnto him Simeon being in prison and hearing thereof was very glad and the next day suffered also with an hundred more An hundred suffer All which were put to death before Simeon who confirmed them and at last with two other ministers of his Church Abedecalaus and Ananias he was also put to death At which time one Pusices séeing Ananias an old father to shrinke at the sight of those that suffered said vnto him O father a litle moment shut thine eyes and be strong and shortly thou shalt sée the sight of God Which being reported to the king he caused an hole to be made in his neck there out pulled his tongue and so was he put to death who was the kings seruant and ouerséer of his Artificers At which time also the daughter of Pusices a godly virgin was put to death for the testimonie of Iesus The next yere following on the day of the Lords passion A cruel edict the king set foorth an Edict for the vtter extinguishing of all the Christians that were in his Dominions So that an infinite number were slaine in Towne and Citie by the procurement of the Magicians Magicians and diuers in the kings Court suffered martirdome among whom was Azades Azades whom he did most entirely loue Of whose death when hée heard The teachers onely put to death he tooke it so heauelie that he commaunded after that time no Christians should be put to death but onely those that were teachers In the same time the Quéene fell into a certaine disease vpon occasion whereof the cruel Iewes Magicians falsly accused Trabula Trabula the sister of Simon the Martir a godly virgin with another Sister of hers that they
no money for baptizing of infants 10. The L praier and Creed in the English tongue That they should both learn teach the Lords prayer and the Créede in the English tongue 11. That al should ioyne together after one vniforme order in their Ministerie 12. That with a modest voyce they should sing in the Church 13. That all Holidayes should be celebrated at one time 14. That the Sabboth day be reuerently obserued 15. That the seuen houres Canonicall be euery day obserued 16. That the Rogation dayes both greater and lesser should not be omitted 17. That the feast of Saint Gregorie and Saint Augustine our Patron should be obserued 18. That the Feast of the foure times shoulde be kept 19. That Monks and Nunnes should goe regularlie apparrelled 20. That Bishops should sée these Decrées not to be neglected 21. That the Churchmen should not geue themselues to drunkennes 22. That the communion shoulde not be neglected of the Churchmen 23. That the same also should be obserued of the Lay men as time required 24. That Lay men shoulde first be wel tried before they enter into Monkerie 25. That almes be not neglected 26 That Bishops should sée these decrées notified to the people 27 They disputed also of the profite of almesse 28 Of the profite of singing Psalmes 29 That the congregation should be constitute after the habilitie of their goods 30 That Monkes should not dwell among lay men 31 That the publike prayer should be made for Kings and Princes These decrées among them concluded Cutbert Cutbert the Archbishop sendeth the copie thereof to Boniface Boniface the Pope an Englishman otherwise called Winfride an English man that was then Archbishop of Mentz This Boniface wrote a letter to Ethelbald who was present at the former Synod Boniface a great maintainer of nunnes admonishing him of his vicious life of his Nobles wantonnes euen with the Nunnes of which order this Boniface was a great setter vp maintainer afterward This Ethelbald after the departing of K. Celulph to his monkery spoiled the country of Northumberland and exercised mortall warre a great while against Cudred of some called Cutbert K. of West-saxons who encountering with Ethelbald that had the greater power by means of a certaine warriour a Consull called Edellim ouerthrew him Notwithstanding the next yéere he renewed battell was slaine of one Beornered after he had raigned 41. yéeres in Mercia where Beornered raigned after in that dition but a small time For Offa nephew to the said Ethelbald expulsed Beornered and succéeded king in that prouince of Mercia after he had raigned 39. yéeres Boniface before mētioned Religious fathers permitted to carry Nunnes about with them a preaching permitted religious fathers to carry about nunnes with them a preaching founded many monasteries canonized many Saints Among other he founded the great monastery of Fulde in Germany of English monkes into the which no women might enter but Libda Tecla Libda Tecla two English nunnes He deposed Childericus king of Fraunce by authoritie from Pope Zacharie Childerike deposed by the Pope and Pipinus the betrayer of his Maister was confirmed From this Boniface procéeded that detestable doctrine that although the Pope led with him innumerable soules into Hell A detestable doctrine of Boniface yet ought no man to rebuke him In the time of this Archbishop Pope Gregory the second Great maisteries wrought against the Greeke Emp. by Popes Philippicus the Emp. lost both his eyes and Empyre also Gregory the third and pope Zacharie and before these Pope Constantine the first wrought great maisteries against the Gréeke Emperours Philippicus and Leo and others for the maintayning of Images to be set vp in the Churches of whom Philippicus lost both his eies and his Empire Leo for the same cause was excommunicated of Gregory the third This Gregory the third is like to be he which wrote the 4. bookes of Dialogs in Gréeke falsly bearing the name of Gregory the first which bookes afterward Zacharie his successor translated into Latine Also this Gregory the third brought into the Masse Canon The clause for reliques the memoriall and offerings for the dead the clause for Reliques beginning Quorum solemnitates hodie in conspectu c. Item he brought into the same the memoriall the offering and sacrifice for the dead Like as Zacharie brought in the Priests vesture and ornaments And Constantinus the first The Priests vesture was he that gaue his féete to be kissed of the Emperour Constantinus the first gaue his feete to be kissed of the Emperour In the time of Egbert king of Northumberland Sigibert or Sigbert raigned in the West Saxonie and was for his cruelty deposed and wandering in a wood alone without comfort was slaine by the Swineherd of the earle Combranus whome hée before had slaine for giuing him counsell to gouerne his people and himselfe after a better sort This Sigebert beyng slaine in his place succéeded Kenulphus Anno 748. who with the agréement of the West-saxons was one of the chéefe doers against Sigebert his master Kenulphus reigned 31. yéeres till hée resorted to a paramour of his whō he kept at Merton where he was beset and slaine by a kinsman of Sigebert named Clito or Cliton Moreouer in the raigne of the foresaid Egbert king of Northumberland and the eight yéere of Kenulphus king of West Saxons Offa after he had slaine the tyrant Beornredus who before had slaine Ethelwald king of Mercia vncle to this foresaid Offa reigned king of that prouince Offa had such displeasure against the citizens of Canterburie that he remoued the Arthbishops sea and the lands of Lambrith Archbish of Canterbury by the agréement of Pope Adrian vnto Lichfield Lambrith to Lichfield About the later time of the raigne of Offa king of Mercia Ethelbert king of Eastangels came to sue to marrye with Offas daughter but the Quéene suspecting worse matter without cause caused him to be beheaded hauing trained him into a conuenient place by one Gnimbertus the yeere 793. but the Quéene liued not thrée moneths after and at her death was so tormented that shée bit and rent her tongue asunder with her téeth The K. giueth the tenth of his goods to the Church And Offa vnderstanding of the innocencie of this king gaue the tenth part of his owne good to holye Churche and to the Church of Hereford in remembrance of this Ethelbert he bestowed great lands Moreouer hee builded the abbey of Saint Albones c and went after to Rome to doe penance where he gaue to the Church of Saint Peter a peny through euery house in his dominion which was commonly called Romescot or Peter-pence Romescot or Peter-pence and there at length was transformed from a King to a Monke Anno 794. with Kenredus king of Northumberland although some denie that hée was a Monke After Offa when he had reigned 39. yéeres succéeded
at Rochester to Durelind The Sea of Durham began or Durelin whereupon the Bishoppes Sea of Duresine first began This king was greatly vexed with the Danes and was faine to redéeme peace with great summes of money yerelie which was called Dane-gelt Danegelt from x. thousand to xl thousand a yere An. 1000. In the xxi of his reigne he married with Emma daughter to Richard D. of Normandie which caused the king to haue great confidence in himselfe and by presumption thereof sent secrete and straight Commissions to the Rulers of euerie towne in the lande that vpon Saint Brices day at a certaine houre appointed the Danes should be sodenly slaine Danes slaine which was in like manner performed But the Danes and their king hearing thereof entered againe and made great waste In so much that the king was fayne to take peace with them and gaue to King Swanus thirtie thousand poundes whereupon he returned But the peace lasted not long for the next yeare one named Turkillus Turkillus a Dane Great vexation of the Danes a Prince of the Danes inuaded againe and was fayne to be pleased with giftes So the inuasion of the Danes and the molesting of Englishmen by them neuer ceased wherewith the Countrey was brought to great miserie After this Swanus the king of Danes who had made a couenant of peace before with the K. brake it and hearing of the increase of his people in the land came and landed in Northumberlande and there proclaymed himselfe king of the Land After much destruction in other places at length he came to Canterburie which he besieged and was resisted twenty dayes but at last by treason of a Deacon Treason of a Deacon called Almaricus whom the Bishop had preserued from death before wan it and tooke the goods of the people and set the towne on fire and tithed the Monkes of Saint Augustines abbey Monkes tithed by the Danes killing nine by cruell torment and kéeping the tenth aliue for slaues So they slue there of religious men to the number of nine hundred of other men women and children they slue aboue eight thousand And finally when they had kept the Bishop Elphegus in straight pryson the space of eight moneths because he would not agrée to giue them thrée thousand poundes after many villanies doone vnto him at Gréenewich they stoned him to death Elphegus stoned by the Danes The K. Egelred in the meane time fearing the end of this persecution sent his wife Emma with his two sonnes Alphred and Edward to the Duke of Normandie with whom also he sent the bishop of London whether also himselfe went after he had spent a great parte of the Winter in the I le of Wight whether hée was chased of the Danes The king chased of the Danes Whereof Swanus hearing and inflamed with pride reared great exactions vppon the people and among other hée required a great summe of monie of Saint Edmunds landes which the people there clayming to bee frée from kings tributes denied to pay For this Swanus entred the territory of S. Edmund wasted the country and despised the holy martyr menacing also the place of his sepulcher wherefore the men of the country fell to fasting prayer Fasting and prayer Shortly after Swanus died suddainly crying and yelling among his knights In feare whereof Canutus his sonne that ruled after him graunted them the fréedome of al their libertie and moreouer ditched their land with a déepe ditch and granted to the inhabitants thereof great fréedome quitting them from all tributes and after builded a Church ouer the place of his Sepulture ordained there an house of monks and endewed them with rich possessions And after that time it was vsed that kings of Englād when they were crowned sent their crownes for an offering to S. Edmunds shrine The crowne of England offered to S. Edmunds shrine and redéemed the same afterward with a condigne price King Egelred hearing of the death of Swanus made prouision and returned into England for whose suddaine comming Canutus being vnprouided fled to Sandwich and there cutting of the noses and the handes of the pledges which his father left with him sailed into Denmarke and the next yeare returned againe with a great nauie and landed in the South countrie and entered the countrie of West-saxon forcing the people to bée sworne to him and to giue pledges In this season king Egelred beyng at London was taken with sickenesse and there died and was buried in the Northside of Paules Church behind the quire after that he had raigned vnprosperously six thirtie yéeres leauing behind him his eldest sonne Edmund Ironside and Alphred and Edward which were in Normandy This king with his councell gaue foorth wholesome lawes and precepts for iudges and it is recorded that he deposed or depriued from all possessions a certaine iudge or iustice named Walgeatus A false iudge deposed whom the king loued Edmund slain the sonne of one Leonet for false iudgement and other prowde doings whom notwithstanding he loued aboue all other After the death of Egelred variance fell betwixt the Englishmen for the election of the king the one part standing for Edwin the eldest sonne of Egelred the other for Canutus the sonne of Swanus the Dane By means wherof there were diuerse battels fought betwéene them and in the end the Princes thēselues tried the matter hand to hand and when they had assaied each other a while by the motion of Canutus hastely they were agréed and kissed each other to the comfort of both hostes and shortly after agreed vpon partition of the land and loued as brethren Soone after a sonne of wicked Edericus by the means of his father espying Edmund at the draught thrust him into the fundament with a speare and slue him after that he had raigned two yéeres He left behind him two sons Edmund and Edward whom Edrick the wicked Duke after the death of their father tooke from their mother not knowing yet of the death of her husband and presented them to King Canutus and saluted him haile king alone Canutus being King alone sent the sonnes of Edmund to his brother Swanus king of Sweueland to be slaine who abhorring that déede sent them to Salomon king of Hungary where Edmund being married to the K. daughter died Edward was married to Agatha daughter of his brother Henrie the 4. Emperor Canutus being established King A promise well performed hauing promised the false Duke to make him higher then all the Lordes of the land caused his head to be stricken of and to be set vppon London bridge and his body to be cast into the town ditch other say he caused him to be bound and throwen into the Thames The reward of Traitors Likewise Canutus did disdaine all those whom he knewe to haue dealt falsely against Edmund and his heires In the meane time Swanus king of Denmarke brother to
plate and this was about the 5. yere of his reigne and then it was obteyned of the P. that Priests might celebrate with Chalices of latin and tinne Chalices of lattin tinne which continued long after In the time of the kinges captiuitie Philip the French K. incensed Iohn the brother of king Richard to take on him the kingdome of his brother For which fact Ioh. at his brothers returne submitted himselfe vnto him and craued pardon which the king graunted About this time there was one Fulco Fulco some say hée was Archb. of Roan called Gualter who came vnto the king and tolde him The kings three daughters bestowed he had three daughters to bestow willing him to bestow them in time that is pride couetousnes and luxuriousnes Which words the king tooke in good part calling his Lords declared vnto them what Fulco had councelled him and said I geue my daughter swelling pride to be wife to the proude Templars My greedy daughter auarice to the couetous order of the Cistercian mōks And last of al my filthy daughter Lururie to the riotous prelates of the Church The king laying siege to a castle called Galuz belonging to the Lord Bemonice in little Brittaine thinking there to haue obtained great substaunce of treasure was shot into the arme by a souldier named Beytādus Cordomi K Richard slaine wherevpon the yron remaining and festering in the wound the king within nine daies after died hauing first forgiuen the souldier before his death After the death of king Richard King Iohn raigned his brother Iohn Earle of Morton An. 1200. Diuorce was made betwixt king Iohn and his wife because they were in the 3. degrée of kinred An. 1205. Hubert archb of Canterbury deceased Before his body was yet committed to the earth the yoonger sort of the monks elected Reignold their superiour and placed him in the Metropolitane sea without the Kings licence and knowledge Who being sent vnto by the elder sort of mōks requiring his gratious license to choose their Archb. consented therevnto requiring them also instantly at his request they would shew fauour to Iohn Gray bishop of Norwich which they also did electing him into that sea And for the full establishing the king sent of his owne charges to haue the matter ratified by the Pope The two Suffraganes of Canterbury not beyng made acquainted with the matter sent spéedily to Rome to haue both the elections stopped wherevpon grew great tumult for the Pope condemning both their elections created Stephen Langton with his owne hand in the high Church of Viterby vpon which occasion the king conceiued an excéeding displeasure against the Clergy and Monks of Canterbury and banished 64. of them out of the land and doth also sharply expostulate by letters with the Pope for that he had chosen Stephen Langton a man brought vp amongst his enimies a long time in the kingdome of France besides the derogation to the liberties of his crowne threatning except he would fauour the kings liking of the B. of Norwich The king threatneth the Pope hée would cut of the trade to Rome and the profites that came thether from the land The Pope writeth in the behalfe of R. Langton a froward and arrogant letter and not long after sendeth a commandement and charge into England to certaine bishops that if the king would not yéeld they should interdict him through his realme For the executiō whereof foure bishops were appointed William B. of London Eustace bishop of Ely Walter bishop of Winchester and Giles bishop of Hereford Which foure bishops went to him shewing their cōmission The king interdicted willing him to consent which the king refusing they went and pronounced the generall interdiction through out the realme and so the Church dores were shut vp with keies walles and other fastnings c. Which with other demeanour so incensed the king that hée tooke all the possessions of the foure Bishops into his handes appointing certaine men to kéepe the liuing of the Clergie throughout the realme and that they should inioy no part thereof he also proclaimed that all those that had Church liuing and went ouer the sea should returne at a certaine day or else lose their liuings for euer and charged all Sheriffes to inquire if any churchman receiued any commaundement that came from the Pope The king against the Clergie and that they should take their bodies and bring them before him and also that they should take into their hands for the kings vse all the church lands that were giuen to any man by the Archbishop Stephen or by the priors of Canterburie from the time of the election of the Archbishop and further charged that all the woods that were the Archbishops should be cut downe and sold Which things the pope hearing of sendeth two Legates Pandulph and Durance Pandulph and Durance Legates to charge the king to make restitution and cease from those wrongs doone to the church which when he refused to doo he procéeded to excommunicate him to assoile all his subiects from their oth of obedience Subiects assoiled of their oth of obediēce assoiling also all those of their sins that would rise against the K. And a while after vpon the Legats returne the Pope summoned all bishops The king accursed of the Pope abbots clarkes to repaire to Rome to cōsult what was to be doone therin where he accursed the K. and sent vnto the French king vpon remissiō of all his sins and of all that went with him that he should take with him all the power that he might and so inuade the Realme of England to destroy king Iohn Moreouer he gaue sentēce that the K. should be deposed another put in his place appointing the deposing to the french K Philip The pope giueth England to the French king promising to giue him remission of al his sins and the cléere possession of all the Realme of England to him his heires if he did either kill him or expel him Whervpō the next yere 1212. the Frēch K. begā to inuade but the Englishmen took 300. of his ships wel ladē with al prouision burnt another hundred within the hauen and tooke the spoile yet the K. considering the conspiracies of the pope and the sharpe inuasion of the French K. with the treasons at home by reason of the popes dispensation with the oath of obediēce in the 13. yéere of his raign sent Embassadors to the pope requiring peace The king submitteth to the Pope promising to satisfie him in al things with due satisfaction whervpon the pope sent Pandulph again into Englād with other Embassadors To whō in the behalfe of the court of Rome the K. submitted himself resigning gaue vp his dominiōs of England Ireland frō him his heires that should come of him for euermore with this condition that he shold take these 2. dominions of the pope again to
thousand besides a great number Vespasian slue in subduing Galile seuentéene thousands mo that were sold for slaues Stephen Stephen the Deacon was the first martyr put to death at Ierusalem and stoned by the Iewes After Stephen suffered Iames Iames. the brother of Iohn whom Herod Herod slew with the sword and with him the partie that was cause of his persecution who beyng moued in conscience as Iames went to execution confessed himselfe to be a Christian also and were both beheaded together The same day that Stephen suffered Nicanor Nicanor one of the 7. deacons with 2000. 2000. other christians suffered for the faith Simon Simon one of the deacons and afterward bishop of Bosrum in Arabia was there burned and Parmenas Parmenas also an other of the Deacons suffered for the faith Thomas Thomas who preached to the Parthians Medes Persians Germans Heraconies Bactries and Magies suffered in Calamina a citie in Iudea beyng slaine with a dart Simon Zelotes Simon Zelotes who preached in Mauritania and in the countrie of Aphrike and in Britaine was crucified Iudas Iudas brother of Iames called Thaddeus and Lebeus who preached to the Edissens and to al Mesopotamia was slaine vnder Augarus Augarus king of the Edissens in Berito Simon Simon brother to Iude and Iames the yoonger which were sonnes of Mary Cleopha and of Alpheus called Cananeus bishop of Ierusalem after Iames as Dorotheus recordeth was crucified in a citie of Egipt in the time of Traianus Traianus Emperour but as Abdias writeth he was slaine with his brother Iude by a tumult of the people of Suanir a citie of Persidis Marke the Euangelist first B. of Alexandria preached the Gospel in Egypt and there being drawn with ropes to the fire was burned and afterward buried in a place called there Bucolus vnder the reigne of Traianus the Emperor Bartholomeus Bartholomeus is said to haue preached to the Indians and to haue conuerted the Gospel of S. Mathew into their tongue where he continued a great space doing many miracles At last in Albania a citie of great Armenia after diuers persecutions he was beaten downe with staues then crucified and after being excoriate hee was at length beheaded Iohan. de monte regali Andrew Andrew the Apostle and brother of Peter was crucified at Patris a citie in Achaia by the Gouernour Egeas Egeas embracing the crosse and ioying therein the day before the Kalends of December Matthew Matthew otherwise called Leui first a publicane then an Apostle after that he had conuerted to the faith Ethiopia and all Egypt Hircanus Hircanus their king sent one to runne him through with a speare Iohan. de monte regali Matthias Matthias also after that he had preached to the Iewes was stoned and beheaded by them Philip the Apostle Philip and his daughters after he had much laboured among the barbarous nations was crucified and stoned to death in Hierapolis a citie of Phrygia where he was buried and his daughters with him Isodor Iames Iames. being required of the Iewes to disswade the people from the faith of Christ Other and that he should stand speak from the battlements of the temple that he might more conueniently be heard The Iewes he contrary to their expectation preaching Christ was throwne downe from the battlementes headlong and stoned and one being present tooke a Fullers instrument wherewith they beate cloth and smote him on the head whereof he died and was buried in that place At which time also other were put to death among the Iewes for the testimony of Christ The first Persecution THe first was stirred vp by Nero Domitius Nero Domit. the 6. Emperour about the yere 67. Whose cruelty was such against Christians that he had neither regarde of sexe condition of life or age so that open stréetes were spread with the dead carkases of Christians He caused persecution throughout al the prouinces of the Romaine empire and endeuoured vtterly to abolish the name of Christians In that persecution Peter Peter was crucified his head downward himselfe requiring it should be so as vnworthy to be in all manner executed like Christ Iesus The cause was thought to be the reuenge of the death of Simon Magus Simon Magus who pretending to the people of Rome to flée from the mount Capitolinus vp into heauē by the praier of Peter was brought headlong downe wherwith his legges ioynts being broken he died At that time also Peters wife Peters wife suffered béeing much encouraged by the words of her husband Peter whiles he hanged vpon the crosse Vnder the same Nero Paul Paul was beheaded in the 14. yéere of Nero the same day that Peter was crucified and was buried in the way of Ostia But others as Prudentius in his Peristephano writeth that they were put to death in one day but Paule a yeere after Peter The second Persecution THe Church hauing had some rest vnder Vespasian Domitian Domitian brother to Titus moued not long after the 2. persecution He put to death al the nephews of Iuda Nephewes of Iuda called the Lords brother and caused to be sought out and slain al that could be found of the stock of Dauid as Vespasian also did before him least yet he were to come of the stocke of Dauid that should enioy the kingdome In the time of this tirant Simeon Simeon Bishop of Ierusalem after other torments was crucified to death whom Iustus Iustus afterward succéeded in that bishoprick This Tyrant exiled Iohn Iohn the Apostle and Euāgelist into Pathmos an 97. And vnder Pertinax he was released and came to Ephesus anno 100. where he continued vntill the time of Traianus and there gouerned the Church in Asia where also he wrote his gospel And so liued til the yere 68. which was the yere of his age 99. Euseb Flauia Flauia daughter to Flauius Clemens one of the Roman Consuls suffered for the name of the Lord Iesus and was with many other banished out of Rome into the I le Pontia Euseb lib. 3 A remnant of the flock of Dauid as yet remayned who being brought to Domitian to be slaine and hee percyuing them to be poore and vnderstanding from them that the kingdome of Christ should not be a worldly but an heauenuenlie kingdome let them goe and staied the persecution They being dismissed had afterwarde the gouernment of Churches and so continued in peace till the time of Traianus Egesip Euseb lib. 3. cap. 20. In these persecutions no kind of torment was omitted that could be deuised against the Christians The 2. persecution and no kinde of slaunder kept back that might empaire their credite their bodies after death not being suffered to be buried and yet the Church did dayly more and more encrease Euaristus Euaristus Bishop of Rome next to Clement succéeded in the
Constantius contented only with the title satisfied himselfe with Fraunce Spaine and Britanie Wherefore Galerius chose to him his two sonnes Maximinus and Seuerus Likewise Constantius tooke Constantinus vnder him Constantinus In the meane time while Maximinus with his two Cesars were in Asia the Romā souldiers set vp for their Emperor Maxentius the sonne of Maximinian who had deposed himself against whom Seuerus being sent by his father was slaine of Maxentius in whose place Maximinus tooke Licinius and these Emperours prosecuted the persecution seuen or eight yéeres which was till the yéere 318. Sauing that Constantius and his son Constantinus rather fauoured the Christians Constantius trieth his court who were Christians and minding to trie at a certaine time what good Christians hée had in his court fayned as though hée would doo sacrifice to Diuels and commaunded all his houshold so to doo to the end he might discerne the one from the other which hauing doone and finding a number to remaine constant cherished them and refused the backsliders admitting the other to the chiefe places about him Maximinus in the East churches vsed great crueltie and had executioners of the same Pentius Quintianus Theotechnus besides other but his rage was stayed by the hand of God who sent him such a botch Gods iudgement vpon Maximinus that it putrified and eate his entrailes from whence swarmed an innumerable multitude of lyce wherevpon he caused persecution to cease and required the Christians to pray for him and published edicts of peace vnto them throughout all his Empyre Wherat one Maxentius was not pleased to haue such edicts published where he had to doo in Asia other prouinces But Sabinus who had among them the chief office wrote the Emperours pleasure to the substitutes of euery country whervpon grew a maruellous sudden alteration in the Church But scarse suffered Maximinus the tyrant the same six moneths vnuiolated but set out contrary edicts caused them to be engraued in brasse and hanged in euery citie So that persecution rose againe as great as before At Emysa in Phenicia they condemned thrée christians with whom Syluanus Syluanus the bishop a very old man being 40. yéeres in ecclesiasticall function was condemned to death In Nicomedia Lucianus the Elder of Antioch after he had giuen his Apologie to the Emperour was put to death In Amasia a citie of Cappadocia Bringes the lieftenant of Maximinus had the executing of that persecution At Alexandria Petrus Petrus a most worthy bishop was beheaded with many other Egyptian bishops Quirinus Quirinus the Bishop of Scescanius was throwne into the flood hauing an handmill hanged about his necke and drowned At Rome died Marcellus Marcellus and Timotheus Timotheus the elder with many other Bishops and priests and in many other places diuerse were martyred as Victorianus Symphorianus Castorius with his wife Castulus Cesarius Mennas Nobilis Dorotheus Gorgamus Petrus and other innumerable martyrs more Iuliana Cosmus Damanus Basilenus with 7. other Dorothea Theophilus Theodosia Vitalis Agricola Acha Philemon Hireneus Ianuarius Festus Desiderius Gregorius Spolitanus Agapes Chronia Hirenea Theodora 270. martyred and 270. other Florianus Primus and Felicianus Vitus and Modestus Crescentia Albinus Rogatianus Donatianus Pancratius Catharina Margareta Lucia the virgin and Antheus the king with 37000. martyrs Antheus a king with 37000. martyrs Simplicius Faustinus Beatrix Panthaleon Gregorius Iustus Leocandia Anthonia with an infinite number more Also Felix Victor with his parents Lucia the widdow 79. martyrs Germinianus with 79. others Sabinus Anastacia Chrisogonus Felix and Audactus Adrianus Nathalia Eugenia Agnes of thirtéene yeares old The kind of cruelties were straunge and the persecution more gréeuous vnder Maximinus the tyrant then vnder Maximinianus the Prince Now the Emperour in his edict had declared what plentie they enioyed what times their Idols were adored but immediatly vpon this renewing of persecution fell out most miserable famine and pestilence Famine and pestilence in the which the christians shewed their kindnes vnto the Gentils reléeuing to their power such as they thought to stand in néed Herevpon grew againe some peace Maximinian vnderstanding that the Pretorian souldiers had chosen his sonne Emperour at Rome intended to take vnto him againe his empire and perswaded Dioclesian so to do but was repulsed and prouided to fly to Constantinus in Frāce for aide but indéed purposed to kil him which was detected by Fausta the daughter of Maximinian whō Constantinus had married So that taking no place he retired in the way was apprehended and put to death Certaine companions of Maxentius solliciting a Christian Gentlewoman of Rome whose husband first they had killed to satisfie the filthie desire of the Emperour rather then she would so doe killed her selfe In the beginning of his reigne he fained himself a Christian to the end he might serue his wicked purpose but afterward shewed himself both towards them and in al other behauiour most abhominable giuing himselfe to magicke and pollution of his body with all kinde of cruelty against his owne citizens and nobles He banished a certain noblewoman of Rome because she gaue her goods to the Church The people of Rome being wearied with the villany of Maxentius The villany of Maxentius required ayd of Constantin who first admonished him by letters which nothing preuailing he gathered an armie in Fraunce and Britanny to represse the rage of the of the tyrant To whō he approched and fearing his charms wherewith hée had vanquished Seuerus sent by Galerius stoode in doubt and whilest he was in doubting and casting vp his eies manie times to heauen on the South part about the going downe of the sunne he saw a brightnesse in heauen appearing in the similitude of a crosse A vision of the crosse with certain starres of equall bignesse giuing this inscription like latine letters In hoc vince that is in this ouercome Eusebius Pamphilus made report that he heard Constantinus himselfe often report the same Now he being astonied hereat and consulting vpon the meaning thereof in the night in his sléepe Christ appeared vnto him with the signe of the same crosse which he had séene before bidding him to make the figuratiō thereof and to carrie it in his warres before him and so should he haue victorie Wherevpon he marched towards Maxentius hauing done as the vision commanded who being constrained to issue out of the citie to méete him commanded Pons Milonius to be beaten down a false bridge to be made thinking thereby to take Constantinus But hée himselfe being not able to sustaine Constantinus force Maxentius drowned The last persecution ended and retiring in hope to get the Citie was ouerthrowen of his horse into the flood and drowned and so ended the last Persecution The first attempt of Constantinus against Maxentius was Ann. 318. So that thrée hundred yeres was the ful time of the persecution from Christ Constantinus for this
should extend ouer them of Britaine The ninth containeth diuers points whether a woman with child ought to be baptized after she hath had a childe whether she ought to enter the Churche c To which all Gregorie maketh answere with resolution Nowe Gregory after he had sent these resolutions sendeth mo coadiutors and helpers as Mellitus Iustus Paulinus and Ruffianus with bookes and such other things as he thought necessary for the Church He sendeth also to Austen a Pall with letters A Pall from Rome containing an order betwéen the two Metropolitane seates of London and Yorke Notwithstāding he graunteth to Austen during his life to be the onely chiefe Archbishop in all the lande and after his time that to returne againe to London and Yorke Hee sendeth also another letter to Mellitus willing him to let the Idolatrous temple stand and alter the vse He admonisheth Austen also not to be puffed vp with pride for his working of miracles Moreouer he wrote to king Ethelbert willing him to continue constant and sendeth him presents Now Austen of a monke being made an Archbishop after he had baptized a great part of Kent made two Archbishops by the commandement of Gregorie Mellitus Mellitus was specially sent to the East Saxons in the prouince of Essex where afterward he was made B. of London vnder Sigebert K. of Essex which Sigebert together with his vncle Ethelbert first built the Church of S. Paul in London and appointed it to Mellitus for his Bishops seat Austen associate with this Mellitus and Iustus through the helpe of Ethelbert assembled the Doct. of Britain in a place which taking the name of Austen is called Austens oake Austens oake In which assembly he charged the Bishops to preach with him to the English men the word of God to baptise after the maner of Rome Brittains and Scots refuse the Easter of Rome kéep Easter after the same maner which the Britains Scots refused to doe Then he gathered another synode to the which came 7. bish of Britons with the wisest men of that famous abbey of Bangor Abbey of Bangor who first taking counsel of an holy wise mā were aduised that if he were humble thē to agrée vnto him Austens pride offendeth the Britains as the seruant of God The B. thus counselled entred into the counsel Austen after the Romane manner kepeth his chaire of pride wherat after some heat of words the Brittains disdaining departed To whō thē Austen spake and said that if they woulde not take peace with their brethren they should receiue warres of their enimie c. 1100. monks of Bangor slaine Which not long after fell out according as he had said for Ethelfride being yet a pagane slue 1100. monks of the Abbey of Bangor which consisted of 2100. monkes that liued with the sweat of their brows that came to Chester praied and fasted thrée daies for the good successe of Brockmayl against the Saxons Whereat Ethelfride being offēded slue 1100 only 50. fled away They came to their chiefe Gouernour one named Dinoe Dinoe This Ethelfride was afterwarde slaine of the christian king Edwin who succéeded him as he had slaine the Christians before which was 610. Austen after that he had baptised a thousand Christians of Saxons in one day in the West riuer that is called Swold beside Yorke on Christmas day hee perceyuing his ende to drawe neere Gregorie dieth ordained Laurentius Laurentius to rule after him the Archb. Sea of Canterbury In the meane season about this time died Gregorie of whom it is said that of all the Bish that were afore him he was the basest of al that came after him the best About which time died also in Wales Dauid Archb. of Kaerleion who then translated the sea frō thēce to Meuenia therfore is called Dauid of Wales Not long after this also died Austen Austen dieth after he had set 15. or 16. yéeres This Gregory denied any B. to be lawfully called vniuersal bish declaring that he that shold take that vpon him is the forerunner of Antichrist For this matter hee had much adoo with the Emperour and Patriarch of Constantinople who was extolled by Mauricius to the Patriarchie of Alexandria and would be called vniuersall Patriarke of Alexandria would be vniuersall Patriarch Strife about Primacy requiring the Emperour that hée would obtaine Gregories consent herein but Gregory refused so to doo wherevpon grewe greate troubles to Gregory that purchased thereby the displeasure of the Emperour This Gregory brought in the title among the Romaine bishops to be called Seruus seruorum Dei The title Seruus seruorum Dei Sabinianus first vniuersall Bishop After Gregory succéeded Sabinianus a malitious detractor of Gregory and his workes He continued scarse two yéeres after whome succéeded Bonifacius the third who raigned but one yere yet did much hurt he obtained of Phocas the wicked Emperour that he and his succcessos Phocas giueth first title of vniuersal bishop should be called vniuersal Bishops and head of the rest This Phocas to obtaine the empire killed his maister Mauritius and his children but he was rewarded thereafter For hauing his hands and féete cut of by Heraclius that succeded him he was cast into the sea King Ethelbert did many Christian actes Ethelb dieth and died when he had raigned 56. yéeres ann 616. whom stories say to be slaine in a fight betwéene him and Ethelfride the king of the North Saxons who also after he had raigned foure and twentie yéeres was slaine in the field of Edwin that sucded in Northumberland after him This Edwin the sonne of Alba was conuerted by Paulinus and was the first christian K. of Northumberland although his wife were a Christian woman K. Ethelbertes daughter Who although he was much laboured with by his wife yet was he hard to be woon to the faith till a certaine trouble fell vpon him which was the cause of his calling for his death being conspired by the K. of Westsaxons Quincelinus with Kinegilsus his brother he was woūded by one that was suborned to kill him About whitsontide after the K. assēbled his host entended to make war against them vowed to Christ if he would giue him victory that he would be christened and in token therof caused his daughter borne of Edelburgh the same Easterday when he was wounded named Eufled to be baptized with twelue other of his familie by Paulinus So he obtained the victory and yet with much adoo forsooke his Mahometrie at the preaching of Paulinus and denied to be christened till a time after This Edwin before he maried the daughter of Ethelbert fell into some displeasure with him and fled to Redwald king of the East Angles which Redwald being corrupted intended to betray him wherefore being pensiue and not hauing whether to fly there appeared suddenly to him a straunger who said vnto him with other spéeches wilt
Canutus died wherefore that land fell to Canutus who anon after sailed thither and tooke the possession and returned into England married Emma late wife of Egelred and by her had a sonne called Herdeknight or Hardiknoutus He assembled a parlement at Oxford wherin was agréed that English men and Danes should hold the lawes made by king Edgar King Edgars lawes as most good reasonable Thus the Danes being in England beganne by little and litle to bée christened and Canutus went to Rome and so returning againe to England gouerned the land 20. yéers leauing behind him two sonnes Harold Hardiknoutus which Hardiknoutus was made K of Denmarke in his fathers time Harold for his swiftnes called Harefoot son to Canutus by Eligna his first wife began his raign ouer Englād an 1039 He banished his stepmother Emma took her goods iewels from her He raigned but 4. yéeres the kingdome fell to Hardeknoutus king of Denmarke his brother who when he had raigned 2. yéeres Hardeknoutus dieth being merry at Lambith sodainly was stricken dumme and fel down to the ground and within 8. daies after died without issue of his body and was the last that raigned of the blood of the Danes The last K. of the Danes For the Earles and Barons agréed that none of that blood should after bée king for the despite and hurt the Danes had done to the English nation and sent into Normandy for the 2. brethren Alfred Edward sonnes of king Egelred entending to make Alfred king of England but Earle Godwin a Westsaxon who had married the daughter of Hardeknoutus thought to slay the two brethren comming into England to make Harold his sonne king which sonne he had by the daughter of Hardeknoutus the Dane King The messengers that went for the brethren founde but Alfred the elder for Edward the younger was gone into Hungary to speake with his cousin the outlaw which was Edward Ironsides sonne So the traitor Godwin met with Alfride the Normans attending vpon him and when they came to Guilde doune he commanded his men to slea all that were of Alfrides company and after that to take Alfred and to leade him to the yle of Ely where they should put out both his eies which they did Alfred cruelly murthered that done they opened his body and tooke out his bowels set a stake into the ground and fastned an end of his bowels thereto and with néedles of yron they pricked his tender body thereby causing him to go about the stake till al his bowels were drawne out After this treason the wicbed Duke fled into Denmark and lost al his lands in England and kept him there 4. yéeres and more The stories record that this Canutus folowing much the superstition of Achelnotus Archb. of Canterbury went on Pilgrimage to Rome and there founded an Hospitall for English Pilgrims hée gaue the Pope pretious giftes and burdened the land with a yéerely tribute called Romeshotte Romeshot He shrined the body of Bernius and gaue greate landes to the Cathedrall Church of Winchester he builded Saints Benets in Northfolke which was before an heremitage Also S. Edmundsburie S. Edmundsburie turned from priestes to monkes which king Ethelstane ordeined before for a colledge of priests he turned to an abbey of Monkes of S. Benets order This king Canutus beyng prouoked to go to Winchester by Egelnothus Archbishop of Canterburie resigned his regall crowne to the rood A Rood crowned king of England and made the roode king ouer the land He ordained lawes of his owne touching matters ecclesiasticall although at the beginning hée vsed Edgars lawes as touching paying for opening the earth at funerals he forbad also all faires and markets vpon Sundayes and all secular actions but vpon vrgent necessitie A good law against adultery He ordained to receaue the communion thrise a yéere That married woman that had committed adultery should haue her eares and nose cut off Also that no widow should marrie within xij moneths after the death of her husband else to lose her ioynture c. Thus ended the Danish kings which Danes had vexed and wasted the land the time of 255. yéeres The land vexed by the Danes 255. yeeres Next vnto Canutus the second or Hardiknoute succéeded Edward the younger sonne of Egelred and Emma who was long banished in Normandy He came ouer with a few Normans and was crowned at Winchester anno 943. by Edesius thē Archbishop of Canterburie and not long after he married Goditha or Editha daughter of Earle Godwin with whom he neither dealt fleshly nor yet put her from his bed He gouerned the land with great wisdome peace xxiiij yeres In the time of this K. came William Duke of Normandie with a goodly companie to sée K. Edward to whom it is said Edw. promised if he died without issue to leaue the Crowne In this K. reigne liued Marianus Scotus M. Scotus the storie wryter About the 13. yéere of this kings raigne he sent Aldred bishop of Worceter to the Emperour Henricus the fourth praying him that he would send to the king of Hungarie that his coosin Edward sonne of Edmund Ironside might come into England for so much as he entended to make him king after him who was called Edward outlaw This was fulfilled and he came into England with his wife Agatha and with his children Edgar Adeling Margaret and Christina but the yéere after his returne he died at London was buried at Westminster or as Iornalensis saith at Paules church in London After whose decease the king receiued Edgar Adeling his sonne as his owne child thinking to make him his heire but fearing the mutabilitie of the Englishmen and the pride and malice of Harold the sonne of Godwin directed Embassadours to William Duke of Normandy William Duke of Normandy appointed heire of the crowne his kinseman assigning him to bée lawfull heire after him After the death of Godwin his son Harold grew in great fauour with the king He sayled into Flaunders and in the course of his sayling he was driuen by force of weather into the prouince of Pomilitie where he was taken prisoner and sent to William Duke of Normandie to whom he was made to sweare that he in time following should marry his daughter and that after the death of King Edward Harold sweareth to Duke William he should kéepe the land of England to his behoofe according to the minde and will of Edward after some Writers and so to liue in honor next to him in the Realme Thus he returned home and shewed to the king what he had done Wherewith he was very wel contented Leofricuss Earle of Chester and of Mercia who was also very faithfull to king Edward with his wife Godina builded the Abbey of Couentrée The Abbey of Couentrie and endued the same with great lands and riches King Edward after hee had reigned thrée and twentie yeares and seuen
prelates in which the sixe articles were concluded touching matters of religion which were commonly called the whippe with sixe strings The first article was concerning transubstantiation 2 Against the communicating in both kindes 3. That priestes might not marry after the order of priesthood receiued 4. that the vowes of chastity made aboue 21. yéeres of age of widowhood aduisedly made should be obserued 5. The establishing of priuate masses 6. Auricular confession to be expedient The punishment for breach of the first article was burning without any abiuration with losse of all goods lands as in case of treason Treason Felonie the default against the other fiue articles was fellony without any benefit of cleargy c. Against these articles only D. Cranmer Cranmer disputeth against the vi articles Archbishop of Canterbury stood vp and thrée daies disputed against them with such strength of reason that the king who euer bare especall fauour vnto him well liking his zelous defence onlie willed him to depart out of the parlament house vnto the Counsell chamber for a time for safegarde of his conscience till the Act shoulde passe and bée graunted which hée notwithstanding with humble protestation refused to doe After the parlament was finished the king sent the Lord Cromwell who in few dayes after was apprehended the twoo Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke and all the Lordes of the parlament house to dyne with the Archbishoppe at Lambith and to comfort him and within few daies also vpon the same required that hee woulde giue a note of all his doings and reasons in the said parliament which Cranmer eftsoones accomplished accordingly and sent the copie thereof to the king Besides these sixe Articles in the same parliament was ordained that if Priestes were taken in Adultery or Fornication and duely conuict for their not Caste nor Caute at first tyme they shoulde forfaite their goods Against adultery and fornication of priests and for the second faulte be taken and executed as fellons this was brought in by the Lord Cromwels aduise Who if he might haue had his will the firste crime of these concubinarie Priestes aswell as the second no doubt had béene punished with death but so Gardiner did barre that article with his shifts that the first was losse of goodes and the second death and the next yéere he so prouided that the paine of death by Act of parlament was cleane repealed So that by this statute it was prouided Death for adulterie repeated for all such votaries as liued in whordome and adultery For the first offence to lose his goodes and all his spiritual promotions except one For the second to forfeite all that he had to the king For the third conuiction to sustaine continual imprisonment Anno 1541. The eight and twentith day of Iuly the noble lord Cromwell the maule of the Pope and Papists in this land and the great fauourer of the gospell was put to death at Tower hill 1541. Cromwell the maule of the P. put to death The crimes obiected against him were first heresie and that he was a supporter of Barnes Clarke and many other whom by his authoritie and letters written to Sheriffes and Iustices in diuers Shires he had discharged out of prison Also that hee did disperse bookes of heresies among the kinges Subiects Item that he caused to be translated into English diuers bookes that conteined matter against the Sacrament c. Besides all this there were brought in certaine witnesses which charged him with wordes that he should speake against the king in the Church of S. Peter the poore in the xxx yere of the kings reigne In the moneth of Iuly during the Parliament being in the Counsell chamber he was sodainly attainted and carried to the Tower the xix of the moneth of Iulie the xxviij day put to death He was borne of a simple parentage at Putney or there abouts being a Smiths sonne his mother married after to a Sherman Cromwell The life of L. Cromwell being ripe of yéeres was at Antwerp retained to be secretarie to the merchants there From whence being procured by Geffery Chambers with another companion whom the men of Boston sent to Rome for the renewing of their priuiledges to go to Rome and aid them in their suite he departed and accompanied the Boston mens Ambassadours to Rome where he aduised with himselfe how he might haue best accesse vnto the pope and best dispatch of his busines and hauing knowledge how that the popes holy tooth greatly delighted in new fangled strange delicates it came into his mind to prepare certaine fine dishes of gelly made after our countrey maner here in England which to them of Rome was not knowen nor séene before This done Cromwell obseruing his time as the pope was newly come from hunting into his pauiliō hée with his companions approched with his English presents brought in with a thréemans song as we call it in the English tongue and all after the English fashion The pope sodainly marueiling at the strangenes of the song and vnderstanding that they were Englishmen and that they came not emptie handed willed them to be called in Cromwel there shewing his obedience and offring this iolie Iunkets such as kings Princes onely vsed said he in the Realm of Englande to féede on desired that to be accepted in good part which he his companions as poore Suters vnto his Holinesse had there brought and presented as Nouelties méete for his recreation Pope Iulius so liked their Iunkets that he desired to know the making of their daynties And vnderstanding their suites without any more adoe stamped both their pardons both the greater and the England the king also wrote in like manner to Boner his Ambassadour to assist the doers thereof in all their reasonable suites whereto the king of Fraunce gaue licence Boner shewed himselfe very diligent about the worke The Bible in English printed at Paris So the booke was printed euen to the last part then was quarrels picked to the printer who was sent for to the inquisitors of the faith there charged with certaine articles of heresie Then were sent for the Englishmen that were at the cost charge therof Richard Grafton and Whitchurch the corrector Miles Couerdale but hauing warning what would follow the Englishmen posted away leauing behind them their Bibles to the number of 2500. called the Bibles of the great volume and neuer recouered any of them sauing the Lieuetenant criminal sold foure great dryfats of them to an Haberdasher to lap in caps and those were brought again but the rest were burnt at the place called Maulbert in Paris But notwithstanding the losse after they had recouered some part of the foresaid books and were comforted and incouraged by the L. Cromwell the same men went agayne to Paris and there got the presses letters and seruants of the foresaid printer and brought them to London and there they became
down vpon his knées hauing his booke by him reading singing psalms continually without ceassing for 3. daies and 3. nightes together refusing meate and other talke to the great wonder of many Then one Iohn Crowch his next neighbour went to the Constables Robert Marsham and Robert Lawes in the night to certifie them thereof For Berrie the Vicar of the Towne did commaund openly to watch for him and the Constables vnderstanding the same tooke him by breake of day The two and twenty of Aprill when Hudson sawe them come in he saide nowe mine houre is come welcome friendes welcome You bee they that shall leade me to life in Christ Note I thanke GOD therefore and the Lorde enable mée thereto for his mercies sake So they ledde him to Berry the Commissary who wrote vnto the Bishop letters against him and sent him to Norwich bound like a théefe whither hee went with ioy and singing chéere In prison he was a moneth where hee did continually reade and inuocate the name of God After they had all thrée béene chained to the stake Thomas Hudson immediatly commeth foorth from them vnder the chaine fell downe vpon his knées and praied vehemently vnto the Lord for comfort for he was at the very stake distressed thē rose he with great ioy as a man new chaunged from life to death and said now I thanke God I am strong passe not what man can doo vnto me Note so with his fellowes gaue testimony to the truth in the flames of fire Somewhat before this time was one mother Seaman mother to Wil. Seaman persecuted for the gospell being of the age of 66. and was glad to liue sometimes in groues in bushes c. After she was dead the Lord taking her away by sicknesse one M. Simonds the commissary dwelling at Thornden gaue commaundement she should not come in Christian buriall so she was buried in a pit vnder a moats side Likewise one mother Bennet of the towne of Wetherset after her departure this life was laide in a graue by the high way side The 26. of May suffered at Colchester William Harris W. Harris Rich. Day Rich. Day Christian Gorge Christ Gorge a wife whose husband had another wife burnt before this Christian whose name was Agnes Gorge that suffered with the 13. at Stratford the Bow After the death of Christian he maried an honest godly woman and in the end being taken with his wife with her he remayned in prison till the death of Q. Marie was deliuered by our most gratious Quéene Elizabeth A sharpe proclamation against godly bookes In the moneth of Iune came forth a Proclamation very sharpe against godly bookes by the king and Quéene On the backside of the town of Islingtō were assembled xl godlie persons men and women vertuouslie applying thēselues in prayer and reading the worde Wherof 22. were by Sir Roger Cholmeley and the Recorder sent prisoners to Newgate where they lay eight dayes before they came to examination Of these xxij thirteene were burned seuen in Smithfield and six at Brainford In prison two died in Whitson wéeke the names of whom were Mathew Withers and T. Taylor Seuen of them which remained escaped with their liues hardly without burning whose names were these Iohn Milles Thomas Hinshaw Robert Bayly wolpacker Robert Willers Hudleys Thomas Ceast haberdasher Roger Sandey The 7. that suffered were brought before Boner the 14. of Iune to make answere to such articles as should be obiected Which when they constātly did according to the truth of the Gospell they were by Boner condemned and the 17. day of Iune were sent againe to Newgate where they remained til the 27. day On which day they chéerfully suffered in Smithfield in the fire Their names were these Henrie Pond Henry Pond Raynold Eastland Rain Eastland Robert Southam Rob. Southam Mathew Richarby Mat. Richarby Iohn Floyd Iohn Floyd Iohn Holiday Iohn Holiday Roger Holland Rog. Holland This Holland was a merchant taylour in London sometimes apprentice with one maister Kempton at the blacke boy in Watlingstréet Hee was before his conuersion a Papist and a very lewd yong man and was brought to the knowledge of the trueth by the exhortation of a sober maide that was seruant in the same house whom afterward he did marry and liued vertuously together til such time as the cruell Papists made separation by fire The same day they suffered Proclamation was made that none should be so bolde to speake or talke any word vnto them A straight Proclamation or receiue any thing of them or to touch them vpon payne of imprisonment without eyther Baile or mainprise Notwithstanding the people cryed out desiring God to strengthen them and they likewise prayed for the people the restoring of the word of God R. Holland at the stake At length Roger embracing the stake and the Réedes said these wordes Lorde I most humbly thanke thy maiestie that thou hast called me from the state of death vnto the light of thy heauenly word and now vnto the felowship of thy Saintes that I may sing and say Holy holy holy Lord God of Hostes and Lord into thy hands I commit my spirit Lord blesse the people saue them from idolatrie And so with the rest of his felowes ended his life lauding and praysing God The fourtéenth day of Iuly suffered other sixe at Brainforde seuen miles from London Their names were these Robert Milles R. Milles. Steeuen Wight S. Wight a Tanner Steeuen Carton S. Carton Iohn Slade I. Slade Robert Denis R. Denis and William Pikes W. Pikes or Pikers They were condemned by the Bishops Chauncellour D. Darbishire in the presence of Sir Edward Hastinges and Sir Thomas Cornwalles and suffered ioyfully for the testimonie of Iesus Of the sixe of that companie which escaped burning two were scourged by Bishoppe Boner in his Garden Thomas Hinshawe about the age of ninetéene or twentie yeares being Apprentice and dwelling in Paules Churchyarde with one M. Puggeson and Iohn Milles a married man on whom he spent two roddes and on Hinshaw one Hinshaw was deliuered by reason he fell sicke of a burning ague Boner not thinking he would liue when he had béene a yere in prison In which space Quéene Marie died and hee shortly after recouered health Iohn Milles was a Capper a right faithfull seruant of God The cause why he was scourged was because when Boner asked him what time he crept to the crosse he answered not since he came to the yeres of discretion nor woulde not but rather bée torne in péeces with wilde horses Boner ofttimes speaking to Iohn Milles would say they call me bloudie Boner a vengeance on you all I would fain be rid of you but you haue a delight in burning but if I might haue my will I would sowe your mouthes and put you into sackes and drowne you On a day
13 Bil. his grieuous anguish after recantation ead Bilney repenteth ead Bil. smileth at the stake 14 Supplication of beggars 15 Fish hath the kings protection ead Poore seelie soules of purgatorie 16 Commission against English bookes ead Testament of Tindals translation ead Richard Bayfield ead Bayfield condemned 17 Crueltie ead Booke of wicked Mammon 18 Iohn Tewksburie recanteth ead Iohn Tewksburie repenteth Iohn Tewksburie burned eadem Edward Freese 19 Bread of sawdust ead Crueltie ead Valentine Freese his wife 20 Frier Royce burned ead Bishops commanded to trāslate the bible ead Iames Baynam ead Baynam submitteth 21 Baynam repenteth ead Baynam burned 22 Courage of a martir ead Iohn Benet ead Idol of Douercourt ead Images cast down ead Christes colledge in Oxford 23 Iohn Frith burned ead Sir Th. More pursueth Frith ead Friths treatise 24 Friths answere gotten ead Frith condemned ead Andrew Hewet ead Thomas Bennet Martir 26 William Tracy ead During Qu. Anne no great persecution 27 Commons against Clergy 28 Nothing from Rome ead Supreme head eadem Popes vsurping put downe eadem No conuocations without the kings writ eadem Oth of Cleargie to Pope abolished 29 More resigneth chancellorship ead King renounceth the Pope eadem Lady Elizabeth borne ead The Holy mayde of Kent 30 Gods iudgement ead Thomas Cranmer Archb. of Canterbury ead Preaching against Popes supremacie 31 Popes pardōs abolished ead Gard. booke De Obediētia with Boners notes ead Ruine of religious houses 32 Iewels reliques from abbeys eadem W. Tindall burned eadem Tindall translated the Testament 33 Tindals protesting agaynst transubstantiation 35 Q. Anne put to death ead The K. refuseth the generall councell at Mantua ead Some religious houses giuē to the king ead Articles of religion taught 36 Rebellion suppressed ead Prince Edward borne ead Queene Iane dieth ead Ruffelings against the king calmed eadem The kings articles ead Many holidais abrogated 37 Scripture in English ead Register Booke in euerie church eadem Religious houses rooted vp eadem 45. articles against Lābert 38 A wicked perswasion 39 Lambert disputeth eadem The king condemneth Lambert ead Cromwell readeth sentence against Lambert ead Cromwell craueth pardō of Lambert eadem Lābert a worthy martyr 40 Lamberts treatise of the Sacrament eadem Robert Packingtō going to praier is slaine ead Collins his dog burned ea Cowbridge eadem Putdew eadem William Lerton eadem Nicholas Peke 41 Notable courage of martyr eadem The king refuseth the councell eadem The kings farewell ead Search iniunctions 42 The king nusled by Winchester eadem Six articles a whippe of six strings eadem Treason felonie ead Cranmer against six articles eadem Against adultery c. of priests 43 Death for adulterie repealed eadem Cromwel maule of the pope eadem Life of Cromwell 44 Cromwell learnd the text of the new testamēt by hart 45 Cromwell serueth the Cardinall eadem English bible printed at Paris 47 Gardiner enemy to the Gospell ead Th. Mathewes bible ead Bible in English presented to the king 48 Bible of large volume ead Bishops promise to amend the bible but performe not 49 Doctor Barnes ead Duns Darbell put out of Cambridge ead Disputations of faith rare in Cambridge eadem Doctor Barnes cōuerted by Bilney 50 The white horse in Cambridge called Germany eadem D. Barnes arrested ead D. Barnes submitteth ead D. Barne escapeth out of prison 51 Acta Romanorum Pontificum eadem Doctor Barnes to the Tower 52 Barnes Garret Hierome burned 53 Vniust proceeding ead D. Barnes his foure requests to the king 54 Foure papistes executed about the supremacy ead Fauourers of truth ead Patrons of Popery eadem All prisons in London too litle for the persecuted ea Boner turneth and becommeth a persecutor 55 Six Bibles set vp in Paules eadem The Diuell in the necke ead Iohn Porter killed in pryson eadem Thomas Somers dieth in the Tower 56 Thomas Barnard Iames Morton martyrs ead A popish feare eadem Bartrams boy the Diuell in the monks cowle 57 Lady Anne of Cleue diuorced eadem Six put to death for supremacie 58 The K. misseth Crōwell ead White meates permitted in Lent eadem Marbeck pardoned 60 Filmer Parson Testwood burned eadem Notable martyrs ead The king pardoneth 61 Winchester out of fauour eadem False iudges accusers punished eadem Adam Damlip 62 Persecution in Calice ead Gods iudgement deliuerance of his people 63 The Lord Lisle dieth in the Tower eadem Gods iudgement vppon a false accuser 64 Lord Awdley friend to the afflicted eadem Rockwood a persecutor dispaireth 65 Gods iudgement ead Adam Damlip eadem Adam Damlip executed ea Gods iudgement 66 The rigour of six Articles 67 Noblemen and Gentlemen permitted to read the scripture eadem Six articles qualified ead Saxie hanged 68 Henry burned eadem Kerbie eadem Roper eadem A notable speach of the constant seruaunt of Christ eadem Doctor Crome recāteth ea Anne Askew 69 Anne Askew answereth parabolically boldly 70 Anne Askew condemned eadem Anne Askew sore racked 71 The King displeased with the racking of Anne Askew eadem Martyrs pardoned at the stake eadem Winchesters practise against the Queene 72 The King much altered 73 The Queene deliuered from danger ead Kings of England France agree for a perfect reformation 74 Sir George Blage condemned eadem The king dieth eadem Persecution in Scotland 75 Tenne articles against Iohn Brothwicke ead Thomas Ferrar ead Saint Frauncis homely vsed 76 Helene Stirke a notable martyr ead George Wiseheart 77 The meeke death of George Wiseheart eadem Gods iudgement eadem Adam Wallace learned the psalter without book ead Controuersie in Scotland whether the Lordes prayer should be sayd to sayntes or no. 78 The Frier biddeth to say the pater noster to the diuel eadem Walter Myll eadem A notable speech of the martyr 79 Style burned with the Apocalips about his neck 81 K. Edward raigneth 83 The K. would not at the emperours suit let the Lady Mary haue masse ead Sixe articles abolished ead Religion restored ead Peter Martyr at Oxford eadem Bucer and P. Phagius at Cābridge ead Thomas Dobbe 84 Commissioners ead A parlement eadem Rebellion 85 Muskleborow field 86 Boner shifteth and cauilleth 87 Boner exhibiteth against Latimer 89 Boner pronounced contumax 90 Boner depryued eadem L. protector eadem Altars taken downe 91 Ladie Maries popish practises restrained eadem Gardiners seditious behauiour 92 Gardiner sent to the tower ead Winchester depriued pag. 93 Doctor Redman a fauourer of the gospell ead W. Gardiner eadem Pendegrace 94 W. Gardiners cruell execution eadem Maruellous constancy of W. Gardiner 95 Protector put to death for fellony ead Lord Gilford Lady Iane maried 96 Iustice Hales eadem Queene Mary to the Councell eadem Q. Maries promise to mainteine religion 97 Ridley sent to the Tower ead Q. Mary breaketh promise eadem Popish bishops restored and other put downe ead Hooper committed to the Fleete ead Proclamation agaynst the word of God ead