victorie had his image set vp holding in his right hand the signe of the crosse with this inscription with this wholesom sign the true token of fortitude I haue rescued and deliuered our citie from the yoke of the tyraunt After this Constantinus with Lycinius Liberty to the Christians gaue liberty by proclamation to Christians to professe their religion Diocle. dieth Dioclesian being at Salona and hearing of the proceedings of Constantine and this his edict either for sorow died or as some say poysoned himselfe Now remained onely Maximinus in the West who although he raged against the Christians yet was hee appaled at the edict before mentioned and caused Sabinus to publish a certaine releasement to Christians and yet wrote another countermaund howbeit shortly after he making warres and fighting with Lycinius lost the victory Wherevppon he caused his charmers to be killed Maxim glorifieth the God of the Christians that perswaded him to the warres and shortly after being oppressed with a certaine kind of disease glorified the God of the Christians and made a most absolute law for their safety This was Ann. 319. Now yet remained Licinius who was also a persecutor notwithstāding at the first he dissembled the matter and ioyned with Constantine He was a man euerie way vitions he named Learning the poyson of the common Wealth Learning named by Licinius the poyson of the common weale Licinius a great persecutor and counted learning in a prince to be a great vice The knowledge of the lawes he did most abhorre For he himself was vnlearned He became a Persecutor pretending against the Christians that they prayed for Constantinus onely and not for him First he began to persecute in his court then he stretched vnto his prouinces with as great crueltie as any that went before him and hated Constantine who gaue him his sister Constantia to wife Churches raced to the groūd and had bestowed many benefites vpon him About Amasia and other Cities of Pontus he rased the churches euen to the ground Among those that suffered Nicephorus first speaketh of Theodorus Theodorus who being hanged vpon a crosse had nayles thrust into his armepits and after that his head striken of Also of one Theodorus B. of Tyre a man of Pergamus Likewise Basilius Basilius B. of Amasenus Nicholaus Nicholaus B. of Mirocus Gregorius of Armenia the great After that Paul Paul of Neocesarea who by Licinius him selfe had both his hāds cut off with a searing Iron Besides these aforesaid were in the citie of Sebastia xl Christian Souldiers Fourty christian souldiers in the vehement colde time of winter drowned in a horseponde when Lycias as yet Agricolaus executing the sherifes office vnder Licinius were in the east part of great reputation Inuenters of torments for inuenting of new and strange torments against the Christians The wiues of those 40. were caried to Heraclea a citie in Thracia and there with a certaine deacon whose name was Ammones were after innumerable torments slaine with the sword Diuers battels were fought betwéene Licinius Constātinus First in Hungarie Licinius vanquished where Licinius was ouerthrowen Then againe in Macedonia whither he fled and repayred his armie And finally being vanquished both by sea and lande at Nicomedia he yelded himselfe to Constantine and was commanded to liue a priuate life in Thessalia where he was slaine by the souldiers He was killed an 324. Licinius slaine Constantius the father of Constantine being a good and godly Emperor died the iij. yere of the persecution an 310. and was buried at Yorke Constantius dieth is buried at Yorke Alban the first martir in England Now among an infinite number of speciall men of name that suffered were these that follow in this 10 persecution At what time Dioclesian and Maximinian had directed out their Letters for the persecuting of Christians Alban the first that suffered martirdome in England for Christ receiued into his house a persecuted Clarke named Amphibalus Amphibalus by whose continuall praying day and night and godly life he became a Christian It was infourmed the Prince that he lodged the Clarke Whereupon search being made by the Princes commandement Alban by and by putting on the apparell of the Clark his master offered himself in stead of the other to the souldiers who brought him to the Iudge that was euen then sacrificing vnto deuils at the Altar Which Alban refusing to doe at the commandement of the Iudge after he had béene gréeuously scourged was beheaded The Clarke flying into Wales was fet also againe to the same Towne of Verlancaster where he was martired hauing his bellie opened and made to runne about a stake while all his bowels were drawen out then thrust in with swords and daggers and at last stoned to death With Alban suffered Aaron Iulius Aaron and Iulius ij citizens of Verlācaster beside a great nūber mo Albans martirdome might séem to be about the ij or iij. yere of the x. persecutiō vnder the tirāny of Dioclesiā and Maximinianus Herculeus thē bearing rule in England about an 301. before Constantinus came to his gouernmēt England only touched with the tenth persecution It is to be noted that Englād was not touched with any of the ix persecutions but only with this tenth in which almost al christianitie was in the Ilād extinguished Pitiles Galerius with his grand captain Asclepiades inuaded Antioch threatning the christiās whom one Romanus a noble man confirmed encouraged to be constāt Wherfore he suffered many strange torments with great constancy and reasoning with the tirant of the truth required a child to be presented vnto him which was doone of whō he asked whether it were more reasonable to worship one God rather thē innumerable considering God could be but one To whom the child answered before the tyrant according as his Christian parents had instructed him that one god was to be worshipped A child tormented Wherefore the child was grieuously scourged the skin of his head pulled of hayre and all the mother standing by exhorting the child to patience and constancie he was put to death with Romanus the child was beheaded A myracle and Romanus cast into the fire Which whē it would not burne him he was brought from the same and strangled in prison Gordius Gordius was a citizen of Cesaria a Centurion who gaue ouer his charge liued in the desert a long time but vpon a certaine day when a solemne feast of Mars was celebrated with games in the Theator of Cesaria he came thether gat vp to the highest place of the Theator and vttered himselfe a Christian in the hearing of all the people whereupon after he had endured many gréeuous torments the shiriffe assayed by flattery which when it would not preuayle hée caused him to be had out of the Citie to be burned which was accomplished and suffered of
Canutus died wherefore that land fell to Canutus who anon after sailed thither and tooke the possession and returned into England married Emma late wife of Egelred and by her had a sonne called Herdeknight or Hardiknoutus He assembled a parlement at Oxford wherin was agréed that English men and Danes should hold the lawes made by king Edgar King Edgars lawes as most good reasonable Thus the Danes being in England beganne by little and litle to bée christened and Canutus went to Rome and so returning againe to England gouerned the land 20. yéers leauing behind him two sonnes Harold Hardiknoutus which Hardiknoutus was made K of Denmarke in his fathers time Harold for his swiftnes called Harefoot son to Canutus by Eligna his first wife began his raign ouer Englād an 1039 He banished his stepmother Emma took her goods iewels from her He raigned but 4. yéeres the kingdome fell to Hardeknoutus king of Denmarke his brother who when he had raigned 2. yéeres Hardeknoutus dieth being merry at Lambith sodainly was stricken dumme and fel down to the ground and within 8. daies after died without issue of his body and was the last that raigned of the blood of the Danes The last K. of the Danes For the Earles and Barons agréed that none of that blood should after bée king for the despite and hurt the Danes had done to the English nation and sent into Normandy for the 2. brethren Alfred Edward sonnes of king Egelred entending to make Alfred king of England but Earle Godwin a Westsaxon who had married the daughter of Hardeknoutus thought to slay the two brethren comming into England to make Harold his sonne king which sonne he had by the daughter of Hardeknoutus the Dane King The messengers that went for the brethren founde but Alfred the elder for Edward the younger was gone into Hungary to speake with his cousin the outlaw which was Edward Ironsides sonne So the traitor Godwin met with Alfride the Normans attending vpon him and when they came to Guilde doune he commanded his men to slea all that were of Alfrides company and after that to take Alfred and to leade him to the yle of Ely where they should put out both his eies which they did Alfred cruelly murthered that done they opened his body and tooke out his bowels set a stake into the ground and fastned an end of his bowels thereto and with néedles of yron they pricked his tender body thereby causing him to go about the stake till al his bowels were drawne out After this treason the wicbed Duke fled into Denmark and lost al his lands in England and kept him there 4. yéeres and more The stories record that this Canutus folowing much the superstition of Achelnotus Archb. of Canterbury went on Pilgrimage to Rome and there founded an Hospitall for English Pilgrims hée gaue the Pope pretious giftes and burdened the land with a yéerely tribute called Romeshotte Romeshot He shrined the body of Bernius and gaue greate landes to the Cathedrall Church of Winchester he builded Saints Benets in Northfolke which was before an heremitage Also S. Edmundsburie S. Edmundsburie turned from priestes to monkes which king Ethelstane ordeined before for a colledge of priests he turned to an abbey of Monkes of S. Benets order This king Canutus beyng prouoked to go to Winchester by Egelnothus Archbishop of Canterburie resigned his regall crowne to the rood A Rood crowned king of England and made the roode king ouer the land He ordained lawes of his owne touching matters ecclesiasticall although at the beginning hée vsed Edgars lawes as touching paying for opening the earth at funerals he forbad also all faires and markets vpon Sundayes and all secular actions but vpon vrgent necessitie A good law against adultery He ordained to receaue the communion thrise a yéere That married woman that had committed adultery should haue her eares and nose cut off Also that no widow should marrie within xij moneths after the death of her husband else to lose her ioynture c. Thus ended the Danish kings which Danes had vexed and wasted the land the time of 255. yéeres The land vexed by the Danes 255. yeeres Next vnto Canutus the second or Hardiknoute succéeded Edward the younger sonne of Egelred and Emma who was long banished in Normandy He came ouer with a few Normans and was crowned at Winchester anno 943. by Edesius thē Archbishop of Canterburie and not long after he married Goditha or Editha daughter of Earle Godwin with whom he neither dealt fleshly nor yet put her from his bed He gouerned the land with great wisdome peace xxiiij yeres In the time of this K. came William Duke of Normandie with a goodly companie to sée K. Edward to whom it is said Edw. promised if he died without issue to leaue the Crowne In this K. reigne liued Marianus Scotus M. Scotus the storie wryter About the 13. yéere of this kings raigne he sent Aldred bishop of Worceter to the Emperour Henricus the fourth praying him that he would send to the king of Hungarie that his coosin Edward sonne of Edmund Ironside might come into England for so much as he entended to make him king after him who was called Edward outlaw This was fulfilled and he came into England with his wife Agatha and with his children Edgar Adeling Margaret and Christina but the yéere after his returne he died at London was buried at Westminster or as Iornalensis saith at Paules church in London After whose decease the king receiued Edgar Adeling his sonne as his owne child thinking to make him his heire but fearing the mutabilitie of the Englishmen and the pride and malice of Harold the sonne of Godwin directed Embassadours to William Duke of Normandy William Duke of Normandy appointed heire of the crowne his kinseman assigning him to bée lawfull heire after him After the death of Godwin his son Harold grew in great fauour with the king He sayled into Flaunders and in the course of his sayling he was driuen by force of weather into the prouince of Pomilitie where he was taken prisoner and sent to William Duke of Normandie to whom he was made to sweare that he in time following should marry his daughter and that after the death of King Edward Harold sweareth to Duke William he should kéepe the land of England to his behoofe according to the minde and will of Edward after some Writers and so to liue in honor next to him in the Realme Thus he returned home and shewed to the king what he had done Wherewith he was very wel contented Leofricuss Earle of Chester and of Mercia who was also very faithfull to king Edward with his wife Godina builded the Abbey of Couentrée The Abbey of Couentrie and endued the same with great lands and riches King Edward after hee had reigned thrée and twentie yeares and seuen
by the riuer of Twide by Aydanus a Scottish Bishop The Nunnerie of Theorduton by Heuy who was the first Nun in Northumberland The Monasterie of Hetesey The first Nun in Northumberland by Oswy king of Northumberland who also with his daughter Elfred gaue possessiōs for xij Monasteries from the partes of Northumberlande anno 650 The Monasterie of Saint Martin in Douer by White-red king of Kent The Abbey of Lestingeye by Ceadda whom they call Saint Cedde through the graunt of Oswald sonne to saint Oswald king of Northumberland an 651 The Monasterie of Whitbie otherwise called Strenhalt by Hilda daughter to the Nephue of Edwin king of Northumberland an 657. Also another Monasterie called Hacanus not farre from the same place builded by the same Hilda the same yere The Abbey of Abingtō buylded by Cissa king of Southsex an 666 Also an Abbey in the East side of Lincolne called Ioanno by S. Botolph an 654 The Monasterie of Ely buylded by Etheldred or Edeldrida daughter of Anna king of East-angles and the wife of Elfride king of Northumberland in the yere six hundred seuentie foure The Monasterie of Chertsey in Southerie by Erkēwald B. of London an 674. throwen down by the Danes reedified by king Edgar The Nunnerie of Barking edified by the same Erkenwaldus B. of London about the same time The Abbey of Peterborough otherwise called Madehamsted founded by king Ethelwald king of Mercia anno 675 Badney Abbey by Etheldredus king of Mercia an 700 Glastenburie by Iua K. of the West-saxons and after repaired and enriched by king Edgar an 701 Ramsey in the time of king Edgar by one Alwinus a noble man an 673 K. Edg. builded 40. Abbeies K. Edgar buylded in his time xl Monasteries He raigned an 601 The Nunnerie of Winburne by Cuthburga sister to Insus K. Iuaes brother an 717 The Monasterie of Sealesey néere to the I le of Wight by Wilfridus B. of Yorke an 678 The Monasterie of Wincombe by Kenulphus king of Mercia an 737 S. Albons buylded by Offa K. of Mercia an 755 The Abbey of Euesam by Egwinus an 691 Ripon in the North by Wilfridus B. an 709 The Abbey of Echelinghey by K. Aluredus an 691 The Nunnerie of Shaftesburie by the same Aluredus the same yere King Ethelbald freed the churches monasteries The Church freed from tributes c. from all manner tributes and granted them great liberties Diuerse of the Saxon kings became mōkes as Knigilsus king of West-saxons Iue king of West-sex Diuerse Saxō kings become monkes Celulfus king of Northūberland Eadbertus king of Northumb. Ethelredus of Mercia Kemedus of Mercia Offa of East-saxons Selly of East-saxons Sigebertus king of East-angles There became also Quéenes kings daughters Queenes became nunnes with other noble women Nuns as Hilda daughter to the nephew of Edwin king of Northumberland Abbesse of the house of Ely Erchengoda with her sister Ermenilda daughter of Erkembertus K. of Kent which Erchengoda was professed in Brigets order in Fraunce Also Edelberga wife and Quéene to king Edwin of Northumberland and daughter of king Anna who was also in the same house made a Nunne Etheldreda whom they tearme Saint Eldred wife to king Egfred of Northumberland was professed Nunne at Helinges Werburga daughter of Vlferus king of Mercians was made Nunne at Ely Kinreda Sister of king Vlferus and Kinswida her sister were both professed Nunnes Sexburga daughter of king Anna King of Mercia and wife of Ercombert king of Kent was Abbesse at Ely Elfrida daughter of Oswe King of Northumberlande was Abbesse at Whitney Mildreda Wilburga and Milginda all thrée daughters of Merwaldus K. of West-mercians became Nunnes Bridburga the wife of of Alfride K. of Northumberland and sister to Ofricus K. of Mercia and daughter of king Penda was professed Abbesse in the Monasterie of Glocester Elfleda daughter of K. Oswy wife of king Penda his sonne became also a Nun Likewise Alfritha wife to king Edgar and Editha daughter to the same king Edgar with Wolfrith her mother and so forth As in the Britans time Vnder the Britons the Metropolitane sea at London and by the Saxons after the comming of Austin translated to Canterbury the Metropolitan Sea was at London so in the time of the Saxons after the comming of Austin it was remoued to Canterbury the names yéeres of which Metropolitanes till Egbert from Austin are these Augustinus 16. Laurentius 5. Mellitus 5. Iustus 3. Honorius 25. Deus dedit 10. Theodorus 22. all these were Italians Bertnaldus English 37. in whose time the monasterie of S. Martin was builded in Doroberne by Witredus and his brother kings of Kent Tacunius 3. Nothelinus 5. Cutbert forbiddeth funerals to be made for him Cuthbertus 17. He after his death forbad all funerals exequies or funerall lamentations to be made Lambrithus or Lambertus 27. In whose time king Offa translated the Metropolitane sea from Canterburie to Lichfield by the graunt of Pope Adrian being ouercome with apostolicall arguments as saith Flores historiarum that is with money In the time of 17. Archb. 34 Popes Ethelardus 13. who by his Epistles to Pope Leo obtained the Metrapolitan sea againe to Canterburie Vlfredus 28 Fegeldus 3 Celnocus 41. During the time of these seuentéene Archbishops there were 34. Popes of Rome Anno 826. Egbert notwithstanding he had sixe or eight against one of his men ouerthrew Bernulphus K. of Mercia The lande brought into one monarchy and called Anglia with other kings subdued the rest of the land into one monarchy and hauing called a counsel of his Lords at Winchester was by their aduises crowned king ouer all the land and caused the inhabitants to be called Angles and the Land Anglia This king when he had ruled the West-saxons and ouer the more part of England xxxvij yeres died and was buried at Winchester leauing his kingdome to Ethelwolfe which first was Bishop of Winchester and after vpon necessitie made king through the dispensation of Gregorie the fourth A B made king of England He gaue to the Church and Religious orders the tithes of al his goods and lands in West-saxons Lands geuen to the Church with libertie and fréedome from all seruage and ciuill charges Much like the donation of Ethelbaldus king of Mercia The ground of al their good workes and donations was remission of sinnes which they thought thereby to procure This doone taking his iourney to Rome with Alured his yoongest sonne committed him to the bringing vp of pope Leo the fourth Where he also reedified the English schoole at Rome which being founded by king Offa or rather Iue King of Mercia was in the tyme of King Egbert his Father consumed with fire Besides Peterpence throughout all England he granted to Rome of euery fire house a penny to bée payd throughout the land as king Iue in his dominion had doone before Also he gaue and graunted to be paid to Rome
yeeres void to the kings vse and the goods of the church was spent to the kings vse the king pretending to take deliberation to choose one answerable to those that went before The same yéere after his death Ely made a bishopricke the king conuerted the abbey of Ely to a bishoprick which was before vnder the bishopricke of Lincolne placing there Henrie B. of Bangor the first Bishop of that sea Ann. 1115. Rodolphus B. of Rochester an English maÌ„ was promoted to be Archb. of Canterbury and Thurstinus the kings Chaplaine was elected Archb. of Yorke who because he refused to professe obedience to the same Sea was depriued by the king and therevpon went to complaine to Pope Paschalis who wrote that he would haue the order of Gregorie stand therein But Thurstine stood stiffely in the matter renounced his Archbishoprick promising he wold neuer either make claime to it or molest those that should enioy it Now afterward when Calixtus had called a CouÌ„cell at Rheims in Fraunce Thurstine wrought so that hée was in that Councell consecrated and had his pal notwithstanding the Pope had promised the king faithfully to the contrarie For which deede the K. was sore discontented with Thurstine and warned him the entrie of his land In the Councel of Rheims were gathered 434. Prelates A Councel of 434. Prelates The pointes there concluded were for establishing their owne authoritie in dispensing of Ecclesiasticall Offices in prohibiting Priestes marriages and sequestring theÌ„ from their wiues Which articles were sent to the Emperor to trie his mind before the Councell should breake vp who was contented with all sauing that he could not away to haue the inuesting of ecclesiasticall function taken from him The Pope excoÌ„municateth the Emperor wherevpon the pope procéedeth against him to excommunication It was not long after but the Pope came to Gisortium where Henry king of England resorted to him desiring that he would send no more Legates into the land except he himselfe desired because they spoiled the realme of great treasures The king of England sueth to the Pope and also that he would graunt him to vse all the customes vsed before of his auncestors in England and in Normandie To these petitions the Pope graunted and required againe of the king that he would license Thurstin the Archbishop aboue mentioned to returne with fauour into the land but the king vtterly denied that except he would submit to Canterbury Submit to Canterbury Anno 1120 the yéere following Pope Calixtus directeth his letters to the king for Thurstinus and to Rodulph Archbishop of Canterbury in which he doth interdict the Churches of Canterbury and Yorke and threatneth the King with excommunication except within a moneth after the the same Thurstine were receyued into the Sea of Yorke The Pope Thurstine Wherevppon Thurstine for feare was immediately sent for and receaued and was placed in the Sea Anno 1122. Within two yeares after Rodolfe Archbishoppe of Canterburie died whom Gulielmus de Turbin succéeded About which time in the xxvij yere of the kings reigne the Gray friers The Graye friers by procurement of the king came first into Englande and had their house first at Canterburie Anno 1125. the king called a Councell at London where the spiritualtie of England not knowing whereabout it was required graunted the king to haue the punishment of maried Priestes The Priests pay to the K. for their wiues Whereupon the Priestes paying to the K. a certain summe were suffered to retaine their wiues stil to the great gaine of the king This king Henrie buylded the Abbey of Reading for ioy of Saint Iames hand which his daughter Mawde who had maried with the Emperor Henrie the fift brought vnto him after the decease of her husband She was after maried to Geffrey Plantagenet Earle of Aniou of whome came Henrie the second About this time was founded the Priorie of Norton in the Prouince of Chester by one William the sonne of Nichelle This K. an 1131. Danegelt released by the king released vnto the land the Danegelt which his father and brother renued Hee erected also a new Bishoprick at Carlill After Calixtus succéeded Honorius 2. Notwithstanding that the Cardinals had elected another Honorius B yet he by that meanes of certaine Citizens obteyned it An. 1125. Vnto this time liued Henricus v. after that hee had reigned xx yeres died out issue Next after Henricus the Empire fell to Lotharius D of Saxon an 1127. In the time of P. Honorius 2. there was one Arnulphus Arnulphus some say Archbishop of Lugdune Trithemiê° saith he was a Priest that for sharpe rebuking of the Cleargie of Rome was layde waite for and priuily drowned He preached very boldly against their abuses Sabellicus and Platina say they hanged him About the time of this Arnulphus if it were not his own worke there was written a booke called Opus tripartitum Opus tripartitum that coÌ„playneth of many abuses and enormities of the Church as first Abuses of the church preached against of the number of holy dayes also of curious singing in the Church of the multitude of begging Friers and professed womeÌ„ with diuers other points of abuse About the yere of our Lord 1128. Knights of the Rhodes and Templars the order of Knights of the Rhodes called Ioannites and the order of Templars rose vp After Honorius Honorius succéeded Innocentius the second in the yere of our Lord one thousande one hundred and thirtie but after hee was chosen the Romanes elected Anacletus Betwixt which Popes great strife and contention rose Contention betwixt the popes till Lotharius the Emperor began to assist and take part with Innocentius This P. decréed that whosoeuer did strike a Priest Strike a Priest shauen should be excommunicate and not be absolued but only of the pope himselfe An. 1135. King H. dieth in Normandie after that he had reigned in England thirtie fiue yeares and odde monethes leauing for his heires Matilde the Empresse his daughter with her young sonne Henrie to succéede But the Prelates and Nobilitie contrarie to their oath made Steuen Earle of Boloign king sisters sonne to Henrie Hee entered his reigne an 1136. But the empresse about the 6. yere of his reign came into England and tooke him sent him to Bristow to be kept prisoner WheÌ„ce he escaped out and pursued the empresse her parte and caused her to flie the Realme the sixt yere of his reigne But after that Henrie Duke of Normandie inuaded in the quarrell of his Mother and so preuayled that Steeuen was contented to holde the kingdome but for his life time and that Henrie in the meane time should be proclaymed Heire apparant The same yere about October Steeuen ended his life after he had reigned xix yeres periuredly As Theobald succéeded after William Archb. of Cant. so in York after Thurstane followed William who was called S.
where Tho appeared not but sente another This the king tooke in great displeasure and laid diuers actions against him of reconings c. The other Bishops endeuoured to perswade Thomas to consider what he did and not to stande so stiflie against the king others encouraged him and at last they agréed with common consent to cite him vp to Rome vpon periurie and appointed him his daye of appearance Which when the Archbishop heard he also sent to Rome to whom the Pope directeth againe his letters of comfort that made Becket still to hold himselfe stout against the King who was so incensed against him that if he had not fledde the Court he had béene laid in prison Becket flieth and turneth his name to Derman for not answering to certaine accompts the king had to charge him withall But he sped him away changing his name and calling himselfe Derman and taking shippe at Sandwich fled into Flanders from thence to Ludouicus the French king who notwithstanding Letters and request to the contrarie gaue him entertainment and wrote to the Pope in his behalfe and although the K. had sent vnto him Ambassadors Robert Archbishoppe of Yorke with other Bishoppes and Nobles requiring him to deale otherwise thorow the French Kings letters did wholy encline to Becket But forasmuch as he could not be placed as yet in England the Pope sendeth him in a monks habite to the Abbey of Pontiniake in Fraunce where hée remayned two yeares And from thence he remoued to Senon B. in exile seuen yeres where he abode fiue yeres So his exile continued in all seuen yeres Now the king vnderstanding of the Popes fauor toward Becket sayling out of England into Normandie directeth ouer certaine Iniunctions against the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterburie Besides an 1166. it was set foorth by the kings Proclamation that all manner of persons both men women of Beckets kinred Beckets kinred banished should be banished without carrying away any penyworth of their goods Hee sent also to Guarrin the Abbot of Pontiniakes threatning him that if he would not put away Tho. hee would driue out of his Realme all the Monkes of his order Whereupon Becket was faine to depart to Lewes the French king who placed him at Senon and there found him the space of fiue yeares In which time of his absence he wrought all hee might against the king and those that he knew did not fauour him diuers letters passed to and from Becket to the Pope the king very seditious rebellious Frō which dealing a very pithie letter written by the Suffraganes of the Church of Canterburie could nothing perswade him but prouoked him very sharply to replie against them He reiected also the letters of the Empresse that endeuored to perswade him After these letters sent to and fro anno 1169. the King fearing least the Archbishoppe should procéede against his owne person by excommunication made his appeale to the Pope The K. feareth Becket whereupon he sent two Cardinals Guilielmus and Otho o take vp the matter at Grisorsium in Fraunce but it came to no conclusion Where William requiring Becket for the peace of the Church which hée pretended to resigne his Bishoprike so that the King would giue ouer his customes answered that the proportion was not like saying that hée sauing the honour of his Church and person could not so doo but the king Because the Pope had cōdemned them it stood on his soules health to renounce those ordinances and customes because the Pope had condemned them After the Cardinals were returned the French king also thought to haue preuayled with Thomas and laboured to perswade him but could not Thomas alwaies adding his obedience Saluo honore Dei very captiously that he might thereby make escape if néede were wherewith the King was greatly displeased After this there fell other displeasure betwixt them Anno 1170. And the sixtéenth yere of the Kings raigne at which time hée kept his Parlement at Westminster hée caused his sonne Henry to be crowned King with consent of Lordes Spirituall and Temporall which Coronation was doone by the handes of Robert Archbishop of Yorke with assistance of other Bishopses whereat Becket tooke great displeasure because hée was not called for and complayned thereof to the Pope at whose instaunce the Pope sent downe sentence of excommunication against the Archbishop and London Salisbury Duresme and Rochester that were doers with him in the Coronation and sendeth also two Legates the Archb. of Rhothomage and the Archb. of Nauerne with full commission either to driue the King to reconciliation or to interdict him by the Popes censure out of the Church wherevpon the king at last through the mediation of the French king and diuerse prelates great Princes was content to yéeld to reconciliation but would not graunt him his possessions and landes of his church before he repaired into England The king yeeldeth to Becket and should shew how peaceably he would agrée with the kings subiects This peace being thus cōcluded Thomas after 6. yéers of his banishment returned and was commanded of the yoong king to kéepe his house The Bishops before excommunicated required absolution of him but hée would not graunt therevnto simply without cauteles so they cōplained to the king who tooke it heauenly lamented oft sundry times that none would reuenge him of his enemy which certaine to the number of 4. hearing prepared themselues came into England out of Normandie about Christmasse time repaired to Thomas commanded him in the kings name to come to the yoong K. to doo his duty to him to restore the bishops whom he had excōmunicated for the kings coronatiō which Thomas would not grant vnto touching the absolutiō referring it to the pope who had excōmunicated thē In the end so disorderly Thomas behaued himselfe that they said he had spoken against his owne head and rushed out of the dores cōmaunding the monks to kéepe him forth comming What quoth Thomas thinke you I will fly away nay neither for the K. nor for any man will I stir one foote frō you and so cried after them Foure armed men kill Thomas Becket here here shall you find me laying his hand vpon his crowne The 4. whose names were Reynold Bereson Hugh Morteuill Wil. Thracy Richard Brito went to harnesse themselues returned the same day slue Becket méeting him about euēsong time with his crosse in his hand euery one striking him with his sword into the head they after fled into the North at length with much adoo The murtherers do penāce hauing obtained their pardon of the pope went to Ierusalem in linnen clothes barefoote fasting and praying whereof in few yéeres after they died Anno 1220. There was a question as saith Cesarius the monke at Paris whether Becket were saued or damned Roger a Normand holding against him Whether Becket were saued or damned
in one day by the P. did holde that euery day was frée for eating of flesh so it be done soberly Also that they did wickedly which restrayned Ministers from their lawfull wiues For which cause this Pope and his Bishops caused an hundred of them to be burned in one day Nauclerus reporteth that at the same time many were in the Citie of Millan of the said doctrine which vsed to sende Collects vnto the foresaid Saints of Alsatia The Rablement of Religious Orders in the Popish Church AVstinians Ambrosians two sortes 490 Antonians heremites 324 Austines heremites 498 Austines obseruants 490 Armenians sect Ammonites and Moabites Basilius order 384 Benets order 324 Bernardes order 1120 Barefooted friers 1222 Brigets order 1370 Beghart or white Spirites 1399 Brethren of Ierusalem 1103 Brethren of S. Iohn de ciuitate black friers 1220 Brethren of wilful pouertie Cluniacensis order 913 Canons of S. Augustine 7080 Charterhouse order 1086 Cistercian order 1098 Crossebearers or Crossed friers 1216 Carmelites or white friers 1212 Clares order 1225 Celestines order 1297 Camaldulensis order 950 Crostarred brethren Constantino politanish order Crosse-bearers Chapter monkes Duch order 1216 Dominick black friers 1220 Franciscans 1224 Grandmontensis order 1076 Gregorian order 594 Georges order 1407 Guilhelmites 1246 Gerundinesis order Galileans Heremites Helenes brethren Humiliati 1166 Hospitall brethren Holy Ghost order Ieroms order two sorts 1412 Iohns heremites Iustines order 1432 Iohannites or knights of the Rhodes 380 Iniesuati 1308 Ieromes heremites 1365 Iosephs order 490 Iacobites sect Iames brethrens order Iames brethren with the sword Indians order Katherin of Senes order 1455 Keyed mōks K. of the Rhodes Lazarites or Marimagdalins or our Ladies brethren 1034 Lords of Vngarie Minorires which be deuided into Conuentuales Obseruants Reformate Collectane De Capucio De Euangelio Amedes Clarini c. Minorites 1224 Maries seruants 1304 Monks of mount Oliuet 1046 Marouinies sect Monorites sect Monache Monachi Morbonei Merestei Menalaish Iasonish sect New chanons of S. Austin 1430 Nestorini Nalhart brethren New order of our Ladie Nazarei Paules heremites 345 Premonstratensis order 1119 Preachers order or black friers Peter the Apostles order 1009 Purgatorie brethren Rechabites Sarrabites Sambanites 1199 Scourgers the first sect 1266 Souldiers of Iesus Christ 1323 Scopenites or saint Saluators order 1367 Specularii or Glasse order Sepulchres order Shere order Swerds order Starrid monkes Starrid friers Sclauonie order Scourgers the second secte called Niniuites Stoole brethren Scotland brethren order Sicarii S. Sophis order Templars order 1110 Templar knights 1120 The vale of Iosaphats order Vallis Vmbrosae 1400 Waldensis sect Wentzelaus order Wilhelmes order White monkes of mount Oliuet 1406 Zelotes order IN the daies of pope Innocent the 3. began the two sects of Friers one called the Preachers order Dominicks Minorits friers or blacke friers of S. Dominicks the other called the Minorits of S. Francis The Preachers order began of one Dominicke a Spaniard about the partes of Tholouse who after he had laboured 10. yéeres in preaching against the Albingenses afterward comming vp to the Councell with Fulco B. of Tholouse desired the pope to haue his order of preaching cōfirmed which the pope a great while refused till at length thorough a dreame he dreamed he perswadeth the Pope His dreame was that Laterane Church was ready to fall he with his shoulders was faine to hold it wherevpon Dominick had his petitition granted The rule which they folow séemeth to be taken out of S. August Their profession stādeth vpō 3. special point 1. Hauing charity 2 Holding humility 3. Possessing wilful pouerty their habit clothing is blacke The minorities descend from one Francis an Italian of the citie of Assissium who hearing that Christ sent forth his disciples to preach thought to imitate the same in himselfe his disciples and so left of shoes had but one coate The perfection of the Gospel and that of a coorse cloth in stéed of a latchet to his shoe and a girdle tooke a Hempen cord and apparrelled his disciples teaching them as he said the perfection of the Gospel to apprehend pouerty and to walke in the way of holy simplicity He left in wryting to his Disciples and followers his rule which he called the Rule of the Gospell He was very seuere in outward chastising of him selfe so that in Winter he couered his bodie with I se and snowe He called pouertie his Ladie He kept nothing ouer night So desirous he was of martirdome that he went into Siria to the Souldan who receiued him honorablie for he tolde him not the trueth as Iohn Baptist did to Herod Many sectes of Franciscans The Franciscans be deuided into many Sectes some goe in tréene shooes or pattins some barefooted some regular Frāciscās or obseruāts some minors some minimi other of the gospel other de caputio About the same time sprang vp the Crooched friers Crooched friers taking their originall of Innocent the 3. who raised vp an army signed with the crosse on their brest to fight against the Albingenses whom the Pope and his sect accompted for heretiks about the part of Tholouse The Albingenses denied the Popes authoritie and his traditions they were against Images pardons purgatorie and chiefly they were abhorred of the Pope because they set vp a contrary pope against him in the coastes of Burgarorum Of these Albingenses were slaine at times and burned a great multitude by the meanes of the Pope and Simon de monte forti with other more About this season or not not much before died Pope Innocent the third in the 19. yéere of his Popedome to whose custody Fredericus the nephew of Fredericke Barbarossa being yong was committed by the empresse his mother After this Innocent succéeded Honorius 3. and after Honorius when he had gouerned ten yéeres followed Gregorius 9. which popes were in the raigne of Henry 3. About the yéere 1218. Becket 50. yeeres after his death was taken vp and shrined for a new Saint made of an olde rebel Becket shrined after his death to whose shrining came such resort of people of England and France that the countrey of Kent was not sufficient to sustaine them About the yeare 1220. the young king was the seconde time crowned againe at Westminster About which time was begun the new building of our Lady Church at Westminster By reason the Realme through king Iohn was made tributarie to the Pope the exactions vpon all estates from the Sea of Rome especiallie vpon beneficed men Incredible exactions from Rome and such as held any thing of the church were incredible so that certaine of the Nobles assented with the king to make a restraint of such rents and exactions The Pope required by Cardinall Otho of all the churches two prebends one for the bishops part one for the chapter also of the monasteries where be diuerse portions The Popes request in England one for the Abbot another for
from his cursed lawes 5 Against vowes of perpetual chastitie 6 That priests ought to preach the Gospell fréelie 7 That Innocentius 3. with 600. bishops and 1000. other prelats which set down in a councel transub and reall presence were fooles blockheads heretikes c. in so doing and therefore no man ought to obey their constitutions except they be grounded vpon the Scriptures or vpon some reason which can not be impugned Besides these Richard Lauingam collected other articles out of the bookes of Puruey as against the chapter of penaunce and committing of sinnes Omnis vtriusque sexus Item that Innocētius the third was the head of Antichrist against the Sacrament of Orders And if there were no Pope yet all the bishops might gouerne the Church by common consent as once they did before Once they did before c. such worldly pride crept in among the Bishops c. As touching the authoritie of the keyes no man ought to estéeme Sathan whom men call the Pope and his vniust censures more then the hissing of a serpent or the blast of Lucifer Concerning the Sacrament of matrimony that gossipry ought to be no let The P. curse the blast of Lucifer That no vow ought to be made but in such things as a man may and ought lawfully to performe Touching the possessions of the Church he declareth that the king and the Lords and commons may without any charge at all kéepe 15. garrisons find 15000. souldiers hauing sufficient lands and reuenues to liue vppon out of the temporalties gotten into the hands of the Cleargy How the temporalties of the cleargy shoulde be bestowed fayned religious men which neither do that which belongeth to the office of Curats to do nor yet to secular lords And moreouer the king may haue 20000 pound to come fréely euerie yere to his cofers and aboue also may finde and sustaine fiftéen Colledges more and 15000. Priestes and Clarkes with sufficient liuing and an hundred hospitals for the sick and euery house to haue one hundred markes in landes and all this to be taken out of the tēporalties of the clergy wtout any charge to the realme c. That the law of Siluester the P. which is declared in 2. q. 5. ca. praesul cap. Nullam is contrarie to the law of Christ and either Testament And that those decretals of accusations cap. quando qual which do prohibit any clarks to be brought before a secular iudge to receiue iudgement doo containe blasphemy heresie and error and brings great gaines to Antichrists cofers That punishment of adultery belongeth to secular persons and furthermore hée maketh an exhortation to the Princes to iudge the Church of Rome which hée calleth the great and cursed strumpet of whom S. Iohn writeth Apocalips 17. Touching the lawes determinations of the popes church the Christians ought to repeale such of them as are against the word of God and that the Canon lawes are full of heresies This was written of him anno 1396. which séemeth to be before his recanttatiō at Saltwood before Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury Nowe all this time the schisme continued betwixt the popes and so endured til the Councell of Constance which was in whole the space of 29. yéeres the original whereof began at Vrbanus the fift who dying ann 1389. next folowed Boniface 9. Boniface 9. impudent in selling of pardōo who sate 14. yéeres he in selling his pardons was so impudent that hee brought the keies of S. Peter as saith Platina in contempt After him succéeded Innocentius 7 and sate two yéeres who béeing dead the Cardinals consulted together and séeing the inconuenience that grew of the schisme minded to prouide some remedie for the same and tooke order being assembled in their conclaue for the election of a new Pope and promised among themselues with a solemn vow made to God Marie the blessed virgin to Peter and Paul and all the companie of holy Saints that if any of them within the Colledge or without the same should be called to that high place of the Apostolicall preheminence he should effectuallie renounce the iurisdiction and title of his Popedome if or whensoeuer Order against the schisme the contrarie Pope for the time being woulde in like manner renounce his place and title and his Cardinals in like manner condiscended to the cardinals of Rome So that these two Colledges of Cardinals agréeing together that one chiefe B. might be chosen and taken out of thē both to be made the true pope Prouided moreouer that none should séeke absolution or releasement from the said vow and bond once passed among them Vnto all which things euery one subscribed with his hand and so they procéeded and chose Gregory 12. who in the same day of his election Pope Gregory the 12. in the presence of all the Cardinals confirmed the vow subscribing the same with his hand in forme as followeth And I Gregory this day being the last of Nouember anno 1407. chosen and elected Bishop of Rome doo vow promise and confirme all the premises c. This being doone shortly after he was crowned being of the age of 80. yéeres Pope Gregory 12. periured but the holy Father periured himselfe and therefore diuerse did forsake him and sent to Kings and Princes of other lands for their assistance to appease the Schisme and amongst the rest Cardinall Bituriensis was sent to the King of England who publishing diuers conclusions which remaine in the registers of Thomas Arundel disputeth that the pope ought to be subiect to the Lawes and Counsels by whose motion the King directeth his letters vnto Gregory the Pope Anno 1409. perswading him to performe his oth and to giue ouer for the quiet of the Church and the quieting of the Schisme vnder pretence whereof hée shewed that 200000. 200000. Christians slaine in a popish quarrell Christians had béene slaine and that of late thirtie thousand thorough the dissention about the Bishopricke of Leodium betwéene two set vp the one by the authoritie of the one Pope and the other by the authoritie of the other and further moued him to giue ouer as the naturall mother did her sonne before Salomon The king writeth to the Pope rather then it should be parted deuided according as the harlot would it should be He wrote also to the colledge of Cardinals requiring them that if according to their desire and request Gregory would at the Councell of Pise giue ouer his Popedome they would take order for the state of the Church This being done an 1409. the yéere next folowing 1410. The Cardinals of both popes Gregorius and Benedictus by common aduise assembled at Pise and chose a new pope Alexander the 5. Pope Alexander 5. Three popes together But to this election neither Pope Gregorius nor Benedictus did agrée whereby there were thrée Popes together in the Romish Church This Pope scarcesly had warmed his triple crowne
A dagger hurled at the preacher ead Bradford to the tower 98 M. Iohn Rogers eadem Hooper appeareth 99 Couerdale appeareth ead Hooper to the Fleete ead Pet. Martyr returneth home eadem Latimer appeareth 100 Cranmer to the Tower ead French protestāts suffered to passe hence eadem Mary crowned eadem A parlement eadem Statutes repealed 101 Sir Iames Hales apprehended ead Sir Iohn Hales lamentable end eadem Disputation of sixe dayes eadem Disputation confuted 103 The Prolocutor interrupteth Philpot ead M. Elmer 104 Romish Church against reason ead Maister Philpot a harty man eadem Maister Philpots argument 105 Conuocation breaketh vp eadem Communicatiō of mariage betwixt Q. Mary and K. Philip 106 Doctor Crome to the fleete eadem Wiat beheaded ead Lady Iane and Lord Gilford beheaded eadem Gods iudgement vpō Morgan eadem Articles 107 About 800. flie beyond the seas eadem Lady Elizabeth and Lord Courtney sēt to the Tower ead Popes supremacie not obteined 108 Boners commendation of priesthood eadem Doctor Cranmer Doctor Ridley and M. Latimer sent to prison vnto Oxford 109 Disputers at Oxford ead Questions to be disputed of eadem Thirtie and three Commissioners ead Cranmer before the Commissioners eadem Vnitie with veritie ead Ridley appeereth ead Maister Latimer appeereth 110 Neither Masse nor the marybones nor the sinewes founde in the Scripture eadem A disorderly disputation 111 D. Ridley disputeth eadem D. Smith a turner and returner eadem Weston triumpheth before the victory ead Mayster Latimer disputeth eadem Weston crieth Vrge hoc 112 The martirs bid read on the sentence 113 Latimer would not beholde the procession ead The Prolocutor breaketh promise with M. Philpot. eadem The Prolocutor openeth Crāmer his letters to the Councell eadem Maister Bradford Thomas Beacon Neron to the to the Tower 114 A false rumor of the archbishop 115 In Kings Colledge Papistes very forward ead Lady Ellzabeth to the tower 116 Lady Elizabeth to Woodstocke 117 Barlow and Cardmaker to the fleete eadem Against writing Scriptures on Churchwalles ead Twenty foure places voyd together in S. Iohns colledge in Cambridge ead Cardinall Poole lādeth ead Absolutiō giuē to the Lords and commons 118 Purchases of abbey lands to be cōfirmed by the pope eadem M. Rose sent to the Tower eadem The act of popes supremacy eadem Qu. Mary with child ead Certaine euill praiers to bee treason 119 Iames George ead Cardmaker submitteth ead Sentēce against Tayler Saunders Bradford 120 M. Iohn Rogers martyr 121 M. Rogers diuinitie reader in Paules eadem Rogers condemned 122 Cruel Gardiner eadem Boner would not suffer maister Rogers to talke with his wife before his death eadem Maister Rogers first martyr of Queene Maries dayes eadem A prophecy of the ruine of the pope in England 123 Laurence Saunders ead Laurence Saunders constancy and his letters 124 Sweete saying of Laurence Saunders eadem Hooper burned at Glocester 125 Hooper preached once or twise a day eadem Hooper depriued 126 Hooper hardly vsed in pryson 127 Hooper and Rogers to the Counter eadem False rumors of Hoopers recanting 128 Hooper goeth cherefullie to death 129 Hooper refuseth his pardon ead Hooper a woorthie Martir ead D. Taylor martir ead All the prisons in Englande Christian schooles churches 130 Taylor Bradford Saūders condemned ead Master Tailor pleasant at the antichristian attire 131 D. Taylor maketh Boner afraid ead Doctor Taylor masked that he may not be knowen eadem Wormes deceiued by Doct. Taylor 132 Marueylous courage of Doctor Taylor 133 Doctor Taylors braines smit out at the fire ead Gardiner referreth to Boner the butchering of Gods Saints ead Miles Couerdale graūted to the King of Denmarke 134 Thomas Tomkins Martir eadem Tomkins his hande burned with a taper ead Tomk burnt in Smithfielde 135 Father compelled against the sonne ead Hunters mother encourageth him to constancie 136 Hunter encouraged by his brother 137 William Sarton ead M. Higbed and M. Causton burned 139 Pigot and Knight Martirs ead Iohn Laurence ead Robert Farrar B. of S. Dauids burnt 140 Farrars words to a gentlemā at his death 141 Rawlins White ead Rawlins God the Bishops God 142 Rawlins wedding garments 143 Rawlins a worthy martir eadem Rawlins perswasion 144 Pope excōmunicateth those that held abbey lands ead P. Iulius the monster dieth ead P. misseth his peacock 145 A blasphemous pope ead Gods iudgement ead Branch blamed for carrying Deū time vitiū fuge about his neck ead George Marsh 146 G. Marsh his great patience 148 Wil. Flower woūdeth a priest at masse 149 Ioy at Q. Maries deliuery of child 151 Cardmaker Warne Martirs 152 People encourage Cardm at his death 153 Iohn Ardley a valeant Martir ead Iohn Symson martir ead Iohn Tooly ead Haukes at his death geueth a signe to his frends 155 Diuers comfortable epistles written by Haukes ead Thomas Wats martyr 156 Queene Mary proued not with child eadem T. Mault should haue bin Q. Maries child 157 A Caueat for England ead Nicholas Chāberlain Tho. Sommer Wil. Bāford ead Bradford reioyceth at the newes of his martirdō 158 M. Bradfords word at the stake eadem I. Leafe of 19. yeeres of age burned with Bradford 159 Iohn Leafe a notable yoong martyr eadem Gods iudgement eadem Bradfords letters eadem A dead bodie summoned to appeere and answere 160 4. martirs in Canterbury ea Nicholas Hall Christopher Wade martyrs 161 Margery Polley comforteth Wade eadem Wades prayer eadem Dyrick Caruer burned 162 Iohn Lander eadem Thomas Iueson 163 Iohn Aleworth eadem Iohn Denley Iohn Newmā Patrick Packingam ead The martyr singeth in the fire 164 Richard Hooke eadem 6. godly martirs at Cant. ea George Tankerfield 165 A prety saying of the martyr 166 For patience of the martirs the people said that they had the Diuell ead Robert Smith ead Martyr giueth a signe 167 St. Harwood Thomas Fust William Hayle eadem Robert Samuell 168 Samuell hath a vision ead Rose Notingham eadem W. Allen eadem Roger Coo eadem Thomas Cobbe eadem Thomas Haywood Iohn Gateway 169 M. Iohn Glouer ead God send his spirit of comfort 170 Robert Glouer eadem Cornelius Bungey ead Olyuer Richardine 171 W. Wolsey Ro. Pigot ead M. Ridley 172 Sundry letters tractations M. Latimer eadem M. Latimer sometimes an earnest papist conuerted by Bilney eadem Doctor Buttes a fauourer of good men 173 Verses of Latimer at the giuing of holy bread holy water 174 Smithfield had long groned for M. Latimer 175 Latimer almost starued for cold in the tower ead Latimers sundrie letters eadem Sermō of piping and daunsing ead Master Latimer to the King for restoring of the Scriptures 176 Latimers new yeres gifte to to the king eod Ridley couereth his head at the name of the Pope eadem Ridley not suffered to aunswere 177 Ridley Latimer condemned 178 Ridley refuseth his pardon ead The behauiour of Ridley Latimer at the place of execution 179 Latimer prophecieth at the