the Prior and Couent of the White Friers Carmelites in Stanford the â—bboâ— and Couent of our blessed Lady of Bidlesden the Warden and brethren of the grey Friers of Couentrie Bedford and Alesbury surrendred vp them houses into the kings hands Battaile Abbey in Sussex Martine Abbey in Surrey Straâ—ford Abbey in Essex Lewis in Suffex Saint Austines in Canterbury the new Abbey at the Tower hill the Minories without Aldgate the Nunnery at Clerken well The Hospitall of Saint Thomas Akers the Blacke-Friers the White-Friers the grey Friers and the Charterhouse Monks in London with the most or all other were surrendred after the same manner In September the same yeare Viz. An. 30. Hen. 8. by the speciall motion of great Cromwell all the notable images vnto the which were made any especiall pilgrimages and offerings as the images of our Lady of Walsingham Ipswich Worcester the Lady of Wilsdon the rood of Grace of our Ladie of Boxley and the image of the rood of Saint Sauiour at Bermondsey with all the rest were brought vp to London and burnt at Chelsey at the commandement of the foresaid Cromwell all the Iewels and other rich offerings to these and to the Shrines which were all likewise taken away or beaten to peeces of other Saints throughout both England and Wales were brought into the Kings Treasurie In the same yeare also the Abbey of Westminster was surrendred being valued to dispend by the yeare three thousand foure hundred and seuenty pound or by some 3977. l. 6. s. 4. d. ob q. as in the Catalogue of religious houses the Monkes being expelled King Henry placed therein a Deane and Prebendaries and made the last Abbot whose name was Benson the first Deane in the time of Edward the sixth it was made a Bishops See shortly after the benefits of the Church being abridged it came againe to a Deane and Prebends Againe Queene Marie ordained there an Abbot and his Monkes who continued not many yeares but were againe cut off by Act of Parliament And lastly Queene Elizabeth that wonder of the world made it a collegiate Church or rather a Nursery for the Church saith Norden for there she ordained to the glory of God the propagation of true Religion and good literature a Deane twelue Prebendaries an vpper master and an Vsher for the Schoole fourtie Schollers called the Queenes or Kings Schollers who as they become worthie are preferred to the Vniuersities besides Ministers Singers and Organists ten Quiristers and twelue well deseruing Souldiers Thus you see the interchangeable vicissitude of her foundacion and if it had not beene for the reuerend regard they had of the Sepulchres inauguration and vnction here of their famous Ancestors these forenamed Kings if I may ground my reason vpon the passages of those times had taken her commings in to haue inrichâ— their owne coffers despoiled her oâ— her vnualuable wealth and ornaments and battered downe to the ground her sacred Edâ—fice The fifth of December â—n the soresaid yeare the Abbey of Saint Albaâ—s was surrendred by the Abbot and Monkes there by deliuering the Couent Seale into the hands of Tho. Pope D. Peter Master Canendish and others the Kings visiters Now all or the most of all the religious houses in England and Wales being thus surrendred the King summoned another Parliament at Westâ—minster for howsoeuer these forenamed religious orders and other more of their owne free and voluntary mindes good wills and assents without constraâ—â—t â—oactâ—on or compulsion as are the words in the Statute of any manner of person or persons by due order of law and by their sufficient writings of Record vnder their Couent and common Seales had alreadie gâ—uen granted and confirmed renounced left and forsaken all their religious hâ—uâ—â—s with their lands and all other the appurtenances to the same belongingâ— vnto the King his heires and successors for euer Yet it was thought necessarie by the King and his Councell that these their â—o uâ—taâ—ic donations should bee further ratified by authoritie of that high 〈◊〉 whereupon it was enacted that all Monasteries with their Scites circuits and precincts laâ—ds Lordships and all othâ—r franchises not onely those which were surrendred or dissolued before the session of this Parliament but also such as were to bee surrendred or dissolued hereafter shouâ—d bee vested deemed and adiudged to be in the very actuall and reall season and possession of the King his heires and successors for euer The religious Order of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem whose chiefe mansion house was in the precincts of Clerkenwell Parish within the Country of Middlesex consisting of gentlemen and souldiers of ancient families and high spirits could by no means be brought in to present to his Maiestie any of these puling petitions and publike recognitions of their errors thereby like the rest to giue a loafe and beg a shiue to turne themselues out of actuall possession and lie at the Kings mercie for some poore yearely pension But like stoâ—â—â— fellowes stood out against any that thought to enrich themselues with their ample reuenues vntill they were cast out of their glorious structures and all other their estates for these causes following alledged aâ—gainst them in open Parliament as appeares by the statute beginning thus The Lords Spirituall and Temporall and the Commons of this present Parliament assembled hauing credible knowledge that diuers and sundrie the kings subiects called the Knights of the Rhodes otherwise called Knights of Saint Iohns otherwise called Friers of the religion of S. Iohn of Ierusalem in England and of a like house being in Ireland abiding in the parties of beyond the sea and hauing aswell out of this Realme as out of Ireland and other the Kings dominions yearely great summes of money for maintenance of their liuings Haue vnnaturally and contrary to the dutie of their alleageances sustained and maintained 〈…〉 power and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome lately vsed and 〈◊〉 within this Realme and other the Kings dominions and haue not onely adhered themselues to the said Bishop being common enemy to the King our soueraigne Lord and to this his Realme vntruely vpholding knowledging and affirming maliciously and traiterously the same Bishop to bee supreme and chiefe head of Christs Church by Gods holy word Entending thereby to subuert and ouerthrow the good and godly laws and statutes of this realme for the abolishing expulsing and vtter extincting of the said vsurped power and authoritie but also haue defamed and slandered as well the Kings Maiestie as the Noblemen Prelates and other the Kings true and louing subiects of this Realme for their good and godly proceeding in that behalfe Vpon these causes and other considerations it was enacted That the Corporation of the said Religion as well within this Realme as within the Kings dominion and Land of Ireland should be vtterly dissolued and void to all entents and purposes And that Sir William Weston Knight as then Prior of the said Religion of this Realme of
Canterbury Hee the said Saint Benet died about the yeare of our Lord fiue hundred and eighteene and was buried in his owne Oratorie consecrated to Saint Iohn where as before was wont to be the Altar of Apollo He liued 63. yeares Saint Francis was borne in the Towne of Assile in the Duchie of Spoletum in Italy in his young yeares he dealt in the trade of Merchandise but by reason of a great sicknesse at the age of two and twenty yeares he contemned all worldly dealings and gaue himselfe wholly to heauenly meditations he put a shirt of haire vpon his bare skinne and a sacke vpon it girding himselfe with a cord going also without hose or shooes Et victus ostiatim emendicans begging from doore to doore so as the fame of him being spread ouer neighbour countreys many drawne by his holinesse abandoned the world and became his disciples making profession of pouerty but yet to labour and take paines for a poore liuing For these he built an Abbey in the Towne where he was borne and wrate a rule as well for those which were vnited vnto him as for such as should come after him which was approued and confirmed with many Indulgences Priuiledges Graces and Pardons by Pope Innocent the third and Honorius that succeeded him After the confirmacion whereof he ordained that his Friers should be called Fratres minores or Minorite Friers to witnesse their greater humilitie One Adam Sousbout a Germane Diuine Ann. 1227. vpon his entrance into this order writes thus to his Father at Delphos Quà m sit vita breuis quam sit via lubrica quamque Mors incerta bonis quae praemia quaeque parata Sint tormenta malis horum meditatio nostra est Quod facimus quod firmamus quod et esse perenne Optamus testamentum Saluete valete Care pater cari Fratres caraeque Sorores This Scraphicall Saint Francis died the fourth of October 1226. and was canonised by Pope Gregorie the ninth ann 1276. Ann. 1224. About two yeares before the death of Saint Francis these Friers Minorites came into England Et benigne a Rege Henrico tertio sunt suscepti Cantuar collocati fuerunt They were graciously receiued of Henry the third and placed in Canterbury And afterwards anno 1269 one of the Ancestours of Sir Dudley Digge commonly called Digges Emit Insulam vocatam Bynnewyght in Cantuar. et locum Porte super stonestreete ad opus Fratrum Minorum et tempore oportuno transtulit Fratres ad illam bought an Island in Canterbury called Bynnewyght and the place of a gate ouer Stone-streete for the vse of the Friers Minorites to which hee translated them in conuenient time The Friers Minors saith Stow first arriued in England at Douer nine in number fiue of them remained at Canterbury and did there build the first Couent of Friers Minors that euer was in England the other foure came to London and lodged at the preaching Friers the space of fifteene dayes and then hired an house in Cornhill of Iohn Traners one of the Sheriffes they buiâ—â—ded there little cels wherein they inhabited the deuotion of the Citizens toward them and also the multitude of Friers so increased that they were remoued by the Citizens to a place in S. Nicholas Shambles which Iohn Iwyn Citizen and Mercer of London appropriated vnto the Communalty of the Citie to the vse of the said Friers and became himselfe a lay Brother Contemporarie with Saint Francis was Saint Dominicke a Spaniard borne in a Towne called Calogora in the Diocesse of Osma His fader was namyd Felix and his Meder Iohane saith an old Agon from Calogora hee came into Gascoigne where hee continued ten yeares preaching and drawing Christian Princes into armes against the Albigeoâ—s certeyne Heretiques Qui damnato matrimonio vagos suadebant corcubitus atque â—sum carnium prohibebant Who condemned Matrimonie perswaded licentious copulations and forbad the eating of flesh whose errours hee repressed by his Sermons From thence he went to Rome to the Councell of Lateran vnder Innocent the third where hee obtained licence of the said Pope to put himselfe vnder what rule he should like best that was allowed by the Church whereupon he made choise of that of Saint Antonie with sixteene of his disciples and hauing made certaine constitutions it was confirmed by Honorius the third about the yeare of our Lord 1206. Then going to Tholouse he exhorted his Friers and sent them to preach two and two together perswading them to bee preachers both in deed and name These Friers Preachers came first into England in the yeare 1221. where they had louing entertainment and houses built Of which my old Author Then deide Seynt Hugh an half yer and no mo That was Bishop of Lincolne and ther after the fyrst yer The order of Frere prechours bygan that â—as neuer Seynt Domnyk hit bygan in the yere of gease ywis M. C. C. no mor forsothe hit ys Of the gluttonie and drunkennesse of this order which so farre declined like others from the first institution one of their owne side thus writ Sanctus Dominicus sit nobis semper amiâ—us Cuicanimus nostro iugiter praeconia rosâ—ro De cordis venis siccatis ante lagenis Ergo was laudes si tu nos pangere gaudes Tempore Paschali fac ne potu puteali Conveniat vti quod si sit vndique muti Semper erant Fratres qui non curant nisi ventres All things degenerate in time and stray in a manner from the right course for example the order of Saint Benet which had flourished a long space with great reputation of holinesse diâ—â—ered so much from the first institution of their Founder that neither the decrees and authoritie of holy Fathers generall and prouinciall Councels could reforme or draw them to their first principles vntill the sanctitie of one Odo or Otho Abbot of Cluâ—â—â— Burgandy and one of Saint Benets order reuiued in a manner from 〈◊〉 to life this Monasticall profession forcing them to obserue and obseruing himselfe from point to point all that was practised in the time of S. Benedict So as many of their Abbots which were drawne by his good example reformed also their Abbeyes not onely in France but as well in Spâ—â—ne Germany Italy and England and for that this reformation 〈◊〉 his first beginning at Cluni the vnion of so many Abbeyes was called the congregation of Cluni and euery yeare by the Popes permission and authoritie all the Abbots of this congregation met at a certaine place and they called it the generall Chapter whereas they treated of the order and life of Monkes putting out and punishâ—ng such as had offended This Odo liued in the yeare of our Lord 913. It was no long time after ere that these Benedictines fell againe to their old vomit their great wealth hauing made them proud idle luxurious carelesse of Gods house and in most or all of their actions
a masse of money from our credulous king Henry who had so deeply swallowed the gudgeon that his heart being ouer-ioyed saith Mathew Paris and raised euen to the height of exultation hee swore by Saint Edward to make a present voyage to Apulia and take possession of these dominions But at length this counterfeit ring vpon the touch was discouered and the good king knew himselfe deluded his Exchequer emptied and this Titulary-king his sonne Edmund abused Thus writes Mathew Paris the Monke of S. Albans who liued in those dayes and deciphers the Legerdemaine and iugling deuises of the Bishops of Rome to get money This Edmund was Lord Steward of this kingdome and Lieutenant of Gascoigne Who being sent into Aquitaine with an armie where he performed notable seruice died at Bayon in the yeare 1296. And within two moneths after his death his body was honourably transported into England Here lieth also entombed his first wife Aveline daughter and heire of William de Fortibus Earle of Albamarle by whom he had no issue who died the yeare 1269. Here lieth buried in a most magnificent Tombe befitting the greatnesse of his birth and the worthinesse of his Of-spring William de valence Earle of Penbroke so sirnamed of Valencia the place of his birth sonne of Hugh le Brun Earle of the Marches of Aquitaine and halfe brother by the mothers side to King Henry the third This William saith Stow was slaine at Bayon by the French in the yeare 1296. and with him Edmund Earle of Lancaster of whom I lastly spoke if wee may beleeue these verses of Harding But erle Edmond the kynges brother dere With twenty and sixe baners proud and stout The fift daye of Iune was accompted clere Of Christ his date a thousand yere all out Fourscore and sixteene without doubt At Bayon faught with the French menne certain Wher he in the feld that daye like a knyght was slain So was Sir William Valence erle of Penbroke than Sir Iohn Richmond and many other Baron Sir Iohn Saynct Iohn right a full manly manne Thenglishe hoste felly ther was bore doune By a bushement laied by colucion That brake on theim sore fighting in the feld Out of a wode in whiche that day were beld About the verge or side of his monument these verses are inlayd with brasse Anglia tota doles moritur quia regia proles Qua florere soles quem continet infima moles Guilielmus nomen insigne Valentia prebet Celsum cognomen nam tale dari sibi debet Qui valuit validus vincens virtute valore Eâ— placuit placidus sensus morumque vigore Dapsilis et habilis immotus prelia sectans Vtilis ac humilis deuotus premia spectans Milleque trecentis cum quatuor inde retentis In Maij mense hunc mors proprio ferit ense Quique legis hec repete quam sit via plena timore Meque lege te moriturum inscius hore O clemens christe celos intret precor iste Nil videat triste quia preculit omnibus hisce Here lyeth entombed the body of Simon Langham who was first a Monke of this Abbey then Prior and lastly Abbot thence elected Bishop of London from thence before his consecration to London aduanced to the Bishopricke of Ely and from that place remoued to Canterbury hee held diuers liuings in commendam as the Archdeaconry and Treasureship of Wels with others He was both Treasurer and Chancelour of England at seuerall times It is scarce credible saith Godwin now Bishop of Hereford in his catalogue de presulibus Anglie that is reported of his wonderfull bounty and liberality to this monastery When hee was first made Abbot he bestowed all that he had gathered together being Monke and Prior in paying the debt of the house which was to the value of two thousand and two hundred markes and discharged diuers other summes of money also which particular Monkes did owe he purchased good land which he gaue vnto them When hee went out of England hee left them bookes to the value of 830 pound and Copes Vestments and other ornaments for the Church worth 437. pound At his death he bequeathed vnto them all his plate prised at 2700. pound and all his debts any where due which amounted vnto 3954. pound thirteene shillings and foure pence He also sent vnto this Abbey the summe of one thousand markes to buy forty markes a yeare land to encrease the portion of foure Monkes that daily should say Masse for the soules of himselfe and his Parents The money that he bestowed vpon this Abbey one way or other is reckoned by a Monke of the same to be no lesse then 10800. pound who thereupon compiled this Distich Res es de Langham tua Simon sunt data quondam Octingentena librarum millia dena But men of eminent place and authoritie cannot haue their due praise of all sorts of people nay rather in requitall of their best actions they shall reape nothing but opprobrious language for vpon his translation from Ely to Canterbury these two rayling riming Hexameters were made to his disgrace Letentur celi quia Simon transit ab Ely Cuius in aduentum flent in Kent millia centum The Isle of Ely laught when Simon from her went But hundred thousands wept at 's comming into Kent He sate Archbishop of Canterbury onely two yeares for being made Cardinall of Saint Sixtus by Pope Vrban the fift hee left his Archbishopricke and went to Auinion where shortly after he was made Bishop Cardinall of Preneste by Gregory the eleuenth where he liued in great estimation about eight yeares and died of a palsie wherewith hee was suddenly taken as he sate at dinner Iuly 22. 1376. he was buried first in the Church of the Carthusians which he himselfe had founded in the Citie of Auinion but after three yeares his bones by his appointment while he liued were taken vp and buried here a second time vnder a goodly tombe of Alabaster vpon which this Epitaph was sometime engrauen Simon de Langham sub petris hijs tumulatus Istius Ecclesie Monachus fuerat Prior Abbas Sede vacante fuit electus Londoniensis Presul et insignis Ely sed postea primas Totius Regni magnus Regisque minister Nam Thesaurarius et Cancellarius eius Ac Cardinalis in Roma Presbyter isâ—e Postque Prenestinus est factus Episcopus atque Nuncius ex parte Pape transmittitur istâ—c Orbe dolente Pater quem nunc reuocare nequimus Magdalene festo milleno septuageno Et ter centeno sexto Christi ruit anno Hunc Deus absoluat de cunctis que male gessit Et meritis Matris sibi celica gaudia donet Here lyeth Robert Waldby who being a yong man followed Edward the blacke Prince into France where he continued long a Student and profited so much as no man in the Vniuersitie where he liued might compared with him for all kinde of learning he was a good linguist very well seene
Epitaph is engrauen Abbas Richardus de Wara qui requiescit Hic portat lapides quos hic portauit ab vrbe After the death of Richard de Ware Walter Wenlocke was chosen Abbot and preferred to the honour of Lord Treasurer by King Edward the first Hee was Abbot sixe and twenty yeares lacking sixe dayes died vpon Christmas day at night in the yeare 1307. And lieth buried vnder a marble stone whereupon this Epitaph to his high commendation is inlayed in brasse Abbas Walterus iacet hic sub marmore tectus Non fuit austerus sed mitis famine rectus Here lieth Richard de Barking Abbot of this Monastery who was an especiall Councellour to King Henry the third chiefe Baron of the Exchequer and Treasurer of England Who hauing beene Abbot 24. yeares died the 23. day of Nouember 1246. He was first buried in our Ladies Chappell in a Tombe of marble which was pulled downe by Frier Combe a Sacrist of this house Who layed a faire plaine marble stone ouer him with this Epitaph thus inscribed Richardus Barking Prior est post inclytus Abbas Henrici Regis prudens fuit ille minister Huius erat prima laus Insula rebus opima Altera laus eque Thorp census ocham decimeque Tertia Mortone castrum simili ratione Et Regis quarta de multis commoda charta Clementis festo mundo migrauit ab isto M. Domini C. bis xl sextoque sub anno Cui detur venia parte pia virgo Maria. Here in the Cloister vnder a flat stone of blacke marble lie the remaines of Gervais de Bloys so called of the place or Earledome which his father possest in France who was Stephen Earle of Bloys and Champaigne afterwards king of England He was his base sonne begotten of one Dameta a gentlewoman of Normandy He was brought into England by his father the fifth yeare of his raigne and in the same yeare made Abbot of this place In which gouernment he continued for the space of twenty yeares He deceased the 26. of August 1160. His Epitaph De Regem genere Pater hic Gervasius ecce Monstrat de functus mors rapit omne genus Euen father Gervase borne of kings race Loe is dead thus death all sorts doth deface Here lieth the body of Nicholas Litlington Abbot of this house who in the time of his gouernement which was for the space of 〈◊〉 yeares built the Abbots hall and the faire roome now called Ierusalem the West and South part of the Cloister and a Granary now the Schollers long Bed-chamber with the Tower adioyning as also the Water-Mill and many other Edefices He died Anno 1386. I found his Epitaph in a namelesse Manuscript in that neuer enough admired Librarie of Sir Robert Cotton Hacce Domo Ductor Nicholaus erat quoque structor Et sibi tunc sedem celo construxit edem M. semel C ter erat annus sex octuagenus Cum perit iste Abbas diuino flamine plenus Quinta dies fit ei requies in fine Nouembris Detur ei pietate Dei merces requici Amen Here lieth in the Cloister one Vitalis Abbot of this Couent preferred thereunto by William the Conquerour in the 16. of whose raigne 1082. he died vpon whose Tombe this Epitaph was engrauen alluding to his name like as for Laurence his successor Qui nomen traxit a vita morte vocante Abbas Vitalis transijt hicque iacet Here lieth the body of one Lawrence Abbot of this Monastery who obtained of Alexander the third that ambitious Bishop of Rome to himselfe and his successors the vse of the Miter the Ring and the Gloues the Pastorall Staffe before his time being their onely comportment as by the differing portraitures of the Abbots vpon their Tombestones may be easily discerned He died Anno 1176. to whose memory this allusiue Epitaph was made Clauditur hoc tumulo vir quondam clarus in orbe Quo preclarus erat hic locus est et erit Pro meritis vite dedit illi laurea nomen Detur ei vite laurea pro meritis Here lieth Gislebert Crispine Abbot who flourished in the raigne of King Henry the first and died in the yeare of our redemption 1114. His picture is vpon the graue stone inlaid with brasse with his Pastoral staffe onely without Miter Ring or other ornament with these verses Hic Pater insignis genus altum virgo senex que Gisleberte iaces lux via duxque tuis Mitis eras iustus prudens fortis moderatus Doctus quadriuio nec minus in triuio Sic tamen ornatus nece sexta luce Decembris Spiramen celo reddis ossa solo Here lieth interred the body of Edmund Kirton Abbot of this Monastery Doctor of Diuinity and a profound learned man he adorned Saint Andrewes Chappell wherein he lieth buried with the armes of many of the English Nobility These verses are inscribed vpon his monument Pastor pacisicus subiectis vir moderatus Hac sub marmorea Petra requiescit humatus Edmundus Kirton hic quondam qui fuit Abbas Bis denis annis cum binis connumerandus Sacre Scripture doctor probus immoprobatus Illustri stirpe de Cobildic generatus Coram Martino papa proposuit iste Ob quod multiplices laudes habuit honores Qui obijt tertio die mensis Octobris An. Dom. M. cccc.lx.vi Eleison Kyry curando morbida mundi Iohn Islip Abbot of Westminster a man of great authoritie and speciall trust with King Henry the seuenth lieth here interred He built the Deanes house as now it is and repaired many other places in this Monasterie in the windowes whereof saith Camden he had a quadruple deuice for his single name for somewhere he set vp an eye with a slip of a tree in another place one slipping boughes in a tree in other places an I with the said slip and in some places one slipping from a tree with the word Islip I cannot learne the time of his death by his Tombe yet I finde in a Manuscript wherein are diuers funerall collections and other Inscriptions of this Abbey which were gathered about the time of the dissolution that he died the second of Ianuary in the yeare 1510. the second of Henry the eight and also that in the Chappell of Saint Erasmus where he lieth buried vpon the wall ouer his Tombe was the picture of our Sauiour Christ hanging on the Crosse seeming to call and to giue good councell vnto mankind in these rimes Aspice serue Dei sic me posuere Iudei Aspice deuote quoniam sic pendeo pro te Aspice mortalis pro te datur Hostia talis Introitum vite reddo tibi redde mihi te In cruce sum prote qui peccas desine pro me Desine do veniam dic culpam corrige vitam Vnder this Crucifixe was the picture of the Abbot holding vp his hands and praying thus in old Poetrie En cruce qui pendis Islip miserere Iohannis
whencesoeuer he come or for what offence or cause it be either for his refuge into the said holy place he be assured of his life liberty and limbes And ouer this I forbid vnder the paine of euerlasting damnation that no Minister of mine or of my Successours intermeddle them with any the goods lands or possessions of the said persons taking the said Sanctuary for I haue taken their goods and liuelode into my speciall protection and therefore I grant to euery each of them in as much as my terrestriall power may suffice all manner freedome of ioyous liberty and whosoeuer presumes or doth contrary to this my Grant I will he lose his name worship dignitie and power And that with the great traytor Iudas that betrayed our Sauiour he be in the euerlasting fire of hell And I will and ordaine that this my grant endure as long as there remaineth in England either loue or dread of Christian name King Edward the third built in the little Sanctuarie a Clochard of stone and timber and placed therein three bells for the vse of Saint Stephens Chappell About the biggest Bell was engrauen or cast in the mettall these words King Edward made mee thirtie thousand weight and three Take mee downe and wey mee and more you shall fynd mee But these Bells being to be taken downe in the raigne of King Henry the eight one writes vnderneath with a coale But Henry the eight will bait me of my weight In the Steeple of the great Church in the Citie of Roane in Normandy is one great Bell with the like Inscription Ie suis George de Ambios Qui trente cinque mille pois Mes lui qui me pesera Trente six mill me trouera I am George of Ambois Thirtie five thousand in pois But he that shall weigh me Thirtie six thousand shall find mee One lately hauing taken view of the Sepulchres of so many Kings Nobles and other eminent persons interred in this Abbey of Westminster made these rimes following which he called A Memento for Mortalitie Mortalitie behold and feare What a change of flesh is here Thinke how many royall bones Sleepe within this heape of stones Hence remou'd from beds of ease Daintie â—are and what might please Fretted roofes and costlie showes To a roofe that flats the nose Which proclaimes all flesh is grasse How the worlds faire Glories passe That there is no trust in Health In youth in age in Greatnesse wealth For if such could haue repriu'd Those had beene immortall liu'd Know from this the worlds a snare How that greatnesse is but care How all pleasures are but paine And how short they do remaine For here they lye had Realmes and Lands That now want strength to stirre their hands Where from their pulpits seel'd with dust They preach In Greatnesse is no trust Here 's an Aker sowne indeed With the richest royall seed That the earth did ere sucke in Since the first man dy'd for sin Here the bones of birth haue cry'd Though Gods they were as men haue dy'd Here are sands ignoble things Dropt from the ruin'd sides of Kings With whom the poore mans earth being showne The difference is not easily knowne Her 's a world of pompe and state Forgotten dead disconsolate Thinke then this Sithe that mowes downe kings Exempts no meaner mortall things Then bid the wanton Lady tread Amid these mazes of the dead And these truly vnderstood More shall coole and quench the blood Then her many sports a day And her nightly wanton play Bid her paint till day of doome To this fauour she must come Bid the Merchant gather wealth The vsurer exact by stealth The proud man beate it from his thought Yet to this shape all must be brought Chappell of our Lady in the Piew Neare vnto the Chappell of Saint Stephen was sometime a smaller Chappell called our Lady of the Piew but by whom first founded I cannot finde To this Lady great offerings were vsed to be made Richard the second after the ouerthrow of Wat. Tilar as I haue read and other the Rebels in the fourth of his raigne went to Westminster and there giuing thankes to God for his victory made his offering in this Chappell By the negligence of a Scholler forgetting to put forth the Lights of this Chappell the Image of our Lady richly decked with Iewels precious stones Pearles and Rings more then any Ieweller saith he could iudge the price was with all the apparell and ornaments belonging thereunto as also the Chappell it selfe burnt to ashes It was againe reedified by Antony Widâ—uile Earle Riuers Lord Scales Vncle and Gouernour to the Prince of Wales that should haue beene King Edward the fifth Who was vniustly beheaded at Pomfret by the procurement of Richard Crook-backe Duke of Glocester then Lord Protectour the 13. of Iune 1483. Saint Margaret in Westminster Adioyning on the North side of the Abbey standeth Saint Margarets the Parish Church of the Citie of Westminster reedified for the most in the raigne of King Edward the fourth especially the South Isle from the piety of the Lady Marye Billing and her second husband Sir Thomas Billing chief Iustice of England in that Kings time Whose Monument with that to the memorie of her first husband William Cotton Esquire I haue here expressed Here lieth Dame Mary Bylling late wife to Sir Thomas Bylling Knight chiefe Iustice of England and to William Coton and Thomas Lacy which Mary died the 14 day of March in the yeare of our Lord God 1499. Blessed Lady c. haue mercy c. Ant Mary gratia plena on me haue mercy on me haue mercy Ecce ancila dom Fiat 〈…〉 secund uerbu tuuÌ„ 〈…〉 〈…〉 The inheritance of this Lady was the Lordship of Connington in Huntingtonshire The seate once of Turketell the Dane Earle of the East Angles who inuited ouer Swain King of Denmarke to inuade this kingdome He exiâ—'d with most of his Nation by Saint Edmond the Confessor This his seate with other his large possessions were giuen by the same King to Walthâ—oâ— Earle of Northumberland and Huntington to whom the first William gaue in marriage the Lady Iudithe his sisters daughter This Lordship with the Earledome of Huntington by the marriage of Mary that Earles daughter to Dauid the sonne of the first Malcolme King of Scots and the holy Margaret his wife Neece to Edward the King Confessor Grandchilde to Edmond surnamed Ironside King of the English Saxons and sister and heire to Edgar surnamed Ethelinge by which marriage the Stemme Royall of the Saxons became vnited into the bloud Royall of the Scottish Kings in whose male lyne that Earldome and this Lordship continued vntill Isabell the daughter and heire of Dauid Earle of Huntington and brother to Malcome William and Alexander successiue Kings of that kingdome brought them both by her marriage to Robert de Brus into that family She leauing the iust clayme of the Crowne of Scotland to Robert her eldest sonne whose sonne
Dominus Hibernie dilect is sibi in Christo Priori Conuentui Monasterij de Bury Sancti Edmundi Salutem Ex parte vestra nobis est humiliter supplicatum vt cum Monasterium vestrum predict per mortem bone memorie Iohannis Boon nuper Abbatis ibidem Pastoris solacio sit destitut alium vobis eligendi in Abbatem Pastorem eiusdem Monasterij licenciam vobis concedere dignaremus Nos precibus vestris in hac parte fauorabiliter inclinati licenciam illam vobis tenore presencium duximus concedend Mondantes quod talem vobis eligatis in Abbatem Pastorem qui Deo deuotus Ecclesie vestre predict necessarius nobisque regno nostro vtilis et fidelis existat In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes Teste me ipso apud Westmonast nono die Februarij Anno regni nostri nono Per breue de Priuato Sigillo de dat predict auctoritate Parliamenti Fryston Now heare a word or two of the word Conged'eslire out of the Interpreter Conged'eslire id est venia eligendi leaue to chuse is a meere French word and signifieth in our Common Law the Kings permission royall to a Deane and Chapter in time of vacation to chuse a Bishop or to an Abbey or Priorie to chuse their Abbot or Prior. Fitz. nat br fol. 169. B. 170. B C c. Touching this matter M. Gwin in the Preface to his Readings saith That the king of England as Soueraigne Patron of all Archbishoprickes Bishoprickes and other Ecclesiasticall Benefices had of ancient time free appointment of all Ecclesiasticall Dignities whensoeuer they chanced to be voide inuesting them per Baculum et Annulum id est with a Staffe and a Ring and afterward by his Letters Patents And that in processe of time he made the election ouer to others vnder certaine formes and conditions as namely that they should at euery vacation before they chuse demand of the king Gonged'eslire that is licence and leaue to proceed to election and then after the election to craue his royall assent c. And further he affirmeth by good proofe out of Common Law bookes that king Iohn was the first that granted this and that it was afterward confirmed by Westm. pri cap. which Statute was made Anno 3. Ed. primi And againe by the Statute Articuli Clerica 2. which was ordained Anno 25. Ed. 3. Statuto tertio Sir William Elmham Sir William Spencer Sir William Fresill qui obijt Anno 1357. William Lee Esquire and his wife daughter of Harlestone lay here interred The famous Poet and the most learned Monke of this monasterie was here interred I meane Iohn Lidgate so called of a small village not farre off where he was borne A village saith Camden though small yet in this respect not to be passed ouer in silence because it brought into the world Iohn Lidgate the Monke whose wit may seeme to haue beene framed and shapen by the very muses themselues so brightly reshine in his English verses all the pleasant graces and elegancie of speech according to that age hauing trauelled through France and Italy to learne the languages and Arts. Erat autem non solum elegans Poeta et Rhetor disertus verum etiam Mathematicus expertus Philosophus acutus et Theologus non contemnendus For he was not onely an elegant Poet and an eloquent Rhetorician but also an expert Mathematician an acute Philosopher and no meane Diuine saith Pitseus you may know further of him in his Prologue to the storie of Thebes a Tale as his fiction is which or some other hee was constrained to tell at the command of mine Host of the Tabard in Southwarke whom he found in Canterbury with the rest of the Pilgrims which went to visite Saint Thomas Shrine This story was first written in Latine by Geffrey Chaucer and translated by Lidgate into English verse but of the Prologue of his owne making so much as concernes himselfe thus ....... while that the pilgrimes ley At Canterbury well lodged one and all I not in sooth what I may it call Hap or Fortune in conclusioun That me befell to enter into the toun The holy Sainct plainely to visite After my sicknesse vowes to acquite In a cope of blacke and not of greene On a Palfrey slender long and lene With rusty bridle made not for the sale My man to forne with a voyd male That by Fortune tooke mine Inne anone Where the Pilgrimes were lodged euerichone The same time her gouernour the host Stonding in Hall full of wind and bost Liche to a man wonder sterne and fers Which spake to me and saied anon dan Pers Dan Dominicke dan Godfray or Clement Ye be welcome newly into Kent Thogh your bridle haue nother boos ne bell Beseeching you that ye will tell First of your name and what cuntre Without more shortly that ye be That looke so pale all deuoid of bloud Vpon your head a wonder thredbare hood Well arrayed for to ride late I answered my name was Lidgate Monke of Bury me fifty yeare of age Come to this toune to do my pilgrimage As I haue hight I haue thereof no shame Dan Iohn qd he well brouke ye your name Thogh ye be sole beeth right glad and light Praying you to soupe with vs this night And ye shall haue made at your deuis A great pudding or a round hagis A franche moile a tanse or a froise To been a Monke slender is your coise Ye haue beene sicke I dare mine head assure Or let feed in a faint pasture Lift vp your head be glad take no sorrow And ye should home ride with vs to morrow I say when ye rested haue your fill After supper sleepe will doen none ill Wrap well your head clothes round about Strong nottie ale will make a man to rout Take a pillow that ye lye not low If need be spare not to blow To hold wind by mine opinion Will engender colles passion And make men to greuen on her rops When they haue filled her mawes and her crops But toward night eat some Fennell rede Annis Commin or Coriander sede And like as I haue power and might I charge you rise not at midnight Thogh it be so the Moone shine clere I will my selfe be your Orlogere To morrow earely when I see my time For we will forth parcell afore prime Accompanie parde shall doe you good Thus when the Host had cheared vp Lidgate with these faire promises and wholesome admonitions for his health hee laies his commands vpon him in these termes following What looke vp Monke for by Cockes bloud Thou shalt be merry who so that say nay For to morrow anone as it is day And that it ginne in the East to daw Thou shalt be bound to a new law At going out of Canterbury toun And lien aside thy professioun Thou shalt not chese nor
VERA EFFIGIES IOHANNIS WEEVER AETATIS SVAE 55. ANNO 1631. Lanchashire gaue him breath And Cambridge education His studies are of Death Of Heauen his meditation Stipendium peccati Mors. Gratia Dei vita aeterna per Dm. N. I. Chr. Primus Adam de terra terrenus Secundus Adam Dominus de Coelo Vt in Adamo omnes moriuntur Ita in Christo omnes viuificabuntur Hic iacet Sunt nisi praemissi quos perijsse putas Mors haec reparatio vitae est ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITH IN THE vnited Monarchie of Great Britaine Ireland and the Ilands adiacent with the dissolued Monasteries therein contained their Founders and what eminent persons haue beene in the same interred As also the Death and buriall of certaine of the Bloud Roiall the Nobilitie and Gentrie of these Kingdomes entombed in forraine Nations with other matters mentioned in the insuing Title Composed by the Trauels and Studie of Iohn Weeuer Spe labor leuis London Printed by Tho HARPER M.DC.XXXI And are to be sold in Little Britayne by Laurence Sadler at the signe of the Golden Lion T. Cecill sculp ANCIENT FVNERALL MONVMENTS WITHIN THE VNITED MONARCHIE OF GREAT Britaine Ireland and the Islands adiacent with the dissolued Monasteries therein contained their Founders and what eminent Persons haue beene in the same interred AS ALSO THE DEATH AND BVRIALL OF CERTAINE OF THE Bloud Royall the Nobilitie and Gentrie of these Kingdomes entombed in forraine Nations A worke reuiuing the dead memory of the Royall Progenie the Nobilitie Gentrie and Communaltie of these his Maiesties Dominions Intermixed and illustrated with variety of Historicall obseruations annotations and briefe notes extracted out of approued Authors infallible Records Lieger Bookes Charters Rolls old Manuscripts and the Collections of iudicious Antiquaries Whereunto is prefixed a Discourse of Funerall Monuments Of the Foundation and fall of Religious Houses Of Religious Orders Of the Ecclesiasticall estate of England And of other occurrences touched vpon by the way in the whole passage of these intended labours Composed by the Studie and Trauels of IOHN WEEVER Spe labor leuis LONDON Printed by THOMAS HARPER 1631. And are to be sold by Laurence Sadler at the signe of the Golden Lion in little Britaine TO THE SACRED AND IMPERIALL MAIESTIE OF OVR DREAD SOVERAIGNE THE MOST MAGNIFICENT ILLVSTRIOVS AND PVISSANT MONARCH CHARLES BY THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF GREAT BRITAINE FRANCE IRELAND AND MANY ILANDS KING THE MOST POWERFVLL PROTECTOR OF THE FAITH THE MOST ROYALL PATRON PRESERVER AND FOSTERER OF THE VNDOVBTED RELIGION OF IESVS CHRIST THE PATTERNE OF TRVE PIETIE AND IVSTICE AND THE PRESIDENT OF ALL PRINCELY VERTVES HIS HIGHNESSE MOST LOWLY AND MOST LOYALL SVBIECT IOHN WEEVER IN ALL HVMILITY CONSECRATETH THESE HIS LABOVRS THOVGH FARRE VNWORTHY THE VIEW OF SO RESPLENDANT A GREATNESSE THE AVTHOR TO THE READER HAuing seene iudicious Reader how carefully in other Kingdomes the Monuments of the dead are preserued and their Inscriptions or Epitaphs registred in their Church-Bookes and hauing read the Epitaphs of Italy France Germany and other Nations collected and put in print by the paines of Schraderus Chytraeus Swertius and other forraine Writers And also knowing withall how barbarously within these his Maiesties Dominions they are to the shame of our time broken downe and vtterly almost all ruinated their brasen Inscriptions erazed torne away and pilfered by which inhumane deformidable act the honourable memory of many vertuous and noble persons deceased is extinguished and the true vnderstanding of diuers Families in these Realmes who haue descended of these worthy persons aforesaid is so darkened as the true course of their inheritance is thereby partly interrupted grieuing at this vnsufferable iniurie offered as well to the liuing as the dead out of the respect I bore to venerable Antiquity and the due regard to continue the remembrance of the defunct to future posteritie I determined with my selfe to collect such memorials of the deceased as were remaining as yet vndefaced as also to reuiue the memories of eminent worthy persons entombed or interred either in Parish or in Abbey Churches howsoeuer some of their Sepulchres are at this day no where to be discerned neither their bones and ashie remaines in any place to bee gathered Whereupon with painefull expences which might haue beene well spared perhaps you will say I trauailed ouer the most parts of all England and some part of Scotland I collected the Funerall Inscriptions of all the Cathedrall Churches of the one and in some of the other and euer by the way gathered such as I found in Parochiall Churches I likewise tooke view of many ancient Monuments not inscribed demanding of the Church officers or others the inhabitants for whom such and such Tombes or Sepulchres were made and erected which was told me according to that truth which was deliuered vnto them by tradition after all this scrutinie finding so few or none at all in many Churches time the malignitie of wicked people and our English profane tenacitie hauing quite taken them away for lucre sake I was altogether discouraged to proceede any further in this my laborious and expencefull enterprise vntill I came casually into the acquaintance of my deare deceased friend Augustine Vincent Esquire Windsor Herald keeper of the Records in the Tower who perswaded me to goe forward as I had begun and withall gaue me many Church-Collections with diuers memorable Notes and Copies of Records gathered by himselfe and others and by his meanes I had free accesse to the Heralds Office to write out such antiquities as I could there finde for my purpose But aboue all I am most bound to loue the foresaid Vincents memory for that he made me knowne to that honourable Gentleman Sir Robert Cotton Knight and Baronet who forthwith apprehending the scope and drift of this my Argument his generous disposition being alwaies ready to afford his best furtherance to other mens industrious labours gaue me his able directions and withall lent me out of his inestimable Librarie such Bookes and Manuscripts as were most fitting for my vse But alas this worthy repairer of eating-times ruines this Philadelphus in preseruing old Monuments and ancient Records this Magazin this Treasurie this Store-house of Antiquities Sir Robert Cotton is now lately deceased whose excellent good parts are well conceiued in a Funerall Elegie which hath happily come into my hands and which I thinke fitting here to be inserted Viro clarissimo Roberto Cottono ab antiqua Regum prosapia oriundo Epicedium Qualis Homerus erat cuius de fonte furores Sacros hauserunt veteresque nouique Poetae Talis eras nostros inter Cottone Britannos Rerum explorator veterum Ciuilia iura Regni Magnatum molimina munia Regum Et populi nexus faustos diuortia saeua Nauigia et merces castra artes religiones Nummos structuras chartas solennia verba Et quic quid bello faceret vel pace triumphos Callebat dextrè nemo magis omnis ab illo Et tua
worthie being slaine in battell neare to Baschama and there buried Simon sent to take the bones of his brother Ionathan I will vse the words of the Text And they buried him in Modin his fathers city And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation and mourned for him verie long And Simon made vpon the Sepulcher of his father and his brethren a building high to looke vnto of hewne stone behinde and before And set vp seuen pillars vpon it one against another for his father his mother and foure brethren And set great pillars round about them and set armes upon the pillars for a perpetuall memorie and carued ships beside the armes that they might be seene of men sailing in the sea In like manner the Romanes notwithstanding their second law of the twelue Tables did sometime entombe their dead within the Citie but that was but seldome for the bones and ashes of Trajan the Emperour were put into a golden vrne and set in the Market-place vpon the top of a pillar of one whole peece being one hundred and fourty foot high And Galbaes bodie long neglected saith Tacitus and in the darke despightfully intreated Argius his Steward one of his principall bondmen buried with small ceremonie in his priuate garden But this was not vsuall amongst them Hospinian lib. 3. cap. 1. out of Durandus Vlpian and other Authours giues this reason wherefore both the Iewes and Gentiles vsed to burie their dead without the gates of Townes and Cities It was a custome in times of old saith he that men and women were buried in their owne priuate houses or within their owne priuate gardens but afterwards for the noysome savour and contagious stinke of the dead carkases so interred it was enacted That all burials should bee without Townes and Cities in some conuenient place appointed for that purpose And howsoeuer that this order was obserued by the Gentiles upon this reason onely Scilicet vt in vrbibus mundicies seruaretur aer minus inficeretur ex cadauerum putrescentium faetore Yet the true Christians and such as by their liuely faith were adopted the children of God had a further mysterie in this their manner of interments for by the carriage and buriall of their dead corps without their citie walls they did publikely confirme and witnesse that the parties deceased were gone out of this world to bee made free denizons of another citie namely Heauen there to remaine with the blessed Saints in eternall happinesse This order or custome of buriall without cities continued amongst the Christians vntill the time of Gregory the great for as then the Monkes Friers and Priests saith my foresaid Authour began to offer sacrifice for the soules departed so that for their more easie and greater profit they procured first that the places of sepulture should bee adioyning vnto their Churches and afterwards they got licence to burie within Churches Vpon this reason out of the said Gregory 13. q. cap. 2. Cum grauia peccata non deprimunt saith hee tunc prodest mortuis si in Ecclesijs sepeliantur quia eorum proximi quoties ad eadem sacra loca veniunt suorumque sepulturam aspiciunt recordantur pro eis Domino preces fundunt Antiquitus tantum extra vrbem in coemiterijs hominū corpora sepeliebantur pace Ecclesiae data intra vrbes ad Templorum limina postea etiam in ipsis templis sepeliri mos inualuit Constantinus in porticu Templi Apostolorum Constantinopoli Honorius in porticu Templi S. Petri Romae eius vxor intra idem Templum sepulti sunt Anciently the bodies of the dead were buried onely without cities in Coemiteries or sleeping places vntill the resurrection as the word signifies but persecution being ended and peace giuen to the Christian Church the manner grew in vse to burie within Cities at the entrance into their sacred temples yea and afterwards in the verie Churches themselues Constantine was buried in the porch of the Apostles in Constantinople Honorius in the porch of S. Peter in Rome and his wife the Empresse within the said Church But to come nearer home Austine the first Archbishop of Canterbury sent hither by the foresaid Gregory was interred in the porch of Saint Peter and Paul commonly called Saint Austins neare vnto Canterbury a religious house of his owne foundation and together with him sixe other Archbishops who next succeeded him whose reliques afterwards were remoued into the Abbey Church of which I shall speake hereafter Cuthbert or Cudbright th' eleuenth Archbishop of that Province obtained from the Pope a dispensation for the making of Coemiteries or Churchyards within Townes and Cities whereas here in England vntill his time within the walls thereof none were buried These following are the words in the Appendix to the booke of Rochester a Mss. in Sir Robert Cottons Librarie Cutbertus Archiepiscopus Cant. xi ab Augustino cum Romae videret plures intra Ciuitates sepeliri rogauit Papam ut sibi liceret Coemiteria facere quod Papa annuit reuersus itaque coemiteria vbique in Anglia fieri constituit This order of buriall being thus begun here in England it likewise followed that Graue-stones were made and Tombes erected with inscriptions engrauen upon them to continue the remembrance of the parties deceased to succeeding ages and these were called Epitaphs now an Epitaph is a superscription either in verse or prose or an astrict pithie Diagram writ carued or engrauen vpon the tombe graue or sepulchre of the defunct briefly declaring and that sometimes with a kinde of commiseration the name the age the deserts the dignities the state the praises both of body and minde the good or bad fortunes in the life and the manner and time of the death of the person therein interred Of all funerall honours saith Camden Epitaphs haue alwayes beene most respectiue for in them loue was shewed to the deceased memorie was continued to posteritie friends were comforted and the Reader pu◠in minde of humane frailtie and indeed the frequent visiting and aduised reuiewing of the Tombes and monuments of the dead but without all touch of superstition with the often reading serious perusall and diligent meditation of wise and religious Epitaphs or inscriptions found vpon the tombes or monuments of persons of approued vertue merit and honour is a great motiue to bring us to repentance The invention of Epitaphs proceeded from the presage or forefeeling of immortalitie implanted in all men naturally and is referred to the Schollers of Linus the Theban Poet who flourished about the yeare of the world 2700 who first bewailed this Linus their master when he was slaine in dolefull verses then called of him Aelina afterward Epitaphia for that they were first song at burialls after engraued vpon the sepulchres Funerall monuments then of costly workmanship with curious engrauen Epitaphs were called Sepulchra id est semipulchra halfe faire and beautifull the externall part or superficies thereof being gloriously beautified and adorned and hauing
in you exciteth and serueth you till the vsurped poure of that man of Rome be clene abolished and put out of the hartes of the kyngs subiects And I shall with all my diligence applie my self to thaccomplishment of this his so godly commandement by Goddes grace And for as moche as I haue taken my leue of the Kyng and Quene and tarry for noothing now but only for the instrument called Custodias temporalium I eftsones beseche your mastirship to haue that in your remembraunce whan ye shall next repaire vnto the Court together with a discharge for takyng of any othe of the residentiaries of Sarum which suyrly they will exact of me oneles I bryng some thyng outher from the Kyng his highnes or elles from you his chefe Counsellor for to stopp their mouthes And as for seallyng of new obligacions if itt like you to commande your servaunt to send me them to morow by this brynger I shall seale them and send them to you without any tariaunce by the grace of God who preserue you and prosper you in all your godly purposes and interprises Murtelack the iiii daye of Iuin Yorn owne to comaunde Nic. Sarum But howsoeuer the honour of this act as also of the dissolution of Abbeys be principally attributed to Cromwell and his complotments yet at the same time there was others of the priuie Councell as forward and as able for their singular endowments to conclude a matter of that consequence as euer was Cromwell I meane Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury whose zeale and abilities are generally knowne to all that euer heard of the booke of Martyrs Sir Thomas Audley Knight speaker of the Parliament for his demerits created by Henry the eighth Baron Audley of Walden and also aduanced to the honour of the Chancellorship of England Sir William Pawlet Knight Comptroller of the Kings house who for his wisedome the said King created Lord S. Iohn of Basing and Knight of the Garter whom Edward the sixt made great Master of his houshold President of his Councell and Lord Treasurer of England whom he created Earle of Wiltshire and Marquesse of Winchester to whom Queene Elizabeth committed the keeping of the great Seale Who liued to see one hundred and three persons issue out of his loynes who died at Basing in Hampshire the tenth of March 1571. where hee was honourablie buried when he had liued eightie seuen yeares Another pillar of the State at that time was that wise and iudicious gentleman Sir Richard Rich Lord Chancellour of England vnder King Edward the sixth who in the first yeare of his raigne aduanced him to this office and created him Baron Rich of Leez in Essex These and other more of the Nobilitie had both their hands and heads in this businesse yet Cromwell Audley and Rich were thought to be the onely men who for their religious paines ranne into great obloquie with the common people insomuch that the Commons of Lincolnshire finding themselues fore troubled with this strange alteration and rising in rebellion presented diuers articles of aggrieuances to the Kings Maiestie Amongst the said Articles and demands of Robert Askâ— and his rebellious crew the Commons of Yorkeshire Cumberland Westmerland Northumberland and the countries adiacent at the conference holden at Doncaster betwixt Thomas Duke of Norfolke Generall of the Kings Armie and certaine Commissioners on the partie of the said Captaine Aske and his fellow rebels Thus it was propounded by their Speaker Sir Thomas Hylton Knight The fowrt that Thomas Cromwell nor any of his bande or secte be not at our metinge at Doncastre but abcent themselfe from the Councell Also to haue the Lord Cromwell the Lord Chancellor and Sir Ryc Rich to haue condigne punyshment as subuerters of the gud lawes of the â—eame and ouetemers of the slese secte of theys fals Heretykes first inuenters and brengers of them Likewise Doctor Leyton and Doctor Leâ— who had bene loyned in commission with Cromwell for the visitation of religious Foundations of which hereafter were maliciouslye detracted by this demand of the Commons in the foresaid conference Also that Doctor Lee and Doctor Leyton may haue condigne punyshment for theyr extortions in time of visitation in brybes of some religyous houses x. lib. xx lib. and for other summes besyde horsys vowsens leases vndre Couent Seallys by them taken and other abomynable acts by them committed and done I might haue occasion here to speake of the abrogation of the Popes authoritie of the subuersion of religious foundations of the suppression of religious Votaries and of the reformation of Religion in that neuer-conquered Nation of Scotland where at this time Religion is double refined pure and spotlesse without ceremonie and plaine as a pike staffe without a surplise But I will reserue this narration till I come to speake of the conuersion of Scotland to the Christian faith As also of the Funerall Monuments which are there to be found which will be but a few if Sir Robert Cottons Librarie do not helpe me for by my owne obseruation in the famous maiden-citie of Edenborough and in the Parish Churches of other Townes the Sepulchres of the dead are shamefully abused or quite taken away yea and the Churches themselues with religious houses and other holy places violated demolished or defaced CHAP. XV. The policie vsed by the King and his Councell for the dissolution and extirpation of Religious Foundations and Religious Orders within this Realme of England and Wales The reformation of Religion of Inscriptions in Churches The Kings warrant of the surrender of Religious Houses An information made to Queene Elizabeth of the seuerall abuses done vnto the State generall and Crowne by the corruption of such as were imployed by her Father vpon the suppression of Abbeyes HEnry the eighth hauing as ye haue heard thus setled the Supremacy where he would haue it either by the aduise of politick Cromwell or by the example of proud Wolsey or else of himselfe hee being nothing so scrupulous in conscience nor so stayed in sacred resolutions as was Henry the fourth vpon a greedie desire to enrich his coffers began now to lay plots deuises and proiects for the vtter subuersion of all Abbeyes Priories Nunneries and other religious foundations within this his kingdome of England and Wales and first for an induction to the businesse He put in Commission his seruant Cromwell Thomas Lee and Richard Laiton Doctors of the Ciuill Law Thomas Bedell Deane of Cornwall Thomas Bartlet publike Notarie and others to visit all the foresaid religious Houses and to make inquirie of their Orders Founders values debenters reliques pilgrimages and other Queres but most especially they were to make diligent scrutinie and to learne vijs modis omnibus by all manner of meanes the wicked abuses of those times practised amongst the Fraternitie and Sisterhood of each seuerall Couent Which with their Commission they returned making a shamefull discoueriâ— of the bestiall sensualitie of Monasticke profession This
possessyon therof and of all the goods and implements to be indifferently sold eyther for redy money or at dayes vpon suffyciente suretyes so that the same day passe not one yeare and a half Ye shall deliuer to the sayd Head and Brethren soche parte of the sayd money and goodes as ye by your discrecions shall thynke meete and convenyente for their dispeche And further to see them have convenyente pensyons by yuur wisdomes assygned accordyngly Whych done and moreouer seeing the rightfull and due debts there payd and satysfyed aswell of the reuenewes as of the sayd stuffe as to reason and good conscyence apperteyneth and yowr charges reasonably allowed ye shall proceede to the dissolutyon of the sayde howle and forther in our name take possessyon of the same to be kept to our vse and profyte Ye shall furthermore bring and convaye to our Tower of London after your seyd discressyons all the rest of the seyd money plate Iueâ—les and ornaments that in any wise shall come to your hands by meane of the premisses or of any parte therof Straytely chargynge and commandyng all Maiâ—es Sheriffes Bayliffes Constables and all other our officers ministers and subiects to whom in this case it shall apperteyne that vnto yow and euery of yow in execucion herof they be helpynge ayding favoringe and assistyng as they will answere vnto vs to the contrary at their vttermost perrilles Yeven c. An Information made to Queene Elizabeth by ...... of the seuerall abuses and frauds done vnto the State generall and Crowne by the corruption of such as haue bine imployed by her Father vppon the suppression of the Abbeyes and Continuance of the same Part of the corrupt deceitfull fraudulente and vnrighteouse dealinge of many Subiects of this Realme at and since the visitation and suppression of Abbeyes which with all the rest God by his grace hath made me hate and refuse and also deteste and resiste in otheres to the vtmoste of my small powere beyng contrary to this commaundemente of the second Table Thou shalâ— not â—â—eale wherby the possessiones reuenues and treasure of the Crowne have byn vnmesurably robbed and diminyshed to the great offence of God and slaunder of the Gospell and to the no small impouereshynge and weakenynge of the Imperiall Crowne and vtter vndoinge of a nomber of your Maiesties pore Tenants and Subiects and so to the great slaundere of your Maiestie and withdrawinge of their harts from you whos Acte it is told them to be and so to them it semeth because some of your seales be at all or most parte of them and the confirmacion of your head officers at the reste and to the vttere spoyling and vndoynge before God and good men of a nomber of lerned persones and exelente witts who vnderstanding that many before them had byne therby greatly enriched and advaunced and that the gapp thervnto as vnto a vertue was made wyde opene for all without any punyshement but rather commendacions were and â—re still the easilier ouercom by temptacion of the wisedome of Satane the world and the fleshe to seeke and labour to become riche by like wicked wayes of whom as the nomber is now of late yeres increased so also deceave they moore subtillie and detestablie and in more things then euer before For redresse wherof and of a nombere of other cunnynge and clenly Thefts and decepts which I know and can in time remember and discouere beside the multetude out of my compasse sayd by common brute to be in other calings There must be pennede by some persones learnede in the Lawe that be knowne to hate all kynds of vnrighteousnes some strong Act or Actes to passe by Parliament and afterwardâ— to be roundly executed with great penalties forfeitures and ponyshments to reche vnto lands goods and bodie as the greatnes or the smalnes of the case shall require without the which God wil be yet more offended the Gospell more slaundered the Crowne more impouereshed and wekened your people more vndone your Maiestie more slaundered your peoples harts more drawne from you the lerned persones and exelente witts of your people more spoyled and many other particuler euills will grow thereby besides Gods great strokes which at length will come without repentance and amendment Wheras yf reformacion be had God wil be therin pleased the Gospelle commended the Crowne enriched your people profited ther loues towards you encreased the learned and exelente wittes enforced from deceite to seeke prefermente and welthe by godly and honeste meanes and many other things will grow therby besides Gods good blessing which your Maiestie shall be sure to haue for it Deceiptfull and vnrighteouse dealings viz. at and vpon the visitation and suppression of Abbeyes Wher the Images of gold and siluer c. with the costelye Shrines Tabernacles Alteres and Roodloftes and the pretious Jewelles rich Stones and perles c. belonging to the same and the pixes phallaces Patenes Basines Ewers candlestickes Crewets challices Sensors and multitudes of other riche vesselles of gold and siluer c. And the costly Alter clothes curtenes copes vestments Aulbes Tunicles and other riche ornaments and the fine linnen iette marble precious wood brasse iron lead belles stone c. and the houshould plate householde stuffe and furniture of housholde and the Leases and chattalles and the horses oxen kine sheepe and other cattell and the superfluous howses and buildings and multitudes of other things that belonged to Abbeyes c. were worth a million of gold The salles of the parte whereof were so cunningly made and the preseruation of the rest was suche that your Maiesties Father and the Crowne of England hade in comparison but meane portiones of the same of which muche was vnpayd by ill dealinge in many yeres aftre For the fynding out of which and punishyng the great decept and fraude thear was not then nether hath thear byne at any time since for the like euilles afterwards also committed to this day any good order or diligent labour taken but let passe as though to fynd out and punishe such wickednes were no profite to the Prince and Crowne or good seruice to God All which haue byne the easelier let slip because perhaps some of them that sholde haue punyshed vnder the Prince might also be partly guiltie and so Caâ—â—â—ce Cathee Item wher diueres of the Visitores and Suppressores had afterwards yerly allowance of Fees annueties corodies c. graunted by the Abbeyes c. to themselues their servaunts and friends was it likely that they came by them without fraude Item the most part of the Evedences of Abbeyes and Nunneries were pilfered away sold and loste as herein following vnder the title of your Maiesties tyme more playnlie aâ—pereth Item Mannores Landes and Tâ—nements and other hereditaments were ofte solde at vnder yerly Rents by many subtile deceipts and frawdes Item many Lands and Tenements c. were sometime solde with thapportenances at the old yerly Rents but where the
foure orders Preched to the people for profit of themselues Glosed the Gospel as hem good liked For couetous of Copes construe it as thei wold So Chaucer in his prologues and in the Character of the Frier mentions foure Orders A Frere there was a wanton and a merry A Limyâ—our a full solempne man In all the Orders foure is none that can So much of daliaunce and faire language But to returne to the first of the foure orders which is that of S. Basill howsoeuer as I conceiue the order of Saint Dominicke was accounted one of the foure here in England this Basill surnamed the Great for his great learning liued about the yeare of Grace 300. he was a Priest in Caesâ—â—a the chiefe Citie of Cappadocia where he was borne and whereof afterwards he was chosen Bâ—shop He was the Authour of building of Monasteries whereas many might liue together for before his time the Monkes dwelt in caues and cels alone in desarts and solitarie places from the which hee drew them into Coenobies or Couents and instituted of discipline by the which they should no more wander but bee alwayes bound by one forme of Religion These Monasteries were schooles in the which the arts and Philosophie together with Diuiniâ—ie true Religion and pietie were taugâ—t to the end there might be learned and fit men alwayes readie to gouerne the Church it is said that he built so great and spatious a Monasterie in Armenia as it contained aboue 3000 Monkes and in the end reduced all the religious men of the East to a good forme of life He died in the yeare 379 full of yeares as of vertues when Damasus the first of that name held the See of Rome and the Emperour Valens an Ariâ—n gouerned the East This Emperour was determined to haue dispossessed him of his Bishoppricke as he had done others but hearing him preach and speaking with him at Cappadocia he absteyned from expelling him his seate to which effect P. Opmer thus Basilius tantae doctrinae ac sanctitatis suit vt et Valens abstinueriâ— ab expellendo eum sede cùm reuersus Cappadociameum concionantem audijsset atque venisset cum illo in colloquium It is holden that this Basill was the first which caused Monkes to make a vow after a yeares probation to liue in their Monasâ—eries vntill death to promise full obedience to their superiours and not to contradict their ordinances and moreouer to vow continencie and pouertie This order wheresoeuer they liue labour with their hands in imitation of the perfect Monkes of Aegypt and what they get with their labour they bring in common retaining nothing to themselues This order of this holy man doth flourish at this day in Italy especially in the dominions of Venice although all the Monasteries there which are of this order doe acknowledge the Abbey of Grottaferata twelue miles distant from Rome for their mother I doe not finde that any of this rule liued euer here in England which makes me beleeue that this was none of the foure Orders before specified The next Monasticke Order confirmed by the Church of Rome was that of the Doctor of all Doctors namely Saint Augustine He was borne in the Castle of Tegast in Carthage about the yeare of our redemption 358. his Fathers name was Patricius his Mothers Monica by whose intreaâ—â—es mingled with teares and the learned Sermons of Saint Ambrose hee was drawne from the errours of the Manachies from Saint Ambrose as then Bishop of Millan in Italie he returned into his owne countrey where hee obteyned of the Bishop of Hippo whereof he was afterwards Bishop himselfe a garden without the Towne causing a Monastery to be built there in which he liued of the labour of his hands in all integritie according to the institution of the Primitiue Church He died of a feuer at Hippo when he had sitten fourty yeares in his Bishopricke being seuenty and six yeares of age on the fifth of the Kalends of September leauing to posteritie two hundred and thirty bookes of his owne writing This order multiplied greatly throughout the whole Christian world howsoeuer branched into many seuerall orders differing both in habit and exercises as also in rule and precepts of life An Epitaph to the memorie of Saint Augustine which I found in the booke of Rufford Abbey Omnis plorat homo mox matris vt exit ab aluo Et merito quoniam veâ—it in vallem lachrimosam Solum nascentem risisse ferunt Zoroastrem Ergo monstrosum crede risum liquet istum Primus enim rerum fuit inventor magicarum Hoc Augustinus testatur vir preciosus Vir doctus vir magnisicus vir quippe beatus About some fourtie yeares after the death of Saint Augustine Saint Benedict vulgarly called Benet appeared to the world who is accounted the Patriarch and Father of all the Monkes of Europe Hee was borne in Vmbria a region in Italy of the noble familie of the Regards his Fathers name was Propre his Mothers Abundantia hee was sent to Rome at the age of ten yeares to learne the liberall Arts but being wearie of the tumults and warre during the raigne of Iustinian the Emperour hee went from thence into a desart neare vnto Sublacke a Towne some fourtie miles from Rome where he continued the space of three yeares or thereabouts doing very austere penance vnknowne to any saue one Monke called Roman but being afterwards discouered by certaine Shepherds the people by reason of the great â—ame of his integritie and holinesse of life flocked from all parts to see him who had such force to perswade them to abandon the world as in a short time they built twelue Monasteries and hauing giuen to euery our of them a good Superiour or Abbot desiring solitarinesse he retired himselfe with a good number of his best disciples to the mount Cassin neare to the Towne of old called Cassina Where hauing ruined all the idolatrous Temples and broken downe their Images hee built him a Monasterie which hee dedicated to Saint Iohn the Baptist with a Chappell to Saint Martin Drawing all the Monkes dispersed in Italy into one societie and companie to whom he gaue a certaine rule in writing by the which they and their successours should gouerne themselues according as Saint Basill had done before him and withall bound them to three seuerall vowes Chastitie Pouertie and Obedience to their superiours which decree was ratified by the Church of Rome for an Euangelicall law This congregation of the Benedictines grew by little and little to bee so great throughout all Christendome as is almost incredible Nulla Monasteria nisi Beneâ—dictina erat apud Anglos ab aetate Edgari vsque ad regnum Gulielmi primi There was no Monasteries saith a late Writer amongst the English from the time of King Edgar till the raigne of William the Conquerour but Benedictines This order saith the same Authour came first into England with Austin the Monke Bishop of
fashion in former times fetched from the French which they call rebus or name-deuises examples of the same are frequent Neare to this Church sometime stood that goodly Abbey founded by Stephen king of England grandchilde to the Conquerour dedicated to Saint Sauiour replenished with blacke Monkes of Cluni valued at the suppression to be well worth according to the fauourable rate of such endowments in those dayes 286. l. 12. s. 6. d. ob yearely such was the charter of his donation Stephanus Rex c. Archiepiscopis Episcopis c. salutem Sciatis me pro salute anime mee Matildis Regine vxoris mee Eustachij filij mei aliorum puerorum meorum antecessorum Regum Anglie dedisse c. Manerium meum de Fauresham ad fundand Abbatiam vnam ibidem ae ordine Monachorum Cluniacensium c. Sciatis etiam quod dedimus ego et Matildis Regina mea Willelmo de Ipra in Escambium pro eodem Manerio de Fauresham Lillechire cum pertinencijs suis de hereditate Regine Teste H. Episcopo Winton fratre meo Rogero Episcopo de London Richardo de Lucy Hen. de Essex c. This king died at Douer of an Iliack passion mixed with his old disease the Emrods Octob. 25. 1154. hauing raigned 18. yeares ten moneths and odde dayes and was buried in this Church of his owne foundation Of which heare these ancient rimes Aftur king Harry euyn Then regnyd king Stevyn The Erlys son Bloys he was truly He wedded Mold the doghter of Mary A good man he was bedeme I trow king Harry was his Eme He regnyd here XUIII yere And to Feuersham in Kent men him bere He deyed without issue truly Then regnyd his cosin Harry Stephen was a most worthy Souldier saith one and wanted nothing to haue made him an excellent king but a iust title but that was wanting The whiche he found whyles he was liuing so And reigned here in much trouble and wo. And had this Realme without any ryght Fro th'emprise Maude that faire Lady bryght And this was the cause that he was driuen perforce to defend his vsurâ—ped authoritie by the sword which must needs procure him the hatred of many who thus speake of him in old English King Stephen his luthenesse withdrew yers a fewe But er Uyer were goo he ganne to wex a shrewe For he wende aboute and robbyd the lond and to grownd broght Then the toune of Wyrcester he brent all to noght But to conclude with the words of a late writer This Stephen was a man so continually in motion saith he that we cannot take his dimension but onely in passing and that but on one side which was warre on the other we neuer saw but a glaunce on him which yet for the most part was such as shewed him to be a very worthy Prince for the gouernment Hee kept his word with the State concerning the relieuement of Tributes and neuer had Subsidy that we finde But which is more remarkable hauing his sword continually out and so many defections and rebellions against him hee neuer put any great man to death Besides it is noted that notwithstanding all these miseries of war there were more Abbeyes built in his raigne then in an 100. yeares before which shewes though the times were bad they were not impious the king himselfe being mente piissimus as he was miles egregius His body rested here in quietnesse vntill the dissolution when for the gaine of the lead wherein it was encoffined it was taken vp and throwne into the next water So vncertaine is man yea greatest Princes of any rest in this world euen after buriall Here sometime likewise lay interred Maud his wife the daughter of Eustace Earle of Bulloigne the brother of Godfrey and Baldwin of Bulloigne kings of Ierusalem by her mother Mary sister to Maud Queene of England wife of Henry her predecessour who dyed at Heueningham Castle in Essex the third of May 1151. Whose Epitaph I found in a namelesse Manuscript Anno milleno C. quinquagenoque primo Quo sua non minuit sed sibi nostra tulit Mâ—thildis selix coniux Stephani quoque Regis Occidit insignis moribus et titulis Cultrix vera Dei cultrix et pauperiei Hic subnixa Deo quo frueretur eo Femina si qua Polos conscendere queque meretur Angelicis manibus diua hec Regina tenetur Eustace the sonne and heire apparant of Stephen and Queene Maud liued not long after his mother for being highly displeased with the agreement betwixt his father and Henry Fitzempresse afterwards king of England by which he was made hopelesse euer to haue the Crowne as his fathers Successour in a fury he departed the Court purposing to raise himselfe by his owne meanes and so marched along destroying the countrey alwayes as he went vntill he came to Saint Edmundsbury where he was honourably receiued of the Monkes of that Monastery But hee came not for meat but money and thereupon vngratefully vrged them for a great summe to set forward his heady designes yet the wiser amongst them vnwilling to be wagers of new warres which though ill for all sorts yet proued euer worst for the Clargie mens possessions denyed his request Wherewith eâ—raged be commanded his owne men to carry their corne and other prouision into his owne Castle situated hard by But being set at dinner the very first morsell he put into his mouth draue him into a Frensie whereof shortly after he dyed His body was brought to this Abbey and here interred by his mother His death happened the tenth day of August 1152. He was married to Constance sister of Lewis the seuenth king of France daughter of king Lewis the Grosse by whom he had no issue In this Abbey saith Robert of Glocester is a pece of ye hely croys which Godfrey Boylon forkyndred had sent to king Stephene Tunstall Hic iacet Margareta filia Iacobi Cromer militis vxor Iohannis Rycils heredis de Elsingham .... qui obiit ... 1496. Sittingborne Here lyeth Iohn Crowmer Esquire and Ione his wife who died Ann. Dom. 1539 .... on whose soules A family of knightly descent and ample reuenues one of which house called William Crowmer Esquire sonne of Sir William Lord Maior of London high Shiriffe of Kent in the fury of Iack Cade and the Kentish and Essex rebells was sacrificed at Mile-end and cut shorter by the head like as the day before they had serued Sir Iames Fienes Lord Say and Sele and Treasurer of England in Cheape-side whose onely daughter this Crowmer had married Whose heads giue me leaue to go a little further pitched vpon high poles were carried by the villaines through the Citie of London who caused their trunklesse faces in spight and mockerie to kisse one the other at euery street-corner as they marched along in this their damnable triumph and
they caused to bee brought vp in Vniuersity Colledge in Oxford Hauing attained to reasonable perfection in the knowledge of Diuinitie whereunto his study was chiefly addicted hee applyed himselfe to preaching wherein he tooke great paines namely in the Counties of Oxford Glocester and Worcester vntill such time as hee was called to the Treasureship of Salisbury From whence little knowing of any such matter and much against his minde he was chosen at the Popes request to the Monkes of Christ-Church being as then at Rome to be Archbishop of this See and consecrated at Canterbury with all honour possible by Roger Bishop of London the fourth of the Nones of Aprill about the yeare 1230. King Henry the third thirteene Bishops one and fourty Lords and Earles and others innumerable being there present as it is thus recorded in the Annalls of the Monastery of Wauerley in Surrey Edmundus Thesaurarius Sarum a Domino Rogero Episcopo London consistentibus et congratulantibus XIII Episcopis Domingo Rege et XLI Comitibus et ceteris in numeris communiter congregatis In Ecclesia Cant. in Archiepiscopum honorifice consecratur Dominica qua canitur Letare Iherâ—salem IIII. viz. Nonas Aprilis But howsoeuer he was thus solemnly consecrated he presently fell into the kings displeasure by opposing himselfe against the marriage of Elianor the kings sister with Simon Mountfort Earle of Leicester because vpon the death of the Earle Marshall her first husband she had vowed chastity To haue this vow dispensed withall the King procured the Pope to send a Legate into England his name was Otto a Cardinall Him also this Archbishop offended and that so grieuously by reprehending his monstrous couetousnesse his bribery and extortion as euer after he sought to worke him all the mischiefe that he might The Monkes of Rochester had presented vnto this Archbishop one Richard de Wendouer demanding of him consecration vnto the Bishopricke of their Church which he vtterly denyed to affoord knowing the presented to bee a very vnlearned and vnsufficient man Hereupon the Monkes appealed to Rome which the Archbishop vnderstanding of hasted him thither also Otto the Legate endeauoured to stay him at home and failing thereof did his errand so well at Rome as not onely in that suite but another also which hee had against Hugh Earle of Arundell in another cause of appeale he was ouerthrowne and condemned in a thousand Markes charges to his great disgrace and impouerishment Being at Rome hee had complained of many great abuses in England and amongst the rest of the long vacancie of Bishoprickes The Pope seemed willing to redresse these things and namely concerning that matter set downe this order That if any Cathedrall Church continued voide aboue sixe moneths it should be lawfull for the Archbishop to conferre it where he list as well as any smaller Benefice The procuring of this order cost him a great summe of money Yet no sooner was his backe turned but the Pope at the kings request reuoked the same Being thus continually vexed thwarted and disgraced hee departed into voluntary exile and there bewayling the misery of his countrey spoyled and wasted by the tyranny of the Pope spent the rest of his dayes in continuall teares Through extreame griefe and sorrow or as some thinke too much fasting hee fell first into a Consumption and after into a strange kinde of Ague Whereupon he thought good to remoue from the Abbey of Pontiniac in France where he had layen euer since his comming out of England and there departed this life the sixteenth of the Kalends of December 1242. His heart and entrailes were buried at Soissy his body at Pontiniac Sanctus Edmundus Cantuarie Archiepiscopus plenus virtutibus et sanâ—titate migrauit ab hoc seculo XVI Kal. Decemb. et apud Pontiniacum sepultus est Cuius merita miracula testantur Hic erat Edmundus anima tum corpore mundus Quem non immundus poterat peruertere mundus Anglorum Genti faueas Edmunde petenti Within six yeares after his death he was canonized a Saint by Innocentius the fourth who appointed the foresaid day of his death for euer to be kept holy in memory of him Lewes the French king caused his body to be translated to a more honourable Tombe then it was first laid in and bestowed a sumptuous Shrine vpon him couered with gold siluer and richly adorned with many pretious stones where our Lord saith his Legend hath shewyd many a fayre myracle for his holy servaunt Saynte Edmonde This Edmund is the last Archbishop of Canterbury that I finde to haue beene canonized howsoeuer I dare pronounce that since his dayes to these present times wherein we liue we haue had many Archbishops both for life and learning as worthy the honour of canonization as was himselfe or any of these by me before remembred Thus much of this Diocesse vntill I be further stored of funerall Monuments or other matters therein according to my method either by my selfe or my friends onely let me tell you for a conclusion that the whole Prouince of this Bishopricke of Canterbury which first of all was apparelled by Austin the Monke with the Archbishop of Londons Pall as I haue in part touched before was at the first diuided by Theodore seuenth Bishop into fiue Diocesses onely howbeit in processe of time it grew to twentie and one besides it selfe leauing to Yorke which by the first institution should haue had as many as it but Durham Carleil and Chester onely except you reckon the Isle of Man And whereas by the ordinance of Pope Gregory either of these Archbishops should haue vnder him twelue inferiour Bishops and that neither of them should bee subiect or of lesse grace and dignitie then other Lanfrancke thinking it good reason that he should make a Conquest of the English Clergie since his Master King William had vanquished the whole Nation contended at Windsore with Thomas Norman Archbishop of Yorke for the Primacie and there by iudgement before Hugo the Popes Legate recouered it from him so that euer since the one is called Totius Angliae Primas and the other Angliae Primas without any further addition Moreouer whereas before time the place of this Archbishop in the generall Councell was to sit next to the Bishop of Saint Ruffines Anselme the successour of this Lanfranke for recompence of the seruice hee had done in oppugning the marriage of Priests and resisting the king for the inuestiture of Clerkes was by Pope Vrbane endowed with this accession of honour that hee and his Successours should from thenceforth haue place in all generall Councels at the Popes right foote who then said withall Includamus hunc in orbe nostro tanquam alterius orbis Papam Let vs include this Bishop in our owne Orbe as it were the Pope or Father of another world In former ages saith Camden in this tract during the Romane Hierarchie the Archbishops of Canterbury were
North wall Iohn de Chishull who sometimes had beene Deane of Pauls Archdeacon and Bishop of London Lord Treasurer of England and twice Keeper of the great Seale He was consecrated Aprill 29. 1274 and died the tenth 1279. Vpon the Monument of Richard Newport Bishop of this Church here buried a little inscription not long since was to be read expressing the day and yeare of his consecration which was March 26. 1317. And the like of his death which happened August 24. 1318. the yeare following Raph Baldocke Deane of this Church was chosen Bishop vpon Saint Mathias day 1303. but was not consecrated till the yeare 1305. Ianuary 30. which he receiued at the hands of one Petrus Hispanus a Cardinall Bishop of Alba at Lions in France He was a man very well learned and amongst other things writ an History or Chronicle of England in the Latine tongue In his life time he gaue two hundred Markes toward the building of the Chappell on the East end of this Church now called The Lady Chappell wherein he lieth buried and in his Will bequeathed much toward the finishing of the same And here by the way saith mine Author it shall not bee amisse to note that in digging the foundation of this building there were found more then an hundred heads of cattell as oxen kine stagges c. which seeme to confirme the opinion of those that thinke the Temple of Iupiter was scituate in that place before the planting of Christian Religion tooke away those idolatrous sacrifices This Bishop was chosen Lord Chancellour by king Edward the first Vpon whose death he sent the great Seale to king Edward the second as then lying at Carliell This Raph is mistaken by some writers for Robert Baldock Bishop of Norwich yet I finde no such Bishop of that See in the Catalogue sometime Archdeacon of Midlesex and Chancellour of England Much what about that time a man that liued in the hatred of most people whom the old English Chronicle calleth a false peeld Priest these are the words Robart Baldok his false pilide Chanceler being as then Chancellour to Edward the second and in another place Ye pilide clerk Robart Baldok ye fals Chanceler Yet this pilide fals clerk was euer trew to the King his Lord and Master for which he was taken and imprisoned in Newgate London wherein he miserably ended his dayes Of which thus writeth the Author of the booke of Durham Robertus de Baldock Cancellarius 1325. captus cum Hugonibus de despensers quia Clericus fuit Sacerdos in nona porta Londiniarum poni fecit Edwardus Princeps et Isabella mater eius vbi pro nimia miseria mortuus fuit infra breue But to returne to Raph for I haue somewhat digressed from the matter Bishop of this Diocesse who when from his first confirmation by Robert of Winchelsey Bishop of Canterbury he had sate about eight yeares died on S. Iames his Eue 1313. at Stell Here lyeth buried Michaell Northbrooke Bishop of this See Doctor of Law who had his election confirmed Iuly 7. 1355. and died of the plague Septemb. 9. 1361. at Copford This Bishop gaue a chest with a thousand Markes which money was to bee lent to the poore vpon securitie as appeares by his will Michael de Northburghe nuper Episcopus Lond. legauit in testamento suo sic Item lego ad faciend vnam cistam que stabit in Thesauria Sancti Pauli mille Marcas in eadem includend de quibus possit quilibet pauper plebeus sub bona excedenti pignore mutuo recipere decem libras 1. Pars. Pat. Ann. 49. Ed. 3. M. 30. Here lieth interred vnder a marble stone neare to the Monument of Sir Christopher Hatton the body of Richard Clifford Archdeacon of Canterbury from which dignitie he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Worcester which he enioyed about six yeares and from thence translated to this See of London which hee laudably gouerned thirteene yeares and some moneths and died August 20. 1421. This Bishop in the yeare 1414. trauelled to the Councell of Constance and preached in Latine before the Emperour and other Estates there assembled In this Councell the long schisme was ended and Martin the fifth called before Otho Columna Cardinall of Saint George was chosen the sole Pope The Councell thinking it meete that thirtie persons should be added to the Cardinals in this election this our Richard Clifford was one of that number In which also there were some that named him to the Papacie Himselfe was the first that named the Cardinall Columna who thereupon the rest consenting was immediately elected Betweene the two pillars next vnto the Steeple on the North side of the body of the Church vnder a marble stone ouer which was built a kind of Tombe or Chappell of wood that by the burning of the steeple was consumed and quite defaced the body of Rich. Fitz-Iames lieth interred A gentleman of an ancient house learned and vertuous Doctor of Law brought vp in Merton Colledge in Oxford and sometimes Warden of the same from whence hee was aduanced to the Bishopricke of Rochester from thence translated to Chichester and from Chichester to London He bestowed much money in repairing the Church of S. Martins in Oxford as also in adorning and beautifying this his owne Cathedrall Church He died in the yeare 1521. Hic in Domino obdormiuit Iohannes Gandauensis vulgo de Gaunt à Gandauo Flandrie vrbe loco natali ita denominatus Edwardi tercij Regis Anglie filius à Patre comitis Richmondie titulo ornatus Tres sibi vxores in matrimonio duxit primam Blancham filiam heredem Henrici Ducis Lancastrie per quam amplissimam adijt hereditatem Nec solum Dux Lancastrie sed etiam Leicestrie Lincolnie Derbie comes effectus E cuius sobole Imperatores Reges Principes proceres propagati sunt plurimi Alteram habuit vxorem Constantiam que hic contumulatur filiam heredem Petri Regis Castillie et Legionis cuius iure optimo titulo Regis Castillie et Legionis vsus est Haec vnicam illi peperit filiam Catharinam ex qua ab Henrico Reges Hispanie sunt propagati Tertiam vero vxorem duxit Catharinam ex Equestri familia eximia pulchritudine feminam ex qua numero sam suscepit prolem Vnde genus ex matre duxit Henricus 7. Rex Anglie prudentissimus Cuius felicissimo coniugio cum Elisabetha Edw. 4. Regis filia e stirpe Eboracensi Regie ille Lancastriensium et Eboracensium familie ad exoptatissimam Anglie pacem coaluerunt Illustrissimus hic princeps Iohannes cognomento Plantagenet Rex Castillie Legionis Dux Lancastrie comes Richmondie Leicestrie Lincolnie Derbie locum tenens Aquitanie Magnus Seneschallus Anglie obijt Ann. 22. Regni Regis Ricardi 2. Annoque Domini 1399. His first wife Blanch here buried died of the plague saith
I found it in the Collections of Master Camden Hagnes hic iaceo coniux olim Gulielmi Lilia cognomen cui tribuere fui Septem ter denos aetas mea viderat annos Bis septem vixi tres quoque iuncta viro Mater eram foelix ter quinque prole puellae Sex fuerant numero caetera turba mares Me luce octaua mensis Sextilis adorta est Me luce vndecima sustulit atra lues Aeterne vs pateat Lector mihi lumina lucis Authorem lucis supplice mente roga Thomas Linacrus Regis Henrici viii Medicus vir et Grecè et Latine atque in re medica longe eruditissimus multos aetate sua languentes et qui iam animam desponderant vitae restituit Multa Galeni opera Latina lingua mira et singulari facundia vertit Egregium opus de emendata structura Latini sermonis amicorum rogatu paulo ante mortem edidit Medicine studiosis Oxoniae publicas lectiones duas Cantabrigiae vnam in perpetuum stabiliuit In hac vrbe Collegium Medicorum sua industria fieri curauit Cuius et Praesidens primus electus est Fraudes dolosque mirè perosus fidus amicis omnibus ordinibus iuxta charus aliquot annos antequam obierit Presbiter factus plenus annis ex hac vita migrauit multum desideratus Ann. Dom. 1524. die 7. Octob. Somewhat aboue the Tombe in the wall vnder the picture or pourtraiture of the Phoenix this Inscription Viuit post funera virtus Thomae Linacro clarissimo medico Iohannes Caius posuit ann 1557. This old Physitian and young Priest Tho. Linaker borne in the towne of Darby was like William Lilie for none of his works so famous as for his rudiments or instructions to the better vnderstanding of the Latine tongue Hic infra iacet corpus magistri Thome de Eure Legum Doctoris istius Ecclesie S. Pauli quondam Decani qui die nono mens Octobris Ann. Dom. millesimo quadringentesimo sui Decanatus anno duodecimo diem suum clausit extremum Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Hic iacet Magister Thomas Wynterburne Legum Doctor dum vixit Decanus huius Ecclesie S. Pauli qui obijt 7. die mens Decemb. An. Dom. 1478. Anime cuius sis Deus propitius Amen Hic iacet Magister Reymundus Pelegrim Canonicus huius Ecclesie Capellanus Commissalis Domini Pape qui obijt xi die mens Aug. Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Hic iacet Magister Richardus Plessys quondam Can ......... ob M. CCC LX.I Gulielmus Harington Iurisconsultus Protonotarius Apostolicus D. Pauli Canonicus ex illis quos Residentiarios dicunt Patria Eboracensis natus in Pago qui Estryngton vocitatur Patre Gulielmo Haringtono viro claro genere orto in pago commerlandie non ignobili qui Neubyging nuncupatur Matre Iohanna filia Gulielmi Haske aliter Baliui dicti viri generosi in eodem pago Estryngton nata Memor exitus vite qui omnibus horis impendet hoc sibi sepulchrum posuit Anno salutis humane 1523. Here lieth buried in a Chappell built by himselfe wherein he founded three Chaplaines Sir Iohn Poultney foure times Lord Maior of London who founded also a Colledge in the Parish Church of S. Laurence called Poultney He built also the parish Church called little Alhallows in Thames street and the Carmelite Friers Church in Couentrie hee gaue reliefe to the prisoners in Newgate and in the Fleet and ten shillings the yeare to S. Giles Hospitall by Oldborne now Houlborne for euer and other Legacies too long to rehearse And died in the yeare 1348. Here lieth Hamond Chickwell Pepperer who had beene Lord Maior of this Citie sixe times within nine yeares And died about the yeare 1328. Here lieth the body of Anne daughter of Iohn Duke of Burgundie the wife of Iohn Plantaginet third sonne of king Henry the fourth Duke of Bedford Protector of the Realme of England and head of the common weale Who died the yeare 1433. Here in a Monument broken all a peeces lieth entombed the body of Iohn Neuill Lord Latimer whose widow Katherine Parre daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendall and sister to William Lord Parre Marquesse of Northampton was the sixth and last wife to king Henry the eight He died in the yeare 1542. Sir Iohn Beauchampe Constable of Douer Castle Warden of the Cinque Ports knight of the Garter and Lord Admirall of England the second sonne of Guy Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke lieth buried here in the body of the Church within a little Chappell He died Ann. 1360. 34. Ed. 3. He was also Constable of the Tower of London as appeares by ancient Records Cum Rex nuper concesserit Iohanni Darcy de Knayth custodiam Turris London ad vitam suam et idem Iohannes propter alia negotia intendere non possit eidem custodire ex Regis assensu concessit custodiam predictam Iohanni de Bellocampo de Warwic ad totam vitam predicti Iohannis Darcy c. T. R. apud Mortelake 15. Marcij Ann. 26. Ed. 3.1 Pars. pat M. 17. Vpon some displeasure vpon false suggestions which the King had taken against him he was put by this office and to the same the truth being tried restored againe a little before his death For proofe Cum Iohan. Darcy cui nuper Rex custodiaÌ„ Turris London ad totaÌ„ vita suaÌ„ concesserit ob affectioneÌ„ quam habuit ad personaÌ„ Ioh. de Bellocampo de Warwick statuÌ„ quem idem Ioh. Darcy in custodia Turris predicte habuit prefato Ioh. de Bellocampo concesserit et Rex illaÌ„ concessioneÌ„ confirmauit post moduÌ„que ob quendaÌ„ rancoreÌ„ quem Rex erga ipsuÌ„ Ioh. de Bellocampo ex sinistra suggestione ipsi Regi facta concepisset ipsum de custodia illa amoueri fecit et â—andem custodiam primo Bartholomeo de Burghesse postmodum Roberto de Morle concessisset Iamque ijdem Bartholomeus et Robertus viam vniuerse carnis ingressi sunt Rex ad gratum et laudabile obsequium siâ—i per dictum Iohannem diuersimodo impensum et ad hoc quod suggestio predicta minus vera existit sicut plenius Regi constat consideracionem habens ac volens ipsius proinde honori commodo prospicere in hac parte â—undem Iohannem ad dictam custodiam restituit habendam ad totam vitam suam Dat. apud Villam Sancti Georgij iuxta Castrum de Beauford in Francia An. 34. Ed. 3. This deceased Nobleman saith Stow by ignorant people hath beene erroniously mistearmed and said to bee Duke Humphrey the good Duke of Glocester who lieth honourably buried at S. Albans in Hertfordshire In Idle and friuolous opinion of whom some men of late times saith hee haue made a solemne meeting at his Tombe vpon Saint Andrewes day in the morning and concluded on a breakfast or dinner as assuming themselues to be seruants and to hold diuersitie
the holy crosse so denominated of wearing a Crosse anciently called a Crouch vpon their garments and of bearing the crosse for the badge and Armes of their house This house was valued at the suppression to 52 l. 13 s. 2 d. of annuall profits A Petition to Secretary Cromwell against the Prior of this house a little before the dissolution thereof Pleasethe it your honourable mastoreship to be aduertesid that in the time of Lent last past your continuall orator Iohn Bartelote with others to the number of fiue persons of good conuersation found the Priore of the Crossyd Friores in London at that time being in bed with his whoore both naked about xi of the clocke in the forenoone vpon a Friday at which time the said Priore to the intent his misdemeanour and shamefull fact should not be knowne whereby he should sustaine open shame kneeled vpon his knees and not onely desired your said orator and his company to keepe secret his said act and not to disclose in any wife the same but for the same intent freely and of his owne motion gaue amongst them about xxx l. which he then was possessed of of the which summe your Orator had by the said gift about vii l. And also the said Priore promised to giue amongst the said company xxx l. more by a certaine day and after by mediation of friends of the said Priore the said xxx l. was released to the summe of vi l. which sixe pounds the said Priore bound himselfe to pay to the said Orator by his Bill obligatory at a certaine day in the same limeted Yet this notwithstanding for by cause your said Orator for non paiment of the said vi l. did arrest the said Priore he hath so hainously informed the Lord Chancelour against your Orator that he will onely put him to shewertie making the premisses a hainous Robbery saying openly that your Orator is worthy to be hanged but also will by his high authoritie compell your Orator to repay agen to the said Priore the some of xxx l. vnlesse your most charetable goodnesse bee therein otherwise shewed It may therefore plese your good Mastershipe of your abundant goodnesse to prouide that the premeses may be duly examined according to equitie for this is the very and hole truth in the same And your seid Oratore shall prey to God for your honor and preseruation long to endure By your humble Oratore to his power during his life Iohn Bartelote Saint Katherines by the Tower This was the Church belonging to the Hospitall dedicated to the honour of Saint Katherine founded by Queene Maud the wife of King Stephen and much augmented by Eleanor the wife of King Edward the first and Philip wife to King Edward the third who left to it sufficient liuelihood for a Master 3 Brethren Chaplaines and 3 Sisters tenne poore women and sixe poore Clarkes This house was valued at the generall suppression at 315 l. 14 s. 2 d. per annum Here vnder an Ancient monument â—ouly defaced lieth entombed the body of Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter Earle of Huntington and of Iuory in Normandy Lord of Sparre Admirall of England Ireland and Aquitaine Lieuetenant Generall of the Duchie of Aquitaine Fellow of the honourable order of the Garter and Constable of the Tower of London as he writ in his stile when Henry the fift in the fift of his raigne was to goe ouer into Normandy this puissant Iohn Holland as then but Earle of Huntington was sent before to scoure the seas who meeting with nine Carrickes of Genoa which were going to aide the French King fought with them and sunke sixe of them and tooke the other three with great store of money and treasure and brought them with his prisoners to the King This battaile was fought nere Harflew vpon the fall of the Riuer Seyne into the narrow seas of which an old versifier They faught full sore afore the water of Sayn With Carrickes many well stuffed and arayed And many other shippes great of Hispayn Barges Balyngers and Galleys vnfrayed Whiche proudly came vpon our Shippes vnprayed And by th'euen their sailes aualed were set Their enemies slaine in battayll and sore bet And many dryent were that daye in the Sea That as our flete rode there then alway Vnto the feast next of his Natiuitee The Bodies flete among our Shippes eche daye Full piteous was and to see theim ay That thousandes were twenty as they then told That taken were in that same batayll bold This valiant braue Duke died full of yeares the fift of August in the 25. yeere of King Henry the sixt Anno 1447. Here lye entombed by him his two wiues the first was Anne daughter of Edmund Earle Stafford by his wife Anne the heire of Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester by whom hee had issue Henry Duke of Exceter She had bin formerly married vnto Edmund Mortimer Earle of March and Vlster I cannot finde the time of her death His second wife here entombed was also Anne daughter of Io. Mountague the third of that name Earle of Salisbury who formerly had bin twise married to Sir Richard Hanckford to Sir Iohn Fitz-Lewis Knights She died the 27 of Nouember 1457. Here lieth likewise entombed the body of Constance sister of the foresaid Iohn Duke of Exceter daughter of Iohn Holland first of that name Duke of Exceter married to Thomas Lord Mowbray the sonne of Thomas who died in banishment Duke of Norfolke Earle of Nottingham and Earle Marshall of England and remarried to Sir Iohn Grey Lord Grey of Ruthin she died the sixteenth of Henry the sixt New Abbey in East-Smithfield Before the foundation of this Abbey there stood in the same place a little Chappell within a Coemitorie or Church-yard dedicated to the honour of God by Raph Stratford Bishop of London wherein were interred innumerable many of such persons as died in the first great Pestilence the 23 of King Edward the third Now the said King liking well this plot of ground and hauing before in a tempest on the sea and perill of drowning made a vow to build a Monastery to the honour of God and our Lady of Grace if God would grant him grace to come safe to land builded here a Monastery wherein he placed white Monkes of the Cistercian order which house at the generall suppression was valued at 546 l. 10 d. yearely The Kings store-house for victuall and for baking of Biskets to serue his Maiesties Ships is built in the same place where this Abbey stood The Minories Here was an Abbey of Nunnes of the order of Saint Clare founded by Blanch Queene of Nauarre and her husband Edmund Earle of Lancaster Leicester and Darby brother to King Edward the first in the yeere 1293. This house was valued to dispend yeerely 418 l. 8 s. 5 d. and was surrendred by Dame Elizabeth Sauage the last Abbesse there vnto King Henry
who inuaded his Territories in his absence whilst he was prosecuting the warres in Ireland and returned from that battell a triumphant Conquâ—rour Vnder another Monument lieth the body of Gilbert Marshall Earle of Penbroke and Marshall of England Lord of Longevile in Normandy Leinster in Ireland and of Chepstow Strighull and Caerwent in Wales This Potent Peere of the Realme saith Mathew Paris in Ann. 1241. proclaimed a Turnament in scorne of the kings authoritie whereby such disports were forbidden to be holden at Hertford in the County of Hertford to which place when many both of the Nobilitie and Gentrie were assembled it happened that himselfe running by the flinging of his horse was cast out of his sadle and the horse gaue him such a blow on the breast that he died the same day being the fifth of the Kalends of Iuly 1241. as aforesaid His bowels were interred in the Abbey Church in the Towne of Hertford with the bowels of one Sir Robert de Say knight a gallant gentleman slaine in the same exercise These kinde of Iusts or Turnaments were brought in with king Stephen and practised in many places of England in such an outragious manner and with such slaughter of Gentlemen that to suppresse such an heathenish disport it was decreed by Parliament that whosoeuer therein were slaine should want Christian buriall and their heires be disinherited Hic requiescit ..... R ... Ep .... Quondam Visitator generalis ordinis Milicie Templi in Anglia in Francia in Italia .... This was a fragment of a funeralâ— Inscription insculped vpon one of these crosse-legged Monuments as I found it amongst other Collections by one studious in Antiquities in Sir Robert Cottons voluminous Librarie which he proues by the pedegree of the said Lord Rosses to haue beene made to the memory of one Robert Rosse a Templer who died about the yeare 1245. and gaue to the Templars his Mannor of Ribston William Plantaginet the fifth sonne of king Henry the third lieth here interred who died in his childhood about the yeare 1256. En Iacobus templo Bayle requiescit in isto Qui fuerat gratus medio Templo sociatus Cui Deus esto pius eius miserando reatus Vitam mutauit in mensis fine secundi M. C. quater que dato Lxx quater annumerato Cui sit solamen Christus dic protinus Amen Robertus iacet hic Thorne quem Bristollia quondam Pretoris merito legit ad officium Huic etinim semper magne Respublica cure Charior cunctis Patria duitijs Ferre inopi auxilium tristes componere lites Dulce huic consilio quosque iuuare fuit Qui pius exaudis miserorum vota precesque Christe huic in celis des regione locum Orate pro anima Richardi Wye socij comititiui interioris Templi ob 9. Mar. 1519. Cuius anime Domine secundum delictum meum noli me iudicare Deprecor maiestatem tuam vt tu deleas iniquitatem meam Ecce quid eris Hic iacet Willelmus Langham quondam custos huius Templi qui obijt ......... 1437. Tu prope qui transis nec dicis aueto resiste Auribus et corde hec mea dicta tene Sum quod eris quod es ipse fui derisor amare Mortis dum licuit pace manente frui Sed veniente nece postquam sum raptus amicis Atque meis famulis orba ...... domus Me contexit humo deplorauit que iacentem Inque meos cineres vltima dona dedit Vnde mei vultus corrosit terra nitorem Queque fuit forme ......... Ergo Deum pro me cum pura mente precare Vt mihi perpetua pace frui tribuat Et quicunque rogat pro me comportet in vnum Vt mecum meneat in regione Poli. William Burgh iadis Clerk de Chancelleri Gist icy Dieu de s'alme eyt mercy Amen Saint Clement Danes So called because Harold surnamed Harefoot for his swift footmanship king of England of the Danish line and other Danes were here buried This Harold was the base sonne of king Canut by his concubine Alice of Woluerhampton in Staffordshire a Shoomakers daughter His body was first buried at Westminster but afterwards Hardicanut the lawfull sonne of Canut being king commanded his body to bee digged out of the earth and to be throwne into the Thames where it was by a Fisherman taken vp and buried in this Churchyard He died at Oxford 1040. hauing raigned three yeares and eight moneths Hic iacet .... Iohannes Arundell .... Episcopus Exon. qui ob die mens Maij 15 ... 1503. This maymed Inscription would tell vs thus much that Iohn Arundell descended of the ancient and most worshipfull house of the Arundels of Lanherne in Cornwall Bishop of Exceter lieth here vnder interred who died March 15. 1503. Hic iacet corpus venerabilis .... Io ..... Booth Legum Bacalaureus Episcopus Exon ..... ob primo April 1478. This Bishop gouerned his Church wondrous well and builded as some suppose the Bishops See in the Quire but being weary of the great troubles which were in his countrey betweene king Edward the fourth and the Earle of Warwicke he remoued from thence to his house of Horsleigh in Hampshire where he died Orate pro anima Willelmi Booth militis fratris Episcopi Exon. qui ob 6. April 1478. Hic iacet Edmundus Arnold postremus Aprilis Quem dolor heu rapuit tristis atroxque dies Istius Ecclesie Rector meritissimus olim Et summus Mâ—dice Doctor in arte fuit Non Ipocrate minor erat nec doctior vllus Non Opifex mirum vincit Apollo virum M. D. deme ter .x. semel v. Christi anno Cui vitam Medicus det sine sine Deus Sauoy So called of Peter Earle of Sauoy the first builder thereof which being ouerthrowne by the Rebels of Kent it was againe raised and beautifully rebuilded by king Henry the seuenth for an Hospitall and dedicated to the honour of Saint Iohn Baptist for which he purchased lands for the reliefe of an hundred poore people Of which you may reade this Inscription engrauen ouer the Gate towards the Street 1505. Hospitium hoc inopi Turbe Sauoia vocatum Septimus Henricus fundauit ab imo solo Henry the seuenth to his merite and honor This Hospitall foundyd pore people to socor Many officers ordinances orders and rules were appointed by the Founder for the better gouernment of this Hospitall some of which I haue read briefly extracted out of the Grand Charter viz. Per nomen Magistri et Capellanorum Hospitalis Henrici Regis Anglie septimi de Savoy Duo Presbiteri seculares conductitij Duo homines seculares honesti ac literati quorum alter Subsacrista alter Subhospitalarius Quatuor homines honesti qui Alteriste vocentur Quinque alij honesti homines viz. 1. Clericus Coquine 2. Panetarius 3. Coquus 4. Ortulanus 5. Ianitor Duo alij alter subcoquus
aged 94. yeares The Hermitage Hospitall and Free-Schoole at Highgate-hill In ancient times vpon the top of this hill was an Hermitage one of the Hermites whereof caused to bee made the Causway betweene Highgate and Islington taking the grauell from the top of the hill where now is a standing pond of water One William Poole Yeoman of the Crowne founded the Hospitall below on the hill in the raigne of King Edward the fourth The free Schoole was built by Sir Roger Cholmundely or Cholmeley knight sometime Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench about the yeare 1564. the sixth of Queene Elizabeth The Pencion of the Master is vncertaine saith Norden there is no Vsher and the Schoole is in the disposition of sixe Gouernours or Ouerseers Our Ladies Chappell of Muswell or Mousewell hill Here was in ancient times a Chappell bearing the name of our Lady of Muswell in the place whereof Alderman Roe erected a faire house The place taketh name of the Well and of the Hill for there is on the hill a spring of faire water which is now within the compasse of Sir Nicholas Roes Cellar in the said house Here was sometime an Image of our Lady of Muswell whereunto was a continuall resort in the way of pilgrimage growing as it goes by tradition from father to the sonne in regard of a great cure which was performed by this water vpon a king of Scots who being strangely diseased was by some diuine intelligence aduised to take the water of a Well in England called Muswell which after long scrutation and inquisition this Well was found and performed the cure Absolutely to deny the cure saith Norden I dare not for that the high God hath giuen vertue vnto waters to heale infirmities as may appeare by the cure of Naaman the Leper by washing himselfe seuen times in Iordan and by the Poole Bethesda which healed the next that stepped thereinto after the water was moued by the Angell The Hermitage at Kilbourne In the time of King Henry the first Herbert Abbot of Westminster by permission of Gilbert Bishop of London and by consent of the Couent granted to three Maides the Hermitage of Kilbourne with all the land of that place which Hermitage one Gorbone had builded long before The Hospitall of S. Giles in the Fields for Leprous people This Hospitall was founded by Queene Maude wife to king Henry the first in the yeare 1117. and was a Cell belonging to Burton Lazers of Ierusalem in the County of Leicester as may appeare by a deed dated the 24. of Hen. 7. in these words Thomas Norton knight Master of Burton Lazers of Ierusalem in England and the brethren of the same place keepers of the Hospitall of Saint Giles without the Barres of the old Temple of London haue sold to Geffrey Kent Citizen and Draper of London a messuage or house with two Sollars aboue edified in the Parish of Alhallowes Hony-Jane in Westcheape adioyning to the West part of a Tenement called the Goate on the Hope pertaining to the Drapers of London for 31. l. At this Hospitall the prisoners conueyed from the Citie of London towards Teyborne there to be executed were presented with a great Bowle of Ale thereof to drinke at their pleasure The Hospitall of Saint Mary Bethlem commonly called Bedlam In the yeare 1247. Simon Fitzmary one of the Sheriffes of London founded this Hospitall for lame and indigent people which afterwards was conuerted to that vse which the Citie now makes of it vpon this occasion In the Parish of Saint Martins in the field there was an house wherein sometime were distraught and Lunaticke people of what antiquitie founded by whom or what time suppressed saith Stow I haue not read But it was said that a King of England not liking such a kinde of people to remaine so neare his Pallace caused them to be remoued further off to Bethlem without Bishopsgate of London and to that Hospitall the said house by â—haring-crosse doth yet remaine S. Peters Chappell within the Tower Here lie interred the headlesse remaines of Iohn Fisher Doctor of Diuinitie sometime Bishop of Rochester brought vp a Scholler in Cambridge Master of our Colledge I meane Queenes Colledge in Cambridge and Chancellour of that Vniuersitie He was made Cardinall t t. S. Vitalis the one and twentieth of May which honour was to him parum vitalis for the Cardinals hat and his head neuer met together he being beheaded on the Tower-hill the 22. of Iune following Ann. Dom. 1535. His bodie was first buried in Barking Church-yard and afterwards vpon occasion as followeth remoued to this place He was a man in great estimation with Margaret Countesse of Richmond by whose exhortation shee built and endowed two Colledges in Cambridge S. Iohns and Christ Colledge she made him one of her executours He liued likewise a long time in great fauour with her Grandchild King Henry the eight euen vntill his marriage with Anne Bullein which he euer seemed to disallow Whereupon he was suspected and accused to be of councell with Elizabeth Barton commonly called the holy Maide of Kent a Nunne of Saint Sepulchres in Canterbury who by sundrie suggestiue reuelations gaue out that if the King proceeded in diuorce and second marriage he should not raigne in his realme seuen moneths after nor rest in Gods fauour the space of an houre The story is frequent Of which imputation he thus excused himselfe by his letters to the Kings Maiestie To the Kings most gracious Highnes Please it your graciouse Highenes benignely to heare this my most humble sute which I haue to make vnto your grace at this time and to pardon me that I come not my selfe vnto your grace for the same For in good faith I haue had so many periculouse diseases oone after another which began with me before Advent and so by long continuance hath now brought my body into that weakenesse that withouten perill of destruction of the same which I darr saye your grace for your soueraigne goodnes wold not I may not as yet take any traueyling vpon me And soo I wrote to Maister Cromwell your moost trustie Councellor beseeching him to obtayne your graciouse licence for me to be absent from this Parliament for that same cause and he put me in comforthe soo to doo Now thus it is most graciouse soueraygne Lord that in your most high Court of Parliament is put in a bill against me concerning the Nunne of Canterbury and intending my condempnation for not reuelyng of such wordes as she hadde vnto me towchyng your Highnes Wherein I moost humblie beseech your grace that without displeasor I maye shew vnto you the consideration that moued me so to doo which when your moost exâ—cellent wisdome hath deaplye considered I trust assuredlie that your charitable goodnes will not impute any blame to me therfore A trowth it is this Nunne was with me thries in commyng from London by Rochester as I wrote to Master
in health And as our Lord knoweth I haue nothing left vnto me for to prouyde any better but as my Brother of his owne purse layeth out for me to his great hynderance Wherfore gode Master Secretary estsones I byseche yow to haue som pittie vpon me and latt me haue such thyngs as are necessary for mee in myn age and especially for my health And also that itt may please yow by yowr high wysdom to moue the Kings highnesse to take me vnto his gracious fauor againe and to restor me vnto my liberty out of this cold and painfull imprisonment wherby ye shall bynd me to be yowr pore beadsman for euer vnto almighty God who euer haue yow in his protection and custody Other twayne things I must also desyer vpon yow first oon is that itt may please yow that I may take som Preest within the Tower by th' assignment of master Liuetenant to hear my confession against this hooly tym That other is that I may borrow some bookes to stir my deuocion mor effectually theis hooly dayes for the comfortte of my sowl This I byseche yow to grant me of yowr charite And thus our Lord send yow a mery Christenmas and a comfortable to yowr hearts desyer Att the Tower this xxii day of December Your poore Beadsman Iohn Roffe Thus he lay imprisoned in great misery hungrie cold and comfortlesse as the prisoners dittie in Newgate runs vntill the time of his arraignment during which time as also before being diuers times examined by the Lords of the priuie Councell as also examined and sworne in verbo Sacer docij by Thomas Bedyll and Richard Layton Clerkes of the Kings Councell in the presence of Sir Edmond Walfingham knight Lieuetenant of the Tower and others to many Interrogatories his answeres were euer agreeable in effect with his letters He was arraigned onely for denying of the Supremacie howsoeuer he was before attainted by Parliament of misprision of Treason for the matter of the holy Maid of Kent as by this his Indictment appeares of which so much as is materiall Quidem tamen Iohannes Fyssher nuper de ciuitate Roffen in Com. Kanc. Clericus alias dictus Iohannes Fyssher nuper de Rofen Episcopus deum pre oculis non habens sed instigatione diabolica seductus false maliciose et proditorie optans volens et desiderans ac arte imaginans inuentans practitans et attemptans serenissimum dominum nostrum Henricum octauum dei gratia Angl. et Franc. Regem fidei defensorem dominum Hibernie atque in terra supremum caput Ecclesie Anglicane de dignitate titulo nomine status sui Regalis videlicet de dignitate titulo et nomine eius in terra supremi capitis Anglicane Ecclesie dicte imperiali corone sue vt premittit annexis vnitis depriuare Septimo die Maij Anno regni eiusdem domini Regis vicessimo septimo apud Tarrim London in Com. Mid. contra legiancie sue debitum hec verba Anglicana sequent diuersis dicti domini Regis veris subditis false maliciose proditorie loquebatur et propalabat videlicet The Kyng owre Soueraigne Lord is not supreme hedd yn erthe of the Cherche of England In dicti domini Regis immund despect et vilipendium manifest ac in dictorum dignitatis tituli et nominis status sui Regalis derogationem et preiudic non modicum et contra formam dicti alterius Actus perdicti Anno xxvi edit ac contra pacem prefati domini Regis c. Of this Indictment being found guilty he had iudgement whereupon execution presently followed which the more was hastened as also his arraignement in regard of the rumour that a Cardinals hat was comming towards him from the Pope because he had stood so stoutly in his defence which newes was so vnwelcome vnto him that vpon the first report thereof comming to his eares he said in the presence of some of the Lieuetenants seruants that if the Cardinals hat were laid at his feet he would not stoupe to take it vp so little did he set by it but let vs leaue him to his eternall rest onely thus much out of the writers of his time who say that hee was omnium Episcopalium Virtutum genere suffarcinatissimus et singulari linguae gratia praeditus He was of many sore lamented being a man of a very good life and great learning as his writings in diuers bookes did testifie The common people had such a reuerend opinion of his holinesse that they beleeued certaine miracles to be wrought by his head put vpon a Pole and set vp vpon London Bridge Adrianus Iunius and Cornelius Musius two German writers of Fisher thus in opposition Iunius Te niuei mores celebrem et conscia virtus Eâ—exit coelo et relligionis amor Sed dum Romuleo nimium tibicine fultus Perstas nec causam Regis amare potes Mors properatatibi est ceruice cruenta rescissa Munus vbi inselix purpura missa venit Musius Non ego purpureos ambiâ—i indignus honores Nec potui humanis fidere praesidijs Vnica cura fidem intrepide veramque tueri Commissoque ouium pro grege cuncta pati Si quaeras ceruix igitur cur ense re scissa est Improba displicuit Regia caussa mihi Another Dum mihi martyrij donat Diadema securis Quaeso meum teneas o bone trunce caput Another Vim sine vi patior qualis qui carcere rupto Cogitur e vinclis liber abire suis. The sixt day of Iuly following the decollation of Bishop Fisher Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor of England was likewise beheaded on the Tower hill for the like deniall of the Kings Supremacie he was first buried in this Chappell and the body of his deare friend Fisher was remoued out of Barking Church-yard and buried with him in the same graue for agreeing so vnanimously in their opinions liuing it was be like thought vnfitting to part them being dead but how long they lay together in this their house of rest I certainly know not yet this is certaine that Margaret the wife of Master Roper and daughter of the said Sir Thomas More remoted her fathers corps not long after to Chelsey and whether she honouued the Bishop by another remoue to the place of her fathers buriall or not I know not yet she might by all probabilitie They were both accused to be of the adherents to Elizabeth Barton in her counterfeite holinesse hypocrisie and traiterous intents but their innocencie and their often writing to the King and Cromwell in their owne excuse acquitted them of that imputation In the Act for the surety of the succession of the Crowne of England an oath was deuised for the maintenance and defence of the said Act which was to be taken by all the Kings subiects this oath being tendered to these two they were content to bee sworne to the maine point but not to the
Prynces in pease most amate In Grece Archbyshop elected worthely And last of Carlyel rulyng pastorally Kepyng nobyl Houshold wyth grete Hospitality On thowsand fyve hundryd thirty and sevyn Invyterate wyth pastoral carys consumyd wyth age The nintenth of Iun reckonyd ful evyn Passyd to hevyn from worldly pylgrâ—mage Of whos soul good pepul of cherite Prey as ye wold be preyd for for thus must ye lie Iesu mercy Lady help Here lieth Sir Henry Collet knight twise Maior of London who died in the yere of our redemption 1510. This Hâ—nry was sonne to Robert Collet of Wendouer in Buckinghamshire and father to Iohn Collet Deane of Pauls in the first time of his Maioraltie the Crosse in Cheape-side was new builded in that beautifull manner as it now standeth Richardus iacet hic venerabilis ille Decanus Qui fuit etatis doctus Apollo sue Eloquio forma ingenio virtutibus arte Nobilis eternum viuere dignus erat Consilio bonus ingenio fuit vtilis acri Facunda eloquij dexteritate potens Non rigidus non ore minax affabilis omni Tempore seu puero seu loquerere sexi Nulli vnquam nocuit multos adiuvit omnes Officij studuit demeruisse bonos Tantus hic et talis ne non deleatur ademptus Flent Muse et laceris mesta Minerua comis Obijt anno 1532. etat circiter 40. This Pace succeeded Collet in the Deanrie of Pauls a man highlie in fauour with king Henry the eight by whom he was employed as Embassadour to Maximilian the Germane Emperour as also to Rome in the behalfe of Cardinall Wolâ—ey who stood in election for the Popedome Hee writ diuers learned treatises yet extant Nam vir erat saith Bale viriusque literaturae peritia praeditus Nemo ingenio candidior aut humanitate amicitior He was a right worthie man and one that gaue in counsell faithfull aduâ—ce learned he was also and indued with many excellent good gifts of nature curteous pleasâ—nt and delighting in Musicke highlie in the Kingsfauour and well heard in matters of weight Here was I borne and here I make myne end Though I was Citizen and Grocer of London And to the office of Schrevalty did ascend But things transitorie passe and vanische sone To God be geeuen thanks if that I haue ought done That to his honowre and to the bringing vp of youth And to the succowre of the Age for sewerly this is soth By Avise my wyff children were left me non Which we both did take as God had it sent And fixed our myndes that ioyntly in on To releue the poore by mutuall consent Now mercifull Iesu which hast assystyd owre intent Have mercy on owre sowles and as for the residew If it be thy will thou mayst owre Act continew Vpon the same marble these verses following The fyve and twentyth day of this monyth of Septembyr And of owre Lord God the fifteenth hundryd and fowrty yeere Master Nicholas Gibson dyde as this tombe doth remembyr Whose wyff aftyr maryed the worschypful Esquier Master William Kneuet on of the kings privy chamber Much for his time also did he endeuer To make this Act to continew for euer This pious act here mentioned in this Epitaph is a free-Schoole founded at Radcliffe in this Parish by the said Nicholas and Avise for the instruction of threescore poore mens children by a Schoolemaster and an Vsher with an Almeshouse for fourteene poore aged persons and this Foundation continues to this day Saint Leonards in Stratford Bow This religious structure was sometime a Monasterie replenished with white Monkes dedicated to the honour of our alone Sauiour Iesus Christ and Saint Leonard founded by King Henry the second in the 23. yeare of his raigne And valued at the suppression to be yearely worth an hundred one and twenty pounds sixteene shillings In this Abbey Church sometime lay entombed the body of Iohn de Bohun eldest sonne and heire of Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Which Iohn de Bohun to vse the words of Milles in his Catalogue of Hereford Earles after the death of his father Humfrey was fifth Earle of Hereford Constable of England and Patron of the Abbey of Lanthony fourth Earle of Essex of that Surname and fifth Lord of Brecknock Because this Earle Iohn in regard of his weaknesse of body by a continuall sicknesse was not able to performe this office of the Constableship of England Edward the third at this Earles intreatie did substitute Edward Bohun the Earles younger brother Vice-Constable vnder him for the tearme of his life But Earle Iohn died at Kirby Thore the 20. of Ianuary vpon Saint Fabian and Sebastians day 1136. the tenth of Edward the third leauing no issue and was buried at Stratford Abbey not farre from London This Iohn married first Alice the daughter of Edmund Fitz-alan Earle of Arundell who died in childbed and was buried at Walden with her Infant sonne after it was christened His second wife was Margaret daughter of Raphe Lord Basset of Drâ—yton a Baron of the best ranke in those dayes by whom hee had no issue Hertfordshire For Ecclesiasticall gouernment onely some part of this Shire belongeth to the Diocesse of London the rest to the Bishopricke of Lincolne Now because the Bishop of Lincolne hath so large a Territorie vnder his iurisdiction I wâ—ll be so bold as to borrow a few Funerall Inscriptions which I haue collected in this County and within his charge and imprint them with those which are properly for London Diocesse Alhallowes in the Towne of Hertford Off yowr cherity prayeth to God and Alhalwin hertely For Ser Ion Chappilaine somtym of yis plas Vicary Almighty Iesu resseve his sowl to grase and mercy Icy gist Isabele Newmarche iadis Damosele a tresâ—oble Dame Isabele Roigne d' Engletere This Isabell Newmarch or de nouo Mercatu a name of great reputation in the raigne of King Henry the third was Maide of Honour to that Isabell Queene of England who was second wife to Richard the second daughter of Charles the sixth King of France Hic iacet Lodouicus Baysbury Capell Henrici sexti ac Prebend Ecclesie Cathedral Lincoln .... M. ccccxxviii Here lyeth vndyr this ston William Wake And by him Ione his wyff and Make Somtym yeman of Iohn Duc of Bedfords hors And lat Survayor wyth king Henry the sixt he was Gentylman mad he was at the holy Grav On qwos sowls Almyghty God mercy hav Hic iacet Iohannes Prest quondam Ianitor Hospitii Katherine nuper Regine Anglie ....... This Priest was Porter to that Katherine Queene of England who was the onely wife of that inuincible Conquerour of France Henry the fifth and daughter of Charles the sonne of Charles aforesaid King of France Saint Nicholas Hic iacet Alicia Tymyslow quondam Dominella Domine Ducisse Lankastrie que obiit 17 Septemb. 1396. This faire yong waiting Chamber-maid for so much the word
dyed M. ccccc.xxxi Cheston Quem tegit iste lapis Radcliffe cognomine functus .... et in cineres vertitur vnde fuit Icy gist Damoselle Iohanne clay que trespassa l'an de Grace M. cccc.le xxii iour Octobre iour Saint M. lun Euesque Here sometime stood a little Nunnery I know not by whom founded but thus it is confirmed in the Catal. of religious houses Henr. Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie Dux Normannie Aquitanie et comes Angedauie c. Shestrehunt Monial totam terram Dom. ten cum pertinentijs suts que canonicis de cathele c. quos amoueri fecimus dat apud West xi Aug. Anno Regni nostri xxiiii This Nunnery was valued in the Exchequer to be yeerely worth twenty seuen pound sixe shillings eight pence This village is called in old Writings Chesthunte Shestrehunte and Norden saith cur non Chestin Castanetum of Chesnut Trees Bishops Hatfield This Church is much honoured by the Sepulture of that prudent great Statesman Robert Baron Cecill Earle of Salisbury Lord Treasurer of England father of William Lord Cecill Earle of Salisbury one of the honourable priuy Councell now liuing Anno 1630. and keeping royall hospitality at his Mansion house hereunto adioyning which sometimes did belong to the Bishops of Ely whereupon it was named Bishops Hatfield Of Robert this Earle here interred I shall speake more when I come to let downe his Epitaph Harding Hic iacent Wilielmus Seabroke qui obijt 2 April 1462. et Ioana vxor eius ...... quorum ... Orate pro animabus Mathei Cressy et Iohanne vxoris eius quondam filie Edmundi Peryent Ar. et Anne dicti Mathei vxoris quondam filie Thome Vernon Armigeri que Iohanna obijt xxix Nouemb. M. cccc.lxxviii Hic iacent Wilielmus Anabul et Isabella vxor eius qui quidem Wilielmus obiit 4 die Octob. 1456. Saint Albans Abbey I thinke it not much amisse to speake a little of this Protomartyr of England Saint Alban whose reliques lie here interred to whose name and for his eternall commemoration both this Towne and Monastery werâ— built and consecrated He was a Citizen and a Knight of that famous Citie Verulam which stood hereby beyond the little riuer who giuing entertainement at his own house to Amphibalus a Christian and one of the Clergie was by him his guest conuerted from Paganisme to the true profession of Iesus Christ and when Dioclesian who made Maximian his companion in the Empire went about by exquisite torments to wipe Christian Religion quite out of the memory of men was the first in Britaine that with inuincible constancie and resolution suffered death for Christ his sake of which persecution â—s also of his Martyrdome my often alledged Author Robert of Glocester shall tell you in his old verse Two Emperors of Rome wer on Dioclesian And anoder hys felaw that het Maximian And wer both at on tym the on in the Este ende The oder in the west of the world alle cristendom to shende For the luther Maximian westwarde hider soughte And christen men that he fonde to strang deth he broughte Churchen he pulde a doun ther ne moste non stonde And al the bokes that he myghte fynde in eny londe He wolde late berne echon amydde the heygh strete And the christenmen asle and non alyue lete Such God was yvor vpon cristendom Such persecucion as ther was hadde ther be non For yunâ—a monethe ther wer seuentene thou send and mo I martred for our Lordes Loue nas ther a grete wo Wyth oute oder grete halwen that hii heold longe in torment As Seynt Cristene and Seynt Feye and also Seynt Uincent Fabian and Sebastian and othur as men rede That heold faste in the fey and hadde non drede And among men of this londe ther wer many on I martred at thulke tym Seint Albon was on He was the furste Martir of Brutayn that com Muche was the shome men dude in Christendom Undyr this Luther Emperor Another not so ancient hath it thus The Emperour Dioclesyan Into Britayne then sent Maximian This Maximian to surname Hercelius A Tyraunte false that Christente anoyed Through all Britayne of werke malicious The christoned folke felly and sore destroyed And thus the people with him foule accloyed Religyous men the Prests and Clerkes all Wemen with chylde and bedred folkes all Chyldren soukyng vpon the mothers pappis The mothers also withouten any pytee And chyldren all in their mothers lappis The crepyls eke and all the christentee He killed and slewe with full grete cruelte The Churches brent all bokes or ornaments Bellys reliquys that to the Churche appendes He slew that tyme and martyred Saint Albone Now when neither perswasions nor cruell torments could make him forsake the true faith such was the sentence of his death as I finde it in a legend of his passion and martyrdome which to giue your palate variety I will set downe in such English as I haue in the said Legend or Agon In the tyme of the Emperoure Dioclesyan Albone Lorde of Uerolamye Prynce of Knyghts and Stewarde of all Brutayne durynge his lif hath despysyd Iubyter and Apollyn oure Goddes and to them hath doo derogacyon and disworschyp wherfor by the Lawe he is iudged to be deed by the honde of somme knyght and the body to be buried in the same place where his heed shal be smyten of and his sepulture to be made worshcipfully for thonoure of knyghthode wherof he was Prynce and also the crosse whych he bare and Sklauin that he ware shold be buried wyth hym and his body to be closyd in a Cheste of leed and so layed in his sepulture This sentence hath the Lawe ordeyned by cause he hath renyed our principall Goddes His iudgement being giuen after this manner he was brought from the Citie Veralam to this his place of execution which as then was an hill in a wood called Holme-hurst where at one stroke his head was smitten off But his Executioner saith venerable Bede had short ioy of his wicked deede for his eyes fell to the ground with the head of the holy Martyr of which will you heare another writer Thousands of torments when he had endur'd for Christ his sake At length he died by dome thus giuen his head away to take The Tortor proudly did the feat but cleere he went not quit That holy Martyr lost his head this cruell wretch his sight He suffered martyrdome in the yeare of Christ saith Stow 293. the twentieth day of Iune saith Bede howsoeuer the two and twentieth day of the same moneth was appointed by the Church to be kept holy to his memory as we haue it in our English Calender Many Miracles are said to be wrought by this sacred Martyr both liuing and dead but I will leaue them for that they will be thought incredulous in this age and come to the foundation of this Abbey The Sepulchres of
Maria miserere nobis Ioanna Sancta dei genetrix virgo virginum miserere nobis Here lieth interred vnder an ancient monument very ruinous the body of one Leche a great benefactor to this Church as appeareth by this his broken Epitaph ................... Quo non est nec erit nec clarior extitit vllus .... clausum hoc marmore .... habet Huic Lech nomen erat diuine legis amator Huius quem Templi curam habuisse palam est Iste huic multa dabat sacro donaria Fano Inceptique operis sedulus Author erat Pauperibus fuit inde pius pauit miserosque Et me qui temere hec carmina composui Sit Huius ergo anima ..... celum .... vt altum Huc quiades instanti pectore funde preces Prey for the soul of Katerin Semar Walter Coke Roger Pirke and Thomas Semar husband to the seyd Katerin principall founder of the preest which singeth before the Trinity For thees soulys sey a Pater noster and an Aue of cherite Who so hym bethoft ful inwardly and oft How hard t is to flit from bed to the pit From pit vnto peyne which sal neuer end certeyne He wold not do on sin al the world to win Orate .... Hugonis Price Abbatis Monasterij de Conwey Cicestrens ordinis Assauens Dioces qui ab hac vita migrauit ad Christum viii Iulij M. ccccc.xx.viii Conditur hoc tumulo corpus Chynt ecce Iohannis Doctrine speculum plebi qui fulfit in annis Istius Ecclesie regimen contraxerat ipse Atque cacumine Doctorali vixit ille M. C quater anno sexagenoque secundo Martini festo decessit ab orbe molesto Autor Sophie suffragia facta Marie Per te Magdelena sint mihi remedia Vicarius gratus Robertus Wylde vocitatus Hic iacet et mundus prudens fuit atque facundus Pacem seruauit et oues proprias bene pauit Et residens annis bis denis plus quoque trinis Anno milleno sic C quater octuageno Quarto lux dena septena fuit sibi pena Ianuar. .... cuius celo sit amena This Towne was famous in times past saith Clarentieux for a Castle of the Magnauilles which now is almost all vanished out of sight and an Abbey adioyning founded in a place very commodious in the yeare 1136. wherein the Magnauilles founders thereof were buried The principall and first founder hereof was Geffrey Magnauile or Mandeuill the first Earle of Essex with Rohesia or Rose his wife daughter of Aubrey de Vere chiefe Iustice of England who consecrated this their religious Structure to the honour of God the blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Iames the Apostle endowed it with large reuenues and placed therein blacke Monkes to which effect will it please you reade a few words out of his deed of Grant Gaufridus de Mandeuilla comes Essex c. salutem Ad vniuersitatis vesire noticiam volo peruenire me fundasse quoddam monasterium in vsus Monachorum apud Waldenam in honore Dei et sancte Marie et beati Iacobi Apostoti pro salute anime mee et omnium parentum antecessorum successsorum meorum c. To which by the same deed hee giueth the Churches of Walden Waltham Estrene Sabridgworth Thorley and others This house was valued at the suppression to be yearely worth foure hundred sixe pounds fifteene shillings and eleuen pence This place is now called Audley End of Sir Thomas Audley Lord Chancelour of whom I haue spoken before who changed the Abbey into his owne dwelling house whose sole daughter and heire Margaret was second wife to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke and mother of Thomas Lord Howard of Walden Earle of Suffolke lately deceased who liued to finish here a most magnificent building belonging at this present to that worthy gentleman Theophilus his sonne and heire Lord Walden and Earle of Suffolke Geffrey de Mandeuill the founder aforesaid a man both mighty and martiall was shot into the head with an arrow a quodam pedite vilissimo saith Houeden out of the Castle of Burwell in Cambridgeshire of which wound after certaine daies hee died being at that time excommunicated Lying at the point of death ready to giue his last gaspe saith Camden out of the Register booke of Walden there came by chance certaine Knights Templars who laid vpon him the habit of their religious profession signed with a red crosse and afterwards when he was full dead taking him vp with them enclosed him within a coffin of lead and hung him vpon a tree in the Orchard of the old Temple at London in the yeare 1144. for in a reuerend awe of the Church they durst not bury him because he died excommunicated so fearefull in those daies was the sentence of excommunication a violent inuader he was of other mens lands and possessions and therefore iustly incurred saith the same Author the worlds censure and this heauy doome of the Church but I must leaue him where buried or where not buried God knowes As the Church of this monasterie was honoured with the funerall monuments of the Mandeuills so was it with those of the Bohuns Earles of Hereford and Essex of which you may reade in the Catalogues of Nobility It was also honoured with the Sepulture of Humfrey Plantaginet Earle of Buckingham the onely sonne of Thomas Earle of Buckingham and Duke of Glocester commonly called Thomas of Woodstocke the yongest sonne of King Edward the third who after the vntimely death of his father was banished into Ireland by King Richard the second and being recalled backed againe by King Henry the fourth in the first yeare of his raigne in his returne died of the plague in Chester from whence his mother Elianor daughter and coheire of Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton caused his body to be conueyed to this Abbey which shee sumptuously here interred amongst his and her noble progenitors his mother the said Elianor liued not long after him but died the third of October in the same yeare as in a French Inscription vpon her monument in Westminster you may reade and scarce two yeares after the murder of her husband at Callis of whose deaths thus writeth that old Poet Sir Iohn Gower Knight in his booke intituled Vox Clamantis Interea transit moriens nec in orbe remansit Humfredus dictus redit ille Deo benedictus Defuncto nato cito post de fine beato Mater transiuit dum nati funera sciuit Primo decessit Cignus dolor vnder repressit Matrem cum pullo sibi mors nec parcit in ullo Liston Hic iacet ..... Liston de Ouerhal .... que ob .... All that I can make of this maimed inscription is that Ioane the wife of William Liston held the Mannor of Ouerhall in this parish by grand Sergeantie namely by the seruice of paying for bringing in and placing of fiue Wafers before the King as he sits
at dinner vpon the day of his coronation and whether this be she here buried or not I know not Richard Lions held the said Mannor after her by the seruice of making Wafers vpon the day of the Kings Coronation and of seruing the King with the same Wafers as he sits at dinner the same day Leez Abbey This Abbey of old time was founded by the Gernons now it is the seate of the Right Honourable and one right worthy of all his due honours Robert Lord Rich Baron Leez and Earle of Warwicke now liuing An. 1631. This Abbey or Priory was valued at the time of the suppression as it is in the catalogue of Religious houses to be yearely worth one hundred forty one pound fourteene shillings eight pence Rickling Humfrey Waldene le premer gist icy Dieu de salme eit mercy Amen Hic iacet Henricus Langley Armig. qui obijt xx Sept. M. cccc.lviii et Margareta vxor cius vna filiarum et heredum Iohannis Waldene Armigeri que obijt v. Martii M. cccc.liii Hic tacet Thomas Langley Ar. qui obijt 1 Mar. M. cccc.lii Here lyth Henry Langley Esquyr and Dame Katherin his wyff whych Henry departyd this lyff 11 April M. cccc lxxx viii and Dame Katherine died ..... the yere of our Lord God M. ..... on whos Vpon this last marble stone are the portraitures in brasse of the three daughters of Henry Langley amongst whom his inheritance was diuided as I haue it by tradition as Waldens was before whose chiefe seate was at Langley Wilbores in this parish Thaxted This Church is spatious beautifull and built Cathedrall-like but neither in this Church in Braintrie nor scarcely in any other Church seated within a Market Towne shall you finde either Monument or Inscription onely some two or three Inscriptions are here remaining Her lyth Rychard Dammary and Alys his wyff and Rychard Dammary his sonn Ione Elizabyth and Ann on whos soulys God hau mercy Which Rychard the yongyrgawe a Meide callyd Abel Meide for a perpetual mynd yerly to be kept for ther soulys and al christen soulys Syr Walter Clerk gist icy Dieu de s'alme eit mercy Orate pro animabus Richardi Large et Alicie vxoris eius qui quidem Richardus obijt 27. Martij 1458. The Inhabitants say that this Richard Large was brother to a certaine Lord Maior of London named Large who at his death bestowed wondrous largely vpon the poore and the repairing of high waies which I take to haue beene Robert Large Maior of London Anno 1440. who gaue 120. l. to poore prisoners and euery yeare for fiue yeare 403. Shirts and Smockes 40. paire of Sheetes and one hundred and fifty Gownes of good Frize to poore people To poore Maids marriages one hundred markes to repairing high waies one hundred markes to fiue hundred poore people in London euery one sixe shillings viii d the rest of his bountifull charitie you may reade in Stow Suruay Little Easton Here is a goodly Tombe of marble on the north side of the Chancell â—nder which saith Brooke in his Catalogue of Nobility William Bourchier Earle of Ewe in Normandy lyeth interred but Vincent whom I rather beleeue in his discouery of Brookes Errors approues this Earle as also his wife Anne the daughter of Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester to be buried in the Abbey of Lanthonie by Gloucester If this monument could speake like others by her inscription it might haply decide the controuersie but all the words vpon it are Fili Dei miserere mei Mater Dei miserere mei Which seemingly commeth by a labell from a man and a woman thereupon pourtraied Of this Earle more when I come to Lanthony Betweene the Chancell and the Bowsers Isle or Chappell is a very costly arched Tombe of polished marble inlaid with brasse the picture of a man and a woman and in diuers places of the foresaid Arch on the womans side is the Fetter lock and Bowsers knot but without inscription By supposition made to the memorie of Henry Bourchier sonne of William Bourchier aforesaid Earle of Essex and Ewe and Isabell his wife daughter of Richard Earle of Cambridge and sister of Richard Duke of Yorke Which Henry died quarto Aprilis 1483. a valiant and worthie Nobleman he was fortunate in Martiall enterprises and in matters of peace so learned wise and politicke that he was thought fit by Edward the fourth to be Lord Chancellour of England In the same Chappell on the North side remaineth a very faire Altar Tombe of marble within the which lyeth the body of Henry Lord Bourchier and Louaine and Earle of Essex Sonne and heire of William Bourchier that died before his father and grandchilde to Henry Earle of Essex next before mentioned ouer his Tombe hangeth as yet part of his achieuements as the cote of his Armes Helme Crest and sword This Earle brake his necke by a fall from his horse the twelfth day of March in the one and thirtieth yeare of the raigne of King Henry the eight 1539. His horse was young saith Stow and he the oldest Earle in England for if you will reckon the yeares from the death of his Grandfather who liued after his sonne the father of this Henry as I haue said before vntill the yeare of this his fatall misfortune you shall finde them to be fifty sixe and what age he was at his Grandfathers death you may imagine In the Hall of the Mannor house of Newton in the Parish of little Dunmowe remaineth in old painting two postures the one for an ancestor of the Bourchiers combatant with another being a Pagan king for the truth of Christ whom the said Englishman ouercame and in memory thereof his descendants haue euer since borne the head of the said Infidell as also vsed the surname of Bourchier or Bowser Here are foure wondrous ancient Monuments of the Louaines all the Inscriptions of them are worne out these few words excepted Sire Thomas Louaine ici gist Margarie la file Moun .... This noble familie of the Lovaines in former ages did here inhabite by the name of Fitz-Gilbert one of which house namely Maurice Fitz-Gilbert was surnamed de Louaine as descended from Godfrey of Louaine brother to Henry the sixth of that name Duke of Brabant Who being sent hither to keepe the honor of Eye his posterity flourished among the Peeres of this Realme to the time of Edward the third when the heire generall was married to the house of Bourchier This Bowsers Chappell for it is so commonly called is now the buriall place for the noble familie of the Maynards In Northburne natus Robertus sum vocitatus De terra factus in terram sumque redactus Intercedendo spiritum tibi Christe comendo Propitietur Deus Benefactoribus omnibus Ecclesie pauperis huius The treble Bell in the steeple of this Church is called the Bowsers
l. 10. s. 8. d. per annum Pleshy This Collegiate Church was founded by Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester for Canons regular which was valued in the Kings bookes to be yearely worth one hundred thirty nine pounds three shillings ten pence The vpper part of which Church within these few yeares was taken downe and as I was told in the Towne the Parishioners being either vnwilling or vnable to repaire the decayes carried away the materials which were employed to other vses This part of the Church was adorned and beautified with diuers rich funerall Monuments which were hammered a peeces bestowed and diuided according to the discretion of the Inhabitants Vpon one of the parts of a dismembred Monument carelesly cast here and there in the body of the Church I found these words Here lyeth Iohn Holland Erle of Exceter Erle of Huntington and Chamberleyne of England Who dyed ....... This Iohn was halfe brother to King Richard the second and Duke of Exceter From which dignitie he was deposed by Act of Parliament in the first yeare of King Henry the fourth whose sister he had married and in the same yeare beheaded in this Towne for a seditious conspiracie saith Camden and in the very place where the Duke of Glocester was arrested by King Richard which was in the base court of the Castle of Pleshie now quite ruined that he might seeme saith he to haue beene iustly punished by way of satisfaction for the foresaid Duke of Glocester of whose death he was thought to be the principall procurer He was beheaded the third day after the Epiphanie 1399. 1. Hen. 4. Vpon a broken peece of a faire marble stone reared to the side of a pillar whereupon were the pictures in brasse of an armed knight and his Lady this ensuing disticke was engrauen Militis o miserere tui miserere Parentum Alme deus regnis gaudeat ille tuis Vnder this stone if Tradition may go for truth Sir Edward Holland Earle of Mortaigne sonne of the foresaid Iohn Holland beheaded with his Lady were entombed Orate pro anima Iohannis Scot primi Magistri huius Collegij qui obijt primo die Ianuar. M. cccc.x Qui me psalmasti miserere mei Qui me pretioso tuo sanguine redimisti miserere mei Qui me ad Christianitatem vocasti miserere mei Here lyeth Robert Frevyt a man letterd sowndyt For hys sowl and for all christine sey a Pater Noster and an Ave. But I shall forget the Founder Thomas of Woodstocke the sixth sonne of King Edward the third and Vncle to King Richard who was taken by force from this his Castle of Plessy by Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall and conuayed to Callis where he was smothered vnder a Featherbed 1397. His body was afterwards conueyed with all funerall pompe into England and buried here in this Church of his owne foundation in a goodly sepulchre prouided by himselfe in his life time Whose reliques were afterwards remoued and laid vnder a marble inlaid with brasse in the Kings Chappell at Westminster In which Church Elianor his wife of whom I haue spoken before lieth entombed with this French inscription who after the death of her husband became a Nunne in the Abbey of Barking within this County Cy gist Aleonore de Bohun aysue fille et vn des heirs l'hounrable seignour Mons. Humfrey de Bohun Counte de Hereford d'Essex et de Northampton et Constable d'Engleterre Femme a puissant et noble prince Tho. de Woodstock Fitz a tresexcellent et tre puisant seignour Edward Roi d'Engleterre puis le Conquest tiers Duc de Glocestre Counte d'Essexie et de Buchingham et Constable d'Engleterre quemorust le tierz iour a'October ban du grace 1399. de gi aisme Dieux face mercy Amen But againe to returne to the Duke her husband touching whose life and death with the manner thereof thus writeth Gower in his booke called Vox clamantis O quam Fortuna stabilis non permanet una Exemplum cujus stat in ordine carminis hujus Rex agit et Cygnus patitur de Corde benignus Ille prostratus non est de Rege levatus Ad Plessye captus tunc est velut Hostia raptus Rex jubet arma geri nec eo voluit misereri Cum Sponsa nati lugent quasi morti gravati Plusque Lupo sevit Rex dummodo Femina flevit Nil pietas munit quem tunc manus invida punit Rex stetit obliquus nec erat tunc unus amicus O Regale genus Princeps quasi pauper egenus Turpiter attractus jacet et sine iure subactus Sunt ibi Fautores Regis de sorte Priores Qui Cygnum pendent vbi captum ducere tendent Sic ducendo ducem perdit sine lumine lucem Anglia que tota tenebrescit luce remota Trans mare natavit regnum qui semper amavit Flent centum mille quia Cygnus preterit ille Calisij portus petit unde dolus latet ortus Error quem Regis genuit putredine legis Carcere conclusus subito fuit ille reclusus Nescit quo fine sit vite sive ruine Tunc Rex elatum sumpsit quasi Falco volatum Vnde suas gentes perdit Custode carentes A little after follow these verses touching the deniall of buriall to bee granted vnto him among the rest of his honourable and royall Ancestors Sic nece devictum sic corpus ab hoste relictum Clam de conclavi susceperat Anglia navi Per mare regreditur corpus nec adhuc sepelitur Namque sepulturam defendit Rex sibi puram Desuper a latere patris loca justa tenere Dummodo quesivit vix bassa sepulchra subivit Of the manner of his death these three verses following Hen quam tortorum quidam de sorte malorum Sic Ducis electi plumarum pondere lecti Corpus quassatum jugulant que necant jugulatum Such was the end of this royall Prince sonne to a King and vncle to a King who by our writers is discommended in this that he was euer repining against the King in all things whatsoeuer he wished to haue forward Erat enim vir ferocissimus precipitis ingenij as Polidor censures him a most fierce man and of an headlong wit who thinking still that those times wherein he had mastred the King were nothing changed though the King was aboue thirty yeeares old forbare not roughlie not so much to admonish as to check and schoole his Soueraigne Hatfield Peuerell So denominated of one Randolph Peuerell the owner thereof to whom Edward the Confessor was very munificent for that hee had married his kinswoman the daughter of Ingelrick a man of great Nobilitie among the English Saxons A Lady of that admirable beautie that with her lookes she conquered the Conquerour William who desired nothing more then to be her prisoner in Armes which to effect hee begins to expresse a kinde of loue to the remembrance of
her deceased father Ingelrick enriching the Colledge of Saint Martins le grand in London first founded by him and her vncle Edward hee honours and aduanceth her two brethren William Peuerell Castellane or Keeper of Douer Castle and Payne Peuerell Baron of Bourne or Brun in Cambridgeshire the founder of Barnwell Abbey Standard bearer to Robert Duke of Normandy in the holy warre against Infidels He prefers her kindred and friends he sollicites her by the messengers of the Deuils Bedchamber his slie enchanting Bawdes and comes sometimes himselfe like Iupiter in a golden shower Thus by these forcible demonstrations of his loue and vnauoidable allurements especially from a King shee was brought at length to his vnlawfull bed vnto whom shee bare a sonne named William who was Lord of Nottingham the founder of Lenton Abbey His mother toucht with remorse of conscience for her sinnes to expiate her guilt for such was the doctrine taught in those daies founded a Colledge here in this village of Hatfield which shee consecrated to the honour of God and S. Mary Magdelen wherein setting apart all worldlie employments she spent the remainder of her dayes and here departed her life about the yeere 1100. sixteene yeeres after the death of the Conquerour Here she lieth buried and her image or portraiture cut in stone is to be seene at this present day in the Church window This house was a Cell to Saint Albons valued to be yeerely worth 83. l. 19 s. 7. d. Harlow Hic iacet Robertus Symond quondam Auditor principalis Regis Henrici septimi in Ducatu suo Lancastrie ..... qui ob ......... Erumnarum portus meta viarum mors ....... Iohn Drunkeston .......... Vulnera quinque Dei sint medicina mei Scilicet Pia mors Passio Christi Danbury Hic iacet Gerardus quondam filius heres Gerardi Braybroke militis qui obijt xxix Marcij M. cccc.xxii Icy gist perne Femme a Gerard Braybroke fille a Monsieur Reynold de Grey Seignour de wilton que morust viii jour d'aueril l'an de grace M. cccc.xiiii a qua Dieu fait mercy I shall haue occasion to speake of the Braibrokes when I come to Braibroke in Northamptonshire of which they were Lords Here lie two men armed in their portraitures and crosse legged which were as it goes by relation from father to the sonne of the familie of the Darcies who for a time had here their habitation Although it be somewhat from my purpose yet I hold it not much amisse to ammuse my Reader with a short story Vpon Corpus Christi day in the yeare 1402. the third of Henry the fourth at Euensong time the Deuill entred into this Church in the likenesse of a Gray Frier and raged horribly playing his parts like a Deuill indeed to the great astonishment and feare of the parishioners and the same houre with a tempest of whirlewind and thunder the top of the Steeple was broken downe and halfe of the Chancell scattered abroad Great Baddow Hic iacet Robertus Tendering nuper Firmarius Manerij de magna Baddow qui obijt xx Octob M. ccccc.xxxvii Anno Hen. viii xxix This prayer following is inlaid in brasse vpon the marble ✚ Omnipotens misericors Deus i◠cujus potestate humana conditio consistit animam famuli tui Roberti queso ab omnibus absolve peccatis ut penitentie fructum quem voluntas ejus optabit preventus morte non perdat Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Amen Hic tumulantur Thomas Kille Margeria uxor ejus qui quidem Thomas erat Pincerna quondam cum illustri Principe Tho. Woodsloke Duc◠dudum Glocestrie deinde cum nobilissima Domina Comitissa Hereford postea cum Christianissmo Principe invictissimo Henrico quinto ultimo cum honore dignissimo Katherina Regina ejusdem Domini Regis consorte nove Cantarie Sancte Trinitatis in Capella istius Ecclesie Fundator qui quidem Thomas plenus annorum obijt xvii Decemb. M. cccc.xlix dicta Margeria penultimo die Februarij M. cccc.lxi.ex hac luce migravit Principibus placuisse viris non ultima laus est Orate .......... Badewe ........ Ed. 3. I read that one Edmund Badewe did hold certaine Tenements in this Towne by Sergeantie viz. to keepe and conuey one of the Kings Palfreyes for the space of twentie daies at the Kings charges when hee shall happen to come into these parts Anno 5. Ed. 3. Chensford Orate pro animabus Iohannis Biglon nuper Carnificis istius ville Florentie uxoris eius qui quidem Iohannes obiit ..... die .... An. Dom. 1500. et dicta Florencia obijt 1. Nouemb 1509. Quorum animabus This marble Monument is faire inlaid with brasse besitting the corps of a more eminent man then a Butcher From a labell of brasse these words seeme to proceed out of his mouth Ostende mihi Domine miserecordiam tuam From hers these Et salutare tuum da nobis This Church was reedified about some hundred thirtie and seuen yeares since as appeareth by a broken inscription on the out side of the South wall Prey for the good estat of the Townshyp of Chelmsford that hath bin willying and prompt of helpys to .... this Chirch and for all them that be ..... M. cccc.lxxxix Here stood a small religious house built by Malcolme king of Scots for Friers Preachers valued at 9. l. 6. s. 5. d. per annum Engerston Hic iacet Iohannes Rocheford Ar. filius Domini Radulphi Rocheford militis qui obiit decimo die Nouemb. 1444. et anno Regis Henrici sexti 24. Of this surname I haue spoken before in Rocheford Hic iacet Gertrudis filia Iohannis Terrel de Warley equitis aurati coniux prenobilis viri Gulielmi Petri Equitis aurati quae obiit 28. Maii. 1541. Her said Husband that graue Councellour and Secretary of State to king Henry the eight Edward Queene Mary and Elizabeth lieth likewise here interred Who liued some thirtie sixe yeares after the death of this Gertrude his first wife euen to these later times whose Epitaph according to my method I reserue for another part of these my funerall Monuments Vnder the picture of Christ in one of the windowes are these two words Petra nostra Waltham Abbey This Abbey was founded by a King of England who of all other raigned least and lost most For within the compasse of a yeare hee lost both his life and his kingdome at one cast and both of them to a Stranger I meane Harold the second the sonne of Earle Godwin Who hauing built and sufficiently endowed this his Foundation for a Deane and eleuen secular blacke Canons he caused it to bee consecrated to the honour of a certaine holy Crosse found farre Westward and brought hither by miracle King Henry the second new builded this Monastery and placed therein Regular Canons augmenting their number to foure and twenty and also their
bodyes her befor yow lyn closyd in cley Euery man and woman of yowr cheritie do yow prey That to the blis of heuen sweet Iesu do their soulys bring Vnto the plas celestial befor owr heuenly King Richard deseysed the iiii of August M. ccccc.xxvii and Margerie M. ccccc ... Her vndyr this ston lyes Piers Ion And Elisabyth his wyff lyeth him hard by On whos sowlys Iesu haue mercy Besech yow for cherite Sey a Pater Noster and an Aue. The whych decessyd the on and twentyth of Septembre In the yer of owr Lord God on thowsand four hundred seuenty and thre Her lye Iohn Outred and Ione his wyff Who liuyd long togeddyr withoutyn stryff Iohn left this world and passyd to heuen On thowsand fyue hundryd yere and eleuen This Church is beautified with a sumptuous funerall Monument wherin diuers of the familie of the Cookes lie entombed whose habitation was at Giddy-Hall hereunto adioyning which house was built for the most part by Sir Thomas Cooke Lord Maior of London and knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Elizabeth wife to King Edward the fourth vpon the Frontispice of which these verses were engrauen of later times Aedibus his frontem Proauns Thomas dedit olim Addidit Antoni caetera sera manus 1568. Aedes quisque suas Domini sed maenia pauci Aedisicant leuior cura minora decet Vpmenster This towne of Vpmenster or Vpminster as it is diuersly written lying three miles from Rumpford requireth some large remembrance from mee in respect that it hath enioyed within little more then the space of three hundred yeares diuers eminent families who haue beene Lords of the same or at least of the Mannor of Gains called also the Mannor of Vpmenster lying within the same to which mannor as long tradition hath left to posteritie there is a little Isle or Chappell standing on the north side of the Chancell of the same Church belonging and time out of minde appendant to the Mannor of Gains aforesaid and appropriated to the Lords of the same for their particular place of buriall for themselues and their issue The first familie of whose posteritie I can dilate which I finde to haue beene Lords of the said mannor of Gains alias Vpmenster was that most ancient sirname of Engaine whether thence drawne or no I leaue to others to coniecture and it is warranted by a long tradition that Sir Iohn Engain Knight the sonne of Vitalis Engayn being Lord of the said mannor did build the before mentioned Chappell which since hath receiued its denomination from the blessed Virgin This familie ended in the male line when Sir Thomas Engayne Knight sonne of Iohn Engayne Esquire and grand-childe to the former Sir Iohn left his three daughters his coheirs of whom Iocosa the eldest was wife of Iohn de Goldington Elizabeth the second was married to Sir Lawrence de Pakenham knight Mary the third daughter coheire was wife of Sir William de Barnake knight There is no Tombe or grauestone left of this familie but onely their Coatarmour in the East window of the aforesaid Chappell This Mannor of Gains alias Vpmenster was afterwards seuerally in the possession of Symon de Hauering who I conceiue was but the Feoffe in trust of Sir Iohn the sonne and heire of Iohn Engayne of Alice de Perrers afterwards attainted by Act of Parliament in a. 1. R. 2. and of Henry de la Felde whose further mention leauing the first two in silence serueth onely to this present Narration The said Henry de la Felde did by his Deede indented a. 9. H 4. entaile the said mannour vpon Richard Walter and Iohn his sonnes each after other vpon the default of issue and lastly vpon Iohn Deincourt and Elizabeth his wife the daughter of the said Henry de la Felde in whose right afterwards it should seeme he came to be Lord thereof and there lieth buried together with his wife vnder a faire Tombe placed iust vnder the Arch which diuideth the said north Chappell or Isle from the Chancell of Vpmenster Church Es testis Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur And about the tombe though somewhat mutilated is written this Epitaph Sancte deus sancte fortis sancte miserecors saluator miserere Animabus Rogeri Dencourt Armigeri Elizabeth consortis sue quorum corpora sub isto lapide marmoreo tumulantur ac etiam orate Filiarum suarum qui quidem Rogerus obijt vicesimo An. Domini Millesimo cccclv Nec non orate pro animabus omnium defunctorum hic vbique in Christo quiescencium The next owner of this mannor of a new sirname I finde to haue beene Nicholas Wayte of whom or his familie I can say little onely by his sale it came to be the inheritance of Ralph Lathum Esquire a lyneall descendant in the male line from a yonger branch of the ancient familie of Lathom of Lancashire who were Lords of that place in the said Countie as all the receiued descents of that familie warrant from the time of King R. 1. vntill the latter end of E. 3. when Isabel the sole daughter and heire of Sir Thomas Lathom Knight was married to Sir Iohn Stanlye knight from whom the now earle of Darbie is lineally descended and as I conceiue is from the right of this intermarriage Lord of the Mannor of Lathom at this day The Epitaph of this aboue said Ralph Lathom is placed in brasse set into a faire marble stone couering his tombe and is as followeth Here lieth buried Rayff Lathum esquire late Lord of Vpmistre and Elizabeth his wife which Rayffe deceased the xix day of Iuly An. M. ccccc Lvii. whose soule and all christen soules Iesus haue mercy The next familie to whom by the sale of William Lathom sonne and heire of the aforesaid Ralfe Lathom the before mentioned Mannor of Gains did appertaine was the familie of D'Ewes from whom also it was again at last repurchased by Lathom for Adrian D'Ewes being descended of the ancient stem of Des Ewes Dynasts or Lords of the Dition of Kessell in the Dutchie of Gelderland setling and marrying in England not many yeares after the beginning of the raigne of King H. 8. had issue Gerardt D'Ewes his sonne and heire who hauing purchased the said Mannor of Gains as aforesaid was after his death according to the former vsage buried in the said Chappell appendant to the said Mannor as other Lords of the same had beene whose Epitaph because it is replenished with many particulars touching the antiquity and ensignes of this familie I haue beene more exact in the full delineation thereof in the figure following ANTIQVA INSIGNIA FAMI\LIAE DES EWES DYNASTARVM DE KESSEL INSIGNIA GESTA AB EORVM POSTERIS Ad memoriam aeternam Geerardt D'Ewes Filij Primogeniti Adriani D'Ewes ex Illustri perantiqua Familia Des
Nottingham Yorke and Northumberland where without respect of age or sexe they laid all wast and left the Land whence they departed like to a desolate wildernesse From thence they came with the like furie into Edmunds territories and sacked Thetford a frequent citie in those daies but hee not able to withstand their violence fled into â—his Castle at Framingham wherein he was of them besieged and lastly taken in a village then called Heglisdune of a wood bearing the same name or rather yeelded himselfe to their torments to saue more christian bloud for it is recorded that because of his most constant Faith and profession those Pagans first beat him with bats then scourged him with whips he still calling vpon the name of Iesus for rage whereof they bound to a stake and with their arrowes shot him to death and cutting off his head contemptuously threw it into a bush after he had raigned ouer the East Angles the space of sixteene yeares Camden out of Abbo Floriacensis saith that the bloudy Danes hauing bound this most christian King to a tree for that he would not renounce christianity shot him with sharpe arrowes all his body ouer augmenting the paines of his torment with continuall piercing him with arrow after arrow and thus inflicted wound vpon wound so long as one arrow could stand by another as a Poet of midle time versified of him I am loca vulneribus desunt nec dum furiofis Tela sed hyberna grandine plura volant Though now no place was left for wound yet arrowes did not faile These surious wretches still they flie thicker then winter haile His body and head after the Danes were departed were buried at the same royall Towne as Abbo termes it where Sigebert the East Anglean King and one of his predecessors at his establishing of Christianity built a Church and where afterwards in honour of him was built another most spatious and of a wonderfull frame of Timber and the name of the Towne vpon that occasion of his buriall called vnto this day Saint Edmundsbury This Church and place to speake more fully to that which I haue written before Suenus the Pagan Danish King in impiety and fury burned to ashes But when his sonne Canute or Knute had made conquest of this Land and gotten possession of the English Crowne terrified and afrighted as saith the Legend with a vision of the seeming Saint Edmund in a religious deuotion to expiate his Fathers sacriledge built it anew most sumptuously enriched this place with Charters and Gifts and offered his owne Crowne vpon the Martyrs Tombe of whom for a conclusion take these verses following Vtque cruore suo Gallos Dionisius ornat Grecos Demetrius gloria quisque suiâ— Sic nos Edmundus nulli virtute secundus Lux patet patrie gloria magna sue Sceptra manum Diadema capud sua purpura corpus Ornat ei sed plus vincula mucro cruor The 20. day of Nouember in our Calender was kept holy in remembrance of this King and Martyr Puer Robertus apud Sanctum Edmundum a Iudeis fuit Martirazatus 4. Id. Iunij An. 1179. et illic sepultus Alanus Comes Britannie obijt An. 1093. his iacet ad hostium australe Sancti Edmundi ex eod lib. de chateris This Allan here buried or as some will haue it in the monastery of Rhedon sirnamed the Red or Fergaunt was the sonne of Eudo Earle of Britaine and entred England with William the Conquerour his Father in Law To whom the said Conquerour gaue the honour and County of Edwyn within the County and Prouince of Yorke by his Charter in these words I William sirnamed Bastard King of England giue and grant to thee my Nephew Allan Earle of Britaine and to thy heyres for euer all those Villages Townes and Lands which were late in possession of Earle Edwin in Yorkeshire with knights fees Churches and other liberties and customes as freely and honourably as the said Edwyn held them Giuen at the siege before Yorke Alban being a man of an high spirit and desirous to gouerne the Prouince entirely which he had receiued built a strong Castle by Gillingham a village which he possessed by which he might defend himselfe not onely against the English who were spoiled of their goods and lands but also against the fury and inuasions of the Danes When the worke was finished he gaue it the name of Richmond of purpose either for the greatnesse and magnificence of the place or for some Castle in little Britaine of the same name Here sometimes vnder a goodly Monument in the Quire of this Abbey Church lay interred the body of Thomas surnamed of Brotherton the place of his birth the fifth sonne of Edward the first after the Conquest king of England by Margaret his second wife the eldest daughter of Philip king of France surnamed the Hardy He was created Earle of Norfolke and made Earle Marshall of England by his halfe brother King Edward the second which Earledomes Roger Bigod the last of that surname Earle of Norfolke and Earle Marshall leauing no issue left to the disposition of the king his Father This Earle died in the yeare of our redemption 1338. Here lay buried the body of Thomas Beauford sonne of Iohn of Gaunt begotten of the Lady Katherine Swyneford his third wife who by King Henry the fourth was made Admirall then Captaine of Calis and afterwards Lord Chancellour of England He was created by the said King Earle of Perch in Normandy and Earle of Dorlet in England And lastly in the fourth yeare of King Henry the fifth he was created Duke of Exceter and made knight of the order of the Garter He had the leading of the Rereward at the battell of Agincourt and the gouernment of king Henry the sixth appointed to that office by the foresaid Henry the fifth on his death-bed He valiantly defended Harflew in Normandy whereof he was gouernour against the Frenchmen and in a pitched field encountring the Earle of Armiguar put him to flight He died at his House of East Greenwich in Kent vpon Newyeares day the fifth of Henry the sixth for whom all England mourned saith Milles The body of Mary Queene of France widow of Lewis the twelfth daughâ—er of King Henry the 7. and sister to king Henry the eight was here in this Abbey Church entombed After the death of Lewis with whom she liued not long shee married that Martiall and pompous Gentleman Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke She died on Midsomer Eeue 1533. Iohn Boon Abbot of this Monasterie had his tombe and interrement here in this Church who died in the beginning of February in the ninth yeare of the raigne of king Edward the fourth as appeares by the said kings Conged'eslire or permission royall to the Prior and Couent of this House to make choise of another Abbot as followeth Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglie Francie
and sea together wherein a Monastery was built by Furseus a holy Scot by whose perswasions Sigebert king of the East Angles became a Monke and resigned vp his kingdome who afterwards being drawne against his will out of this Monastery to encourage his people in battell against the Mercians together with his company lost his life In that place now there are onely ruinous walls in forme as it were foure square built of flint stone and British bricke But the story of the Foundation of this Abbey will best appeare in the life of Furseus written by Bede and followed by Capgraue Bede lib 3. cap. 19. Capgraue lit F. folio 153 as followeth In the time that Sigebert yet gouerned the East parts of England a holy man called Furseus came thither out of Ireland a man notable both for his sayings and doings of great vertue and much desiring to wander and trauell in Gods quarrell wheresoever occasion serued Comming therefore to the east coasts of England hee was reuerently receiued of the said King where pursuing his godly desire of Preaching the word of God hee both conuerted many Infidels and confirmed the faithfull in the faith and loue of Christ by his painefull Preaching and vertuous examples Where falling into sicknesses hee had from God a vision by the ministery of Angels wherein he was warned to goe forward cheerefully in his painefull Preaching of the Gospell and to perseuere in his accustomed watching and praying because his end and death was certaine though the houre thereof was most vncertaine according to the saying of our Lord. Watch therefore ye know not the day nor the houre With this vision being much confirmed and encouraged he hastened with all speed to build vp the Monasterie in the place king Sigebert had giuen vnto him and to instruct it with regular discipline This Monastery was pleasantly situated for the Woods and Sea adioyning being erected in the village of Gnobersburg and enriched afterwards by Anna King of that prouince and many other Noble men with sundry faire houses and other ornaments This Monastery was founded about the yeare of our Lord 636. and demolished long before the violent deluge of such buildings which happened in the raigne of King Henry the eight Gorlston Here I saw saith Camden the tower steeple of a small suppressed Friery which standeth the Sailers in good steed for a marke of which Friery I neuer marked further Lestoffe Here lieth buried the body of Thomas Scroope otherwise sirnamed Bradley of the towne wherein he was borne descended of the noble family of the Scroopes Qui claritatem generis literis et virtutibus plurimum illustrabat who very much adorned the honour of his birth by his learning and vertues He was first a Monke ordinis Sancti Benedicti of the order of Saint Benet after that ad maiorem aspirans perfectionem aspiring to a greater perfection of life hee tooke vpon him the profession and rule of a Dominican and after that he submitted himselfe to the discipline of the Carmelites of whose Institution he writ a learned Treatise and preached the Gospell in haire and sackcloth round about the Countrie Then hee withdrew himselfe againe to his house of Carmelites in Norwich and there remained twenty yeares leading the life of an Anchorite but yet after that time he came abroad and was aduanced by the Pope to a Bishopricke in Ireland called Dromorensis Episcopatus the said Pope which was Eugenius the fourth sent him in embassage to the I le of Rhodes of which he writ a booke from whence being returned he left Ireland and his Bishopricke came into the East countries wherein hee went vp and downe barefooted teaching in townes abroad the ten commandements and preaching the glad tidings of the Gospell Quicquid autem vel ex suis reditibus percepit vel alias a ditioribus lucrari poterat id totum aut pauperibus distribuit aut in alios pios vsus erogauit whatsoeuer hee tooke either of his owne yearely profits or what he could procure from the richer sort of people he distributed it all to the poore or employed it to pious vses At the length Anno aetatis suae plus minus centesimo in Leistoft Suffolciencis comitatus oppido viuendi finem fecit in the yeare of his age one hundred or thereabouts he died in this towne of Lestoffe the fifteenth day of Ianuary in the yeare of our Lord 1491. the seuenth of Henry the seuenth Here he was buried cum Epitaphio Elegiaco with an Elegiacall or sorrowfull Epitaph engrauen vpon his monument two of the last verses of which are these two verses following Venit ad occasum morbo confectus amoro Spiritus alta petit pondere corpus humum If you would know more of this learned Irish Bishop reade Bale and Pitseus in his life Somerley The habitation in ancient times of Fitz-Osbert from whom it is come lineally to the worshipfull ancient Familie of the Iernegans Knights of high esteeme in these parts saith Camden in this tract Vpon an ancient Knight saith the same Author in his Remaines Sir Iernegan buried crosse legd at Somerley in Suffolke some hundred yeares since is written Iesus Christ both God and man Saue thy seruant Iernegan This Knight as I gather by computation of yeares was Sir Richard Ierningham or Iernegan who for his staid wisedome was chosen to be one of the priuie Chamber to King Henry the eight vpon this occasion following Certaine Gentlemen of the priuy Chamber which through the Kings lenitie in bearing with their lewdnesse forgetting themselues and their duty towards his grace in being too familiar with him not hauing due respect to his estate and degree were remoued by order taken from the Councell vnto whom the King had giuen authoritie to vse their discretions in that behalfe and then were foure sad and ancient Knights put into the Kings priuy Chamber whose names were Sir Richard Wingfield Sir Richard Ierningham Sir Richard Weston and Sir William Kingstone Or it may be Sir Robert Ierningham knighted by the Duke of Suffolke Charles Brandon at the battaile and yeelding vp of Mont de dier a towne in France But which of the Family soeuer he was the name hath beene of exemplarie note before the Conquest if you will beleeue thus much as followeth taken out of the Pedegree of the Ierninghams by a iudicious gentleman Anno M.xxx. Canute King of Denmarke and of England after his returne from Rome brought diuers Captaines and Souldiers from Denmarke whereof the greatest part were christened here in England and began to settle themselues here of whom Iernegan or Iernengham and Iennihingho now Iennings were of the most esteeme with Canute who gaue vnto the said Ierningham certaine royalties and at a Parliament held at Oxford the said King Canute did giue vnto the said Ierningham certaine Mannors in Norfolke and to Iennings certain Mannors lying vpon the sea-side neere Horwich in Suffolke in
Citizens to pay them three thousand Markes after fiue hundred Markes a yeare toward the reparation of their Church besides they were adiudged to giue to the vse of the Church Vnam cuppam de pondere decem librarum auri valore centum librarum argenti A Cuppe weighing ten pounds in gold and worth an hundred pounds of money Whereby you may note saith Speed the proportion then betweene the value of gold and siluer This end was made by King Edward the first his Father being now dead at the request and solicitation of this Bishop His next successour William Midleton was also interred in this Church He reedified the same being so destroyed and profaned as you haue heard before and hallowed or consecrated the whole Fabricke anew in the presence of King Edward the first and many of his Nobles He departed this life the last of August Ann. 1288. in the eleuenth yeare of his Consecration Iohn Salmon placed in this See of Norwich by the Pope was here entombed he was Lord Chancellour of England for the space of foure yeares This Bishop built the great Hall and the Chappell in the Bishops pallace and a Chappell at the West end of the Church in which he ordained foure Priests to sing Masse continually He died Iuly the sixth 1325. William Ayermin likewise by the Popes authority was preferred to this Bishopricke as appeares by the sequele Cum summus Pontifex nuper Willelmum tunc Canonicum London in Episcopum Norwicens prefecisset sicut per literas bullatas ipsius summi Pontisicis Regi inde directas satis constabat ac Rex nono die Nouembris prox preteriâ—o per literas suas patentes sub Testimonio Edwardi filij sui primogeniti tunc custodis Regni Anglie Rege extra Regnum existente prefectionem ipsam gratiose acceptans cepit fidelitatemipsius Episcopi restituit ei temporalia Nunc Rex ratificans prefectionem receptionem predict mandat restituere ei Temporalia Teste Rege apud Kenelworth 13. Decemb. Pat. 20. Eâ—â— 2. In the yeare 1319. saith F. Thinne in his Catalogue of Englands Chancellours and out of an old anonimall Latine Chronicler this Will. Ayremin was keeper of the great Seale and that he was taken prisoner by the Scots the words of his Author are in effect thus in English The Countie of Yorke and the countrie adiacent hauing receiued inestimable damages by the Scots William de Melton Archbishop of Yorke Iohn Hotham Bishop of Ely and Treasurer the Abbot of Saint Maries Yorke Sir William Ayremin Priest Chancellour of England Deane of Yorke the Abbot of Selbie and Sir Iohn Pabeham knight assembled together an armie of eight thousand to represse the violence of the enemie this armie consisted of Clerkes Monkes Canons and other spirituall men of the Church with Citizens and Husbandmen and such other vnapt people for the warres With these the Archbishop came forth against the Scots and incountred with them at a place called Mitton a little village vpon the Riuer of Swale Ouer which Riuer the Englishmen were no sooner passed but that the expert warlike Scots came vpon them with a wing in good order of battell in fashion like to a Shield eagerly assayling their enemies who for lacke of good gouernment were easily beaten downe and discomfited without shewing any great resistance Corruerunt ex nostris tam in ore gladij quam aquarum scopulis suffocati plusquam quatuor mille hominum there were slaine by the sword and drowned in the Riuer of our partie aboue foure thousand persons saith the Manuscript and the residue shamefully put to flight The Archbishop the Bishop of Ely the Abbot of Selbie and diuers other with helpe of their swift horses escaped The Mayor of Yorke named Nicholas Fleming was slaine Et capti sunt Domini Iohannes de Pabâ—ham miles Dominus Willelmus de Airemin Canc. and Sir Iohn de Pabeham and Sir William Ayremin Priest were taken prisoners Iohn Harding who seldome giues condigne praise to the valiant doughtie Scot thus writes of this battell ...... in Myton medowe nere To Swale water lay then with great power Walter Warren among the haycockes bushed Vpon the byshop sodenly with Scots yssued And xv hundreth Englyshe there he slewe And home he went with kyng Robart full glad With prisoners many mo then men knewe The Byshop fled fro the felde full woo bestad With his Clerkes that then were full mad This was called the white Battell for that it consisted of so many Clergie men This Bishop died March the 17. hauing sate almost eleuen yeares at Sharing neare London whose body was conueyed for buriall to this his owne Church He gaue two hundred pound for order to be taken that two Monkes the Cellerers of the Couent should alwayes sing Masse for his soule Thomas Piercy was here interred a gentleman howsoeuer right honorably descended and highly befriended yet constrayned to admit of this Bishopricke by the Popes Prouisorie Bull as followeth Cum summus Pontifex nuper vacante Ecclesia Norwicen per mortem Willelmi vltimi Episcopi ibidem qui apud sedem Apostolicam diem clausit extremum eidem Ecclesie de venerabili viro Thoma Percy prouiderit ipsum Thomam in Episcopum loci illius presecerat Rex cepit sidelitatem ipsius Thome Temporalia ei restituit Teste Rege apud West 14. April Pat. Ann. 29. Ed. 3. Memb. 14. This Bishop gaue vnto the repairing of this Church which in his time was greatly defaced with a violent tempest the summe of foure hundred markes and obtained of the rest of the Clergie a great summe to the same purpose He bequeathed to the Chaunter of this his Church an house and certaine lands lying within the Lordship of Kimerle Gaeriton Fowrhow Granthorpe and Wychelwood vpon condition he should procure Masse daily to be said for his soule He died at Blofield not farre off the eight of August 1369. Vpon the death of Bishop Percy one Henry Despenser Canon of Salisbury was preferred by the Pope to this Bishopricke as I finde it thus recorded in the Tower Henricus Despenser Canonicus Saresburien per Papam ad Episcopatum Norwicen vacantem per mortem Thome vltimi Episcopi ibidem prefectus fecit regi fidelitate habuit restitutioneÌ„ Temporalium T.R. apud Clarendon 14. Aug. 2. Par. Pat. Anno 44. Ed. 3. Memb. 6. This man was called the warlike Bishop of Norwich for that in his youth he had beene a Souldier with a brother of his one Spenser a gentleman greatly esteemed for his valour being a chiefe Commander in the Popes warres by whose meanes this Henry obtained this dignitie and hauing changed his vesture but not his conditions in what manner of life he spent his youth in the same he most delighted euen in his waxing yeares For in the yeare 1381. most memorable was the seruice of this stout Bishop against the rebellious bondmen and Pesants of Norfolke whom he draue
40. plough lands of grouÌ„d of the kings of Mercia and Kent to their Monasterie Vt in charta * Wido the 42. Hugh de Flori 4â— Guliel Spina in bib Cot. Hugh the second 44. Will. Thorne or Gul. Spina in bib Cott. Alexander surnamed Cementariâ—â— Theologus the 48. Hugh the third the 49. Abbot Robert de Bellâ— the 50. Roger the second 51. Thomas Findon 〈…〉 Raph de Borne the 54. Mssan bib Cot. Thomas Poucyn the 55. In bib Cot. William Drulege the â—6 Mâ—re Archbishop then Abbots by three Iulian Counâ—eâ—â—e of Hâ—ntington Catal. in Hunting Io. Speâ—d 〈…〉 Pâ—iory of Haâ—â—baldowne Lamb. peram in Harbaldowne Lora Countesse 〈◊〉 Leicâ—ster 〈…〉 Catal. Caâ—den in Kent Sir Iohn Gower and Sir Iohn Deâ—e Priests Sir Roger Manwoods Almes-house A pilgrimage◠〈◊〉 S. Stephens 〈◊〉 Ethelbert the second king of â—â—nt The end of the Kentish kingdome The found 〈…〉 the Abbey at Reculuer ... Sandwey 〈◊〉 his wife Sir Thomas a Priest â—dila Lady Thorne Thrâ—e vailed Nunnes The foundation of Minster Abbey Io. Caâ—graue in v. â—a Dom. Mssâ—a bib Cot A Maledicton The death of Domneua The buriall of Thunnor 〈◊〉 Dom. â— Mildred 〈◊〉 on of Mildred Hungar and Hubba the sonnes of a Beare Mâ—ssâ—in bib Câ—â—t Caygraue iâ—â—nia 〈◊〉 b. 〈◊〉 Eadburgh 〈◊〉 first English Nunne surnamed 〈◊〉 Camden in K. Speed Hist. The foundation of the white Friers and of the old Hospitall A Manuscript Tho. Legatt Tho. Hadlow William Beckleâ— Iohn Sandwich Denis Plumcooper The foundation â—f the free Schoole Richborow Claudius Contentus Caâ—nd Kenâ— Goshall Leuerick Septvau S. 〈◊〉 Harsletâ— Clitherow ... Oldâ—â—stell Ioane Keriell Stow. Annal. Harding 〈◊〉 Sir Iohn Philpot. knight Lord Maior of London Stow. Annal. Stow. Suruay Speed Hist. 22. Ric. 1 The Walsingham in vita Ric. 1. Sir Thomas Ba knight Wingham Colledge Lamb peramb. Blechendens 〈◊〉 Tho. S. 〈◊〉 and Ioane 〈◊〉 wife Albina the wife of 〈◊〉 Iohn Digge 〈◊〉 Ioane his wife Sir Iohn Digge knight and Ioane his wife Sir Robert Ashton knight Lord Warden Admirall of a 〈◊〉 Chiefe Iustice of Ireland Lord Treasurer Executor to K. Edward the third Foundation of the Castle Church Lamb. peramb. The Priory of S. Martins or Gods-house in Douer Regist. eccl 〈…〉 in bib Cot. S. 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Lond. Stow. 〈◊〉 William 〈◊〉 the sonne of Iudge Fineux Wilâ—iam Sir 〈…〉 the controuler of 〈◊〉 Sir William Scot knight Hollinshed Elisabeth Lady Poynings Camden in Kent Isâ—bell Ladie 〈◊〉 Ioane the wife of Io. Digges Dionisia Finch Vincent Harbard alias Fâ—nch in the genealogie of the 〈◊〉 of Nedde felâ—â— Sir Robert Gower knight Pashley Ioane Pashley in the window â—â—mmatiâ—n of the 〈◊〉 at â—olâ—â—ton â—â—o Godfraâ— Sir Iohn Culâ—peper kniâ—ht and Agnes his wiâ—â— â—â—den in Rut. The Pâ—ioâ—y of 〈◊〉 Iohn Maâ—sâ—â—â— pâ—efeâ—menâ—s Hollins An 1241. Paris â—hinne Anon. in bib Cott Mansels death in 〈◊〉 Ex Epitâ—m Râ—â—geri Houeden in bib Coâ— A Benefice for Dogges meaâ— * Earle of Leiâ—cester Mansel the cause of the warres betweene Henâ—y the third and his Barons Paris â—n 1252 Charge of soules 〈◊〉 Culkin and 〈◊〉 his wife 〈…〉 and Ioane his wife A free Sâ—â—â—ole 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 his sonne Sir 〈◊〉 knight and Dennis his wife Ric. Lâ—â—e to Cely â—enalâ— Deyre Foundation of the Colledge o◠〈◊〉 The Kempe and Beatrice his wife Lamb. peramb. Iohn Andrew a Pilgrime Foundation of the Colledge of Ashford Elisabeth Countesse of Atholl Semane Tong Baron of the fiue ports Io. 〈◊〉 and his wife Wil. Norton and Elisabeth his wife Will. Thorne Richard Norton and Ioane his wife Iohn â—â—st Thomas Read William Vpton Agnes Feuersham William Leedes Henry Hatcher and Ioane his wife Richard Colwell Camden Remaineâ— Foundation of Feuersâ—am Abbey Ex Arch Turris London The death and buriall of King Stephen Addition to Rob. Gloc. 〈◊〉 Paris An. 1154 Harding c. 12â— Rob. Glocest. S. Daniel No subsidies in K Stephens time 〈◊〉 â—omp 〈◊〉 in bib Cot. Spâ—â—d Maud the wife of K Stephen In bib Cot. Eustace King Stephens sonne 〈◊〉 Monkâ— of Chester 〈◊〉 Dâ—rob His death and buriall Rob. Gloc. Margaret Riâ— kill Io. Crowmer and Ioane his wife Will. Crowmer Sir Iames Fienes I.o. Treasurer Iohn Septvaus and Katherine his wife Elisabeth Poodd Iames Bourne Io. Gerard and Ioane his wife Laurence Gerard and Tho his sonne Apuldorfeild Clipeus honoris Glouer Somerset Herald Valentine Barret and Siciliâ— his wife â—â—ll Maries Smersoll Iul-laber Camd. in Kent Io. Frogenhall Will. Mareys Ioane and Ioane his wife Woodokes The Priory 〈◊〉 Horton Monâ—â—â— The order 〈…〉 Alex Clifford and 〈◊〉 his wife Visit of Kent Glouer Sir Arnold Sauage knighâ— and Ioane his wife Sir Arnold Saâ—uage knight Katherine Lady Sauage Foundation of Bradesoke Abâ—bey Eâ— Arch 〈…〉 Iohn and Iohn Norwood Visit. Kent Glouer Thomas Alefe and Margaret his wife Sir Iohn Norton knight and Ioane his wife Stow. Annal. Sir Edward Pâ—ynings Sir Iohn Norton Io. Fogge Iohn Scot Tho. Lynd knights of the field Inter Bundel Indent â—e guerra apud pelles Foundation of the Friary at Eastbridge Iudge Martyn and Anne his wife Visit. Kent Iohn Martyn Ioane Butler Ioane Feuersham Tho. Feuersham and Ioane his wife Found of the Abbey Io. Toke Margaret and Anne his wife Glouer alias Somerset Lancaster king of Armes Stephen Norton Foundation of Minster Nunnery Roger Norwood and Bena his wife Io. Soole and Margaret his wife Shurland Inter Bundellas Indent de guerra apud pel Maidston Found of the Colledge first an Hospitall William Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury * Sure he meanes Cardinall for I cannot finde him to be Chancellour Sir Iohn Wotton Priest the first Master of this Colledge Woodvill Chancery of Maidston Leedes Priory Eâ— Arch 〈◊〉 London Io. and William Bloor Iames Donet Io. Paynter Mssâ—n â—ib Cot. A quarrell betweene the Canons of Leedes and the Monkes of S. Albans The Religious House at Motinden Boxley Abbey Cart. Ant. in Arch. Turris London The Roode of Grace at Boxley Lamb. peramb. Camd. in Kent Hollins p. 1402. An. Reg Elis. 27 Nicholas Wotton Lord Maior of London Newenden Priory The first Carmelite Friars in England Lamb peramb. Lambard Combewell Abbey Iohn Elys Sir Nicholas Sandwich Priest Visit. Kent Will. Brent and Elisab his wife Sir W. Walkesley knight Tho. Elys and Thomasin his wiâ—â— William Bâ—rre Glouer alias Somerset The Colledge of Bradgare Dame Elisab Nâ—vill Camd in Cumberland So in this County Sutton Valence Horton Kirby and others haue like distinctiue surnames Richard Derâ—â— â—â—ow Annal. Iohn Dering An Eschurchion Io. Dering and Iulian his wife Nic Dering and 〈◊〉 his wife 〈◊〉 Dering Beneâ— his wife Hen. and Rich. Malemaines Brent the Mad-braine Rich. Dering Tho. his sonne Will. Goldwell and Avice his wife Goldwell Bishop of Norw a repairer of this Church The builders oâ— founders of this Church Bishop Goldwel the founder of the South Chappell Io. Tokâ— Marg. and Anne his wifes Tho. Twesden and Benedict his wife Will. Sharpe and his fiue wiues Margaret the wife
Raph Astry Iohn Grey Tho. Cornwallis Henry Gisors 〈◊〉 Lions The Foundation of Whittinâ—â—on Câ—lledge â—nd Hospitall Stow Suruey Richard Whitâ—ing thrice buried William Lichfield Doctor of Diuinity Io. Brickles and Isabell his wife In Chamberlaiâ—e Agnes and Ioan his wiues William Greene. Robert Chichley Lord Maior The Colledge of S. Michael founded by W. Walworth Io Loâ—ekin of Losken Lord Maior founder of this Church William Wray The foundation of Corpus Christi Colledge in Candlewickestreet Rob. Radcliffe and his sonne Henry Earles of Sussex Gilbert Melits and Christian his wife The fraternity of S. Katherine The foundation of our Ladies Chappell of Barking Sir Io. Arundell knight Vincent Catal. Simon Eyre Lord Maior The Foundation of Leaden Hall and the Chappell Stow Suruay Ric. Payne and Elisabeth his wife Sixteene children Ric. Nordell Margorie his wife * that * this * they * the holy Communion * thinke of this An Inscription vpon a table sometime chained in this Church Malmes lib 1. de Pont. 1. Selden Rob Glocest. 3 Cadar 4 Oâ—iâ—us 5 Conan 6 Palladius 7 Stephanus 8 Ilâ—ut 9 Dedwin 10 Thedred 11 Hillary 12 Restitutus Harpsfeeld Sex prim secul c. 16. 13 Gwitelin or Guitelnius Scots euer valiant Rob. Glocest. Fastidius Priscus 4. cent 1. Ternckine 15. Lib. in bib Cott. Mss. Vedinus 16. Godwin de praeful Ang. Theon the last Archbishop Robert Fabian Sheriffe Hugh Dauset Doctor of Diuinity Robert Barnes Iohn Bootes Henry Denne and Ioane his wife Tho. Pike Alsâ—rman Sir William Capell Lord Maior Water Knyght The foundation of Saint Anthonies Hospitall Io. Breux The foundation of the Augustine Friers Riâ—hard Earle of Aâ—undell Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford and Aubrey his sonne 〈…〉 his wife Mss. 〈…〉 Duke 〈…〉 Edward the eldest sonne of Edward the black Prince Cardina Shoder and Ioan her daughter Io. Redman Rector Nennius Helius Duke of Loegria â—lores Hist. aetal s. ca. 26. Cui nomen erat Crâ—â—â—a Mors quia nullâ—s ab eo vulneratus vinus eâ—adebaâ— Id. eod Rob. Glocest. Io. Harding c 44 Bale Câ—nt prima Will. Pratt The foundation of the Nunnery of S. Helen Sir Io. Crosby Maior of the Staple Mss. in bib Cot The Foundaâ—ion of a Brotherhood of 〈◊〉 Priests in â—eâ—den-Hall Chappell The foundation of the Priory of Christ-Church Aldgate Will. Payne Clement Towne The foundation of the Câ—oucâ—â—d Friers Ex quibusel Collect in sepe dict bib Cot. The Priore of Crouched Friers found in bed with hiâ— wench Foundation of S. Katherines Hospitall Iohn Holland Duke of Excester Caâ—al of honour â—tow Annal. Harding Anne the first wife of Iohn Duke of Exceter Anne the second wife of Iohn Duke of Exceter Constance Dutchesse of Norfolke Catal. of Hon. Vincent The foundation of East-minster to the honour of God and our Lady of Grace Stow Suruay The foundation of the Abbey of S. Clare Nunnes called the Minories The buriall place of sâ—me of the honourable family of the Darcies Stow. Annal. Cardinall Poole Io Clerke Bishop of Bath and Welles Godwin Catal. of Bishops The foundation of a Knightengild or Confrery without Aldgate The foundation of S. Mary Bethlem The foundation of S. Mary Spiâ—le Sir Io. Sordich Lord of Sordich Ex Mss. in â—ib Cott. Sir Humphrey Starky knight and Isabell his wife Sir Iohn Erlington and Margaret his wife The foundation of Holywell Sir Thomas Louelâ— Knight In â—ib Cott. Lib in lib. Câ—ll Isabell Sackvile Prioresse of S. Maries Clerkenwell Iordan Briset Muriell his wife Mss. in bib Cot. In bib Cott. Camd. in Aâ—dl Robertus Botill Prior Hospitaâ—u Sancti Iohanâ—â— Ierusalem in Anglia primus Baro regni Angliae consiliarius Rogâ—◠〈◊〉 Arch Turris London secundâ— parspat Aâ—â—o 10. Ed 4 â— 13. The foundation of â—he Charterhouse Stow Suruay Ex Mss. in bib Cot. The death of the Founder Margaret Lady Many and Duâ—chesse of Norfolke Suruay 〈◊〉 Vinâ—eâ—t Câ—tâ—l Norf. Philip Morgan Bishop of Ely Suttons Hospitall The foundation of great Saint Bartholomewes 〈◊〉 Arch Tuvrâ— London Caâ—t Ant. hier â— l. â—illiam Bolton the last Prior of S Bartholomewes Roger Walden Bishop of London Godwin de praesulibus Angl. Vpodigma Neustricae 2. Pars. Pat. An. 6 H. 4. M. 20. The foundation of Saint Bartl Hospital Sir Tho Malilant or Neufant Margaret his wiâ—e Sir Will. Knight Priest Sir Rob. Greuil Priest Philip Lewis Agnes his wife Io. Stafford 〈◊〉 Annal. â—â— Goodfâ—llowes 〈◊〉 Will. â—euer and Elizabeth his wife The foundation of the white Friers Carmelites Stow Sâ—â—â—uay Lamb peramb. Lamb. peramb. Rob Mascall Bishop of Hereford Will. Montagâ—â— Earle of Salisbury Ypodâ—g 〈◊〉 Penes 〈◊〉 Tâ—â—swell Stephen Patrington Bishop of S. Dauids Nich. Kenton Io. Miluerton Iohn Loney Pits de illust Aug. Scriptoribus Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent Iohn Gyles Clerke of the petit Bagge Cowell lit c. Lawrence Bartelet Vnder the picture of Saint Michael The first Sanctuary The death and buriall of Muâ—muâ—â—us Donwallo The Foundation of the Temple Church Cant. in Midlesex London William Marshall Earle of Penbroke William Marshall the yonger Earle of Penbroke Gâ—lbeâ—â— Maâ—â—shall Earle of Penbroke Paris 1â—4â— Hastiludium Paris Sir Rob. Rosse knight Will. Plantaginet Iames Bayle Rob. Thorne Ric. Wye Will. Langham Master of the Temple Will. Burgh Harold king of England Stow Annal. Io. Arundel Bishop of Exceter Io. Booth Bishop of Exceter Sir Will. Booth knight Ed. Arnold Parson The foundation of the Hospitall of Sauoy Ex Mss. in bib Cot. The second foundation of Sauoy Hospitall Tho. Halsal Gowin Douglase Bishops Hist. of Scot. Ann. 1521. Humphrey Gosling Sir 〈…〉 Tho. 〈…〉 The Hospitall of Saint Mary Rounciuall Hospitall of Saint Iames. In Archiuis Turrâ—s London â—â—desâ—s Caâ—al Cancell per Franâ—iscum â—hin collect Iohn Yong Master of the Rolles The foundation of S. Stephens Chappell Charta Regis Ed. tetijs ex Record turrâ—s London The foundati 〈…〉 Westâ—inster Abbey In Arch. turris London Iohn Harding ca. 88. Rob. Glocest. Hist. Ecclesiast Angl. vndeâ— â—aecul ca. 16. Sebert king of the East SaxoÌ„s with his Queene Aethelgoda Edward king of England surnamed the Confessor 〈◊〉 â—arnâ—r â—lb Engl. Mss. in bib Cot. Rob. Glocest. The first â—oure of the â—iâ—gs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 king Edwards wife Rob. Glocest. Maud wife to king Henry the first Ex Mss. in bib Cot. The Courtiers speech The Queenes answer Mat. Paris ad Ann. 1118. King Henry the third Mat. West Rob. Glocest. Mss. in bib Cot King Edward the 〈◊〉 Sir Rob. 〈◊〉 Ex. Arch. Turr. Lond. King Ed. Coronation Chron. Compend Cant. Mss. in bib Cot. Fabian * Kept Caâ—ton Fabian S. Daniel The battaile of Dunbarre The battaile of Foukirke Munster Vniuers Cosm. lib. 2. Walsing Ypodig Hard. cap. 162. * Henry the third * Henry the third The fatall Marble The cruelty of the Scots Rich Southwell Hoâ—â—inshead â—ro May. Polychron l. 7. cap. 40. 〈◊〉 of â—aâ—singham Walsing The dead bodies of our English kings anciently preserued from corruption Ex Arch.
For whiche Commons him hated both free and bond Iohn Gower concludes his cronica tripartita annexed to his booke entituled Vox Clamantis with these riming verses concerning the said King Cronica Richardi qui sceptra tulit Leopardi Vt patet est dicta populo sed non benedicta Vt speculum mundi quo lux nequit vlla resundi Sic vacuus transit sibi nil nisi culpa remansit Vnde superbus erat modo si preconia querat Eius honor sordet laus culpat gloria mordet Hoc concernentes caueant qui sunt sapientes Nam male viuentes Deus odit in orbe regentes Est qui peccator non esse potest dominator Ricardo teste finis probat hoc manifeste Post sua demerita perijt sua pompa sopita Qualis erat vita cronica stabit ita He was murdered at Pomfret Castle in the bloudie Tower so called from that time vpon that bloudie act to this day on Saint Valentines day 1399. the first of Henry the fourth when hee had raigned 22 yeares That beautifull picture of a King sighing crowned in a chaire of estate at the vpper end of the Quire in this Church is said to be of him which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was in outward lineaments but I will conclude with these rimes out of my old Manuscript the Addition to Robert of Glocester This Rychard than regnyd sone Aftur his Belsire as was to done Atte x yere of age crownyd was he He was a man of grett beute In hys tym the Comynte of Kent Up arysin and to London went And Sauoy the brent that ilke plas The whych the Dukes of Lancastre was Thurgh euel councel was slayn ful suel The Duke of Glocestre and the erle of Arundel He regnyd xxii yer and mor And to Longeley was he bor But in the v King Herry is tym He was leyde at VVestmynstre by Anne the Quene Anne his first wife here entombed with him was the daughter of Wenceslaus King of Bohemia and Emperour of the Germanes she died in Anno 1394. the seuenth of Iune at Sheene in Surrey whom her husband so feruently loued yea vsque ad amentiam euen to a kinde of madnesse that for very griefe and anger besides cursing the place wherein shee died hee ouerthrew the whole house Her Epitaph Sub petra lata nunc Annaiacet tumulata Dum vixit mundo Richardo nupta secundo Christo deuota fuit hec facilis bene nota Pauperibus prona semper sua reddere dona Iurgia sedauit et pregnantes releuauit Corpore formosa vultu mitis speciosa Prebens solamen viduis egris medicamen Anno milleno ter cent quarto nonageno Iulij septeno mensis migrauit ameno forma Fragilis Henry the fift sonne of Henry the fourth King of England and conquerour of France died at Boyes de Viscenna not farre from Paris the last of August 1422. hauing raigned 9 yeares 5 moneths and odde daies from thence his body was conuaied to this Abbey vpon whose Tombe Katherine his wife caused a royall picture to be layed couered all ouer with siluer plate gilded the head whereof was all of massie siluer all which at the suppression when the battering hammers of destruction as Master Speed saith did sound almost in euery Church were sacrilegiously broken off and by purloyning transferred to farre prophaner vses where at this day the headlesse monument is to be seene and these verses written vpon his Tombe Dux Normanorum verus Conquestor eorum Heres Francorum decessit et Hector eorum Here Normans Duke so stil'd by conquest iust True heire of France Great Hector lies in dust Gallorum mastix iacet hic Henricus in vrna Domat omnia virtus So many vertues are attributed by all writers to this heroicall King Henry the renowne of England and glory of Wales that where to begin or when to make an end in his deserued praise I know not so I will leaue him amongst the many Monarchs of this most famous Empire none more complete relating onely a few rimes which in some sort doth particularize his memorable exploits Aftur hym regnyd his son than The v Herry truly a gracious man Atte his begynnyng verament He stroyd Loliers and thei wer brent Aftur he made Relygyous at Shene Sion Ierusalem and eke Bedlem The thurd yer he went truly And gat Hartlett in Normandy Atte Egyncourt he hadde a batayle ywis Hamwardys and ther had the prys He tooke ther the Duc of Orleaunce The Duc of Burbon and meny of Fraunce And aftur that he wan Lane toun Rone and al Normandy as was to don Also he wan Parys worschypfully And meny mo tounes wyth Meaux in Bry. Ther he took to hys Quene Katterin the kyng dawghtyr shene He hadde a Son of hur y bore That ys callyd Herry of Wyndsore In Fraunce he departyd goodly thurgh Goddâ—s grase And was broght into Engelond in short spase Then was his Son Herry of age suerly But only viii monyths wyth odde deyes truly His Eme Iohn Duc of Bedford as yow see Is now Regent of Fraunce sykerly He regnyd x yer in hevyn he hath reward Lith at Westmynstre noght fer fro Seynt Edward Here lieth Katherine Queene of England wife to the foresaid King Henry the fifth in a chest or coffin with a loose couer to be seene and handled of any that will much desire it and that by her owne appointment as he that sheweth the Tombes will tell you by tradition in regard of her disobedience to her husband for being deliuered of her Sonne Henry the sixth at Windsore the place which he forbad But the truth is that she being first buried in our Ladies Chappell here in this Church her corps were taken vp when as Henry the seuenth laid the foundation of that admirable structure his Chappell royall which haue euer since so remained and neuer reburied She was the daughter to Charles the sixth king of France she died at Bermondsey in Southwarke the second of Ianuary Ann. Dom. 1437. Her Epitaph Hic Katherina iacet Francorum filia Regis Heres Regni Carole Sexte tui Henrici quinti thalamo bis leta iugali Nam sic vir duplici clarus honore fuit Iure suo Anglorum Katherine iure triumphans Francorum obtinuit ius decus imperij Grata venit letis felix Regina Britannis Perque dies celebrant quatuor ore Deum Edidit Henricum gemebunda puerpera Regem Cuius in imperio Francus Anglus erat Non sibi sed Regno felici sidere natum Sed Patri Matri Religione parem Post ex Owino Tiddero tertia proles Nobilis Edmundus te Katherina beat Septimus Henricus quo non prestantior alter Filius Edmundi gemma Britanna fuit Felix ergo vxor mater ter filia felix Ast Auia hec felix terque quater que fuit Here lieth buried in one of the stateliest Monuments of Europe both for the
Chappell and for the Sepulchre the body of Henry the seuenth King of England the first begotten Sonne of Edmund Earle of Richmond by Margaret daughter and heire to Iohn Duke of Somerset This glorious rich Tombe is compassed about with verses penned by that Poet Laureat as he stiles himselfe and Kings Orator Iohn Skelton I will take onely the shortest of his Epitaphs or Eulogiums and most to the purpose Septimus hic situs est Henricus gloria Regum Cunctorum ipsius qui tempestate fuerunt Ingenio atque opibus gestarum nomine rerum Accessere quibus nature dona benigne Frontis honos facies augusta heroica forma Iunctaque ei suanis coniux perpulchra pudica Et secunda fuit felices prole parentes Henricum quibus octauum terra Anglia debes He deceased at Richmond the 22. of Aprill 1509. when hee had raigned 23. yeares and somewhat more then seuen moneths and liued fifty two yeares Whosoeuer would know further of this king let him reade his History wherein hee is delineated to the life by the matchlesse and neuer enough admired penne of that famous learned and eloquent knight Sir Francis Bacon not long since deceased Lord Verulam and Viscount Saint Alban Here lieth entombed by her Husband Henry the seuenth Elizabeth the first childe legitimate and eldest daughter of king Edward the fourth to whom she was married the eighteenth of Ianuary 1488. whereby was vnited the long contending Families of Lancaster and Yorke and the Roses red and white ioyned into one to the great ioy of the English Subiects She was his wife eighteene yeares and twenty foure dayes and died in child-bed in the Tower of London the eleuenth of February euen the day of her owne Natiuitie the eighteenth of her Husbands raigne and yeare of our Saluation 1503. I haue an Epitaph of this good Queene borne for Englands happinesse which I transcribed out of a Manuscript in Sir Robert Cottons Library Extinctum iacet hic genus a Plantagine ductum Et Rosa purpureis candida nupta Rosis Elisabet claris Anglorum Regibus orta Regina Patrij gloria rara soli Edwardi soboles quarti tibi septime coniux Henrice heu populi cura benigna tui Exemplex vite qua nec prestantior altra Moribus ingenio nec probitate fuit Reginam Deus eterno dignetur honore Et Regem hic annos viuere Nestoreos Here lieth magnificently entombed Margaret Countesse of Richmond and Darby daughter and onely heire to Iohn Duke of Somerset by Margaret daughter to the Lord Beauchampe of Powicke first married to Edmund the sonne of Owen Tedder who begat Henry the seuenth King of England and afterwards to Thomas Stanley Earle of Derby Two Colledges namely of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist she erected for Students in Cambridge Shee instituted also two Diuinitie Lectures one at Cambridge and the other at Oxenford who hauing liued so long to see her Grandchilde Henry the eight crowned King died the twelfth of Iuly 1509. in the first yeare of his raigne Here is a long Elegie made to her memorie by the foresaid Skelton with this terrible curse to all those that shall tread spoile or take it away Qui lacerat violatue rapit presens Epitoma Hunc laceretque voret cerberus absque mora Hanc tecum statuas Dominam precor O Sator orbis Quo regnas rutilans Rex sine fine manens Here lieth Margaret one of the daughters of King Edward the fourth by Elizabeth his royall Queene and wife She died an Infant the eleuenth of December 1472. Nobilitas forma decorque tenella inuentus Insimul hic ista mortis sunt condita cista Vt genus nomen sexum tempus quoque mortis Noseas cuncta tibi manifestat margo Sepulchri Here lieth Elizabeth the second daughter of King Henry the seuenth by his louing consort and Queene Elizabeth who was borne the second day of Iuly 1492. and died the 14. day of Nouember 1495. Vpon her Tombe this Epitaph Hic post sata iacet proles regalis in isto Sarcophago inuenis nobilis Elizabeth Princeps illustris Hen. Sept. filia Regis Qui bini regni florida sceptra tenet Atropos hanc rapuit seuissima nuntia mortis Sit super in celo vita perhennis ei Here lieth interred without any Monument Anne the second daughter and coheire to Richard Nevil the stout Earle of Warwicke and Salisbury who was first married to Edward Prince of Wales the sonne and onely childe of king Henry the sixth and after remarried to Richard Duke of Gloucester who at the battell of Tewxbury had stabbed her husband into the heart with his dagger afterwards by vsurpation king of England surnamed Crook-backe She died not without suspition of being poysoned the 16. of March 1485. Here lieth entombed Edmund the second sonne of King Henry the third Earle of Lancaster Leicester and Darby surnamed Crouch-backe of his bowing in his backe because he is neuer found saith Vincent in his discouery of Brookes errours title Lancaster with any other addition and indeed with no other Epithite then Gibbosus which signifieth crooked crump-shouldred or Camell-backed But others say he was so denominated of wearing the signe of the Crosse anciently called a Crouch vpon his backe which was vsually worne of such as vowed voyages to Ierusalem as he had done Further confirming their opinions from the name of Crouched-Friers that wore a Crosse vpon their garments And Io. Harding speaking of him and his elder Brother Edward afterwards king of England and of their voyage to Ierusalem hath these verses to the same effect His brother Edward and he associate To Ierusalem their voyage them avowed Two semely Princes together adioynate In all the world was none them like alowed So large and faire thei were eche man he bowed Edward aboue his menne was largely seen By his shulders more hie and made full clene Edmond next hym the comeliest Prince aliue Not croke backed ne in no wyse disfigured As some menne wrote the right lyne to depriue Through great falsehed made it to be scriptured For cause it should alwaye bee refigured And mentioned well his yssue to prevaile Vnto the Crowne by such a gouernaile I cannot let passe although I do somewhat digresse the cunning sleights and deuises the Popes of Rome vsed in these times to empouerish this kingdome and enrich their owne coffers First they combine and confederate with the king to the vtter vndoing of all his loyall Subiects And now Pope Alexander the fourth puts a tricke vpon the king himselfe a Prince more pious then prudent which exhausts his Treasure and leaues him for a laughing-stocke to all other Nations This Pope forsooth inuested this Edmund his sonne into the kingdomes of Sicilia and Apulia Conradus king thereof still liuing by a ring conditionally that hee should sustaine the charges and maintaine the warres that should happen thereupon In which regard he suckt