serued It was valued at the suppression to 305. l. 6. s. 7. d. yearely The Church remaineth a Parish to the Tenants dwelling in the precinct of the Hospitall in which are many faire Funerall Monuments Whose Inscriptions or the most of them are set downe in the Suruay of London these following onely omitted Hic iacent Thomas Malefant Miles Baro de Winwore et Dominus de S. George in Com. de Clamorgan et Dominus de Okneton et Pile in Com. de Penbroke in Wallia qui obijt 8. die Maij 1438. et Domina Margareta vxor eius filia Thome Asteley Ar. Nep. de Domino de Asteley et Henricus â—ilius â—orundem Tho. et Margarete Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus Amen The xiiiic yere of our Lord seventy and three Passyd Sir William Knyght to God Almightie The fiftenth dey of Iuil Master of this place Iesu for his mercy reioyce hym with his grace The xiiiic yere of our Lord and eight Passyd Sir Robart Greuil to God Almight The xii dey of April Broder of this place Iesu for his mercy reioice him with his grace Philip Lewis restyth vnder yis ston Yat in Iun deseisyd the dey six and twenty Wyth Agnes hys wyf yat were both on The xiiiic yere of our Lord and seuen and fifty Subiacet ecce pede Iohn Stafford mortis in ede Iustus deuotus discretus et ad pia motus Qui bona plura loco dum vixit contulit isti Mille quater centum quater et sexto quoque Christi Luce Nouemberis deca ter .......... Vt sit propitius anime Christus precor Amen Saint Sepulchers In this Church lyeth buried the body of that vnfortunate Lord Thomas Fiâ—es Baron Dacres of the South Who was executed at Tiborne the 29. of Iune 1541. for that hee with others going to hunt in Master Pelhams Parke at Laughton in Sussex and meeting with some companie casually by the way with whom and his confederates ensued a quarrell in which a priuate man one Iohn Busbrig was slaine by the said Lord or some of his associates which were Io. Mantell Io. Frouds and George all three executed for the same fact at Saint Thomas Waterings The death of this Lord was generally lamented being an hopefull gentleman of 24. yeares of age This happened in that bloudie yeare when Henry the eight vnsheathed his sword vpon the neckes of the Nobilitie Here lieth the heart of Iohn Goodfellow for his sowl and al yat died wyth hym and al Christen sowls I prey yow for cherite sey a Pater Noster and an Ave Mary Saint Bridgets or Brides Vndyr this ston William Weuer doth ly Cityzon and Elisabeth his wyf hym by He died the viii and she the vii dey of September Leuing Geffrey Mary and Ellin thar children as I remember Who 's sowls God receyve to fauor and pease Wyth Ioyes to lyve that neuyr sal cease 1409. The White Friers These Friers were called Fratres beatae Mariae de monte Carmeli first founded by Sir Richard Grey knight ancestor to the Lord Grey of Codnor in the yeare 1241. King Edward the first gaue to the Prior and brethren of that house a plot of ground here in Fleetstreet whereupon to build their house which was afterwards new builded by Hugh Courtney the third of that Christian name Earle of Deuonshire the yeare before he died which was Aun 1350. Sir Robert Knolles knight was a great builder here also in the raigne of Richard the second and of Henry the fourth who being borne but of meane parentage in the County of Chester was by his valiant behauiour aduanced from a common Souldier in the French warres vnder Edward the third to a great Commander and being sent Generall of an Armie into France in despite of their power he draue their people before him like Sheepe destroying Townes Castles and Cities in such a manner and number that long after in memory of this act the sharpe points and gable ends of ouerthrowne houses and Minsters were called Knolles Miters After which minding to make himselfe as welbeloued of his countrey as he was feared of forraine nations hee built the goodly faire Bridge at Rochester ouer the Riuer of Medway with a Chappell and a Chantrie at the East end thereof He founded a Colledge with an Hospitall adioyning thereunto in the Towne of Pontefract in Yorkeshire of which hereafter He founded also an Hospitall in the Citie of Rome for entertainment of English trauellers or pilgrimes to that Citie in place where Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury had builded a Chappell of the holy Trinity which to this day retaines the name and is a Seminarie for our English Fugitiues He deceased at his Mannor of Scone Thorpe in Norfolke was brought to London and honourably buried by the Lady Constance his wife in the body of this Church which he had newly builded Ann. 1407. the 15. of August Of whom in his life saith Stow were made verses in Latine thus by him put into English O Robert Knowles most worthy of Fame By thy Prowesse France was made tame Thy manhood made the French to yeeld By dint of sword in towne and feeld Here sometime lay entombed in a goodly Monument of Alabaster the body of Robert Mascall Bishop of Hereford a man for his good learning and good life admired and beloued of all men He was often employed by Henry the fourth to whom he was Confessor vpon Embasies to forraine Princes and in the yeare 1415. sent with two other Bishops to the Councell of Constance Hee built the Quier Presbytery and Steeple of this Church and gaue many rich ornaments to this religious house wherein he died 22. Decemb. 1416. William Lord Montacute Earle of Salisbury and king of the Isle of Man was here entombed Whose noble Acts saith Walsingham to write worthily were a commendable matter He founded the Abbey of Bisham Montague in Barkshire and died at a Iusts and Turney at Windsore in the yeare 1343. For the rest here interred I referre my Reader to the Suruay of London This house was valued at 26. l. 7. s. 3. d. and was surrendred the tenth of Nouember the 30. of king Hen. the eight Since the writing of the premisses I chanced to haue the perusall of a Manuscript penned in the praise of this religious Order out of which I collected diuers Epitaphs which in times past had beene engrauen vpon the Sepulchers of certaine Carmelites here in the Church of this Priory interred And first I finde that Stephen Patrington vir omnibus praestantioribus animi dotibus omnibus virtutibus preditus et multiplici doctrinae varietate instructus was here buried in the body of the Quire He was borne in the County of Yorke and brought vp in the Vniuersitie of Oxford where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie He writ many learned bookes and was an admirable Preacher to whose Sermons alwayes
the Monthaults and the Mowbrays which now after long languishing as it were by reason of old age hath giuen vp the ghost In the Porch of this Parish Church is a Grauestone vnder which say the inhabitants which I haue heard sworne by others Isabell Queene of England the wife of Edward the Second lieth interred vpon the Grauestone are two words onely remaining which make the country people so thinke of the matter which are .... Isabelle Regine .... now by these the case is made plaine to any than can distinguish between the Cases Nominatiue and Genitiue that this stone was laid to perpetuate the remembrance of some one of that Queenes seruants Flytham This was a Nunnery and a Cell to Walsingham of yearely value threescore and two pound ten shillings sixe pence halfe penny Yngham This was a Priory of blacke Monkes Benedictines a Cell to Saint Albans founded by the Ancestours of Sir Oliuer Yngham knight consecrated to the honour of the blessed Virgin Mary valued at seuenty foure pounds two shillings seuen pence halfe penny Herein lay buried Sir Miles Stapleton and Ione his wife the daughter and heire of Sir Oliuer Yngham Sir Miles sonne of the said Miles and Ela his wife the daughter of Vfford Sir Brian Stapleton sonne of the second sir Miles and his wife daughter of the Lord Bardolfe Sir Miles sonne of sir Brian and Dame Katherin his wife daughter of sir Pots and after married to sir Thomas Sackuile which are likewise here buried Dame Ione Plase daughter of sir Miles Stapleton Dame Ela Perpoint which had two husbands .... Edmond Stapleton and his wife daughter of Clyfton Sir Roger Boys and his wife Linne Linne saith Leland sometimes a famous Hauen there as the Church stands now was anciently without faile an Abbey for the graues of many religious persons as yet appeare in the Church and the lodgings of the Abbey are now conuerted into the Archdeacons house This Monastery I imagine to haue beene the house of the Carmelites founded by the Lord Bardolfe Lord Scales and Sir Iohn Wingenhall Anno 1269. the dedication nor the value thereof I doe not finde The blacke Friers was founded by Thomas Gedney and the white Friers by Thomas de Feltsham and thus much is the little of them which I haue learned Here was an Hospitall dedicated to Saint Iohn valued at seuen pounds sixe shillings and eleuen pence Here I haue no Inscriptions of antiquitie Loddon This Church was built by Iames Hobart knight one of the priuie Councell to King Henry the Seuenth who lieth here buried as I haue it by relation of whom and of the Familie will it please you reade what learned Camden writes The riuer Yare saith he receiueth a brooke which passeth by nothing memorable but Halles-hall and that onely memorable for his ancient owner Sir Iames Hobart Atturney generall and of the priâ—ie Councell to King Henry the seuenth by him dubbed knight at such time as he created Henry his sonne Prince of Wales who by building from the ground the faire Church at Loddon being his parish Church Saint Oliues bridge ouer Waueney that diuideth Norfolke and Suffolke the Cawsey thereby and other workes of piety deserued well of the Church his country and the common weale and planted three houses of his owne issue out of the second wherof Sir Henry Hobart likewise Atturney Generall to King Iames is lineally descended The foresaid Sir Henry Hobart knight and Baronet was aduanced by the said King the sixteenth of October in the eleuenth yeare of his raigne to be Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common pleas in which office hee died the twenty sixt day of December the first yeare of the raigne of our gracious Soueraigne King Charles magna Reipub. iactura a great losse to the weale publike as Sir Henry Spelman writes Here lieth Margaret the wife of Sir Iames Hobart who died Anno 1494. as I haue it out of certaine funerall Notes Yarmouth This Towne is beautified with a spatious faire Church hauing a wondrous high Spire Steeple built by Herbert the first Bishop of Norwich in the raigne of William Rufus All the funerall Monuments of antiquitie in this Church are vtterly defaced Inscription nor Epitaph now remaining except that this may passe current for one Elyn Benaker mercy dooth craue God on her Sowl mercy more haue In the three and twentieth yeare of King Edward the Third happened a most grieuous and lamentable Plague in this Towne which brought within the compasse of one yeare seauen thousand fiftie and two persons to their graues the which is witnessed by an ancient Latin Chronographicall Table hanging vp in the Church The Parsonage which was yearely worth before the sicknesse seuen hundred Markes was afterwards scarse worth forty pound by yeare The bodies of all the dead were buried in the Church and Church-yard and in such and such places of the same as the Townesmen can shew you at this day The Priory of Carmelites or white Friers Was Founded by King Edward the first Anno Domini 1278. herein lay buried Dame Maud wife of Sir Laurence Huntingdon who died 1300. Sir Iohn de Monte Acuto obijt 1392. Nicholas Castle Esquire who died 1309. and Elisabeth his wife these are all I finde here to haue beene buried and this is all that I can speake of this religious house The blacke Friers was founded by Godfrey Pelegren and Thomas Falstolfe The Grey Friers by William Gerbrigge Neare to this Towne was a Colledge of Saint Iohn Baptist first founded by Robert de Castre after by Iohn Falstolfe Esquire Father to Sir Iohn Falstolfe that Martiall Knight who had a faire seat at Caster and who was Knight of the Garter in the raigne of Henry the sixth Thomas Talbot sometimees keeper of the Records in the Tower did collect out of an old Calender in a Missale the names of certaine eminent persons for the soules of whom the Religious Votaries in and about Yarmouth were bound to pray the most of which number were buried in the Parish Church and in their Monasteries as followeth Margaret the wife of Sir Iohn Falstolfe daughter of Sir Iohn Holbroke knight Iohn Fastolfe and Ione his wife Richard Alexander William Thomas Robert Fastolfs Clarence Fastolfe the wife of Sir Robert Ilketishale Knight who dyed 1393. William Ilketishale their sonne Parson of Hesingham who dyed the Ides of December 1412. Iohn Falstolfe Doctor of Diuinitie a Frier Preacher Richard Falstolfe an Augustine Frier with many more of that ancient and noble Familie Godfrey Pelegren aforesaid and his wife Thomas the sonne of Sir Thomas Bowet Knight Ione the daughter of Iohn Wilshire wife to Robert Cromer Registred and buried in the Augustine Friers these William de Vfford Earle of Suffolke who dyed 15. Feb. 1382. Michaell and Michaell de la Pole Earles of Suffolke Sir Thomas Hengraue Knight of
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
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
England should not be named or called from henceforth Prior of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem in England but by his proper name of William Weston Knight without further addition touching the said Religion And that likewise Sir Iohn Rauson knight being then Prior of Kilmainam in Ireland should not bee called or named from thenceforth Prior of Kilmainam in Ireland but onely by his proper name of Iohn Rauson knight without farther addition And that none of the Brethren or Confriers of the said Religion within this Realme of England and Land of Ireland should bee called Knights of the Rhodes or knights of Saint Iohns but by their owne proper Christian names and surnames of their parents without any other additions And furthermore it was enacted vnder a great penaltie that they should not weare about their necks in or vpon any apparell of their bodies any chaine with a Ierusalem Crosse or any other signe marke or token theretoâ—fore vsed and deuised for the knowledge of the said Religion and that they should not make any congregations chapiters or assemblies touching the same Religion or maintaine support vse or defend any liberties franchises or priuiledges theretofore granted to the said Religion by the authoritie of the Bishop of Rome or of the See of the same Lastly it was granted by the authoritie of the said Parliament that the Kings Maiestie his heires and successors should haue and enioy their said mansion house in the Parish aforesaid within the County of Midlesex and also the Hospitall of Kilmainam in Ireland with all their appurtenances for euer Yet it was prouided by the said Act that Sir William Weston and Sir Iohn Rauson Priors as also some other of the Confriers should haue a certaine annuall pension during their liues with some reasonable proportion of their owne proper goods And this was done saith the words in the statute by the agreement and assent of the Kings most excellent goodnes Sir William Weston had giuen vnto him one thousand pound of annuall rent or pension Sir Iohn Rauson fiue hundred Markes Clement West Confrier two hundred pound Thomas Pemberton fourescore pound Gyles Russell one hundred pound George Ailmer one hundred pound Iohn Sutton two hundred pound Edward Bellingham an hundred pound Edward Browne fifty pound Edmund Husse an hundred Markes Ambrose Caue an hundred Markes Thomas Copledyke fifty pound Cuthbert Leighton threescore pound Richard Broke an hundred Markes Henry Poole two hundred Markes William Tyrell thirty pound Iohn Rauson Confrier two hundred Markes To Anthony Rogers Oswald Massingberd Iames Husse Thomas Thornell Nicholas Hopton Philip Babington Henry Gerard Dunstan Nudegate Nicholas Lambert and Dauid Gonson being Confriers professed and hauing no certaine liuing was giuen ten pound a peece of yearely pension And if any proâ—esâ—ed in the said Religion were negligently forgotten or omitted out of that present Act for lacke of knowledge of their names yet it was ordered by the same that they should haue such honest conuenient and reasonable yearly pension and portion of goods as should please the Kings Maiestie to limit and appoint And by the said Act Ioâ—n Mableston Subprior of this Hospitall in England William Ermested Master of the Temple of London Walter Lymsey and Iohn Winter Chapleines were authorized to receiue and enioy during their naturaâ—l liues all such mansion houses stipends and wages in as large and ample manner as euer they did before the sitting of that Parliament What other pensions were giuen or how much the value in money was of the yearely profits of these foure last remembred I do not reade But the annuities or pensions appointed to the said two knights and the Confriers amounted to the summe of two thousand eight hundred and seuenty pound the yeare issuing out of the lands to this Hospitall appertaining And I finde that at the very same time of the dissolution of this Fraternitie certaine lusts and Tourneaments being holden at Westminster wherein the challengers against all commers were Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seymor Sir Thomas Poinings Sir George Carew knights Antony Kingston and Richard Cromwell Esquires To each one of which for a reward of their valiantnesse the King gaue an hundred Markes of yearely reuenues and an house to dwell in and both of them to them and their heires for euer out of the lands and liuings belonging to this Hospitall Of such a large extensure were her possessions And much what after this manner the rest of the Manors honors lands tenements rents and reuersions were bestowed and likewise at that time vpon small considerations the scite and lands of all other Monasteries were begged bought and alienated by such who respected their owne profit aboue the seruice of Almighty God Albeit it was then declared saith Camden that such religious places being of most pious intent consecrated to the glory of God might haue beene according to the Canons of the Church bestowed in exhibition and almes for Gods Ministers reliefe of the poore redemption of captiues and repairing of Churches All Monasteries being thus suppressed it followed that vnder a faire pretence of rooting out of superstition all Chanteries Colledges and Hospitals were likewise by Act of Parliament left to the dispose and pleasure of the King And all these Monuments aforesaid of our forefathers pietie and deuotion to the honour of God the propagation of Christian saith and good learning and also for the reliefe and maintenance of the poore and impotent if without offence I may speake the truth All these I say for the most part were shortly after to wit within the remainder of his raigne and the short time of his Sonnes King Edward the sixth euery where pulled downe their reuenues sold and made a way and those goods and riches which the Christian pietie of our English Nation had consecrated vnto God since they first professed Christianity were in a moment as it were dispersed and to the displeasure of no man be it spoken profaned Thus haue you seene by degrees the fatall and finall period of Abbeyes Priories and such like religious Structures with the casting out to the wide world of aâ—l their religious Votaries chiefly occasioned by their owne abhominable crying sinnes more then by any other secondarie meanes as plainly doth appeare by the premisses All which Queene Mary attempted to haue restored to their pristine estate and former glory But all in vaine for these religious Ediâ—ices with the lands and possessions thereunto belonging were so infringed alienated and transferred that neither the power of Maiestie nor the force of Parliament could reduce them againe to the proper vse for which by the Founders they were intended Howsoeuer she being a Prince more zealous then poliâ—â—keâ— resigned and confirmed by Parliament to God and holy Church all those Ecclesiasticall reuenues which by the authoritie of that high Court in the time of her father King Henry had beene annexed to the Crowne to the great diminution and impouerishing of the same And
requiescit Dominus Thomam Elham quondam Prior huius Ecclesâ— quicum Ann. 2. mens 11. et 4. dieb honorâ—fice vixisset 20. Febru 1440. obdormiuit in Domino Est nece substratus Ion Woodnesbergh tumulatus Huius erat gratus Prior Ecclesie aumeratus Quem colie ornatus hic tantus vhique nouatus Per loca plura datus fit sumptus testificatus Auctor erat morum probitatis laudis honorum Largus cunctorum cunctis dator ille laborum Quique Prioratum rexit sub schemate graium Annos hunc plenos per septenos quoque denos Quadringentenis Mil. eius bis quoque denis Annis septenis domini nondum sibi plenis ....... cum tibi Chrisle ... agone Quem precibus pane radiantis forte corone Hic iacet Dominus Thomas Chyllindene quondam Prior huius Ecclesie Decretorum Doctor egregius qui nauem islius Ecclesie ceteraque diuersa edisicia ..... qui post quam Prioratum huius Ecclesie 25. Sept .... et quinque diebus nobiliter rexisset tandem in die Assumptionis beate Marie virginis diem suum clausit extremum Ann. Dom. 1411. Cuius anime propiâ—ietur Deus Amen This man flourished vnder Archbishop Arundell who entirely affected him euen from the time that he deliuered him the Crosse at Westminster with all accustomed solemnitie in the presence of the King and most of the Nobilitie Preteriens flere discas et die miserere Et ne subsannes quia victus morte Iohannes Membris extensis iacet hic Sarisburiensis Sic non euades vindice morte cades Hic Prior Ecclesie Doctorque fuit Theorie Wulstam festo feria quarta memor esto Mille quater centum X. V. dant documentum Sint anime merces lux decor requies Amen Hic iacet reuerendus pater Wilhelmus Selling huius sacrosancte Ecclesie Prior ac sacre pagine Professor qui post quam hanc Ecclesiam per ann 22. mens 5 et 24. d. optime gubernasset migrauit ad Dominum Die viz. passionis Sancti Thome Martyris An. 1494. Doctor Theologie Selling Greca atque Latina Lingua predoctus hic Prior almus obit Omnis virtutis speculum exemplar Monachorum Religionis honor mitis imago Dei Hic requiescit in gratia miserecordia Dei Richardus Oxinden quondam Prior huius Ecclesie .... qui ob Aug. 4. 1338. Sub isto marmore requiescit corpus Magistri Richardi Willesford quondam Capellani Cantarie de Arundell cuius anime propitietur altissimus obijt 1520. Hic iacet Robertus Clifford Armiger frater recolende memorie Domini Richardi Clifford Episcopi Londoniarum quiob 9. die mens Martij Anno Dom. 1422. Cuius c. Hic iacet sub hoc marmore expectans miserecordiam Dei vonerabilis vir Magister Iohannes Bourchier Archidiaconus Cantuariensis qui quidem Iohannes migrauit ad Dominum 6. die mens Nouemb. 1495. Cuius anime de seta magna pietate propitietur Altissimus Heus tu sistito gradum qui obambulas Et quod scriptum est legito Gulielmi Gardneri Candidati Theologie Huius Ecclesie olim prebendarij Ossa hoc clauduntur sub marmore Obijt qui Sancti Michaelis .... luce Anno post milesimum quingentesimum Quadragesimo quarto Cui det Christus vitam tibi Lector perennem Holy crosse Church in Canterbury Hic .... Thomas Lynd primus Mayor Cant. Constantia vxor eius ... Feb. 12. Ann. Dom .... Hic iacet Clemens Harding Legum Baccalrius .... Clauditur hoc tumulo .... Multorum causas defendere quique solebat Hanc wortis causam euaderâ— non potuit Doctus indoctus moritur sic respice finem Vt. bene discedas quisquis es ista legens Saint Peters in Canterbury Thomas Ikham et Ione sa Femme 〈◊〉 Deiu de salmes eit mercy 〈◊〉 Hic iacet Wilhelmus Ikham quondam cit 〈…〉 qui obijt ... Iulij ... 1424. Orate pro anima Wilhelmi Septvaus 〈…〉 Orate pro bono slatu Iohaâ—â—is Biggs A 〈…〉 Cant .... Anno Dom. 1473. Saint Mildreds in Canterbury Orate pro animabus Thomâ— Wood 〈…〉 Hospitijre◠〈◊〉 patris in Christo Domini ... Maior is huius Cinitatis qui iâ— honore Iesu hanc capellam â—ieri fecit et 〈◊〉 garete vxoris eius filie Iohannis Moyle Armigeri Orate procis The white Friers obseruants This religious house was founded by one Sir Iohn Digges of this Countie Knight circa ann 1207. and valued at the suppression aâ— 39. l. 〈…〉 ob of yearely reuenue Herein were sometimes inteâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 Lord Badlesmere Steward of the houshold to King Eâ—ward the second who for his good seruice gaue to him and his heires the Castle of Leedes in this County which hee persidiously fortified against his Soueraigne Lord and Master and after that payed the due price of his disloyaltie vpon the gallowes Ann. 1321. Sir Giles Bâ—dilsmere or Badlesmere knight his sonne Dame Elisabeth Lady of Chilham Sir William Mauston knight Sir Roger Mauston his brother Sir Thomas Brockhall knight anâ— Lady Ioane his wife Sir Thomas Brockhall knight sonne to the said Sir Thomas and Lady Editha his wife Sir Falcon Payserer knight Sir Thomas Daynes knight Lady Alice of Maryms Lady Candlin Sir Alan Pemâ—ington of 〈◊〉 in the Countie of Lancaster knight who comming from the warres beyond Seas died in this Citie Lady Ladrie of Valence Sir William Trussell Sir William Baloyle Sir Bartholomew Ashburnham knights and Sir Iohn Montenden knight and a Frier of this house lie all here in terred The blacke Friers Minorites King Henry the third is said to bee the founder of this house in which were buried Robert and Bennet Browne Esquires Bennet daughter of Shelâ—ings and wife to Sir Edmund Hawte knight and after wife to Sir William Wendall knight The Hospitall of Saint Iames was erected by Elianor the wife of the said King Ed. 3. valued at the suppression to 32. l. 2. s. 1. d. ob Here sometime stood an house of blacke veyled Nunnes dedicated to S. 〈◊〉 founded by one of the Abbots of Saint Augustines esteemed to be worth vpon the suppression 38. l. 19. s. 7. d. ob per annum These Nuns were endowed with the Church of Redingate with other reuenues and were to pay twelue pence yearely to the Monkes of S. Augustine vpon his feast day on the high altar The Monastery of Saint Peter and Saint Paul commonly called Saint Austins Annis sexcentis preter tres Anglia mundi Christi nascentis micuit Baptismatis vnda The yeare of our redemption sixe hundred and three as these times do testifie Ethelbert king of Kent receiued the lauer of Baptisme in Saint Martins Church at the hands of Saint Augustine within two yeares after that he began the foundation of this Monasterie As I haue it out of this his Charter in the red booke of Canterbury In nomine Domini nostri Iesu Christi
Edwin king of Northumberland Sandwich Before the generall suppression here was a religious house of white Friers Carmelites founded by one Henry Cowfeld an Almaine Ann. 1272. and an Hospitall founded by Thomas Rabyng William Swanne Clerkes Iohn Goddard and Richard Long. In a booke of this order of Carmes written by Iohn Bale of which I haue spoken in the prefixed discourse I finde the Foundation of this Religious structure as also certaine Epitaphs made to the memorie of diuers of the Fraternitie therein interred in this manner following Anno Domini M.CC.LXXII fundatus erat Conuentus Sandwici per Henricum Cowfeld de Alemania Epitaphium Magistri Fratris Thome Legatt qui obijt Anno Domini M. CCCCIX Carmelita Thomas Legatt qui Theologie Doctor erat quondam conditur hoc lapide Epitaphium Fratris Thome Hadlow Hic Prior iste Hadlow nunc hoc sub marmore tectus Turmas celicolas adeat nostra prece vectus M.C. quater X. sepâ—eno transijt anno Huic deciâ—o sexto Septembris lumina nexo Magister Frater Willelmus Becklee hic sepultus cum hoc Epitaphio Nunc me petra tenet saxoque includor in isto Et lacerum vermes laniant nunc vndique corpus Quid mihi diuicie quid alta palacia prosunt Cum mihi sufficiat paruo quo marmore claudor Quam fastus quam pompa leuis quam gloria mundi Sit breuis fragilis humana potencia quam sit Collige ab exemplo qui transis perlege posco Obijt Ann Dom. M. CCCC.XXXVIII Epitaphium Magistri Iohannis Sandwich huius Conuentus Prioris perquam amabilis Subiacet huic Tumbe deuotus mente Iohannes De Sandwich dictus huiusce Prior que domus Mille quadringentos tres annos congere lumen Quindecimam Iunij sumite tempus habes Quo sors superna rapuit de corpore vitam Fundito queso preces vt sit ei requies Epitaphium Fratris Dionisij Plumcooper Cuspide lethisera mors que premit impia cuncta Mole sub hac gelià a clausit ossa viri Qui rogitat nomen cognomen postulat ipsum Hoc Dionisius est Plumcooper illud erat Mollibus hic annis Carmeli dulcis alumnus Extitit placide Pacis amator erat Ad canos veniens nature iura reliquit Mors dedit lassis artubus hic requiem Valedicit mundo xx Febr. Ann. Dom. MCCCC LXXXI Ann. 1563. Sir Roger Manwood before remembred natiue of this place founded here a free Schoole which hee endowed with fourty pounds of yearely reuenue Right famous in former times saith Camden was the Citie of Richborow whereof now nothing remaines saue certaine walls of a Castie of rough flint and Britane brickes in forme of a Quadrant Ouer the entrie whereof is the head of Queene Berta as some say grauen in stone the wife of King Ethelbert who here had a royall pallace The Romanes had their Presidents or Prouosts who had the gouernment of this Citie of which I finde but onely two to haue beene here interred namely Flauius Sanctius and Claudius Contentus the one ruling with all peace the other liuing in all riches and prosperitie whose memories are thus preserued by the Poet Ausonius Militiam nullo qui turbine sedulus egit Praeside letatus quae Rhutupinus ager His martiall seruice he discharg'd with care without all strife And Rutupin reioyc'd in him whilst there he was in life The same Authour setteth forth likewise in a lamentable funerall verse in the praise of Claudius Contentus whom he calls Vnkle who being ouertaken with death left behinde him vnto strangers a mighty great stocke of money which he had put out to vsury among the Britaines and increased by interest Et patruos Elegia meos reminiscere cantus Contentum tellus quem Rhutupina tegit My dolefull Muse now call to minde the songs of Vnkle mine Contentus who enterred lyes within mould Rutupine Ashe-Church In this Church are many ancient Monuments of worthy Gentlemen namely Sir ... Goshalls Sir ... Leuericks who lye crosse-legged as knights of Ierusalem One of the Septvaus with a collar of S S about his necke his wifes portraiture vpon the same Tombe diuers of the surname of Saint Nicholas of the Harslets and others all without Inscriptions sauing two and those shamefully defaced Claus. 25. Hen. 6. Memb. 30. 1446. Christian S. Nicholas Lady Prioresse of the Minories without Algate was daughter and heire of Nicholas S. Nicholas of S. Nicholas in Thanet and Thomas S. Nicholas is named in the same Record Hic iacet .... Clitherow Ar. ..... vxor eius silia Iohannis Oldcastell qui obijt ..... Pray for the sowle of Ioane Keriell Ye frends all that forth ypasse In endlesse lyff perpetuall That god it grant mercy and grase Roger Clitherow her fader was Tho erth to erth of kynd returne Pray that her sowle to lyff may come The name of Kiriell hath beene of great note and antiquity within this County Sir Nicholas Kiriell flourished in the raigne of King Richard the second and Sir Thomas Kiriell beheaded with the Lord Bouvile the day after the second battell at Saint Albons in the raigne of King Henry the sixth or slaine in the battell according to Iohn Harding ..... The Lords of the North Southward came To Sainct Albones vpon the fasting gang eue Wher then thei slewe the Lord Bouvile â—eue And Sir Thomas Kyriell also of Kent With mekell folke that pitee was to se. Sibbertswood In this Church are some ancient Monuments but now without Inscriptions erected to the memory of the Philipots or Philpots a familie which hath resided here a long time at Vpton Court within this Parish of which name and family was that renowned Lord Maior of London Sir Iohn Philpot knighted in the field by King Richard the second together with Sir William Wallworth then Maior and other Aldermen for the good seruice they performed against Watt Tylar and his complices Rebels of Kent and Essex This Sir Iohn gaue to the City certaine lands for the finding of thirteene poore people for euer It is likewise remembred of him to his eternall honour that Ann. 2. R. 2. he manned forth a Fleete at his owne charges to scoure the narrow Seas of such Scottish French and Spanish Pyrats as had done much villany by their often incursions to many of our English Ports and Harbours with which he not onely guarded both water and Land from their intollerable violences but also tooke their prime Captaine one Iohn Mercer a Scot with all his whole Nauie consisting of fifteene Spanish ships all being fraught with very rich commodities Which memorable atchieuement as it was right worthily applauded extolled and admired of all the faithfull Commonaltie so was it most wrongfully vnderualued enuied and drawne into question by some of the slothfull Nobilitie Ikham In this Church I saw an old Monument vpon
which onely these words are remaining Hic ..... Ba miles And in the window vnder his armes in an old character written Thomas de Ba. Of which short surname I finde nothing related in writing nor deliuered by word of mouth either short or long Chiselherst Here is the buriall place of the Walsinghams Monkton in the Isle of Tenet At the West end of this Church are these verses to be read Insula rotunda Thanatos quam circuit vnda Fertilis munda nulli est in orbe secunda The Isle of Thanet which is round and watered round about Doth passe the Isles in fruitfulnesse that be the world throughout Wingham Here sometime stood a Collegiate Church founded by Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury about the yeare 1287. wherein hee placed Canons regular valued at the time of suppression at fourescore and foure pounds of yearely reuenues Knowlton In this Church are buried some of Ringleis one of them kneeling in compleate armour his armes fixed on the Monument It seemeth the Langleys who liued here a long time did either found or reedifie this Church their armes being fixed ouer the doore vpon the fount and in the windowes Monkton In this Church are buried the Blechendens and Crisps families of good respect in this County Saint Laurence Church Here lieth Tho. S. Nicholas who married Ioane Manston .... dyed .... had issue Tho. S. Nicholas here entombed Roger Manston Iulian sa Femme gisoinct icy Dieu de salmes eyt mercy Amen These Manstons dwelt at Manston neare to this Parish and seeme to be the founders of this Chappell wherein many of the name lie entombed Barham Church Albina la Femme Rogeri Digge gist icy Dieu de salme eit mercy Amen In cineres stratus iacet hic Iohn Digge vocitatus Coniuge ..... grata Iohanna consociata Milicie nata de stirpe suit memorata Spiritibus quorum faueat Deus ipse Deorum .... pax solamen reminiscunt verius Amen Iohannes humilis pius prudens tumulatus Marmore tantillo qui solet esse potens Qui quinquagenos tres perdit simul annos Nonis Decembris vt cadit iste bonus Post anno quinto sequitur sua sponsa Iohanna In festo magni Martyris alta petens Coniugium faciens iunxisti corpora quondam Christe suas animas sac tibi celicolas This family for many descents euen to these our dayes hath beene of exemplarie note and great respect in this countrey Douer In the Church within the Castle lyeth a knight whose pourtraiture is inlaid with brasse vpon a marble stone with this Inscription Hic iacet Robertus Asheton myles quondam Constabularius Castri Douorie et custos quinque Portuum qui obijt nono die Ianuar. Anno Domini millesimo CCC octogesimo quarto cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Such was his patent for his office of Constable and Lord Warden of the fiue ports Rex omnibus c. Salutem Concessimus post sursum reddicionem Sol mundi comitis Cantabr dilecto et fideli nostro Roberto de Ashton Constabulariam Castri Douor ac custodiam quinque Portuum habend et custodiend cum omnibus et singulis ad easdem Constabulariam et custodiam qualitercunque spectantibus siue pertinentibus ad totam vitam ipsius Roberti adeo plene et integre sicut aliqui alij Constabularij et custodes portuum eorundem Constabul et custod illas ante hec tempora ex concessione nostra habuerunt seu tenuerunt Percipiâ—nd pro Constabular et custodia predictis pro sustentacione sua nec non Capellanorum seruientium et vigilium ac vnius Carpentarij in dicto Castro Commorantium CCC l. per annum iuxta ratam temporis videlicet de Wardis T. R. apud Westm. 1. Feb. Ann. 4. R. Re. Ric. 2. pat 2. Memb. 28. The rest of his offices and honours heaped vpon him at seuerall times are likewise recorded in the Tower Of which so much as tends to the purpose I meane to the time and place of his preferments First Robertus de Assheton constituitur Admirallus Flote nauium ab ore aque Thamasis versus partes occidentales quamdiu Regi placuerit c. Teste R. apud Westm. 28. April 1. par Pat. Ann. 43. Ed. 3. m. 15. Againe Robertus de Assheton constituitur Iusticiarius Hibernie quandiu c. T. R. apud W. 13. Aug. 2. P. pat Ann. 46. Ed. 3. M. 16. Robertus de Assheton habet officium Thesaurarij Scaccarij quamdiu c. T. R. apud W. 26. Sept. 2. P. pat Ann. 49. Ed. 3 m. 23. He was also one of the Executours to the last Will and Testament of king Edward the third as appeares in the Office He was descended from the Asshetons of Assheton vnderline in the County of Lancaster as I finde it in the pedegree of Sir Ralph Assheton of Whalley Baronet descended from the same familie He gaue the great Bell of the Church within Douer Dastle as appeares by this Inscription cast in the mettall about the circumference of the same Dominus Robertus de Ashetone miles me fecit fieri Anno quarto Richardi secundi Lucius the first christened king of the Britaines built this Church to the name and seruice of Christ endowing it with the Toll or custome of Douer Eadbald the sonne of Ethelbert king of Kent to expiate his foule sinnes of incest and infidelity amongst other his pious actions erected a Colledge within the walls of this Castle which Wightred a successour of his remoued into the Towne stored it with two and twenty Chanons and dedicated it to the name of Saint Martine Ann. 725. Which house was afterward new builded by king Henry the first or rather by William Corbeil Archbishop as I coniecture by these words Nouum opus Sancti Martini incipitur à Wilhelmo Corbuil Ann. 1132. wherein Theobald the successour of Corbeil placed Benedictine Monks and called it the new Worke at Douer and was surrendred 16. Nouemb. 27. Hen. 8. the value of this foundation was yearely 232. l. 10. s. 5. d. ob and was surrendred 26. Nouemb 27. H. 8. Henry the third king of England here founded an Hospitall for the Knights Templers which he called Maison de Dieu or Gods house Valued at 159. l. 18. s. 6. d. ob q. per annum at the dissolution Not farre from this Towne was a little Monastery called St. Radegunds on the hill valued at 98. l. by yeare founded by Hugh the first Abbot of Saint Austins Herne Hic iacet Anto. Louerick Armig. et Constantia vxor eius qui obijt 10 Octob. 1511. Hic iacet corpus Christiane dudum vxoris Mathei Philips Aurisabâ—â— ac Maioris Londinensis que obijt .... 1470. pro cuius anime salute veluis Deum orare This Lord Maior was made knight of the Bath at the coronation of Elizabeth wife of king Edward the fourth together
Pope as you haue heard from a poore Baker to a blessed Martyr Here as they say he shewed miracles very plentifully which made people of all sorts offer vnto him wondrous liberally euen vntill these latter times insomuch that with two yeares oblations at his Shrine one William de Hoo a Sacrist or keeper of the holy treasures of this Church built the whole Quire as it now stands Richard Walden a Monke and sacrist built the South Isle Richard East-gate a Monke and Sacrist began the North Isle of the new worke towards Saint Williams gate which Frier William de Axenham almost finished Geffery de Hadenham Prior payed thirteene hundred pounds in one day to certaine creditours to whom this Church stood indebted since the time of her troubles the same man bought certaine lands in Banerkin and Darent which he gaue to this House and bequeathed to the same 300. l. in money vpon his decease He built the Dorter in the Priory and the Altar of Saint Edmund in the Church To which or rather to the high Altar Haymo Bishop of this Diocesse offered vp a pretious Miter which sometime belonged to Archbishop Becket and which hee bought of the Executours of Iohn Bishop of Norwich Thus by the gaines of William the Bakers Shrine and by the pious endeauours and bounteous donations of diuers well disposed persons this Monastery was in short time reedified adorned and aduanced to her former height glory wealth and estimation So that it was valued by the Commissioners of the late suppression at foure hundred eightie sixe pounds eleuen shillings fiue pence by yeare Gillingham In this Church are diuers faire Monuments fairely kept of the Beaufits an ancient family whose chiefe seate was at Grauch-court within this Parish as I was enformed Ici gist Iehan Beaufits qi morust 25 iour Nouemb. l'an de dieu 1427. et Isabella sa feme que morust la 30. iour de Decemb. 1419. Iesu noster saueor de la grand pite De lor almes eit mercie Amen Hic iacet Iohannes Beaufits filius Iohannis Beaufits Ar. et Alicia vxor eius qui quidem Iohannes obiit 25. Nouemb. Ann. Dom. 1433. quorum c. Hic iacet Robertus Beaufits qui ob 1381. et Sara vxor eius que obiit 1395 Cur nunc in puluere dormio Hic iacet Willelmus Beaufits qui ob 19. Marcii 1433. Cuius Here lyeth Ioane Bamme sometime the wife of Master Richard Bamme Esquire daughter of Iohn Marten sometime chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas and mother of Iohn Bamme who lyeth on the North side of this Chappell Which said Ioane deceased in the yeare of grace 1431. Here was a pilgrimage to our Lady of Gillingham Ailesford Richard Lord Grey of Codnor in Darbishire in the yeare 1240. founded here a religious house of white Friers Carmelites where now is seene saith Camden the faire habitation of Sir William Sidley a learned knight painefully and expensfully studious of the common good of his countrey as both his endowed house for the poore and the bridge here with the common voice dotestifie Not farre from this Towne of Ailesford lye interred the bodies of Catigern and Horsa who hand to hand killed one the other in a set battell Catigern was the brother of Vortimer king of the Britaines and Horsa brother of Hengist the Saxon. But this battell as also their buriall are the best set downe by Camden out of Lambards perambulation This Towne saith hee was named in the British tongue Saissenaeg haibail of the Saxons there vanquished like as others in the very same sense tearmed it Anglesford For Guortimer the Britaine Guortigerus sonne did here set vpon Hengist and the English Saxons whom being disrayed and not able to abide a second charge he put all to flight so as they had beene vtterly defeited for euer but that Hengist skilfull and prouident to preuent and diuert danger withdrew himselfe into the Isle of Tenet vntill that the inuincible vigour and heate of the Britanes was allayed and fresh supplies came to his succour out of Germany In this battell were slaine the Generalls of both sides Catigern the Britaine and Horsa the Saxon of whom the one buried at Horsted not farre from hence gaue name to the place and Catigern honoured with a stately and solemne funerall is thought to haue beene interred neare vnto Ailisford where vnder the side of an hill I saw foure huge rude hard stones erected two for the sides one transuersall in the middest betweene them and the hugest of all piled and layed ouer them in manner of the British Monument which is called Stonehenge but not so artificially with Mortis and tenents Verily the vnskilfull common people call it at this day of the same Catigern Keiths or Kits Coty house The like Monument was of Horsa at Horsted which stormes and time haue now deuoured This battell was smitten in the yeare of Grace 457. Addington Hic iacent Richardus Charles et Alicia vxor qui quidem Ric. obiit An. Dom. 1370. facile contemnit omnia ...... Hic iacet Willelmus Suayth Ar. dominus de Addington ac vicecomes Cantie et Alicia vxor eius ob Marcii Ann. 1464. Bonis et mors et vita dulcis Hic iacet Robertus Watton Dominus et Patronus istius Ecclesie qui obiit die Ascentionis Anno 1444. Hic iacent Willelmus Watton Ar. Dominus istius ville Benedicta et Anna vxores eius qui Willelmus obiit 29. Decemb. 1464. Hic iacet Robertus Watton Ar. filius et heres Willelmi Watton Armigeri et Alicia vxor eius filia Iohannis Clark vnius Baronum Scaccarii Regis qui Robertus istius ville Dominus et Ecclesie verus Patronus ob 4. Nouemb. anno 1470. Hic iacet Iohannes Northwood Arm. filius et heres ..... Northwood ..... obiit 30. April 1416. Of this man and of his Mannor of Northwood or Norwood thus much out of Lambard In the dayes of King Edward the Confessour saith hee one hundred Burgesses of the Citie of Canterbury ought their suite to the Mannor of Norwood the buildings are now demolished but the Mannor was long time in the possession of certaine gentlemen of the same name of which race one was buried in the body of the Church at Addington in the yeare 1416. Otteham Hic iacet Iohannes Constenton Ar. qui ob 2. April 1426. et Sara Conghurst vxor eius I finde by ancient deedes sans Date that one Raph de Dene was the founder of a Religious house here at Otteham of Canons regular confirmed in these words by the gifts of certaine lands from one Raph de Iclesham and some little rent William de Marci and Ela his wife Sciant c. quod ego Radulphus de Iclesham dedi et confirmaui Deo Ecclesie Sancti Laurencij de Oteham terram in Oteham c. pro
are curiously engrauen these words Credo quod redemptor meus viuit And vpon the basis of the same Crosse these obsolete Latine rimes Es test is Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste Corpus vt ornetur sed Spiritus vt memoretur Hem tu qui transis magnus medius puer an sis Pro me funde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes Hic iacet Matilda nuper vxer Willelmi Laken Seruiens ad Legem qui ob 2. die Decemb. 1408. iuxta eam ex parte australi Iohanna filia sepelitur que obijt 3. die Octob. anno supradicto O mercifull Iesew Haue mercy on the sowl of Sir Iohn Dew Here lye interred diuers of the Chapmans who were sometime owners of Stone-castle Hic Christi versus Payname iacet ecce Rogerus Pauperibus multum dedit hic pecunia cultum ........ M. C. quater deca ...... In Maij vicena rapit hunc mors .... Here lies William Banknot and Anne his wyff Swete Iesew grant to them and vs euerlastyng lyff Pray yow hertely for cheritie Say a Pater Noster and an Aue. 1400. Here lyeth the bodyes of Sir Iohn Wilshyre knight and of Dame Margaret his wife Which Sir Iohn dyed 28. Decemb. 1526. And Margaret dyed ... of .... This knight is entombed in a faire Chappell of his owne foundation he was Controller of the Towne and Marches of Calleis Ann. 21. Hen. 7. 1506. He had onely one daughter and heire named Bridget married to Sir Richard Wingfield As I haue it in these words out of the Visitation booke of Huntingtonshire by Nicholas Charles Lancaster Herald Sir Richard Wingfield knight of the Garter Chancellour of the Duchie of Lancaster and of the Bed-chamber to King Henry the eight by his wife Bridget who was daughter and heire to Sir Iohn Wilshyre knight had Stone house or Stone-castle in Kent neare Grauesend To whom the king gaue Kimboulton Castle he was of the priuie Councell and died Embassadour in Spaine and was buried at Toledo Dartford Hic iacet Iohannes Hornley Theologie Baccal qui obijt 1477. Si fterent Artes Hornley tacuisse Iohannem Non possent ista qui tumulatur humo In septem fuerat liberalibus ille magister Prudens castus maximus atque fide Doctrine sacre tunc Baccalareus ingens Oxonie cunctis semper amandus erat Consilio valuit sermones pandere sacros Nouerat et doctos semper amare viros Pauperibus largus fuerat quos nouerat aptos In studijs patiens sobrius atque fuit Moribus insignis cunctis virtute refulgens Pro tantis meritis spiritus astra petit O pytefull Creater concerning erthly sepulter Of Katryn Burlton at x day wythin Iun. Thousand IIII C. LXXXXVI yer Occurrent wyth Rychard Burlton Iantlman Spows to the Katryn ..... Expired thousand ..... Throu the prayor of thes twein Sal he be savyd fro endlysse pein King Edward the third founded here a goodly faire Monastery about the yeare of his raigne of England the thirtieth and of France the seuenteenth In which he placed women religious Votaries or white Nunnes Which Nunnery at the generall dissolution was found to bee well worth three hundred and eightie pounds by yeare This Priory for so it was called by the Founder was taken as all the rest into the hands of king Henry the eight of which he made a fit dwelling place for himselfe and his Successours which remaines to this day howsoeuer somewhat ruinous But will it please you peruse this Memorandum not impertinent to this matter in the visitation of Kent and Sussex made by Clarentieux Beuolt the 21. yeare of king Henry the eight Dame Elizabeth Cresner being Lady Prioresse of Dartford at that time Memorand that the said Lady doth witnesse that king Edward the third was first Founder of the said place and the second Founder was king Richard the second And in the said place lieth buried the Lady Bridget daughter to king Edward the fourth a religious women in the same place Also Dame Ioane daughter to the Lord Scrope of Bolton and Prioresse of the same place and Dame Margaret daughter of the Lord Beaumont also sometime Prioresse of the same place And also there lyeth daughter and wife to Sir Maurice Berkeley This Lady Bridget here interred was the fourth daughter of Edward the fourth by his wife Queene Elizabeth she was borne at Eltham here by the tenth of Nouember 1480. She tooke the habite of Religion when she was young and so spent her life in contemplation vnto the day of her death which happened about the yeare 1517. the eight of King Henry the eight Crayford Orate pro animabus Roberti Woodford Iohanne vxoris eius qui Robertus obijt .... 1489. Hic iacent Rogerus Apleton vnus Auditorum serenissimorum Regum Hen. quinti Hen. sexti ac Iohanne vxoris Hen. quarti Katherine vxoris Hen. sexti Reginarum Anglie Principatus totius Wallie Ducatus Cornubie Com. Cestrie qui ob .... 1400. Agnes vxor eius Domina de Holbury que ob 1437. Cum venerit dies Domini in miserecordia eius egrediemur Hic iacet Henricus Elham vnus Auditorum .... et Elisabetha vxor eius filia Rogeri Apleton ... ob ... 1479. Hic iacet Iohannes Elham vnus Auditorum ... 1481. Vite probitas mortis despectio Erith In the vpper end of the South Isle of this Church stands a faire tombe with this Inscription left at the first imperfect Elisabeth second wife to George late Earle of Shrewsbury Lord Steward to king Henry the seuenth and to king Henry the eight his Houshold by whom she had issue Iohn and Lady Anne wife to William Earle of Penbroke Lord Steward of Queene Elizabeths Houshold which Lady Anne had beene married before to M. Peter Compton Esquire by whom she had issue Sir Henry Compton knight now liuing This Elizabeth Countesse of Shrewsbury was daughter and one of the heires of Sir Richard Walden knight Lord of the Towne of Erith whose body lyeth here likewise entombed Pray for the sowl of Syr Richard Walden knight and Lady Margerie his wife which Syr Richard decessyd 25 of March 1536. And Margery decessyd the sixth of May 1528. whos sowls god pardon Orate pro anima Richardi Walden Armig. Elisabethe vxoris eius que ob 25. Octob. 1496. et Richardus obiit ... die ... mens ... Ann. miles quorum animabus Ellin Atticor gist icy Dieu de sa alme eit mercy Orate pro anima Domini Iohannis Stone quondam vicarij Ecclesie parochialis de Lesnes alias Erith qui ob 13. April 1475. O vos omnes qui hic transitis prome orate Precibus vestris qui fratres estis meque iurate Hic iacet Radulphus Criel Ar. qui obiit 6. Decemb. 1447. Cuius anime propitietur altissimus Hic iacet Rogerus Sentcler quondam
fyue hundryd and eighteen yere Inscriptions in the Stilliard the house sometime of the German-Merchants Haec domus est laeta semper bonitate repleta Hic Pax hic requies hic gaudia semper honesta Item Aurum blanditiae pater est natusque doloris Qui caret hoc maeret qui tenet hic metuit Item Qui bonis parere recusat quasi vitato fumo in flammam incidit Saint Mary Bothaw .......... Chich .... vocitatus ..... Robertus omni bonitate refertus Bauperibus largus pius extitit ad mala tardus Moribus ornatus iacet istic intumulatus Corpore procerus his Maior arte Grocerus Anno milleno C quater x quater anno ............. This Robert Chichley was Lord Maior An. 1422. hee appointed by his Testament that on his birth day acompetent dinner should be ordained for 2400 poore men housholders of this city euery man to haue two pence in money Saint Michaels Crooked lane Here lieth entombed in a Chappell of his owne foundation Sir William Walworth Knight Lord Maior of London whose manfull prowesse against that arch-Rebell VVat Tyler and his confederates is much commended in our English Chronicles his monument was shamefully defaced in the raigne of King Edward the sixt as many others were but since it was renewed by the Fishmongers he died Anno 1383. as appeareth by this Epitaph Here vnder lyth a man of Fame William Walworth callyd by name Fishmonger he was in life time here And twise Lord Maior as in bookes appere Who with courage stout and manly might Slew Wat Tyler in King Richards sight For which act done and trew entent The King made him Knight incontinent And gaue him armes as here you see To declare his fact and Chiualrie He left this life the yere of our God Thirteene hundryd fourescore and three od Iohn Philpot Nicholas Brember and Robert Launde Aldermen were knighted with him the same day To this Maior the King gaue 100 pound land yeerely and to each of the other 40 pound land by yeare to them and their heires for euer He founded a Colledge to this parish Church for a Master and nine Priests or Chaplaines Worthy Iohn Louekin Stockfishmonger of London here is leyd Four times of this City Lord Maior hee was if truth be seyd Twise he was by election of Citizens then being And twise by the commandment of his good Lord the King Cheef Founder of this Church in his life time was he Such louers of the common-welth too few ther be Of August the fourth thirteene hundryth sixty and eyght His flesh to Erth his soul to God went streyght Sir William Walworth was an apprentice to this Iohn Louekin Here lyeth wrapt in clay The body of William VVray I haue no more to say Saint Laurence Poultney This Church was increased with a Chappell of Iesus by one Thomas Cole for a Master and a Chaplaine the which Chappell and Parish-Church was made a Colledge of Iesus and of Corpus Christi for a Master and seuen Chaplaines by Iohn Poultney Maior and was confirmed by Edward the third in the twentieth of his raigne So that of him it was called Saint Laurence Poultney in Candlewickstreet This Colledge was valued at 79. l. 17. s. 11. d. per ann and surrendred in the raigne of Ed. the sixth The thrice honourable Lord Robert Radcliffe the first earle of Sussex of that name and Henry Radcliffe his sonne and heire as of his possessions so of his honours were first interred in this Collegiate Church whose relique were afterwards remoued to Boreham in Essex Saint Mary Abchurch Hac gradiens fortis tua lingua precando laboret Esto memor mortis dum virtus vivida floret Dum vita fueris quid agas circumspice mente Nam tu talis eris qualis concido repente Corpora Gilberti Melites celat lapis iste Eius vxoris Christine quos cape Christe Saint Mary Colechurch So called of one Cole the builder thereof King Henry the fourth granted licence to William Marshall and others to found a brotherhood of S. Katherine in this Church to the helpe of Gods seruice because Thomas Becket and S. Edmund Archbishops of Canterbury were baptised herein Alhallowes Barking On the North side of this Church was sometime builded a faire Chappell founded by king Richard the first and much augmented by king Edward the first Edward the fourth gaue licence to his cosin Iohn Lord Tiptost Earle of Worcester to found here a Brotherhood for a Master and Brethren And he gaue to the Custos of that Fraternitie the advowsion of the Parish Church of Stretham in Surrey with all the members and appurtenances the Priory of Totingbeck and a part of the Priory of Okeborne in Wiltshire both Priors Aliens and appointed it to be called the Kings Chantrie In Capella beate Marie de Barking king Richard the third founded herein a Colledge of Priests and reedified the decayed structure Great concourse of people came hither to our Lady of Barking a pilgrimage vntill the Colledge was suppressed and pulled downe in the second of Edward the sixth and the ground whereupon it stood imployed as a Garden plot Many funerall Monuments are yet remaining in this Parish Church which you may reade in the Suruay of this Citie Saint Mary Wolnoth Here lieth Sir Iohn Arundell knight of the Bath and knight Baneret Receiuor of the Duchy ....... Grey daughter to the Lord Marquese Dorset who died 8. Febr. the 36. of the reigne of king Hen. the 8. This Sir Iohn Arundell was of the house of Lanherne in Cornwall a family of great respect in that county Of which I shall haue further occasion to speake when I come to Saint Columbs where this mans Ancestors lye entombed The Christian name of his wife with time worne or torne out of the brasse was Elianor the third daughter of Thomas Grey Marquesse Dorset halfe brother by the mother to Edward the fifth by Cicely daughter and heire of William Bonvile Lord Harrington Quid caro letatur cum vermibus esca paratur Terre terra datur Caro nascitur moriatur Orate pro anima Simonis Eyre ......................................... vnder this defaced Monument Simon Eyre the sonne of Iohn Eyre of Brandon in Suffolk lieth interred He was Lord Maior in the yeare 1445. Hee built Leaden Hall for a common Granary for the Citie and a faire large Chappell on the East side of the Quadrant ouer the Porch whereof was painted Dextra Domini exaltauit me And on the North wall Honorandus famosus Mercator Symon Eyre huius operis Fundator He gaue 5000. l. and aboue the poore Maids marriages and did many other works of charitie Hee died the 18. day of September 1459. Saint Nicholas Acons O ye dere frendys whych sall here aftyr be Of yowr deuotion plese ye to remembyr Me Richard Payne which of this noble cite Somtym whylst I liud was
sister to king Edward the fourth by whom he had issue Thomas Mannors knight of the Garter Lord Ros of Hamelake Belvoir and Trusbut and Earle of Rutland the first of that Surname As also Oliuer Anthony Richard Iohn Elisabeth Katherine Eleanor Cicely or Sisley and Anne This house with a circuite of ground thereunto adioyning tooke denomination of a certaine sweet wholesome and cleare fountaine or well within the compasse thereof which for the vertue of the water was amongst the common people reputed and called holy It is now decayed and indeed quite spoiled with soile dung and other filthinesse purposely there laid for the heighthening of the ground for garden plots The Priory of Clerkenwell This Priory was likewise so called of a Well not farre from the West end of the Church of the said Priory Which Well tooke name of the Parish Clarkes in London who of old time saith Stow in his Suruay of the said Citie were accustomed there yearely to assemble and to play some large history of holy Scripture This Priory was founded in the yeare of our redemption one thousand one hundred or thereabouts by Iordan Briset a wealthy and deuout Baron the sonne of Rause the sonne of Brian Briset who gaue foureteene acres of ground lying in the field neare vnto the said Clarkes well to build thereupon an house for religious Votaries blacke Nunnes Which donation I haue read depensild vpon a table in the Church which by the fall of the Steeple which tooke downe with it a great part of the Church was battered all to peeces The said Iordan with Muriell his wife for shee is set downe to be co-foundresse with him dedicated this their sacred structure to the honour of God and the Assumption of the blessed Virgine Mary Richard Beauveyes Bishop of London about the yeare 1112. gaue certaine Lands at Muswell hill to the said Nunnery now in the possession of Sir Nicholas Roe knight confirmed by the Cartulary of king Stephen as it is in the Lieger booke of the said house Sciatis me confirmasse c. locum suum c. et quicquid Ricardus Episcopus London et Iordanus filâ—us Bricij et alij Barones mei rationabiliter in Elemosinam dederunt Henry the second he confirmes the scite of the house and land thereunto adioyning thus Sciatis me concessisse c. Ecclesie beate Marie de fonte Clericorum et Monialibus ibidem deo seruientibus omnia subscripta c. scilicet ex dono Iordanis de Briseta et Murielis vxoris eius locum in quo habitant infra ambitum muri earum et terram quam extra habent circa muros earum in eodem campo c. The names of the Prioresses of this house from the foundation vnto the dissolution as they are set downe in the same booke were these First Christiana 2. Ermegard 3. Hawisia 4. Eleonora 5. Alesia 6. Cecilia 7. Margerie Whatvile 8. Isabell. 9. Alice Oxeney 10. Amice Marcy 11 Denys Bras 12. Margery Bray 13. Ioan Lewkenor 14. Ioan Fulham 15. Katherine Braybroke 16. Luce Attewood 17. Ioan Viene 18. Margaret Bakwell 19. Isabell Wentworth 20. Margaret Bull. 21. Agnes Clifford 22. Katherine Greene. 23. Isabell Hussey And the last Lady Prioresse of this house was Isabell Sackvile of the right honourable Familie of the Sackviles the Ancestors of Sir Edward Sackvile now Baron of Buckhurst and Earle of Dorset She lieth buried vnder a marble stone in the Church of the Nunnery neare vnto the high Altar whereupon this Inscription or Epitaph is engrauen in brasse Hic iacet Isabella Sackvile quae fuit Priorissa nuper Prioratus de Clerkenwel tempore dissolutionis eiusdem Prioratus quae fuit 21. Octobris Ann. Dom. Millesimo quingentesimo septuagesimo et Ann. Reg. Regin Elisab Dei gra c. duodecimo She made her last Will and Testament as I finde it in the Prerogatiue office the nineteenth day of February in the said twelfth yeare of Queene Elizabeth wherein she bequeathes her body to be buried in Clarkenwell Church and ordaines the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst her Cosin the ouerseer of this her Will if it shall please his Lordship to take the paines She liued many yeares in the various dayes of diuers Princes for I finde in the pedegree of the Earle of Dorset that one William Sackevyle by his Will and Testament dated the tenth day of August in the 21. yeare of King Henry the seuenth gaue to his Neece Isabell Sackvyle a certaine Legacie she being as then a Nunne in the Priory of Clerkenwell Iordan Briset the foresaid Founder died the 17. of September about the yeare of our Lord 1124. and Muriell his wife the first of May next following they were buried both together in the Chapter-house of this Church now called the old Vestrie In the 〈…〉 the Chancell is a faire marble Tombe with the 〈◊〉 of a dead man lying vpon his shroud the most artificially cut â—n stone that euer man beheld all the plates of brasse are stolne away onely some few peeces remaining containing these words ..... Hospitalitate inclytus genere preclarus ...... Hanc Vrnam offcij causa ....... Ecce quem cernis tuo nomini semper deuotum Suscipe in sinum Virgo Maria tuum Spes me non fallat quam in te semper habebam Virgo da facilem .......... This Monument was erected to the memory of Sir William Weston knight Lord Prior of Saint Iohns Ierusalem at the time of the dissolution of the said Priory to whom Henry the eight for his maintenance had allowed one thousand pound of yearely pension during his life Of which summe he receiued neuer a penny for so it fortuned that vpon the seuenth day of May 1540. being Ascention day and the same day of the dissolution of the house he was dissolued by death which strooke him to the heart at the first time when he heard of the dissolution of his order All the Funerall Monuments of Antiquitie in this Church which were many as you may reade in Stowes Suruay are quite defaced This Priory was valued at the suppression to be possest of 282. l. 16. s. 5. d. of yearely reuenues Within the close of this Nunnery is a faire spatious house built of late by Sir Thomas Challoner knight deceased vpon the Frontispice whereof these verses were depensild now altogether obliterated Casta fides superest velatae tecta sorores Ista relegatae desuruere licet Nam venerandus Hymen hic vota ingalia seruat Vestalemque focum mente fouere studet The Nunnery now the inheritance of the right honourable Sir William Cauendish knight Lord Ogle Viscount Mansfield and Earle of Newcastle being opposite to this new braue building ministred belike occasion and matter for the making of this said Inscription This Hexamiter following is painted vnder a Sunne diall in the entrance vnto the Nunnery Non aliter pereo species quam futilis Vmbrae The Priory of S. Iohn of Ierusalem
septimi nec non Thesaurarius Hospitij reuerendissimi Patris domini huius regni Cancellarij titulo Sancte Cecilie trans Tiberim sacro sancte Romane Ecclesie Presbyteri Cardinalis ordinati Qui quidem Willelmus ob 3. Iulij 1518. Here is an Epitaph cut in Brasse vpon a marble stone now almost worne out which was made to the memory of one Robert Haule Esquire murdered in this Church the manner whereof our Chronicles doe thus briefely relate In the battell of Nazers in Spaine this Robert Haule or Hawley and Iohn Schakell Esquires tooke the Earle of Dene prisoner who deliuered vnto them his sonne and heire as a pledge for assurance of performances Not long after this their Hostage was demanded by Iohn Duke of Lancaster in the Kings name whom they denyed to deliuer for which they were clapt in the Tower from whence escaping here they tooke Sanctuary to whom Sir Raph Ferreis and Sir Alan Buxhull with fifty armed men were secretly sent to doe this mischiefe who finding them at high Masse first drew Schakell by a wile out of the priuiledge of the Church then offering to lay hands on Hawley he manfully resisting with his short sword made them all flie off But in the end he was slaine in the Chancell commending himselfe in his last words to God the reuenger of such iniuries and to the liberty of our holy mother the Church With him was slaine a seruant of his thrust into the backe with a Iauelin and a Monke who intreated for him in respect of the holinesse of the place This wicked act was perpetrated the 11. of August 1378. the second of Richard the second These words following now onely remaining vpon his Monument Me dolus ira furor multorum militis atque ................... ..... in hoc gladijs celebri pietatis asylo Dum leuita Dei sermonis legit ad aram Proh dolor ipse meo Monachorum sanguine vultus Aspersi moriens chorus est mihi testis in evum Et me nunc retinet sacer is locus Haule Robertum Hic quia pestiferos male sensi primitus enses .................. Hic iacet Thomas Ruthal Episcopus Dunelmensis Regis Henrici septimi Secretarius qui obijt 1524. To this short Inscription Godwin in his Catalogue addeth a long story of the life and death of this Bishop Who was borne in Cicester saith he in the County of Glocester and brought vp in Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Law He was preferred to the Bishopricke of Durham by King Henry the seuenth after whose death hee was made one of the priuie Councell vnto the young King Henry the eight who esteemed greatly of him for his wisedome and learning and imployed him often in ambassages and other businesses of importance Amongst the rest it pleased the king one time to require him to set downe his iudgement in writing concerning the estate of his kingdome in generall and particularly to enforme him in certaine things by him specified This discourse the Bishop writ very carefully and caused it to be bound in Velime gilt and otherwise adorned in the best manner Now you shall vnderstand that it chanced himselfe about the same time to set downe a note of his owne priuate estate which in goods and ready money amounted to the summe of one hundred thousand pounds This account was written in a paper booke of the same fashion and binding that the other was which was prouided for the king Whereby it happened that the king sending Cardinall Wolsey for the other draught which he had so long before required of him the Bishop mistaking deliuered that which contained an estimate of his owne infinite Treasure This the Cardinall soone espying and willing to doe the Bishop a displeasure deliuered it as he had receiued it vnto the King shewing withall how the Bishop had very happily mistaken himselfe for now quoth he you see where you may at any time command a great masse of money if you need it As soone as the Bishop vnderstood his errour the conceit thereof touched him so neare that within a short spaâ—â— after hee died at his house here in the Strand His intention was to haue repaired the Church of Cicester to haue built Bridges as he had begun that ouer the Riuer of Tyne and to haue done many other deeds of charitie if hee had not beene preuented by death Here lieth the body of Sir William Trussell knight and speaker of that Parliament wherein Edward the second king of England resigned his Diadâ—me and all ensignes of Maiestie to Edward his eldest Sonne This Trussell saith an ancient Author was a Iudge who could fit the house with quirks of Law to colour so lawlesse and treasonable an act as the deposing of a lawfull king And thereupon was chosen in the behalfe of the whole Realme to renounce all homage and obedience to the Lord Edward of Carnarvon his Soueraigne Lord and King The forme of which renunciation was by him the said Trussell pronounced at Kenelworth Castle the 20. of Ianuary 1326. in these disgracefull words which you may finde in Polychronicon I William Trussel in the name of al men of the lond of Engelond and of the Parliament Prolocutor resigne to the Edward the homage that was made to the somtym and from this tym forward now folowyng I defye the and priue the of al royal Powyr and shal neuer be tendant to the as for Kyng aftyr this tyme. The time of this Trussels death I cannot learne Here lieth interred before the Communion Table the body of Richard de Ware or Warren Abbot of this Monastery and sometime Lord Treasurer of England Who going to Rome for his consecration brought from thence certaine workmen and rich Porphery stones whereof and by whom hee made that curious singular rare pauement before the high Altar in which are circulary written in letters of brasse these ten verses following containing a discourse as one saith of the worlds continuance Si Lector posita prudenter cuncta reuoluat Hic finem primi mobilis inveniet Sepes trina canes equos homines super addas Ceruos coruos aquilas immania cete Mundi quodque sequens pereuntis triplicat annos Sphericus Archetypum globus hic monstrat Macrocosmum Christi milleno bis centeno duodeno Cum sexageno subductis quatuor anno Tertius Henricus Rex vrbs Odoricus Abbas Hos compegere Porphyreos lapides With these stones and workmen he did also frame the Shrine of Edward the Confessor with these verses Anno milleno Domini cum septuageno Et bis centeno cum completo quasi deno Hoc opus est factum quod Petrus duxit in actum Romanus ciuis Homo causam noscere si vis Rex fuit Henricus Sancti presentis amicus This Abbot died the second day of December 1283. after he had gouerned this Monastery three and twenty yeares and more Vpon whose grauestone this briefe
are quite defaced I read in an old Manuscript thus much of the Baudes there buried and in other places sometimes Lords of the Towne and Patrons of the Church Anno Domini 1174. Sir Symon de Baud or Bauld Knight died in the holy land Anno 1189. Nich. Bauld Knight died in Gallicia in Spaine Anno 1216. Sir Walter Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1270. Sir William Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1310. Sir Walter Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1343. Sir William Bauld died at Coringham Anno 1346. Sir Iohn le Bauld died in Gascoigne Anno 1375. Sir William Bauld died at Hadham Parua Anno 1420. on the feast of Saint Bartholomew died Thomas Bauld or Bawde the first Esquire at little Hadham Anno 1449. Tho. Bawde the second Esquier died at little Hadham Anno 1500. Mens Iunij obijt Dominus Thomas Bawd miles obijt apud London cuius anime propitietur deus Anno 1550. obijt Iohannes Baud Ar. apud Coringham This ancient familie of the Bawdes Stow saith as he had read out of an ancient deed gaue vnto the Deane and Chapter of Pauls vpon the day of the conuersion of Saint Paul a good Doe and vpon the feast of the commemoration of Saint Paul a fat Bucke in consideration of twenty two Acres of land by them granted within their Mannor of Westley in Essex to be inclosed into their Parke of Coringham Sir William Baud about the third of Edward the first was the first that granted this deed which was confirmed by his sonne Walter and others of his line This Bucke and Doe were brought vpon the said festiuall daies at the houres of Procession and thorow the Procession to the high Altar the manner of it is reported by Stow who partly as he saith saw it thus On the feast day of the commemoration of Saint Paul the Bucke being brought vp to the steps of the high Altar in Pauls Church at the houre of Procession the Deane and Chapter being apparelled in Coapes and Vestments with Garlands of Roses on their heads they sent the body of the Bucke to baking and had the head fixed on a Pole borne before the Crosse in their Procession vntill they issued out of the West dore where the Keeper that brought it blowed the death of the Bucke and then the Horners that were about the Citie presently answered him in like manner For the which paines they had each man of the Deane and Chapter foure pence in money and their dinner and the Keeper that brought it was allowed during his abode there for that seruice meate drinke and lodging at the Deane and Chapters charges and fiue shillings in money at his going away together with a loafe of bread hauing the picture of Saint Paul vpon it c. There was belonging to the Church of Saint Paul for both the daies two speciall Sutes of Vestments the one embrodered with Buckes the other with Does both giuen by the said Bauds Baud is the surname saith Verstegan of a worshipfull familie in England and of a Marquesse in Germany anciently written Bade and the letter D vsed of our Ancestors in composition as th so the right name is Bathe and so this family might be tooke the name of some office belonging to the Bathe at the time of the Coronation of some King when as the Knights of the Bathe are wont to be made Ralegh Here is a monument in this Church which makes a shew of great antiquity but who should be therein entombed I could not certainly learne some of the Inhabitants say that one of the ancient house of the Alens other say that it was made for one of the familie of the Essexes who were Lords of this towne and noble Barons of England both before and since the Conquest Swein de Essex the sonne of Robert who was the sonne of Winmarke Baron of Ralegh built the ruined Castle in this towne in the raigne of Edward the Confessor whom the King calleth Brother in this his Charter to Ranulph Peperking Iche Edward Koning Haue geuen of my Forest the keping Of the hundred of Chelmer and Dancing To Randolph Peperking and to his kindling Wyth Heorte and Hynde Doe and Bocke Hare and Foxe Catt and Brocke Wylde fowel with his flocke Partrich Fesant hen and Fesant cocke With greene and wylde stob and stocke To kepen and to yemen by al her might Both by day and eke by night And hounds for to hold Good and swift and bolde Foure Greyhounds and sixe Racches For Hare and Foxe and wilde Cattes And therefore iche made him my booke Witnes the Bishop Wolston And booke ylered many on And Swein of Essex our brother And teken him many other And owr steward Howelin That by sought me for him This forme of Grants was vsed both before and after this Kings time for example I King Aâ—helstane geues to Paullane Odhiam and Rodhiam Al 's guid and al 's faire Al 's euyr yay myne waire And yarto witnes Mawd my wyff And William the Conquerour gaue certaine lands by the like deede to one Pauline Roydon the coppie whereof was found in the Registers Office at Glocester which I had from my deare deceased friend Aug. Vincent which is almost all one with that to the Norman Hunter collected by Iohn Stow out of an old Chronicle in the Librarie at Richmond I William Kyng the thurd yere of my reigne Geue to the Paulyn Roydon Hope and Hopetowne With all the bounds both vp and downe From heuen to yerth from yerth to hel For the and thyn ther to dwel As truly as this Kyng right is myn For a crossebow and an arrow When I sal com to hunt on Yarrow And in teken that this thing is sooth I bit the whyt wax with my tooth Befor Megg Mawd and Margery And my thurd Sonne Herry Such was the good meaning of great men in those daies that a few words did make a firme bargaine but to returne from whence I haue digressed Orate pro anima Wilielmi Talburgh quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie qui obijt apud London in Parochia Sancti Petri apud Cornhil 5. Decemb. 1420. Es testis Christe quod non iacet hic lapis iste Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur Hinc tu qui transis magnus medius puer an sis Pro me sunde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes Orate pro anima venerabilis viri Richardi Lincolne Theologie professor is buius Ecclesie Rectoris qui obiit 29. Iulii 1492. Talis eris qui calce teris mea busta pedestris Qualis ego iaceo vermiculosus homo Orate pro anima Willelmi Sutton nuper Valecti corone domini Regis Iohanne vxoris eius qui ob 1428. Valetti saith learned Selden was vsed for young heires or young gentlemen or attendants And Valectus or Valettus to tell you once for all saith Camden was in those daies viz.
for ioy of his departure out of this life with merry hearts doe leape and celebrate a solemne feast at Easter At whose death the flouds ceased and the distemperature of the aire had an end and in one word the common sort truely and heartily praise the onely sonne of God Well when this Iustice now dead was once fast folded within a sheet and Coffin of lead the foresaid Countesse with his treasure not worthy to be bestowed among such holy reliques in horrible griefe of heart conueied him ouer into England there to be enterred Orate pro ... Roberti Lambe Alicie Lambe ...... ..... Lambe ...... These Lambes haue beene speciall benefactors to this Church being sometimes men of faire possessions in this parish as I was told their names with the pictures of Lambes are depensild in many places of the woodworke and feeling of the Church Hic iacent Symon Brooke et Emota Margareta et Alicia vxores eius qui quidem Symon obijt 12. octob 1488. An ancient Familie these Brookes were in this parish now extinct as I haue it by relation Orate pro bono statu Christopheri Willoughby Armigeri Margerie vxoris eius this is in a glasse window of the Church Campsey or Camesey This was a Nunnery not farre from Vfford founded by one Theobald and consecrated to the honour of the Virgin Mary which was valued at the suppression to be yearely worth in Lands one hundred eighty and two pounds nine shillings fiue pence These Nunnes were of the order of S. Clare and called Minoresses Maud who was first married to William Lord Burgh Earle of Vlster and after to Raph de Vfford chiefe Iustice of Ireland repenting her selfe belike of her own and her last husbands delinquences committed in Ireland of which I haue spoken before obtained licence of King Edward the third by the procuration of her brother Henry Earle of Lancaster to found a Chantrie in this monastery of fiue Chaplaines secular Priests to pray and sing Masse for the soules of the said William de Burgh and Raph de Vfford whose body was here interred such is the Charter of the Foundation Edwardus c. Sciatis quod 16 die Octobris Anno regni nostri 21. ad requisitionem dilecti consanguinei et fidelis nostri Hen. Com. Lancastrie nec non Matildis comitisse Vltonie consanguinee sororis eiusdem comitis c. dederimus et consesserimus prefate comitisse quod ipsa quondam cantariam quinque capellanorum quorum vnum custodem eiusdem cantarie duxerit nominand in capella virginis gloriose infra Ecclesiam Monasterij siue prioratus monialium de campese diuina celebrar ad laudem Dei dicte virginis matris eius pro salute que Willelmi de Burgh quondam comitis Vltonie primi ac Radulphi de Vfford secundi et virorum suorum Cuius quidem Radulphi corpus in eadem capella quiescit humatum c. Test. meipso apud West c. Letheringham In the parish Church and in the Church of the little Priory adioyning are diuers Tombes and grauestones to the memory of that noble and ancient Family of the Wingfields all of which are fouly defaced This Priory was founded by sir Iohn Boynet of the dedication order or time I am altogether ignorant it was valued at twenty sixe pounds eighteene shillings fiue pence of yearely commings in The Wingfelds here buried were these Sir Robert Wingfeld Lord of Letheringham Sir Robert Wingfeld and Elizabeth Gousall his wife Sir Iohn Wingfeld and Elisabeth his wife Sir Thomas Wingfeld Sir Robert Wingfeld and Elisabeth Russell his wife obijt Robertus 1409. Thomas Wingfeld and Margaret his wife Richard Wingfeld Anne and Mary Inscriptions vpon the monuments of the Wingfelds partly remaining are these which follow Hic iacet tumulatus Dominus Willelmus Wingfeld Miles Dominus istius ville patronus istius Ecclesie qui ob primo die Iulij 1398. Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Hic iacet Willelmus VVingfeld Armig. et Katherina vxor eius .... Dominus et patronus Quorum ... Hic iacet Dominus Robertus VVingfeld miles et Elisabetha vxor eius qui quidem Robertus obijt 3. die Maij 1409. Quorum animabus .... Amen Hic iacet Dominus ...... Wingfild miles quondam Dominus de Letheringham Here is also an ancient faire Tombe very fouly defaced whereupon this fragment of an Inscription following is onely remaining ..... Elizabethe Arundel Ducisse Norfol. Iohannis Paulet militis qui quidem Iohannes obijt x Maij M. cccclxxxi ...... ac Domina Elizabetha Wingfeld vxor predicti Iohannis filia ..... Sir Antony Wingfield of Letheringham Knight sonne and heire of Sir Iohn liued in the raignes of King Henry the eight and Edward the sixth in the 31. of Hen. the 8. he was Captaine of the Guard He was Controller of Edward the sixth his House and of the priuie Councell to King Henry the eight and Edward the sixth and Knight of the Garter Hee died ..... he married Elisabeth daughter and coheire of Sir George Veere Knight and of Margaret his wife the daughter of Sir William Stafford Hee was Vice-chamberlaine to King Henry the eight and together with the Earles of Arundell and Essex and others appointed to be ayding and assisting with his aduise and counsell the Executours of the said Kings last Will and Testament A copie whereof I haue in my custody By which his will he giues to the said Sir Antony two hundred pounds In the Priorie Church here at Letheringham diuers of the ancient familie of the Nantons lie buried Of whom out of their pedegree I haue these notes following Master William Smart affirmeth that he hath seene â—n ancient Euidence dated before the Conquest of England wherein the Nantons are named who saith they were written by the name of Nawnton Roger Awston reporteth that Nawnton came in with the Conquerour and that he hath seene Records of the same who for seruice done had then giuen him in marriage a great inheritrix It is reported that Nawntons lands were at that time 700. markes per annum These Nauntons are Patrons of the Church of Alderton in this County as appeares by this Epitaph there Here lieth Henry Naunton Esquire late Patron of this Church and Tristram Naunton both sonnes of William Naunton Esquire and of Elisabeth his wife and Elisabeth wife to the said Henry daughter of Euerard Asheby Esquire and Elisabeth daughter to the said Henry Naunton and Elisabeth Asheby Patruus ignotus Genetrix vix nota sororque Occumbunt sequeris tu mihi sancte Pater Chara Domus terras fugitis neque sic me fugitis Vos sequar in caelos ..... Patri Patruo Matri Sororulae charissimis Posui fleuique Robertus Naunton 1600. Now Sir Robert Naunton knight one of his Maiesties most Honourable priuie Councell and master of the Court of Wardes and Liueries Of which
errour in point of Diuinitie these sacred structures howsoeuer consecrated to the seruice of Almighty God could not stand fast nor continue in one and the same state for many ages therefore I thinke it meete and expedient to discouer and lay open to the world the manifold enormities of the professed votaries residing in such religious foundations that it may euidently appeare that it was not the sinnes of the Founders of whose pious intentions we ought to haue a more reuerend opinion that their donations were of no longer continuance but that the delinquencies of the religious Orders themselues were the sole cause of their owne vtter subuersion I may perhaps be sound fault withall because I doe not chorographically and according as Churches stand neare or further remote in one and the same Lath hundred or wapentack emprint and place the Funerall Monuments in this my booke but slip sometimes from one side of a County to another before I emprint and Epitaph To which giue me leaue to make this answer that hauing found one or two ancient Funerall inscriptions or obliterated Sepulchers in this or that Parish Church I haue ridden to ten Parish Churches distant from that and not found one Besides I haue beene taken vp in diuers Churches by the Churchwardens of the Parish and not suffered to write the Epitaphs or to take view of the Monuments as I much desired for that I wanted a Commission which would greatly haue encouraged me and still it would as that of Henry the eight did Iohn Leyland in the prosequution of this businesse I conclude the Epitaphs and Funerall inscriptions in this booke as I finde them engrauen with a cuius anime propitietur Deus or with God pardon his soule which some may say might haue beene as well left out of my booke as they are in many places scraped out of the brasse And I write the Latine in the same manner as I finde it either written or imprinted as capud for caput nichil for nihil and the like as also E vocall for E dipthong dipthongs being but lately come into vse And now I hope that neither the conclusion of the one nor termination of the other will seeme any way offensiue to my intelligent Reader I likewise write the Orthographie of the old English as it comes to my hands and if by the copying out of the same it be any manner of wayes mollified it is much against my will for I hold originalls the best whereby some may obiect the simplicitie of my vnlaboured stile and the rough hewen forme of my writing To which I reply that this my kinde of Argument is incapable of all eloquent speech When I cite Ouid or Lucan I vse those exquisite translations of George Saâ—dys and Thomas May Esquires Some will say that the Epitaphs of London are already printed and true it is that some are especially such as are of later times with which I do not meddle at all onely I set downe those of more antiquitie which haue either beene omitted in the collection or for which I haue some historicall elucidations for the better vnderstanding of the qualities of the parties defunct and interred Hauing had the helps and collections of many my Reader may finde errours in some which hereafter I shall studie to amend intreating in the meane time a fauorable construction Many are the errataes I am afraid which will be found in the printing the greatest I haue met withall I haue amended not doubting but some also of consequence haue escaped mee and for those of lesser note I haue passed them ouer desiring my Reader to correct and pardon Thus curteous Reader submitting my selfe and this worke to thy learned and friendly censure I take my leaue From my House in Clerkenwell Close this 28. of May 1631. Chytraeus Te moneant Lector tot in vno funera libro Tempore quod certo tu quoque funus eris So many burials Reader in one booke Warne thee that one day thou for death must looke A TABLE OF THE DISCOVRSE summed into certaine Chapters or Heads bearing these following Contents The first Chapter Fol. 1. DIscusses and treates of Monuments in generall Chap. 2. fol. 5. Of Funerall Monuments Graues Tombes or Sepulchers of the ancient custome of Burials of Epitaphs and other Funerall Honours Chap. 3. fol. 10. Of Sepulchers answerable to the degree of the person deceased The diuers manner of bearing man and woman to the graue When both sexes began to be borne alike Chap. 4. fol. 12. Of the excessiue expences bestowed vpon Funerals in former times Chap. 5. fol. 18. The reasons wherefore so many haue made their own Sepulchers or Tombes in their life time Of the care that all or most of all men haue of decent buriall The burying of the dead a worke acceptable vnto God A Funerall Hymne of Aurelius Prudentius to the like purpose Chap. 6. fol. 29. Of the care and cost anciently vsed in the preseruing whole and entire the bodies of the dead Strange waies customes and fashions of buriall Chap. 7. fol. 32. Of Cenotaphs Honorarie and Religious of the reuerence attributed to these emptie Monuments Chap. 8. fol. 37. Of the sanctitie ascribed sometimes to ancient Funerall Monuments and of the ardent desire most men haue and euer had to visite the Tombes and Sepulchres of eminent and worthy persons Chap. 9. fol. 42. Of the punishments both by humane lawes and Gods seuere iustice inflicted vpon such malefactors in foregoing ages who violated Sepulchers Of Church-Robbers Chap. 10. fol. 50. Of the rooting vp taking away erazing and defacing of Funerall Monuments in the seuerall raignes of K. Henry the eight and Edward the sixt Of the care Queene Elizabeth of famous memory had for the preseruation of the same Her proclamation in the second yeare of her raigne against breaking or defacing of Monuments of Antiquity being set vp in Churches or other publike places for memory and not for superstition Chap. 11. fol. 57. The conuersion of this our Nation from Paganisine to Christianitie including generally the Foundations of Religious Structures in the same The piety in the primitiue times both of Religious and Lay persons Chap. 12. fol. 66. Of the fall or backsliding as well of Religious Votaries as of Lay people from the foresaid zealous ardour of pietie Chap. 13. fol. 78 Of the abrogation abolition and extinguishment of the Popes supreame and exorbitant authoritie within the King of Englands dominions Chap. 14. fol. 89. The policie vsed by Henry the eight and his Councell in the expelling of the Popes foresaid authoritie out of his dominions Chap. 15. fol. 104. 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 for the surrender of Religious Houses an information to Queene Elizabeth of the seuerall abuses done vnto the state generall
obliuion Absolon in his life time erected a pillar to retaine the memory of his name in that his issue male failed Will you heare the Text. Now Absolon in his life-time had taken and reared him vp a pillar which is in the Kings dale for hee said I haue no sonne to keepe my name in remembrance and hee called the pillar after his owne name and it is called vnto this day Absolons place This pillar which Absolon intended for the place of his sepulture hewne and framed out of the rocke or growing stone is to bee seene at this day saith Sandys all entire and of a goodly fabricke But to returne euery man like Absolon desires a perpetuity after death by these monuments or by other meanes according to that of Tertullian in his booke De Testimonio animae Quis non hodie saith hee memoriae post mortem frequentandae ita studet vt vel literaturae operibus vel simplici laude morum vel ipsorum sepulchrorum ambitione nomen suum seruet These that in their life time do thus build their owne sepulchres and take care in the ceremonious disposing of their funeralls would no question lay this charge vpon those which they must of necessity trust in the performance of their Wills and Testaments and employ their last dayes and houres in more heauenly designes if they did not oftentimes see in their course of life that as well heires as executours interre both the honour and memory of the defunct together with his corps perfidiously forgetting their fidelity to the deceased Of which will it please you reade this old inscription depicted vpon a wall within S. Edmunds Church in Lumbard-street London Man the behovyth oft to haue yis in mind Yat thow geueth wyth yin hond yat sall thow fynd For widowes be sloful and chyldren beth vnkynd Executors beth couetos and kep al yat yey fynd If eny body esk wher the deddys goodys becam Yey ansquer So God me help and halidam he died a poor man Yink on yis Io. Gower in his additions to his booke called Vox clamantis hath these verses contra mortuorum Executores much what to the same effect Dicunt Scripture memorare nouissima vite Pauper ab hoc mundo transiet omnis homo Dat Fortuna status varios Natura sed omnes Fine suo claudit cunctaque morte rapit Post mortem pauci qui nunc reputantur amici Sunt memores anime sis memor ipse tue Da dum tempus habes tibi propria sit manus heres Auferet hoc nemo quod dabis ipse Deo Vpon these and the like considerations they vsed as they now doe to inscribe or engraue these kinde of monuments with certaine sentences to this effect Fallax saepe fides testataque vota peribunt Constitues tumulum si sapis ipse tuum Or thus Certa dies nulli mors certa incerta sequentum Cura locet tumulum qui sapit ipse sibi Concluding most commonly with these words Viuus fecit Viuus faciendum curauit Viuus sibi posuit Se vino fecit Viuus hoc sibi fecit monumentum and the like Some erected their sepulchres whilst they were liuing concluding their inscriptions thus Sibi coniugi Sibi coniugi Liberis Sibi posteris And some that would not haue their wiues heires nor any other entombed therein thus Hoc monumentum heredes non sequuntur Or thus Rogo per deos superos inferosque ossa nostra ne violes This care of buriall moued Augustus Caesar to build his funerall monument in the sixth yeare of his Consulship for himselfe and the succeeding Emperours The like reason moued Hadrian to build his Tombe or Sepulchre neare vnto the bridge Aelium for the Mausoleum of Augustus was full as Xiphilinus writes in the life of Hadrian And to bring you this honie example the like consideration moued King Henry the seuenth in the eighteenth yeare of his raigne to build that glorious faire Chappell at Westminster for an house of buriall for himselfe his children and such onely of the bloud-royall as should descend from his Ioynes forbidding that any other of what degree or qualitie soeâ—uer should euer be interred in that sacred mould as appeares by his last Will and Testament Saint Augustine saith that the Funerals of the righteous in the times of old were performed with a zealous care their burials celebrated and their Monuments prouided in their life time Great hath been the care of buriall saith Camden euer since the first times insomuch that Fathers would lay charges vpon their children concerning the buriall and translating of their bodies euery one being desirous to returne in Sepulchra maiorum into the sepulchres of their Ancestours Iacob at his death charged his sonne Ioseph to carry his body into the sepulchre of his fathers And Ioseph himselfe commanded his brethren that they should remember and tell their posâ—eritie that when they went away into the land of promise they should carry his bones thither with them Abraham Isaac Iacob Sarah Rebecca Leah and Ioseph were buried together in one Sepulchre The kings of Aegypt accustomed to awe their subiects by threatning to depriue them of buriall And it was a penaltie of the law amongst the Romanes He that doth this or that let him be cast forth vnburied and so in the declamations He that forsakes his parents in their necessities let him be cast forth vnburied An Homicide let him be cast forth vnburied And so speakes Cicero to the peoples humour for Milo when hee affirmes his carcase to be more wretched because it wanted the solemne rites of funerall Commanders in warres vsed to terrifie their enemies with the want of buriall according to this speech of Hector in the fifteenth booke of Homers Iliads Then Hector cri'd out take no spoile but rush on to the fleete From whose assault for spoile nor flight if any man I meete He meetes his death nor in the fire of holy funerall His brothers nor his sisters hands shall cast within our wall His lothed body but without the throtes of dogs shall graue His manlesse limbes The people of Israel crying vnto God against the barbarous tyranny of the Babylonians who spoiled Gods inheritance polluted his Temple destroyed his religion and murdered his chosen Nation amongst other calamities thus they complaine for the want of sepulture The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to be meat vnto fowles of the heauen and the flesh of thy Saints vnto the beasts of the earth Their bloud haue they shed like waters round about Ierusalem and there was none to bury them God commands Elias to tell Iezebel that for her wickednesse the dogs should eate vp her flesh in the field of Iesreel and that her carcase should be as doung vpon the ground in the said field of Iesreel so that none should say this is Iezebel The seduced Prophet because he
disobeyed the mouth of the Lord was reproued by him who was the occasion of his errour as hee had it in commandement from God and withall told that his carcase should not come vnto the sepulcher of his Fathers Esay speaking in derision of the death and sepulture of the king of Babylon which was not with his Fathers for that his tyranny was so much abhorred thus noteth his vnhappinesse All the kings of the nations euen they all sleepe in glorie euery one in his owne house But thou art cast out of thy graue like an abhominable branch like the rayment of those that are slaine and thrust through with a sword which go downe to the stones of the pit as a carcase troden vnder feet Thou shalt not be ioyned with them in the graue Ieremie the Prophet speaking against the breakers of Gods sacred couenants brings in most commonly the want of buriall as a punishment for such their hainous offences as followeth Thus saith the Lord I will euen giue them into the hands of their enemies and into the hands of them that seeke their life and their dead bodies shall bee for meat vnto the fowles of the heauen and to the beasts of the earth And prophesying against Iehoakim he is inspired with these words Thus saith the Lord against Iehoakim the sonne of Iosiah king of Iuda they shall not lament him saying Ah my brother or ah sister neither shall they mourne for him saying Ah Lord or ah his glory He shall be buried as an asse is buried not honourably saith the Margent among his fathers euen drawne and cast forth without the gates of Ierusalem In other places of his prophesie thus They shall die of deaths and diseases they shall not bee lamented neither shall they be buried but they shall be as doung vpon the earth They shall be cast out in the streets of Ierusalem because of the famine and the sword and there shall be none to burie them both they and their wiues their sonnes and their daughters for I will poure their wickednesse vpon them Thus saith the Lord of hosts I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of them that seeke their liues and their carcases will I giue to bee meate for the fowles of the heauen and to the beasts of the field We haue diuers examples of this nature in the holy Scriptures But let vs go no further then to the lawes of our owne Nation by which the subiect is kept in awfull obedience Hee that commits treason is adiudged by our Lawes to bee hanged drawne and quartered and his diuided limbes to be set vpon poles in some eminent place within some great Market-towne or Citie He that commits that crying sinne of murther is vsually hanged vp in chaines so to continue vntill his bodie be consumed at or neare the place where the fact was perpetrated Such as are found guilty of other criminall causes as Burglarie Felonie or the like after a little hanging are cut downe and indeed buried but seldome in Christian mould as we say nor in the sepulchres of their fathers except their fathers had their graues made neare or vnder the gallowes And we vse to bury such as lay violent hands vpon themselues in or neare to the high wayes with a stake thrust through their bodies to terrifie all passengers by that so infamous and reproachfull a buriall not to make such their finall passage out of this present world The feare of not hauing buriall or hauing of ignominious and dishonourable buriall hath euer affrighted the brauest spirits of the world this feare made the dying Mezentius make this request to his enemy Aeneas No ill in death not so came I to sight Nor made my Lausus such a match One right Afford if pitie stoope tâ—a vanqâ—sht foe Interre mâ— corps Much hate of mine I know Surrounds me Dead from that fear'd furie saue And lay me with my sonne both in one graue This feare made the faire-helm'd Hector as Homer calls him being readie to combat with Ajax Telamon to propound this couenant Amongst you all whose breast includes the most expulsiue minde Let him stand forth as Combatant by all the rest design'd Before whome thus I call high Ioue to witnesse of our strife If he with home-thrust-iron can reacâ— th'exposure of my life Spoiling my armes let him at will conuay them to his tent But let my body be renurn'd that Troys two-stept descent Mâ—y â—â—see it in the funerall pile if I can slaughter him Apollo honouring me so much I 'le spoile his conquered limbe And beare his armes to Ilion where in Apollos Shrine I 'le hang them as my Trophies due his body I 'le resigne To â—e disposed by his friends in flamie Funeralls And hâ—nour'd with erected Tombe where Hellespontus fals Into Aegaeum and doth reach euen to your nauall rode That when our beings in the earth shall hide their period Suruiuers sailing the blacke sea may thus his name renew This is his Monument whose bloud long since did fates imbrew Whom passing farre in fortitude illustrate Hector slew This shall posteritie report and my fame neuer die Cicero in his second booke De gloria makes Aiax glorious in armes to intreate Hector that if it were his fortune to be vanquisht by him so renowned an enemy he would affoord his body worthie and honourable buriall and that his Tombe to succeeding ages might thus speake to all passengers Hic situs est vitae iampridem lumina linquens Cui quondam Hectoreo perculsus concidit ense Fabitur haec aliquis mea semper gloria vines Here he lies depriu'd of light Slaine by Hectors sword in fight Some one will euer tell this story So endlesse shall be Aiax glory Achilles hauing giuen Hector his deaths wound insulted ouer him as it is in the two and twentieth booke of Homers Iliads thus And now the dogs and fowles in â—oulest vse Shall teare thee vp thy corse expos'd to all the Greekes abuse To whom Hector makes his dying request on this manner He fainting said let me implore euen by thy knees and soule And thy great parents doe not see a cruelty so foule Inflicted on me brasse and gold receiue at any rate And quit my person that the Peeres and Ladies of our State May tombe it Thus you see how much the most heroicall spirits desir'd the honour of sepulture with the performance of all funerall rites howsoeuer Lucan in his fifth booke of the Pharsalian warres makes Iulius Caesar being as then in danger to be drowned to expostulate with the Gods and in a boasting manner to contemne all funerall exequies Concluding thus O Gods I craue No Funerall let the seas vtmost waue Keepe my torne carcase let me want a Tombe And funerall pile whilest look't for still to come Into all Lands I am and euer fear'd But this was but one of Caesars rodamantadoes or thundring
wherein they stood not onely vpon the words of their former crie but reading something out of a paper they went more particularly ouer the office and caâ—ling of Hacket how he represented Christ by partaking a part of his glorified bodie by his principall spirit and by the office of seuering the good from the bad And that they were two Prophets the one of mercy the other of iudgement called and sent of God to assist this their Christ Hacket in his great worke These men were apprehended the same day The 26 of Iuly Hacket was arraigned and found guiltie as to haue spoken diuers most false and traiterous words against her Maiestie to haue razed and defaced her Armes as also her picture thrusting an iron instrument into that part which did represent the breast and heart For the which he had iudgement and on the 28. of Iuly hee was brought from Newgate to a gibbet by the Croâ—e in Cheape where being moued to aske God and the Queene forgiuenesse be fell to railing and cursing of the Queene and began a most biasphemous prayer against the diuine Maiestie of God They had much ado to get him vp the ladder where hee was hanged and after bowelled and quartered His execrable speeches and demeanure as well at his arraignment as death vtterly distained and blemished all his former seeming sanctitie wherewith he had shroudly possessed the common people Thus you see how easily ignorant people are seduced by false new doctrines how suddenly they â—â—ll from true Religion into heresie frensie and blasphemie robbing the Church of all her due rites and as much as in them lies God of his Glory which abuse of these times I leaue to be reformed by our reuerend Clergie On the next day to make an end of the Story Edmund Coppinger hauing wilfully abstained from meat and otherwise tormented himselfe died in Bridewell And Henry Arthington lying in the Counter in Woodstreet submitting himselfe writ a booke of repentance and was deliuered such was the end of these men saith mine Authour of whom the â—ilâ—ie people had receiued a very reuerend opinion both for their sincere holinesse and sound doctrine And in the yeare 1612. Aprill 11. Edward Wightman another peruerse heretique was burned at Lichfield This Wightman would faine haue made the people beleeue that he himselfe was the holy Ghost and immortall with sundrie other most damnable opinions not fit to bee mentioned amongst Christians Yet for all this this heretique had his followers It is much to be wished that all backsliders from our Church should be well looked vnto at the first and not to runne on in their puritanicall opinions Of the Shcismatiques of those times and more especially of Martin Marprelate these Rythmicall numbers following were composed Hic racet vt pinus Nec Caesar nec Ninus Nec Petrus nec Linus Nec Coelestinus Nec magnus Godwinus Nec plus nec minus Quam Clandestinus Miser ille Martinus Videte singuli O vos Martinistae Et vos Brownistae Et vos Barowistae Et vos Atheistae Et Anabaptistae Et vos Haketistae Et Wiggintonistae Et omnes Sectistae Quorum dux fuit iste Lugete singuli At Gens Anglorum Presertim verorum Nec non qui morum Estis honorum Inimici horum Vt est decorum Per omne forum In secula seculorum Gaudete singuli A certaine Northern Rimer also made these following Couplets vpon him and his seditious Pamphlets The Welchman is hanged Who at our Kirke flanged And at her state banged And brened are his buks. And tho he be hanged Yet he is not wranged The de'ul has him fanged Is his kruked kluks His name was Iohn Penry a Welshman a penner and a publisher of books intituled Martin marre Prelate he was apprehended at Stepney by the Vicar there and committed to prison and in the moneth of May 1593. hee was arraigned at the Kings bench in Westminster condemned of Felonie and afterward suddenly in an afternoone conuaied from the Gaile of the Kings Bench to Saint Thomas Waterings and there hanged with a small audience of beholders saith Stow. CHAP. XI Of the conuersion of this our Nation from Paganisme to Christianity including generally the Foundations of religious houses in the same and the pietie in the Primitiue times both of religious and Lay persons OF the conuersion of this our Island from Paganisme to Christianity diuers authenticall Authors both ancient and moderne haue written at large a little then of so much will suffice for this present Discourse Christiana doctrina sexaginta octo plus minus annorum spacio post passionem Domini nostri Iesu Christi totum fere orbem peruagata est within the space of threescore and eight yeares or thereabouts after the death and passion of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Christian Religion was spread almost ouer the face of the whole world And so fruitfull and famous was this spreading of the Gospell that Baptista Mantuan a Christian Poet compares the increase thereof with that of Noah thus alledging vnto it Sicutaquis quondam Noe sua misit in orbem Pignora sedatis vt Gens humana per omnes Debita caelituum Patri daret orgia terras Sic sua cum vellet Deus alta in regna reuerti Discipulos quosdam transmisit ad vltima mundi Littora docturos Gentes quo numina ritu Sint oranda quibus caelum placabile Sacris As Noah sent from the Arke his sonnes to teach The Lawes of God vnto the world aright So Christ his Seruants sent abroad to preach The word of life and Gospell to each wight No place lay shadowed from that glorious Light The farthest Isles and Earths remotest bounds Embrac'd their Faith and ioy'd at their sweet sounds Now to speake of the conuersion of this Island out of a namelesse Authour who writes a booke De regnis Gentibus ad Christi sidem conuersis thus Prima Prouinciarum omnium sicut antiquissimi Historiarum Scriptores memoriae prodidere quorum etiam authoritatem M. A. Sabellicus inter nostrae aetatis recentiores est sequutus Britannia Insula publico consensu Christi fidem accepit The first of all Prouinces or farre countries as ancient Historiographers haue deliuered to memory whose authority M. A. Sabellicus one amongst the late writers of our age doth principally follow this Island of Britaine by common consent receiued the Christian faith The glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ saith Gildas Albanius surnamed the wise the most ancient of our British Historians which first appeared to the world in the later time of Tyberius Caesar did euen then spread his bright beames vpon this frozen Island of Britaine And it is generally receiued for a truth that Ioseph of Arimathea who buried the body of our Sauiour Christ laid the foundation of our faith in the West parts of this kingdome at the place or little Island as then called Aualon now Glastenbury where he with twelue disciples his
therto Caerlyon The King and other hely men destruyde hem alle yfere And eyghte and twenty Bishops in hure stede dude rere And the Erchbishopes ther c. A little more in another place to the same purpose if you be not already weary of reading thus much The Pape Eleutherie that sende huder furst Chrestendom Was the XIII Pape that aftur Peter com The descyples yat he huder sende xpendom to bring By lefte in wildernesse aftur hure prechyng That me clupeth Glastyngbury that desert was tho And ther by come Monckes and nome to hem mo Phagan and Damian chief of hem wer And othur mo that loued best to liue and dwelle ther Becaus that Ioseph of Arimathic and hys felowes twelue Thulk plas chosen had to wonne ther by hem selue And ther wyth hure own honds had rerde a Church Of hurdles and of yerds as hij coud worche And held ther by hem self the law of xpendom And yat was longe er xpendom to kyng Lucie com The foundation of the famous Colledge of Bangor in Wales is ascribed to this king Lucius in which so many hundreds of Monkes liued deuoutly and religiously by the labour of their owne hands according to this peece of my foresaid Author In the Citie of Bangor a gret hous tho was And ther vndyr vij cellens and ther of ther nas That CCC Monckes hadde othur mo And alle by hure trauayle lyuede loke now if they do so From the time of king Lucius vntill the entrance of Austin the Monke called the Englishmens Apostle which was foure hundred and some few yeares the Christan faith was alwayes both taught and embraced in this Island notwithstanding the continuall persecutions of the Romanes Huns Picts and Saxons which last made such desolation in the outward face of the Church that they droue the Christian Bishops into the desarts of Cornwall and Wales by whose labours the Gospell was plentifully propagated amongst those vast mountaines and those parts aboue all other made glorious by the multitudes of their holy Saints and learned Teachers Of which a namelesse Author mentioned by Speed Hist. cap 9. Sicut erat celebris cultu numeroque Deorum Cum Iouis imperium staret Britannica tellus Sic vbi terrestres coelo descendit ad oras Expectata salus patribus fuit inclyta sanctis Qui Neptunicolum campos Canibrica rura Coryneasque casas loca desolata colebant As were the Britaines famous for their zeale To Gentile Gods whiles such they did adore So when the Heau'ns to Earth did Truth reueale Bless'd was that Land with Truth and Learning store Whence British plaines and Cambrias desert ground And Cornewalls crags with glorious Saints abound About the yeare six hundred Christian Religion in this Island being almost totally eclipsed by seuerall persecutions Pope Gregory the first being zealously moued for the reconuersion of this English Nation sent hither Austin the Monke with other his associates to kindle anew the sparkes of Christianity which were couered in the cinders of Pagans desolation The story is frequent and I shall often touch vpon it Ethelbert being as then king of Kent receiued holy Baptisme by the said Austin being principally induced thereunto by Berta his wife and Queene a Christian daughter to Chilperuk king of France Christianity being thus receiued by him the most potent king of the Saxons Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis The good example of the King His people all to Christ did bring The succeeding Saxon kings followed his heauenly steps endeauouring in all they might to ouerthrow the Synagogue of Satan by breaking downe the abhominable idols throughout the whole Island Edwyne king of Northumberland Carpenwald king of the East-English Sebert king of the East-Saxons Kynigilds king of the West-Saxons Peda king of the Merciâ—â—s Ethâ—â—ulphe king of the South-Saxons in the space of not much aboue threescore yeares after the conuersion of King Ethelbert were conuerted 〈◊〉 God so wrought with them from Paganisme and Idolatrie vnto the beleefe and worship of our Lord Iesus Christ and the Christian faith was publikely preached in all their dominions These and other the Saxon kings for sanâ—tâ—ty of life are ranked before all the Kings and Potentates of the world For such was their feruent zeale in Religion that he thought himselfe most happie who in pious acts hard penance wearie pilgrimages and retired solitude spent the various course of life which moued many of them to exchange a pallace royall and a Scepter imperiall for a poore cell and a Monâ—â—â—h stâ—â—fe to forsake their owne kingdome and to liue as pilgrimes in a forraine countrey to lose their owne lines in warlike opposition against Pagans and Infidels thereby to liue in heauen amongst the noble army of Martyrs and lastly it moued them and other great personageâ— so â—oâ—vâ—ng their pious examples to erect and amplie endow religious 〈…〉 as Churches Chappels Schooles Colledges and Monasteâ—â—e 〈◊〉 the preaching and further propagating of the Christian faith As you may see in the sequell of these intended labours Whose charters did 〈◊〉 end with an execrable curse to all those which by any manner of meanes should demolish or ouerthrow any of such their sacred structures or infringe alienate or diminish any of their immunities or yearely reuenewes Likewise fearefull comminations and excommunications were threatned and thundred out against those which should scorne abuse deceiue or craftily entrap any one either of the secular or Monasticall orders and a benediction diuulged and granted to all those by whom they should bee honoured reuerenced rewarded and haue their liuelihoods further enricht concluding with a promise to defend these religious Votaries from the persecution of all humane enemies and to maintaine their liâ—eâ—â—ies freedomes and priuiledges from the vsurpation of any secular power Their donations were sometime in meeter or rime with the names of a number of witnesses whereunto the signe of the crosse was euer added the forme of which you may reade hereafter but the most of these their important writings were in prose and many of them wondrous short For example King Athelston giues a certaine plow-land and other profits to the Priest of the Church of high Bickington in Denshire in these words which I had from my friend Master Tristram Risdon that countrey man Ich Athelston Konyng Grome of hys home Y if and grant to ye Prestes of thus chyrche On Yok of my lond freliche to hold wodd in My holt hous to build bit gras for alle hys beastes vewel for hys herth pannage For Sow and Puggis World out end To the gouernment of these foresaid holy Fabricks and their reuenues such men were chosen as were the best learned and most eminent for integritie of life The Priests consecrated by the imposition of hands and appointed to say prayers administer the Sacraments instruct the Christians which daily increased and to execute all such offices as belonged to a
fiue thousand pounds and one Herbert Prior of Fiscane in Normandy bought for his father whose name was Losinge the Abbacie of Winchester and for himselfe the Bishopricke of Norwich Whereupon a versiâ—ier of that age made these rythmes Surgit in Ecclesia monstrum genitore Losinga Symonidum secta Canonum virtute resecta Petre nimis tardas nam Symon ad ardua tentat Si praesens esses non Symon ad alta volaret Proh dolor Ecclesiae nummis venduntur aere Filius est Praesul pater Abbas Symon vterque Quid non speremus si nummos possideamus Omnia nummus habet quid vult facit addit aufert Res nimis iniusta nummis sit Praesul Abba Thus translated by Bale in his Votaries A monster is vp the sonne of Losinga Whiles the law seeketh Simony to flea Peter thou sleepest whiles Simon taketh time If thou wert present Simon should not clime Churches are prised for syluer and gold The sonne a Bishop the father an Abbot old What is not gotten if we haue richesse Money obteineth in euery businesse In Herberts way yet it is a foule blot That he by Simony is Bishop and Abbot But Simonie was not so common now as other sinnes for the Clergie in generall gaue themselues strangely to worldly pleasures and pompous vanities they wore gay rich garments gilt spurres embroidered girdles and bushie locks The Monkes of Canterbury as well nigh all other Monkes in England were not vnlike to secular men they vsed hawking and hunting playing at dice and great drinking thou wouldest haue taken them to haue beene great Magnificoes rather then Monkes they had so many seruants and attendance of goodly aray and dignity Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury by the permission of King Henry the first assembled a great Councell of the Clergie at Westminster wherein he depriued many great Prelates of their promotions for their seuerall offences and many Abbots for other enormities forbidding the farming out of Church dignities In the raigne of King Henry the second the abuses of Church-men were growne to a dangerous height saith well the Monke of Newborough lib. 2. cap. 16. for it was declared saith he in the Kings presence that Clergie men had committed aboue an hundred murthers in his raigne Of which nine yeares were as then scarcely expired And in the 23 of his raigne the Nunnes of Amesbury were thrust out of their house because of their incontinent liuing Rog. Houed Richard Cordelion king of England being told by a certaine Priest called Fulco a Frenchman that he kept with him three daughters namely pride couetousnesse and lechery which would procure him the wrath of God if he did not shortly rid himselfe of them answered That he would presently bestow his three daughters in marriage the Knights Templers said he shall haue my eldest daughter Pride the white Monkes of the Cisâ—â—ux order Couetousnesse and my third daughter Lechery I commit to the Prelates of the Church who therein take most pleasure and felicitie And there you haue my daughters bestowed among you In the raigne of Henry the third the Templars in London being in great glory entertained the Nobilitie forraine Embassadours and the Prince himselfe very often insomuch that Matthew Paris Monke of Saint Albans who liued in those dayes cried out vpon them for their pride who being at the first so poore as they had but one horse to serue two of them in token whereof they gaue in their seales two men vpon one horsebacke yet suddenly they waxed so insolent that they disdained other orders and sorted themselues with Noblemen But this their insulting pride had a quicke period for shortly after to wit in the beginning of King Edward the seconds raigne in the Councell at Vienna this their so highly esteemed order was vpon cleare proofe of their generall odious abhominable sins and incredible Atheisticall impieties by them practised vtterly abolished throughout all Christendome And by the consent of all Christian Kings depoâ—ed all in one day taken all and committed to safe custody And thus being politâ—kely apprehended their lands and goods were seised vpon the heires of the Donours here in England and such as had endowed these Templars with lands entred vpon those parts of their ancient patrimonies after this dissolution and detained them vntill not long after they were by Parliament wholly transferred vnto the Knights of the Rhodes or of S. Iohn of Ierusalem A littâ—e before the vniuersall extinguishment of this order of the Templars Philip the French King caused 54. of that Order with their great Master to be burnt at Paris for their hainous vngodlinesse In the raigne of Edward the third the Clergie of England exceeded all other Nations in the heaping vp together of many Benefices and other spirituall promotions besides at that time they held the principall places both of trust and command in the kingdome Some of them had twenty Benefices with cure and some more and some of them had twenty Prebends besides other great dignities William Wickham at the death of William Edington Bishop of Winchester was made generall Administratour of spirituall and temporall things pertaining to that Bishopricke and the next yeare was made Bishop of Winchester This Wickham besides the Archdeaconry of Lincolne and Prouostship of Welles and the Parsonage of Manihant in Deuonshire had twelue Prebends Simon Langham was Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancelour of England Iohn Barnet Bishop of Bath and Treasurer of England The foresaid Wickham Keeper of the priuie Seale Master of the Wards and Treasurer of the Kings reuenues in France Dauid Wellar Parson of Somersham Master of the Rolles seruing King Edward in the Chancery fortie yeares and more Ten beneficed Priests Ciuilians and Masters of the Chancery William Muâ—se Deane of S. Martins le Grand chiefe Chamberlaine of the Exchequer Receiuer and Keeper of the Kings Treasure and Iewels William Ashby Archdeacon of Northampton Chancellour of the Exchequer William Dighton Prebendary of Saint Martins Clerke of the priuie Seale Richard Chesterfield Prebendary of S. Stephens Treasurer of the Kings house Henry Snatch Parson of Oundall Master of the Kings Wardrobe Iohn Newenham Parson of Fenistanton one of the Chamberlaines of the Exchequer and keeper of the Kings Treasurie and Iewels Iohn Rouceby Parson of Hardwicke Surueior and Controuler of the Kings works Thomas Britingham Parson of Ashby Treasurer to the King for the parts of Guisnes and the marches of Caleis Iohn Troys Treasurer of Ireland diuers wayes beneficed in Ireland Pope Vrban the first made a decree against the heaping together of many Benefices or spirituall promotions by one man for the execution whereof he sent commandement to the Archbishop of Canterbury and by him to all his Suffragans to certifie in writing the names number and qualities of euery Clerke Benefices or liuings within their seuerall Diocesse Whereupon this or the like certificate was brought in I finde inter Breuiâ—
Regis Ed. 3. Ann. 24. that William Fox Parson of Lee neare Gainsborough Iohn Fox and Thomas of Lingeston Friers Minors of that Couent in Lincolne were indited before Gilbert Vmfreuill and other Iustices in partibus de Lindesey apud Twhancaster die Sabbati post festum sâ—ncti Iohannis Baptiste in the said yeare for that they came to Bradholme a Nunnery in the County of Nottingham the eighteenth of the Kal. of February and then and there rapuerunt abduxerunt inde contra pacem Domini Regis quandam Monialem nomine Margaretam de Euernigham Sororem dicte Domus exeuntes eam habit Religionis induentes eam Rob. virid secular ac etiam diuersa bona ad valenc quadragint solid Violently tooke and forcibly from thence carried away against the peace of their Soueraigne Lord the King a certaine Nunne by name Margaret de Euernigham a sister of the said house stripping her quite out of her religious habit and putting vpon her a greene Gowne Robe or Garment of the secular fashion and also diuers goods to the value of forty shillings In this Kings raigne Robert Longland a secular Priest borne in Shropshire at Mortimers Câ—liberie writ bitter inuectiues against the Prelates and all religious orders in those dayes as you may reade throughout this book which he calls The vision of Piers Plowman Presently after in the raigne of Richard the second Iohn Gower flourished who in his booke called Vox clamantis cries out against the Clergie-men of his time first Quod Christi scholam dogmatizant eius contrarium operantur 2 Quod potentiores alijs existunt 3 Quod carnalia appetentes vltra modum delicatè vinunt 4 Quod lucris terrenis inhiant honore Prelacie gaudent non vt prosint sed vt presint Episcopatum desiderant Quod legibus positiâ—is quae quamuis ad cultum anime necessarie non sunt infinitas tamen constitutiones quasi quotidie ad eorum lucrum nobis grauiter imponâ—â—t Quod bona temporalia possidentes spiritualia omittunt Quod Christus pacem suis discipulis dedit reliquit sed Prelati propter bona terrena guerras contra Christianos legibus suis positiuis instituunt prosequuntur Quod cleri sunt bellicosi Quod scribunt docent ea quae sunt pacis sed in contrarium ea quae sunt belli procurant Quod nomen sanctum sibi presumunt appropriant tamen sibi terrena nec alijs inde participando ex caritate subueniunt Quod intrant Ecclesiam per Symoniam Quod honores non onera Prelacie plures affectant quo magis in Ecclesia cessant virtutes vitia multipliciter accrescunt Quod Rectores in curis residentes cuâ—â—s tamen negligentes venationibus praecipue voluptatibus penitus intendunt Quod Presbyteri sine curis siue stipendarij non propter mundiciâ—m ordinis honestatem sed proptâ—r mundi otia gradum Presbyteratus appetunt assumunt Much more he speakes against the abuses and vices of Church-men as also against the lewd liues of the Schollars in Cambridge and Oxford which he calls the Churches plants concluding thus his third book Sic quia stat cecus morum sine lumine clerus Erramus Laici nos sine luce vagi In his fourth booke hee speakes of Monkes and all other religious Orders Quod contra primi ordinis statuta abstinentie virtutem linquunt delicias sibi corporales multipliciter assumunt Ripping vp their faults in particular Chaucer who was contemporarie and companion with Gower in the Plowmans tale the Romant of the Rose and in his Treatise which hee intitles lacke Vpland writes as much or more against the pride couetousnesse insatiable luxurie hypocrisie blinde ignorance and variable discord amongst the Church-men and all other our English votaries As also how rude and vnskilfull they were in matters and principles of our Christian institutions to whose workes now commonly in print I referre my Reader for further satisfaction In a Parliament holden at Westminster the eleuenth yeare of King Henry the fourth the lower house exhibited a Bill to the King and the Lords of the vpper house in effect as followeth To the most excellent Lord our King and to all the Nobles in this present Parliament assembled your faithfull Commons doe humbly signifie that our Soueraigne Lord the King might haue of the temporall possessions lands and reuenues which are lewdly spent consumed and wasted by the Bishops Abbats and Priors within this Realme so much in value as would suffice to finde and sustaine one hundred and fifty Earles one thousand and fiue hundred Knights sixe thousand and two hundred Esquiers and one hundred Hospitals more then now be But this Petition of spoiling the Church of England of her goodly patrimonies which the pietie and wisedome of so many former ages had congested was by the King who was bound by oath and reason to preserue the flourishing estate of the Church so much detested that for this their proposition he denied all other their requests and commanded them that from thenceforth they should not presume to intermeddle with any such matter This King as also his sonne and grandchilde were wondrous indulgent to the Clergie although they were daily disquieted with the bellowing of the Popes Prouisorie Bulls For Henry the fifth was so deuour and seruiceable to the Church of Rome and her Chaplaines that he was called of many the Prince of Priests And Henry the sixth surnamed the holy wa an obedient childe and no lesse nay more obsequious to the See Apostolicall then any of his predecessours howsoeuer I finde that once he reiected the Popes Bull concerning the restoring of the Temporalities of the Bishoppricke of Ely And now giue me leaue a little to digresse speaking somewhat by the way of the denomination of this word Bulla and why the Bishops of Rome call their leaden Seales by which they confirme their writings Bulls This word Bulla was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est à Consilio of councell For that anciently a golden Bull broach or ornament round and hollow within was vsually fastened about the necks or breasts of young children and semblablie to all their pictures signifying thereby that their render vnbridled age ought to be gouerned by the graue councell and good aduise of others of more maturitie in yeares And from hence the Bishops of Rome borrowed the name for their leaden Seales vpon one part of which the name of the Pope is to be read on the other the head of Saint Paul on the right side of the Crosse and of Saint Peter on the left are to bee seene Honoris tamen non praelationis gratia factitatum hoc ab Ecclesia Nam quanquam S. Petrus sit Princeps Apostolici ordinis tamen Ecclesia voluit eos indiscretae esse excellentiae But this was done of the Church saith my Author in regard of honour not of preheminence For although
of Rome vnto the generall Councell may also be transumed impressed published and set vp on euery Church-doore in England to the intent that if any censures should be fulminate against the king or his realme that then it may appeare to all the world that the censures be of none effect considering that the king hath already and also before any censures promulged both prouoked and appealed Item like transumpts to bee made and sent into all other realmes and dominions and specially into Flanders concerning the kings said prouocations and appellations to the intent falsehood iniquitie malice and iniustice of the Bishop of Rome may thereby appeare to all the world And also to the intent that all the world may know that the Kings highnes standing vnder those appeales no censures can preuaile neither take any effect against him and his realme Item a letter to be conceiued from all the Nobles as well Spirituall as Temporall of this Realme vnto the Bishop of Rome declaring the wrongs iniuries and vsurpations vsed against the kings highnes and this realme Item to send exploratours and espies into Scotland and to see and perceiue their practises and what they intend there And whether they will confederate themselues with any other outward Princes Item to send letters for that purpose to the Earle of Northumberland my Lord Daves and Sir Thomas Clyfford Item certaine discreete and graue persons to bee appointed to repaire into the parts of Germany to practise and conclude some lege or amitie with the Princes and Potentates of Germany that is to say the King of Pole Iohn of Hungary the Duke of Saxony the Duke of Bauyere Duke Fredericke the Landegraue Van Hesse the Bishop of Magous Bishop of Treuers the Bishop of Collene and other the Potentates of Germany and also to ensearch of what inclination the said Princes and Potentates be of towards the King and this realme Item like practise to be made and practised with the Cities of Lubeke Danske Hambourgh Bromeswicke and all other the steads of the Haunse Tuâ—onyk and to ensearch of what inclination they bee towards the King and this realme Item like practise to be made and practised with the Cities of Norimbourgh and Aughsbrough Item to remember the Merchants aduenturers haunting the dominions of Braband and to speake with them Item to set order and establishment of the Princes Dowagers house with all celeritie and also of my Lady Maryes house To these or some of these purposes the King dispatched messengers to all his Embassadours and Agents beyond seas hauing before that sent the Duke of Norfolke Viscount Rocheford Sir William Pawlet afterwards Marquesse of Winchester and others to the Pope the Emperour and the French King being all three together at Nice He also caused his Secretarie to write in this manner to Iames the fifth King of Scotland Moste excellent myghtye and victorious Prynce Pleâ—sâ—th your Magestie that by the commaundment of my most dread Lord and Soueraigne Kyng of England your graces moste dere Vncle I haue in charge vndre commyssion certeyn specyall maters concernyng his highnes pleasure secreatly to be signyfyed vnto your grace wherein not only as a naturall Cousyne of your royall consanguinity but as a moste loueing Father entierly tendryng your worthye honor no lesse desirous hereof then regardyng his owne peculyer prosperyte vnfaynedly accomptyng your graces aduancement his moste conformable consolacion In consideracyon whereof sith it hath so pleasyd God of his infynyte fauour to revele vnto his highnes as well by studyous endeuor of good letters as by erudyte consultacyon of famous estemyde Clerke Also by long attempted experience ensearchyng truyth chyeflye in Christs doctryne who saith Iohn the fourteenth Ego sum veritas now clerely to perceive the thrall captyvyte vndre the vsurpyd power of the Busshop of Rome and his vngodly lawes Wherein his highnes and other many of his noble progenitors were moste wyckedly abusyde to their intollerable calamity and excedyng molestacion of their Subiects ouer whom God had yeuon them auctoryte and gouernaunce to rule as by all storyes of the olde testament and informacyon of the new playnely apperith Which groundly knowen to his highnes wisshith lykewise the same to be persuadyd vnto your grace wherby your honorable renoune and royall auctoryte shuld be moche enlargyd with no lesse felycitye of soule pryncipally to be regardyd then with aboundant comoditie of riches and vnfayned obeysaunce of faythfull Subiects ferr from the comeberous calamyte of the Popysshe myserable molestacyon What more intollerable calamyte may ther be to a Christian Prynce than vniustlye to be defeatyd of his righteous iurisdiction within his realme to be a King by name and not indede to be a ruler without regyment ouer his owne liege people what more greuous molestacion can chaunce to true harted Subiects than to be seuerâ—d from the alliegiaunce due to their naturall Soueraigne ther annoyntyd King grauntyd by Gods lawes and to become servile slaues to a foreyn Potentat vsurpyng to reigne ouer them agaynste the lawe of God as by the violent tyrannye of the Bushop of Rome hathe many yeres hitherto bene practysed throughout all regions to the ruynous desolacyon of the hole Christentie what Realme is ther but that the Busâ—shop of Rome hath planted therein his kingdome and established his regiment after soche a subtiell way that he and his craâ—tye creatures were obeyd of Prynces to whome of dutye they ought to haue bene subiect 1. Pet. 2. siue Regi tanquam praecellenti c. of whome all Romayn Busshops haue presumyd to be successors but not folowers contrarye to his example Qui non venit ministrari sed ministrare In all Realmes the Popisshe practise hath had soche confederacye of false forsworne factious and trayterous Titinylks vntrue to ther Soueraigne that nothyng was so secreatly in counsaill of any Prynce but forthwith it was caried by relacion to the Popes care And if ought were attemptyd agaynste his owne person or any crookyd creature of his creation in restraynyng of ther extortionate claymes as ther was nothyng but they claymed to haue auctoryte vpon incontynent they bouncyd out their thunderbolts and currsyng fulminations with soche intollerable force of vnmercyfull crudelyte that they made the greatiste personages of the world to trymble and quake for feare For by the negligente soufferaunce of Prynces thrughe dâ—faute of knowlege of Goddes worde the Popisshe pride was so haught his auctoryte so preemynent his power so puisaunte his strengthe so myghtye his displeasure so daungerous his Tyrrannye so terrible that scarse any durst resiste to coutrevaill none was able Example of many excellente Prynces as Iohn the furst and Henry the second of gracyous memory Kings of England here in their liffe times moste cruelly vexyd and after there disseas by forged leasyngs and slaunderous ympechements mysreportyd and faulselye belied with dispitfull dishonor of ther excellent progenye After like fasshion the victorious Emperor Lodovicus enterprysing
generall visitation began in the moneth of October and in Februarie next following a Parliament vpon prorogation was holden at Westminster in which these vnspeakable crimes of all the Couents were certified by the Commissioners to the King and that high Court. Vpon the reading whereof because their offences were found to be many and odious or that King Henry would haue it so which I rather beleeue it was enacted by both houses in that present Parliament that all religious houses of and vnder the yearely value of two hundred pound within the whole Realme of England and Wales should be giuen and granted to the King and his heires for euer with all and singuler the lands tenements rents reuersions goods cattels debts ornaments and iewels with all things else thereunto or to their Orders in any wise appertaining or belonging The number of these houses then suppressed were three hundred seuenty sixe The value of their lands yearely as then easily rated was twentie nine thousand fourtie one pounds three pence halfe penie qua others for thirtie two thousand pound and more the moueable goods as they were sold Robin Hoods peniworths amounted to more then one hundred thousand pounds the religious persons that were put out of the same houses were in number aboue ten thousand It was a pitifull thing to here the lamentation that the people in the countrey made for them for there was great hospitalitie kept among them and as it was thought more then ten thousand persons masters and seruants had lost their liuings by the putting downe of those houses at that time Before the dissolution of these religious houses the plot was laid for the suppression of the rest For first of all for an introduction to that which followed Cromwell and the rest of the Visiters in their visitations put forth of their Couents all religious persons that desired to be eased of the burdenous yoke of their profession to whom the Abbot or Prior was to giue to such so departed for their habit a Priests gowne and fourty shillings of money The Nunnes to haue such apparell as secular women wore and to go whither they would They put forth likewise all religious persons that were vnder the age of foure and twenty yeares and afterwards closed vp the residue that would remaine so that they could not come out of their places and tooke order that no man should come to the houses of women nor women to the houses of men but onely to heare their seruice in the Church This little bondage after so long and so licentious a time of libertie could not be endured which being perceiued by the Commissioners with faire promises of other preferments or competent yearely pensions they so wrought with the Abbots Priors and Prioresses and the rest of the Couents that diuers of them surrendred vp their houses with the appurtenances into the Kings hands before the sitting of this Parliament as by these words in the foresaid Act doth plainly appeare And also be it enacted that his Highnes shall haue to him and his heires all and singular such Monasteries Abbies and Priories which at any time within on yeare next before the making of this Act hath beene giuen and granted by any Abbot Prior Abbesse or Prioresse vnder their Couent Seale or that otherwise hath beene suppressed or dissolued and all and sinâ—gular the lands tenements goods c. interests and hereditaments c. to the same appertaining and belonging Now by the example of these or by what other meanes I know not the rest of the Abbots Priors Abbesses and Prioresses at other times with vnanimous consent of their Couents in great compunction of spirit contrition of heart and confession of their manifold enormities did seuerally giue and grant to the Kings Maiestie and to his heires all their right and interest which they had in their Monasteries lands goods or hereditaments by certaine instruments or writings vnder their hands and Sâ—ales of which I will set downe one or two for example which I had from my louing friend Master Iohn Masters Master of the Augmentation Office in forme as followeth But first will it please you reade the copie of the Kings Warrant to such his Commissioners as were to take the Surrenders of Religious houses The forme of which thus followeth Henry the eighth c. To our trustie c. Forasmuche as we vnderstand that the Monastery of S. A. is at this presente in such state as the same is neither vsed to the glory of God nor to the benefyte of our Comon welth We let you wit that therfore being mynded to take the same into our owne hands for a better purpose like as we doubt not but the head of the same wil be contented to make his surrender accordingly we for the spesyall truste and confydence that we haue in your fydellity wisdomes and discrecions haue and by these presents doo authoryse name assygne and appoynte you that immediatly repayring to the sayd Howse ye shall receave of the sayd Head such a wryting vnder the Couent Seale as to your discretyons shall seeme requisite meete and conuenient for the due surrender to our vse of the same and thervpon take posâ—sessyon therof and of all the goodes cattelles plate fuelâ—es implements and stuffe being within or apperteyneng thervnto And forther causyng all the goodes and implements to be indisterently sold either for reddy money or at dayes vpon suffyciente suertyes so that the same day passe not one yere and a halfe Ye shall deliuer to the said Head and Brethren suche parte of the sayd money and goodes as ye by your discresyons shall thinke meete and conuenyente for their despeche And forther to see them haue convenyente pensyons by your wysdomes assigned accordyngly which done and moreouer seeing the rightfull and due debts therof payd and satysfyed as well of the revenewes as of the sayd stuffe as to reason and good â—onscyens apperteyneth and your charges reasonablie allowed ye shall proceed to the dissolutyon of the sayd howse And forther in your name take possessyon of the same to be kept to our vse and profyte Ye shall furthermore bringe and convaye to owr Tower of London after yowr sayd discressyons all the rest of the sayd money Plate Iuelles and ornaments that in any wyse shall come to your hands by meane of the premysses or of any parte therof Straitely charging and commandynge all Maires Sheryffes Bayliâ—â—â—s Constables and all other our Officers Ministers and Subiects to whom in this case it shall apperteyne that vnto you and euery of you in exeâ—ution herof they be helpinge aydinge sauoring and assisting as they will answer vnto vs to the contrary at their vttermoste perrilles Yeuen c. The resignation or surrender of the Prior and Couent of Saint Andrewes Northampton with a recognition of their manifold enormities Most noble and vertuous Prince owr most rightuous and gracyous Soueraign Lorde and vndoubted Founder and in erthe next vndre God
ad eâ—â—dem manusque ad conseruationemeius dein promptiâ—s porrigentes adiutrices quo ex inde dono celestis gratie conspexerint se ibidem vherius refertos de omni potentis Dei miserecordia B B. Petri Pauli Apostolorum eius autoritate conâ—isi omnibus vere penitentibus confesâ—is contritis quâ— diâ— Ascensionis Domini nostri Iesu Christi a vespera Vigilie ipsius vâ—que ad vesperam eiusdem diei dictam S. Ia. C. Ecclesiam deuote visitauerint annuatim et manus adeius conseruationem porâ—exerint adiutrices plenam omnium suorum peccatorum absolutionem concedimus Insâ—per per septem dies dictum festum sequentes et quolibet ipsorum dierum de iniunctis ipsorum penitenâ—ijs septimam partem miserecorditer in Domino relaxamus presentibus perpetuis temporibus duraturis Nulli ergo hominum liceat â—anc nostram concessionis et relaxationis paginam infringere vel ei ausu temerario contraire Sâ— quis antem hoc attemptare presumpserit indignationem omnipotentis Dei et B B. Petriet Pauli Apostolorum se incursurum nouerit atque in extremo indicio districti Iudicis ira crudeliter permulctari Dat. R. apud S. P. Id. M. Pontisicaâ—us nostri anno Testes A. Episcopus P. G. Episcopus S. E. S. Eâ—statij presbiter Cardinalis c. Against an Altar Si quis Missam ad hoc Altare fieri curabit plenariam peccatorum remissionem consequetur Si vero pro defuncti alicuius anima ad idem Altare legatur Missa statim in ipso actu et celebratione Misse anima defuncti ex purgatorio in celum ascendet et seruabitur Nihil certius Neare to the place where reliques were kept such a like Inscription was either painted insculpt or written vpon a table hanging vpon some pillar or other of the Church Hic sacra sanctarum si nomina reliquiarum Lector seâ—re velis docet hoc te charta fidelis De Christi cuna que virga refloruit vna Coelo manna datum paranymphi manna beatum Mensa gerens cenam turbamque cibans duodenam Claudâ—tur cista chlamys inconsutilis ista Sanguine Baptiste pariter locis omnibus iste Est sacer magni sudaria continet agni The reliques kept in the Church being all thus reckoned they were concluded much what after this manner Horum reliquijs constat locus iste celebris Hinc multorum possemus nomina quorum Dicere si in tabula locus illis esset in ista Nos meritis horum redeamus ad alta polorum Inscriptions neare and vpon Bells Bels in time of Poperie were baptised they were anointed oleo chrismatis they were exorcized they were blest by the Bishop these and other ceremonies ended it was verily beleeued that they had power to driue the deuill out of the aire to make him quake and tremble to make him at the sound thereof flie Tanquam ante crucis vexillum that they had power to calme stormes and tempests to make faire weather to extinguish sudden fires to recreate euen the dead and the like And as you may reade in the Romane Pontificals they had the name of some Saint or other giuen 〈◊〉 them in their Baptisme I will bring in for example the Bells of the Parish Church of Winington in Bedfordshire whose names are cast about the verge of euery one in particular with these riming Hexameters Nomina Campanis hec indita sunt quoque nostris 1. Hoc signum Petri pulsatur nomine Christi 2. Nomen Magdalene Campana sonat melodie 3. Sit nomen Domini benedictum semper in euum 4. Musa Raphaelis sonat auribus Immanuelis 5. Sum Rosa pulsata mundi que Maria vocata Vpon or within the steeple these verses following or others to the same effect were either engrauen in brasse cut in the stone or painted within on the wall En ego campana nunquam denuncio vana Laudo Deum verum plebem voco congrego clerum Defunctos plango viuos voco fulmina frango Vox mea vox vite voco vos ad sacra venite Sanctos collando tonitrus fugo funera claudo Or these Funera plango fulgura frango Sabbatha pango Excito lentos dissipo ventos paco cruentos For the power of holy water sprinkled vpon the people vpon their entrance into the Church these Inscriptions Huius aque tactus depellet Demonis actus Asperget vos Deus cum omnibus sanctis suis ad vitam eternam Sex operantur aqua benedicta Cor mundat Accidiam fugat venalia tollit Auget opeâ—â— remouetque hostem phantasmata pellit Organs Pulpits Portals Crosses Candlesticks Roods Crucifixes and what else of that kinde were likewise thus inscribed all which with the rest were erazed scraped cut out or taken away by the Commissioners and instead of them certaine sentences of the holy Scripture appointed to be painted or dispensild in euery Church Thus iudicious Reader thou maiest by this Chapter vnderstand how by Gods diuine prouidence and the depth of state pollicie first of all the authoritie of the Pope here in England was abrogated the Supremacie of the Church in our Kings inuested Abbeyes and all other such like religious houses subuerted Superstition and Idolatrie rooted out and suppressed and how this kingdome from all Papall infection cleared and with the Sunne shine of the Gospell enlightned the true worship of the euerliuing God was established Which onely true worship that it may continue in our Church without Schismes rents and diuisions vnto the end of the world let vs all with vnanimous consent both of heart and voice pray vnto him who is Truth it selfe and the Authour of all vnitie peace and concord Now gentle Reader giue me leaue to adde vnto this Chapter howsoeuer thou wilt say perhaps it is too long already the copie of the Kings Warrant to Commissioners to take the surrender of Religious houses as also a copie of an Information to Queene Elizabeth of the frauds and corruption of such so imployed by her Father being in my iudgement coincident with the Contents of the same Thus the Warrant speakes Henry c. To or trustie c. Forasmoche as we vnderstand that the Monastery of ...... is at this presente in soche state as the same is neither vsed to the honour of God nor to the benefyte of our comon welth we let you wit that therfore being mynded to take the same into our owne hand for a better purpose like as we doubt but the head of the same will be contented to make his surrender accordyngly we for the spesyall truste and confydence that we haue in your fidelytye wisdomes and discrecions haue and by these presents doo authorise name assygne and appoynt yow that ymmediatly reparyng to the sayd howse ye shall receyve of the sayd Head such a wryting vnder the Couent seale as to yowr discrecions shall seeme requisite meete and conuenient for the due surrender to our vse of the same and thervpon take
which I haue read depicted round about the Cloister of the Carthusians at Paris doth shew sent for the foresaid Bruno to Rome whose disciple hee had beene where he remained for a time and did much helpe to pacifie the troubles there at that time by his prayers he parted from Rome and taking his way by Calabria he came into a desart called the Tower in the Diocesse of Squilace where he stayed with his compaâ—ions making their residence in certaine caues vnder the ground The which when one Roger the Prince of that countrey vnderstood he went to visit this holy man Bruno and gaue to him and his societie all that desart whereas they built a Church in the which Bruno remained alone where his companions liued and in that place hee died ann 1102. and there was buried Vpon whose Sepulchre this Epitaph was insculped Primus in hac Christi fundator ouilis Eremo Promerui fieri qui tegor hoc lapide Bruno mihi nomen Genetrix Germania meque Transtulit ad Calabros grata quies nemoris Doctor eram Preco Christi virnotus in orbe Desuper illud erat gratia non meritum Carnis vincla dies Octobris sexta resoluit Ossa manent tumulo spiritus astra petit He was canonized in the yeare 1520. Priors of their grand Monasterie at Carthusia from Bruno the first till Bruno d' Affrinques who gouerned that house ann 1611. haue beene fourty and foure This order came into England about the yeare 1180. and at Witham in Somersetshire built their first cloister Afterwards they came to London and had a faire sumptuous house neare vnto Smithfield London which is now Suttons Hospitall another they had called Sein or Shene in the countie of Surrey now best knowne by the name of Richmond There were foure Orders here in England of begging Friers who did challenge for their Patrons S. Augustine S. Francis S. Dominicke and Saint Basill but in their discipline and rule of life they came farre short of their first Institutors who both tooke paines with their hands as labourers and as learned writers as their workes do testifie of all Orders these Mendicants haue euer been most bitterly inueighed against by their owne writers as I shall shew hereafter Quidam nouus ordo Fratrum Londini apparuit incognitus Papale tamen autenticum palam ostendens ita vt tot ordinum confusio videretur A certaine new and vnknowne order of Friers appeared in London shewing openly the Popes authenticall Bull for their admission so that then there seemed to be a confusion of so many Orders saith Paris These were called Fratres de poenitentia Iesu or Fratres de Sacca Friers of the repentance of Iesus or Friers of the Sacke for that they carried sacks and for that they were clad in sackcloth These had their first house a little without Aldersgate London and obtained licence of King Henry the third in the fifth yeare of his raigne to remoue from thence vnto any other place and within some two yeares afterwards hee gaue to them the Iewes Synagogue in Colmanstreet ward which was defaced by the Citizens of London after they had slaine seuen hundred Iewes and taken away all their goods After which time Eleanor wife to King Edward the first tooke into her protection and warranted vnto the Prior and Brethren De poenitentia Iesu Christi of London the said land in Colechurch street in the Parish of Saint Olaue in the old Iury and S. Margaret in Lothbury by her granted with consent of Stephen de Fulborne Vnder-Warden of the Bridge-house and other Brethren of that house for threescore Markes of siluer which they had receiued of the said Prior and Brethren of Repentance toward the building of the said Bridge This Order of Friers gathered many good Schollers and multiplied in number exceedingly vntill by a generall Councell it was decreed that there should no more Orders of begging Friers be permitted but onely the foure Orders and so from that time these Friers decreased and fell to nothing There were also Nunnes of this order which were called Sachettes whether they had any Couent in England or not I do not know But great S. Lewis King of France being stirred vp by Queene Blaunch his mother in the yeare of our saluation 1261. hauing giuen vnto the Brethren of the Sacke or of the repentance of Iesus Christ a certaine house vpon the riuer of Seine a little beneath S. Michaels bridge in the Parish of Saint Andrew des Artes at Paris as by his charter which I haue read appeares gaue also to the Nunnes of the same order another house to inhabite in the said Parish where neither of the orders made there any long abode but were expelled in the time of the said King leauing onely the name of Sachettes vnto the streete About the yeare 1048. the Sarazins being masters of Ierusalem and of the holy Temple which they ruined certaine gentlemen and Italian Merchants vsed to frequent the ports and maritime towns of Syria and Aegypt who for that they brought merchandise which was pleasing vnto those countries were well entertained not onely by the gouernour of the Towne but by the Calife of Aegypt These Christians going often to Ierusalem to visit the holy places and hauing no place of retreat within the citie they obtained leaue to build a Church a Pallace with certaine Monasteries for the lodging of Pilgrimes But in the end they caused an Hospitall to bee built for the receiuing of all sorts of Pilgrimes both sicke and whole and in like manner a Church which was dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist. In the yeare 1099. the citie of Ierusalem being recouered against the impulsions of the Infidels by Godfrey of Bullein Duke of Lorraine this order was instituted the Kings of France were soueraignes of this order who granted them diuers immunities They bare fiue crosses gules in forme of that which is at this day called Ierusalem crosse representing thereby the fiue wounds that violated the bodie of our Sauiour None were to be admitted if of a defamed life or not of the Catholike religion They were to be gentlemen of bloud and of sufficient meanes to maintaine a port agreeable to that calling without the exercise of mechanicall sciences as appeares by these demands propounded by the Pater-Guardian vpon their admission and the Knights answers Guard Quid quaeris Miles Quaero effici Militem sanctissimi Sepulchri Guard Cuius coâ—ditionis es Mil. Nobilis genere Pare 〈…〉 bis Christianis ortus Guard Habes vnde 〈…〉 litaris dignitatis conseruare possis absque mercibus et 〈…〉 Habeo Dei gratia They tooke the Sacrament to heare euery day 〈◊〉 if they might conueniently if warres were commenced against the 〈◊〉 to serue there in person or to lend other in their stead no 〈…〉 To oppugne the persecutours of the Church to shunne vniust warres 〈◊〉 honest gaine and priuate duels Lastly to
doth lie Another Lest Alexanders noble name my friend should thee beguile Away for here both treachery doth lurke and mischiefe vile Another Though Alexander after death did vomit matter blacke Yet maruell not he dranke the same and could not cause it packe Vpon the yeare of Iubelie aforesayd kept by this Pope Alexander The Romane Priest that promised both heauen and starres to sell By treacherie and murtherings hath made a gap to hell This Alexander before by deuillish meanes he obtained the Papacie was called Rodericus Borgia a Spaniard borne in Valentia But of him enough except it tended more to the matter Now may it please you reade certaine blanke verses taken out of my fore remembred Author Piers Plow man who speakes in his language of the Pope and Cardinals Pardons and pilgrimages effectually to this purpose Passus 19. God amend the Pope that pilleth holy Kirke And claymeth before the Kyng to be kept of Christen And counteth not though cristen be killed and robbed And fynd folke to fight and christen folk to spill Agayne the old law and new law as Paule therof wytnesseth Non occides mihi vindictam c. I ne knew neuer Cardinall that he ne come fro the Pope And we Clarks when they come for her Commens payen For her pelures and palfreis and pilors that hem folow The Commune clamat quotidie eche a man to other The contrey is the curseder that Cardinals commen in And there they lig and leng more lechery there raigneth Therfor quod this victory by very god I would That no Cardinals ne come among the commen peple But in her holines helden hem styl At Avion among the Iewes cum sancto sanctus eris Or in Rome as their rule wyl the relikes to kepe In the seuenth passage he deliuers his opinion of the Popes Pardons in these words The Prieste preued no pardon to do well And demed that Dowell Indulgence passed Biennales and Triennales and Byshops letters And how Dowell at the day of dome is dignely vndersongen And passed all the Pardon of S. Peters Church A little after in the same passage thus Soules that haue sinned seuen sythes deadly And to trust to these Trentals truely me thynketh Is not so siker for the soule as to do well Therfore I red you renkes that rich be on this erth Apon trust of treasure Trientales to have Be ye neuer the bolder to breake the ten hestes And namely ye Maisters Mayres and Iudges That haue the welth of this world and for wise men be holden To purchase you Pardons and the Popes Buls At the dreadfull dome whan the dead shall arise And commen all tofore Christ accounts for to yeue How thou leadest thy lyfe here and his lawes kepest And how thou didest day by day the dome wil reherse A poke full of Pardons there ne prouinciall letters Though ye be founden in the fraternitie of the iiii Orders And haue Indulgence an hundryd fold but if Dowell you helpe I beset your patents and your pardons at a pyes hele Therfore I counsell all christen to crye god mercy And make Christ our meane that hath made amends That God give vs grace here or we go hence Such workes to worke while we ben here That after our deathes day Dowell reherse At the day of Dome we did as he highte The same Author shewing what true pilgrimage is breathes forth these blanke verses following Nay by my soule health quoth Piers and gan for to sweare I nolde fang a ferthyng for Saynt Thomas shryne Truth wold loue me the lesse long tyme therfor after And if ye wyll to wend well this his the way thither Ye must go thorow mekenes both men and wyues Tyll ye come into conscience that Christ wit soch That ye louen our Lord God leuest of all thynges And that your neighbours next In no wyâ—e appeire Otherwise than thou woldist he wrought to thy selfe In the same passage Ye that seke S. Iames and Saintes at Rome Seke saint Truth for he may saue you all In another place Pass 12. He doth well withoute doute that doth as beuti techeth That is if thou be man maryed thy make thou loue And lyue forth as law wyll whyle ye lyuen both Right so if thou be religious ren thou neuerfurther To Rome nor Roch Madon but as thy rule techeth And hold the vnder obedience that high way is to heuen And yf thou be mayden to mary and myght well continewe Seke neuer no saint further for thy soules health Pilgrimage is called of the Latines Peregrinatio quasi peregre abitio a going into a strange countrey for a short pilgramage is not worth a pin neither is that Image in so much honour or respect in that countrey where it is as in farre countries For example the Italians yea those that dwell neare Rome will mocke and scoffe at our English and other pilgrims that go to Rome to see the Popes holinesse and Saint Peters chaire and yet they themselues will runne to see the Reliques of Saint Iames of Compostella in the kingdome of Galicia in Spaine which is aboue twelue hundred English miles And so the Spaniards hold Rome to be a very holy place and therefore spare no cost or labour to go thither And so of other pilgrimages Pilgrimage was also called Romeria quia Romam vt plurimum peregrinationes because pilgrimages forth most part were made to Rome Now hauing acquainted my Reader omitting many particulars I confesse which will more plainly appeare in the sequele by what deuises and meanes the Religious Votaries and others of the Clergie within this kingdome as also the Bishop of Rome who most commonly went away with the best share augmented their reuenues and deceiued the poore Commons I am here to speake of a yearely tribute paied onely to the See of Rome which many times I obuiously meete withall from the payment whereof neither the King nor the Clergie nor any housholder 〈◊〉 in England or Ireland were priuiledged and this was called 〈◊〉 which is a Saxon word compounded of Rome and Scot as you wouâ—d say the 〈◊〉 bute due to Rome or an Apostolicall custome or the see of 〈…〉 penning or Denarij Sancti Petri Peter pence From which payment 〈◊〉 Mathew the Monke of Westminster neither the King nor the Archbishop Bishop Abbot nor Prior were exempted I he first â—ounder of 〈◊〉 Tribute was Inas or Ina king of the West-saxons Of which the foresaid Mathew thus writes Ina the pious and potent king of the West Saxons leaâ—ing his temporall kingdome thereby to gaine an eternall to the gouernment of his kinsman Ethelard trauelâ—ed on pilgrimage to Rome where in the said Citie by the permission of Gregory the second hee built an house which he called The English Schoole vnto which the kings of England and the Regall Image as also Bishops Priests Clerkes and others might
repaire to â—ee instructed in good literature and in the Catholicke faith lest that any thing in the English Church might be sinâ—steâ—ly expounded contrary to the vniuersall vnitie and so being established in the orthodoxall and right receiued Faith they might returne backe againe into their owne countrey For the doctrine and Schooles of the English Nation since the time of Archbishop Austin had beene interdicted by diuers Romish Bishops for certaine heresies which daily appeared after the comming in of the Saxons into Britaine by reason of the commixture of the misbeleeuing wicked Pagans with the Christians of holy conuersation Hee also caused a Church to be erected neare to the foresaid house or Colledge which he dedicated to the honour of the blessed Virgine Mary in which such of the English as came to Rome might celebrate dâ—uine Seruice and that therein if any of the said English there happened to depart this world they might be inâ—erred And all these that they might for euer be more firmly corroborated it was ordained by a generall decree throughout all the kingdome of the West-Saxons that in euerie familie one pennie should be yearely collected and sent ouer to blessed Saint Peter and the Church of Rome which in English Saxons was called Romescot that the English there abiding migâ—t by that meane haue sufficient to liue vpon Thus â—aâ—re Mathew of Westminsteâ— surnamed the Flower-gatherer The which in substance is thus deliuerâ—d by a late writer yet in a different manner He meaning Ina instituted also a certaine yearely payment to the See of Rome enioyning euery one of his Subiects that possesâ—ed in his house of one kinde of goods to the value of twentie pence that he should pay a pâ—ny to the Pope yearely vpon Lammas day which at that time was contributed vnder the name of the Kings Almes but afterwards was called and challenged by the name of Peter-pence Another of the same gift by the said King hath these times He gaue to Rome eche yere The Rome pence thorrow West sex all about Perpetually to be well payd and clere For vnto Rome he went without all doubt After the example and with the like zeale of Ina Offa the most magnificent king of the Mercias in great deuotion went also to Rome and made euery house within his territories subiect to this payment of Romescot Ossa gaue through Mers the Rome penny Vnto the Church of Rome Afterwards about the yeare eight hundred and fiftie this tribute was confirmed and made further payable throughout all England For Ethelwolfe as then being sole Monarch of the Englishmen hauing beene sometimes for certaine yeares as Haneden and Brampton write Bishop of Winchester remembring his Ecclesiasticke profession and ordaining first that tithes and lands due to holy Church should be free from all tributes and Regall seruices in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne with the like deuotion of the two former kings went in pilgrimage taking with him his youngest sonne Alfred or Elfred to the foresaid chiefe Citie of the Romanes where he was both honourablie receiued and entertained by the Bishop of Rome and the whole Senate for the space of one yeare and vpwards in which time he rebuilt the English Schoole before remembred which lately had beene almost quite consumed with fire And in lieu of his kinde entertainment confirmed the former grant of Peter-pence causing it to bee payed throughout all his Dominions and further couenanted to pay yearely to Rome three hundred Markes thus to be employed one hundred to Saint Peters Church another hundred to Saint Pauls light and the third to the Pope a Saint that euermore will haue his share to the entent saith one that no Englishmen should doe penance in bounds as he saw some do before his face This Athilwolfe to Rome toke his way In pilgramage with him his sonne Aelfrede To Peter and Pole he graunted infenitife The Rome pence of all Englond As Flores saith as I con vnderstond Saith Harding cap. 105. And further to confirme the premisses may it please you to trouble your patience in the reading of these following hard rimes transcribed out of a namelesse old Author Adelwolfe his sonne att Chester his cite For al hys kyngs and Barons of estate Sent forth anone at hys parlament to be Whycheatte Chester was than preordynate To whyche al cam both Kyngs Duks and Prelat And odar al of honor or Empryse Hym for to do obeysaunce and servysse anon to Roome he went In pylgrymage wythe hooly good entent Wher he was so abydyng full too yer In hooly lyff and full perfactyon In ryall wyse as to a pryns afer And to the Pope wythe ful affectyon Hys comonyng ay had at hys electyon He gaue to Peter lyght And to Sent Poule whaâ— is ful gret repayr Too thowsand mark of Venyse gold ful ryght For sustenaunce of the Chyrches ryght He Busschopp was in hys Fadars day And for defaut of heyr was crownyd kyng Wharfor whan he hys lond in good aray Fre of servysse had set above all thyng He grauntyd tythe of all hys lond ofspryng Tyll thre persones dwelling in vnyte Why charr on God dwellyng in Trynite And Roome pens he graunte vnto the Pope Perpetuelly to haue of al Englond So perfytt was hys mynd who couth hit grope In al goodnes growndyd I vndyrstond Thrugh al hys myght in al hys noble lond The Pece he kepte and in his Se iudicyall The common Law among hys peple all Edgar king of England made sharpe constitutions for the payment of this Tribute And it was one of the lawes of Edward the Confessour that euery householder which had triginta denariatas viuae pecuniae in domo sua de proprio suo Thirtie pence of ready money or of any kinde of cattell in his house of his owne proper should by the Law of the English giue a pennie to Saint Peter and by the Law of the Danes halfe a marke which pennie was to be demanded at or vpon the feast of Saint Peter and Paul and to be collected before the feast of Saint Peter ad vincula and not to be deferred to any further day And if any withheld the payment thereof any longer time complaint was to be made to the Kings Officers for that this penny was the Kings Almes And that the partie so offending should hee constrained by iustice to make payment thereof on paine of forfeiting his goods Now if any man had more dwelling houses then one hee was to pay onely for that house where he should happen to be resiant at the said feast of Saint Peter and Paul Henry the second vpon his conquest of Ireland imposed this tribute vpon that kingdome onely to curry fauour with the Pope who as then was Adrian the fourth called before his inthronization Nicholas Breakespeare borne at Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire For hee saith Speed in the life of the said Henry knowing how great and dangerous tumults the Popes had
were tearmed Basilicae for that the Basilicae of the Gentiles which were large and spacious Hauls wherein Magistrates sat in iudgement and ministred iustice were conuerted into Christian Churches Whence Ausonius wrote thus Basilica olim negotijs plena c. The Basilica or Haul of Iustice in times past full of businesses is now as full of prayers and vowes or else because they were built in forme somewhat long in manner of those Basilicae But to returne backe againe to my Parishes which are called Benefices for Ecclesiasticall persons like as the preferments in Cathedrall Churches are tearmed Church Dignities and of these some are called Rectories or Parsonages some Vicaradges as will appeare by the sequele Parochia is sometime called Plebania and thus defined Plebania est aliud genus beneficij et maius quam Rectoria habet sub se Capellas et dignitatem esse putant interpretes Plebania is another kinde of Benefice and of greater circuite then a Rectorie it hath vnder it certaine Chappels and this Plebania or dignitas plebeia is said to be a Church dignitie by Interpretours Questionlesse these Plebanians were like our side-wasted Parishes in Lanchishire whose extensure is so large that to my owne knowledge some one of those Parish Churches hath fourteene Chappels of ease as we call them within the circumference of her limits and as it were vnder her iurisdiction all which are honoured with Parochiall rites Cathedrall Abbey and Parish Churches had great priuiledges of sanctuarie granted vnto them in former times Now a Sanctuarie is a place of refuge for offenders to escape punishment And these Sanctuaries were so called of an old Mosaicall rite vsed amongst the Israelites among whom euery Tribe had certaine Cities and places of refuge to which malefactours might repaire and for a time bee protected from the rigour of the Law Of which you may reade in the sacred writ Exod. 21.13 Numb 35.1 Deuter. 4.41 and Iosh. 20.2 And so likewise here in great Britaine Churches Church-yards Cities ploughs and high-wayes had many priuiledges in this kinde anciently granted and confirmed vnto them I will speake first of the last out of a late Writer who makes old Watling-streete thus to sing his verse Since vs his kinglie waies Mulmutius first began From 〈◊〉 â—gaine â—o Sea that through the Hand ran Wh 〈…〉 at in mâ—nd to keepe Posteritie might haue Appoâ—nting â—ust his course this priuiledge he gaue That no man might arrest or debtors goods might seize In any of vs foure his militarie waies Neare fiue hundred yeares before this King Mulmutius take it vpon the credit oâ— the British Story constituted diuerse lawes especially that Churches Ploughs and high wayes should haue liberties of Sanctuary by no authoritie violable That Churches should be free and enioy liberty for refuge consenting allowance of most Nations haue tollerated and in this kingdome it being affirmed also by constitution of King Lucius a Christian euery Church yard was a Sanctuary vntill by Act of Parliament vnder Hen. 8. that licence for protection of offences being too much abused was taken away Of Mulmutius Dunwallo for so hee is sometime called and his priuiledges to sacred places my old Mss. thus further speakes A kynge ther was in Brutayne Donwâ—lle was his nam Stale worth and hardy a man of grete fam He ordeyned first yat theeues yat to Temple slown wer No man wer so hardy to do hem despit ther That hath be moche suth yhold as hit begonne tho Hely Chyrch hit holdyth yut and wole euer mo Hereupon he called the Temples which hee built the Temples of peace and concord one of which was in London where now Blackwell Hall is another in Fleete-street as yet called the Temple Church wherein or in some of them himselfe Gorbomannus and other of the British kings were interred as by supposition it is deliuered Lucius king of the Britaines hauing abundantly distributed and giuen ample possessions and reuenues to Churches and Clergie men ordained that Churches with their Coemiteries or Church-yards should haue this priuiledge that what malefactour soeuer should thither make flight for his safetie he might there remaine without indemnitie Ethelwolfe and Alfred Kings of the West-Saxons gaue the like important priuiledges to these holy Edifices Athelstane sole Monarch of the Englishmen held the memory of Iohn de Beuerley Archbishop of Yorke so sacred and reuerend for he honored him as his â—urelar Saint that he endowed Beuerley the place of the said Archbishops birth with many and those very great priuiledges and granted them liberties in these generall words As free make I thee As heart may think or eie may see Yea and there was granted vnto it the priuiledge of a Sanctuary so that Bankrupts and men suspected of any capitall crime worthy of death might be free and safe there from the danger of the law in which was erected a chaire of stone with this Inscription This seat of Stone is called Freed stool that is the chaire of peace vnto which what offender soeuer flieth and commeth hath all manner of Securitie Of the Sanctuary at Westminster first granted by Sebert King of the East-Saxons encreased by Edgar King of the West-Saxons and confirmed by the Charter of King Edward the Confessor I haue spoken before If any one guilty of offence flie from any place for refuge to the Church Church-doore to the Parson or Vicars house or into any part of his base or inner Court prouided that the said house and courts bee within consecrated ground it shall not be lawfull for any to take him from thence saue onely the Bishop or some of his Officers Now if this malefactour bee a filching knaue or an high-way robber and be taken with the bootie or if his theeuish purchase be altogether exhausted and spent yet if he haue any meanes otherwayes of his owne he shall make satisfaction to the partie or parties whom hee hath so wronged and if hee still continue to play the thiefe and make a custome of this manner of flight to Churches and Priests houses after restitution made he shall abiure the countrey and if he giue not satisfaction to the parties whose goods hee hath taken and purloyned no man shall dare to giue him lodging or entertainment without the kings speciall licence first obtained If a Clergie-man bee taken for felonie deliuered to the Ordinarie and breake prison and flie to the Church for sanctuarie or refuge he shall bee taken from thence and put into the same prison out of which he escaped for the Church ought not to defend him nor any publike malefactour Si ad pacem Regis venire noluerit But stay for if robbing from other mens works to embellish my owne writings be an offence it is high time for mee to take Sanctuarie yet giue me leaue to go a little further in my course and to speake somewhat out of other Authors of the Ecclesiasticall state of England of
precor horum He was a very seuere corrector of sinne depriuing many Clergie-men of their liuings in the first visitation of his owne Diocesse He repaired his pallace with 1101. l. and odde money which he recouered of Andrew Vfford Archdeacon of Midlesex adminâ—stratour of Iohn Vfford his predecessour for dilapidations hee built and endowed with good possessions a Colledge in this Citie which is now become a parcell of Christ-church in Oxford He bequeathed to his Church a thousand sheepe his vestments which were all cloth of gold a very sumptuous Coape and much plate he was a very â—â—ugall and sparing man neuer esteeming pompe nor outward brauery which he shewed at his end desiring to be buried obscurely to auoid superfluous expence William Wittlesey succeeded the said Simon and was brought vp at Oxford at the charges of Simon Islip who was his Vnkle where hee proceeded Doctor of the Canon Law and by him sent to Rome to sollicite his causes and also to get experience by seeing the practise of that Court who after he had stayed there a time was called home and preferred by his Vnkles meanes vnto the place of Vicar generall then to the Deanrie of the Arches the Archdeaconrie of Huntington the Parsonages of Croydon and Cliff to the Bishopricke of Rochester from thence to Worcester and lastly after the decease of his said Vncle to this Archbishopricke of Canterbury in which he continued almost seuen yeares being the most of his time troubled with a tedious lingring disease whereof he died Iuly 5. 1374. He lieth buried ouer against his Vncle betweene two pillars vnder a marble Tombe inlaid with brasse which with his Epitaph is altogether defaced the brasse worne torne or stolne away these few words onely remaining ............ tumulatus Wittelesey natus gemmata luce ..... Sudburie natus Simon iacet hic tumulatus Martirizatus nece pro republica stratus Heu scelus infernum trux exitiale nefandum Presulis eximij corpus venerabile dandum In rabiem Vulgi ......... This is a fragment of an Epitaph composed to the memory of Simon Tibold the sonne of one Nigellus Tibold surnamed Sudbury of a Towne in Suffolke where he was borne a Doctor of the Canon Law who by degrees came to this Metropolitan Grace of Canterbury A man very wise learned eloquent liberall mercifull and wondrous reuerend all which could not deliuer him from vntimely death For he together with Sir Robert Hales Lord Prior of Saint Iohns Ierusalem and Chancellour or England were haled to the Tower-hill by the Rebels of Kent and Essex with infernall shouts and yells and there vniustly Nam ius calcatur violâ—â—tia cum dominatur and horriblie hackâ— hewed and in that barbarous manner beheaded by these arch Trayâ—ours Iune the fourteenth the yeare of our Lord 1381. and of the raigne of that vnfortunate King Richard the second the fourth hauing sate Bishop about six yeares Which lamentable storie the Chronicles at large declare When these hurlie burlies were at an end the body of this good Archbishop was conueyed to his owne Church and there honourablie inteâ—â—ed vpon the South side of the Altar of Saint Dunstan This Bishop built the West-gate of this Citie and the wall from that gate vnto the North-gate commonly called by the name of the long wall and would haue done likewise about all the Towne if hee had liued The Maior and the Aldermen once a yeare vsed to come solemnly to his Tombe to pray for his soule in memory of this his good deed to their Citie saith Leland in his Commentaries It was the custome of old and so it is in these dayes for men of eminent ranke and qualitie to haue Tombes erected in more places then one for example and proofe of my speech I finde here in this Church a Monument of Alabaster at the feete of the blacke Prince wherein both by tradition and writing it is affirmed that the bones of William Courtney the sonne of Hugh Courtney the third of that Christian name Earle of Deuonshire Archbishop of this See lies entombed And I finde another to the memory of the same man at Maidstone here in Kent wherein because of the Epitaph I rather beleeue that his body lieth buried Of which hereafter when I come to that Towne Here lieth interred vnder a faire Monument Thomas Fitz-Alan or Arundell the third sonne of Richard Fitz-Alan Earle of Arundell Warren and Surrey by Eleanor his wife daughter of Henry Plantaginet Earle of Lancaster as I haue it in the Catalogue of Honour Who at the age of two and twenty yeares was consecrated Bishop of Ely which hee laudablie gouerned considering the greennesse of his age the space of fourteene yeares three moneths and eighteene dayes In which time hee was Lord Chancellour of England from Ely he was translated to Yorke leauing for an implement at his house of Ely a wonderfull sumptuous and costly Table adorned with gold and precious stones which belonged first to the King of Spaine and was sold to this Bishop by the blacke Prince for three hundred Markes Hee also bestowed the building of the great Gate-house of Ely house in Houlborne during his abode at Yorke which was about eight years he bestowed much in building vpon diuers of his houses and vnto the Church Besides many rich ornaments he gaue two great Basons of siluer and gilt two great Censers two other Basons of siluer and two Creuetts he gaue to the Vicars a siluer cup of great waight and a massie bowle of siluer to the Canons From Yorke he was remoued hither to Canterbury and here he sate one moneth aboue seuenteene yeares In which time at the West end of his Church hee built a faire spiâ—e steeple called to this day Arundell steeple and bestowed a tunable ring of fiue bels vpon the same which he dedicated to the holy Trinity to the blessed Virgine Mary to the Angell Gabriel to Saint Blase and the fifth to S. Iohn Euangelist Thus much he effected howsoeuer hee was no sooner warme in his seate then that he with his brother the Earle of Arundell were condemned of high Treason his brother executed and he banished the kingdome and so liued in exilement the space of neare two yeares vntill the first of the raigne of Henry the fourth This worthy Prelate died of a swelling in his tongue which made him vnable to eate drinke or speake for a time before his death Which happened Februar 20. Ann. 1413. An Author contemporarie with this Archbishop writes as followeth of the passages in those times as also much in the grace and commendation of this worthy Metropolitan Heu mea penna madet lachrimis dum scribere suadet Infortunata sceleris quibus horreo fata Non satis est Regem mundi deflectere legem Vt pereant gentes sub eo sine lege manentes Sed magis in Christum seuit qua propter ad istum Casum deslendum
he saw his cosin who before had serued him in the brauerie of a Souldier to bee now clothed in the habite of a Monke he was so dismayed in minde that gushing out with teares hee said I do grant you this Cosin of mine to be your Abbot and at your petition I do giue him the gouernment of the Abbey of Saint Augustine neither do I permit you to choose any other whom vnlesse you do presently receiue I will shortly burne your Abbey to ashes Then the Monkes seeing no remedie submitted themselues to the kings will in the premises But the foresaid Hugh refused the dignitie saying That he was a man in a manner vnlettered and one that had very little skill as well in religion as in Ecclesiasticall ordinances yet the king and the Monkes enforced him to accept of the honour offered neither would the king suffer him to depart from the Court before he was consecrated Abbot which was solemnized in the kings Chappell at Westminster by Mauricius Bishop of London I haue beene somewhat long in this narration yet I hope nothing at all troublesome or tediously impertinent This illustrious Abbot did many laudable acts to the great commoditie of his Church and distributed all his goods in workes of charitie He dyed full of yeares as of goodnesse the 26. of March ann 1120. and was buried on the North side of the Chapter-house built by himselfe from the foundation for whom this honourable remembrance was engrauen Abbas Eheu Floris specimen virtutis honoris Hic iacet in tumulo Presul peramabilis Hugo Floruit vt terris Pater hic pace quoque guerris Floret nunc celo Christi pugil iste sereno The next Abbot in succession was one Hugh de Trottescline Chaplaine to King Henry the first at the time of whose election great dissention for small trifles being betwixt the Monkes of Christ-Church and those of this Monastery William then Archbishop taking part with those angrie Votaries of his owne house denyed Abbot Hugh â—enedictâ—on which 〈◊〉 was glad to obtaine from Seffria the first Bishop of 〈◊〉 This man brought in againe the old number of his Monkes which were threescore profest beside the Abbot He founded an Hospitall neare to his owne Abbey which he dedicated to the honour of 〈◊〉 and Saint 〈◊〉 to the maintenance whereof he giue â—â—ne Acres of ground vpon which 〈◊〉 Hospitall was to be erected and all the â—â—the of the Lordship of 〈◊〉 in this County with other possessions 〈◊〉 at the 〈…〉 7. s. 10. d. of yearely reuenue This Hospâ—tall was ordained and appointed especially for this 〈…〉 if it should so happen that any protest Monke of this Monastery 〈…〉 infected with any contagious disease but aboue aâ—â— with the 〈…〉 reason of which sicknesse or infectious maladie he could not 〈…〉 the precincts of the Abbey without preiudâ—câ— and scandall to the 〈…〉 â—â—â—erâ—â—tie that then he should be prouided for in this Hospitall of a conueâ—nâ—ent châ—mber of meate drinke and apparell in as full a measure as any one of his Brâ—thrâ—n liuing in the Monastery Aâ—so if it should so happen that the father the mother the sister or brother of aâ—y Monke of this Monastery â—houâ—d come to such great want and â—ndâ—gencie as that to the reproach of any of these â—râ—thren he or she be forced to aske at the gates the almes of the Fraternitie that thâ—â— such of them so asking should be prouided for in this Hospitâ—ll of sufficient â—â—â—â—stentation according to the abilitie of the house by the aduise and consideration of the Abbot of Saint Austins and the Master of this Hospitall for the time being as further appeares by his Charter confirmed by many of his Successours This charitable Abbot dyed the yeare 1151. and was buried in the Chapter house by his Predecessour Siluester the Prior of this Monastery being elected Abbot vpon the decease of Hugh was denyed Benediction of Archbishop â—heobald obiâ—â—ting against him that he was a man defamed with many notorious offences but clearing himselfe before the Pope by what mâ—â—â—es or money I know nâ—t of all those enormous imputations laid to his charge vpon the sight of the Popes letters the Archbishop durst not but giue him admiâ—taâ—â—â— This Siluester instituted that euery yeare during the time of Lent so many poore people should be prouided for of meate and drinke sufficient at 〈◊〉 and the charges of the Abbey as there were Monkes in the Couent 〈◊〉 dyed annâ— 1161. and was buryed by his predecessour One Clarembaldus a lay man I thinke for he neuer wore other then a secular habite by the kings regall authoritie dâ—d now irregularly intrude vpon the possessions goods and gouernment of this Abbey which by maine violence he extorted and misapplyed for the space of 15. yeares vntill he was elected and one Roger a Monke of Saint Trinitie and keeper of an Altar in Christ-Church was elected to his place This Roger within a short time came greatly into the kings fauour who restored vnto him all the lands and possessions which Clarembalde had wickedly wrested from his Monastery He was consecrated by Pope Alexander the third in his owne person at Tusculane neare to Rome to whom and to his Church the said Pope restored the vse of the Mytre Sandalls and crosier which had beene neglected euer since the flight of Abbot Egelfine who first obtained that honour into Denmarke This man indured many miseries the most part of his life-time which was very long especially in the troublesome raigne of king Iohn And so to conclude with the words of mine Authour Anno Domini 1212. obijt Senâ—x plenus dierum qui diebus suis pro viribus multa adversae sustinuit sed omnia Deo cooperante illesa custodiuit in capitulo sub lapide albo sepelitur Cum tali Inscriptione Antistes iacet hic Rogerus in ordine primus Pastor deuotus quondam nunc nil nisi simus Mortuâ—s in cista requiesciâ— nunc semel ista Qui viuus mundo parum requieuit eundo Roger being dead one Alexander a Monke of this Monastery and a most excellent Diuine was elected Abbot a man both in secular and Ecclesiasticall affaires well experienced and of king Iohn singularly beloued yet for all his good parts and great friends Archbishop Langton absoluteâ—ly denyed him Benediction for it was in that time when the king and the Bishop were at sore variance so that he was constrayned to trauell to Rome where he receiued consecration at the hands of Pope Innocent the third Obijt Abbas iste Deo dilectus nocte viz. Dominica 4. Non. Octob. An. 1220 This Abbot was Vir corpore elegantissimus facie venerabilis literarum plenitudine imbutus And for taking part with his Soueraigne à summo honore in summam confusionem viliter praecipitatus erat saith Mat. Westminst ad An. 1209. By the generall consent of the whole Couent one Hugh Chamberlaine of this house
with Sir Raph Ioccline and Sir Henry Weeuer and after that with other Aldermen was knighted in the field Ann. 1471. Hic iacet Wilhelmus Fineux sil et heres Iohannis Fineux militis qui obijt Regis Henrici 7. Others of that name lye here entombed but without any inscription to preserue their memorie Braborne Hic iacet Wilhelmus Scot de Braborne Aâ— qui obijt 5. Febr. 1433. cuius anime Sis testis Christe quod non tacet hic Lapis iste Corpus vt ornetur sed spiritus vt memoretur Quisquis eris qui transieris sic perlege plora Sum quod eris sucramque quod es pro me precor ora Hic iacet magnificus ac insignis miles Iohannes Scot quondam Regis domus inuictissimi Principis Edwardi quarti Controll et nobilissima integerrimaque Agnes vxor eius Qui quidem Iohannes obijt Ann. 1485. die mens Octob. 17. This Sir Iohn Scot was also of the priuy Councell and knight Marshall of Caleis who with others was sent vpon an Embasie Ann. Reg. Ed. 4.12 to the Dukes of Burgundy and Britaine to bring backe againe the Earles of Pembroke and Richmund whose escape did much perplexe their kings suspitious thoughts Iohannes Scot miles cum CC. soldariis ex mandato Domini Regis apud Sandwicum pro salua custodia eiusdem inter Bund Indent de Guerra apud pelles West Hic ... Wilhelmus Scot myles ob 1350. I take this man to be that William Scot who with others of eminent degree and qualitie was knighted by Edward the third the tenth of his raigne vpon the creation of Edward his sonne Earle of Chester and Duke of Cornwall Of your ... Dame Elisabeth Poynings late wife of Sir Edward Poynings which Dame Elisabeth deceased Aug. 12. 1524. This Elisabeth was the daughter of Sir Iohn Scot of Scots Hall where the family of these Scots haue so long flourished in worshipfull estimation Hac necis in cella iacet hic prudens Isabella Que nulli nocuit sed Domino placuit Sponsa fuit fata venerabilis et peramata Clifton Geruasij militis egregij Ante fuit dicta Wilhelmi Scotti relicta Harbard vocata vel Fynche certe scies Dicitur hic alias .... mille quater centum Petit L. cum septem ... monumentum Nouembris deca bis hijs numerando dabis Geruasium Clifton istam genuisse Iohannam Sta lege cui Iohn Digge sociatus erat Morte .... cadit corpus sequitur cito mater Filia preuenit hanc cui solet esse sequax Christetuas famulas fac post te scandere celos Et post coniugia regna tenere tua Subiacet hac Petra Dionisia nunc caro tetra Que fuerat nata Fynche aut Harbard vocitata Vincent Armigeri cui parce Iesu mulieri Dormit non moritur licet hic terra sepelitur Qui bene pensetur qui credit non morietur Anno milleno C. quater .... cape pleno Bis quater appone .... celi iunge corone .......... Cui sit saluamen Deus omnipotens precor Amen Hic iacet expertus sub marmore miles opertus Gower Robertus anime sis Christe misertus From this familie Iohn Gower the Poet was descended One of the Pasheleis lyeth here interred the Lord of Halle and Mote in Sussex From whom the Scots deriue a descent Iohanna Pashlee filia Iohannis de sole secunda vxor Edmundi Pashlee Folkston A Towne famous in times past and much frequented by the English Saxons for religion sake by reason of a Monastery which Eauswide the daughter of Eadbald king of Kent erected for religious women of which she became the first Prioresse She dedicated her Church to the honour of Saint Peter and replenished her house with blacke Nunnes she continued herein Abbesse a long time and so dyed a vailed Virgin about the yeare 673. This foundation was long ago swallowed vp with the sea and another built by Iohn Segraue and Iulian his wife the daughter and heire of Iohn Sandwich who was Lord of this Towne together with Iohn Clinton in the raigne of king Henry the third who consecrated this their holy fabricke to the honour of Saint Peter and S. Eauswid Whose reliques they translated into their new built Church there they were gloriously enâ—â—â—rined and she honoured for a Saint Of whom the credulous common people did report many strange wonders As that shee lengthened a beanâ—â— of this her religious building three foot when the Carpenters missing their measure had made it so much too short That shee haled and drew water ouer the hills against nature That shee forbad certaine rauenous birds the countrey which before did much hurt thereabouts That she restored the blinde cast out the deuill and healed innumerable folkes of their infirmities And therefore after her death she was by the policie of the Church of Rome and the Popish Priests canonized and by the folly of the common people saith Lambard honoured for a Saint And no maruell at all saith hee for it was vsuall amongst the Clergie-men in those dayes not onely to magnifie their Benefactours of all sorts but to deifie also so many of them at the least as were of noble parentage knowing that thereby triple commoditie ensued the first for as much as by that meanes they assured many great Personages vnto them secondly they drew by the awe of their example infinite numbers of the common people after them and lastly they aduentured the more boldly vnder those honourable and glorious names and titles to publish their fained miracles And this surely was the cause that Sexburga in Shepie Mildred in Tanet Etheldred at Elye Edith at Wilton and sundrie other such women of royall bloud in each quarter were canonized Saints for generally the Religious of those times were as thankfull to their Benefactours as euer were the heathen nations to their first Kings and Founders The one for sanctifying such as did either build them houses or deuise them Orders and the other deifying such as had made them Cities or prescribed them lawes and gouernment This was it that made Saturne Hercules Romulus and others moe to haue place in common opinion with the Gods aboue the starres and this caused Dunstan Edgar Ethelwold and others first to bee shrined here in earth and then to sit amongst the Saints in heauen This Nunnery was valued at the fatall ouerthrow of all such edifices at 63. l. 7. s. per annum It was surrendred 15. Nouemb. 27. H. 8. Lidde In this Church are the pictures of a man and his wife inlayed in brasse vpon a goodly Monument thus inscribed Hic iacet Thomas Godfray quondam de veteri Rumney qui obijt 5. dic mens Aug. Ann. Dom. 1430. a familie of knights not farre from Iâ—dde and neare vnto Stonend In the beach is to bee seene an heape of great stones which the neighbour inhabitants call S. Crispins
and Crispinians Tombe whom they report to haue beene cast vpon this Shore by shipwracke and from hence called into the glorious company of Saints Looke Iacobus de voragine in the Legend of their liues and you may beleeue perhaps as much as is here spoken they were Shoomakers and suffered martyrdome the tenth of the Kalends of Nouember Which day is kept holiday to this day by all our Shoomakers in London and elsewhere Begebury Hic iacet Iohannes filius Iohannis Begebure qui obijt die Sancti Briâ—ij Ann. Dom. 1424. This Iohn was the last Begebury of this house whose daughter and heire was married to Culpepper Orate pro animabus Walteri Culpeper Ar. et Agnetis vxoris sue qui quidem Walterus erat filius Thome Culpeper militis et predicta Agnes erat filia Edmundi Robar iuxta Cantuar. et predicta Agnes obiit 2. die Decemb. Ann. Dom. 1457. et predictus Walt. obiit 24. Nouemb. 1462. quorum animabus Orate ... Iohannis Culpeper militis et Agnes vxor eius qui quidem Iohannes obiit 22. Decemb. 1480. quorum Sir Thomas Culpeper is remembred in our English Chronicles for siding with Thomas the great Earle of Lancaster against his Soueraigne Lord King Edward the second and Thomas Culpeper a gentlemen of the priuie-Chamber is not forgotten for being ouer familiar with his Lord and Master King Henry the eighth the one hanged drawne and quartered at Winchelsey the other beheaded at Tyborne The place fatall to both was Pontefract a familie of exemplarie note both here and sometime in the County of Rutland by the marriage of Sir Tho. Colepeper knight to Eleanor daughter and heire of Nicholas Greene of Rutlandshire The Church of Hedâ—orne sounded by one of the Culpepers â—uechurch Orate pro anima Henrici Atte Capella militis et Iacobi Atte Capella militis in fenestra Now Capells an ancient name and familie in old Latine records written De Capella The Priory neare Rumney The Priory of Regular Canons neare Rumney was founded by Iohn Mansell Prouost of Beuerley in the yeare that God tooke vpon him the forme of a Seruant 1257. the 41. of king Henry the third of the which foundation as also of the Founder reade if you please these words out of Mathew Paris In the same yeare saith he Sir Iohn Mansell Prouost of Beuerley the Kings Chaplaine and of his especiall Councell a man prudent circumspect and rich wisely considering that the fauour of a king is not hereditarie nor the prosperitie of the world alwayes permanent founded a Religious house of Regular Canons neare by Rumney two miles from the sea and endowed it with very ample reuenues which he replenished with Canons by the example of Peter Chareport who as hee was enformed not many dayes before had piously and prosperously founded an house of the same order that so passing by temporall goods they might not loose eternall Bilsington A Priory likewise built by the said Iohn Maunsell for King Henry the third and Eleanor his wife and dedicated to the blessed Virgine Mary wherein he placed blacke Canons which was valued amongst the rest of the suppressed houses at 8. l. 1. s. 6. d. of yearely commings in This house was surrendred 19. Ianuar. 36. Hâ—n 8. But to proceed a little further with this Iohn Maunsell his Ecclesiasticall and Temporall dignities who besides being Prouost of Beuerley was Treasurer of Yorke Parson of Maidstone in this County and Parson of Wigan in Lanchishire to whom king Henry the third did grant that his Towne of Wigan should be a Burrow Hee was chiefe Iustice of England one of the priuie Councell to the said King his Chaplaine his Embassador into Spaine a worthy Souldier In armis strenuus animo imperterritus who with his owne hands in a battell betwixt the English and the French neare to Tailborge in France tooke Prisoner one Peter Orige a gentleman of eminent place and qualitie He was crossed to go to Ierusalem He feasted at his house in Tole-hill field at one time two kings two Queenes with their dependances 700. messe of meate scarce seruing for the first dinner About the 31. yeare of King Henry the third at the instance of the said king he was first made keeper of the great Seale as Vicechancellour For saith Paris Custodiam Sigilli regij accepit Cancellarij vices acturus et officium and afterwards Lord keeper in plenarie office and authoritie yet for all this glorious pompe and great promotions I finde his end to be poore wretched and miserable beyond Seas but I finde no place of his death nor buriall of all which may it please you to reade thus much out of an old Manuscript in the fame language it was to me deliuered Ann. 1268. obijt Iohannes Mansel in partibus transmarinis in paupertate et dolore maximo Hic miser tot obtentus Ecclesiasticos habuit vt annuatim ex illis XVIII millia Marcarum poterat expendere vnde maiores Episco Anglie recusauit tum quia in pluralitate permultarum preditissimarum EcclesiaruÌ„ habundauit tum quia lubricus erat Hic ait de vna Ecclesia modici census scilicet 20. librarum Ad canes nostros valet ista Ecclesia innuens per hoc quod surfures et farina et alia canibus necessaria ex prouentu istius Ecclesie deberent comparari Hic autem cum esset Simonis aduersarius scilicet Mounteforti et consiliarius precipuus suaset Regi vt iuramentum quod fecerat cum Baronibus pro fidelitate Anglie seruanda omnino dimitteret factumque est ita Mittitur igitur ad curiam summi Pontificis pro absolutione petenda ne Rex teneretur prestito Baronibus iuramento obtinuitque mox regia supplicatio absolutionem petitam vnde bellum de quo dictum est accepit post illius absolutionis obtentum c. Of this man so many times double beneficed Mathew Paris doth thus descant Admirabantur autem cum stupore qui ea quae Dei sunt sapiunt hominem tam circumspectum tot animarum curam suscepisse non formidare cum de omnibus coram summo Iudice vt reddat rationem sihi se constiterit obligatum sed vt verificetur Multi multa sciunt seipsos penitus nescientes I haue seene a pedigree of the Mansels from Philip de Mansel who came in with the Conquerour vntill these our times Of this name and familie is that orthodoxall sound Diuine and worthy Master of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge Iohn Mansel Doctor of Diuinitie and a generall Scholler in all good literature Boughton vnder Bleane Orate pro anima Iohannis Colkin Ar obijt 18. April 1405. Orate pro anima Willelmi Colkin de Colkin et pro anima Agnetis vxoris eius qui obierunt 1460. Pray for the soule of Iohn Best and Ioane his wife who deceased the 20. day of Iuly 1408. Swynfeeld
To whose memory Sir Henry Savill that rare Grecian and exact reuiuer of Antiquities now deceased late Warden of the said Colledge and Prouost of Eaton with the fellowes of the same taking downe an old marble Tombe haue erected another Monument ouer him of Touch and Alabaster bearing this Inscription Waltero de Merton Cancellario Angliae sub Henrico tertio Episcopo Roffensi sub Edwardo primo Rege vnius exemplo omnium quotquot extant Collegiorum Fundatori maximorum Europae totius ingeniorum faelicissimo parenti Custos Scholares domus Scholarium de Merton in Vniuersitate de Oxon. communibus Collegij impensis debitum pietatis Monumentum posuere Ann. Dom. 1598. Henrico Savile Custode Obijt in vigilia Simonis Iudae Ann. Dom. 1277. Edwardi primi quinto Inchoauerat Collegium Maldoniae in agro Surr. Ann. Dom. 1264. Hen. tertij 48. cui dein salubri consilio Oxonium Anno 1270. trans extrema manus faelicissimis vt credi par est auspicijs accessit anno 1274. ipsis Cal. Aug. anno Regni Regis Edwardi primi secundo Magne senex titulis Musarum sede sacrata Maior Mertonidum maxime progenie Haec tibi gratantes post saecula sera nepotes En votiua locant marmora sancte parens Haymo de Heath or Hythe so named of Hithe a Towne in this tract where he was borne lyeth buried by the North wall he was Confessour to King Edward the second This man built much at his Mannor houses of Troscliffe and Hawling In the Towne of Hithe before named he founded the Hospitall of Saint Bartholomew for reliefe of ten poore people endowing the same with twenty Markes of yearely reuenue He resigned his Bishopricke into the Popes hands of whom he had receiued consecration in the Court at Rome Ann. 1352. and liued about some six yeares after that a priuate life with the Monkes in this Priory This Bishop saith the booke of Rochester bought a precious Miter which was Thomas Beckets of the Executours of the Bishop of Norwich which hee offered at the high Altar on S. Pauls day 1327. Iohn de Shepey so likewise surnamed from the place of his birth vpon Haymo his resignation was by the Pope elected to this Bishoprick hee was Lord Treasurer of England in the two and thirtieth yeere of King Edward the third in which office he continued about three yeeres euen vntill his death which happened the nineteenth of October 1360. His portraiture is in the wall ouer his place of Buriall Here ouer against Bishop Merton lieth buried vnder a faire Marble Tombe the body of Iohn Lowe Bishop of this Diocesse borne in Worcestershire and brought vp in Oxford where he proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie He liued for a time in the Abbey of the Friers Augustines in Worcester of which order he was Prouinciall Vir aetate sua ab omni parte doctus So that in regard of his great learning and painfulnes in preaching he was preferred first to the Bishoprick of Saint Asaph by King Henry the sixt and after that translated to this of Rochester hee writ diuers learned works and was a carefull searcher after good bookes so as diuers copies of some ancient Fathers had vtterly perished but for his diligence Hee died the yeere 1467. hauing gouerned the See of Saint Asaph foure yeeres and and this of Rochester foure and twenty The inscription vpon his Tombe is almost all gone only these words remayning ...... Iohannis Low Epis ...... ...... miserere mei Domine Credo videre Dominum in terra viventium O quam breve spatium huius mundi sicomp ..... Sic mundi gloria transit Sancte Andree Augustine orate prop nobis I doe not finde the certainty of any other of the Bishops of this Diocesse to haue bin buried in this Cathedrall Church for most commonly in ancient times as now they departed from this place before they departed from the world this Ecclesiasticall preferment being but a step to some higher aduancement A word therefore or two of Saint William here enshrined and the like of the Priory and so I will take my leaue of this most ancient and no lesse reuerend Episcopall Chaire and goe to Gillingham for the rest of the funerall Monuments in this Church are of later times which I reserue for another Volume This Priory erected by Gundulph and the number of her religious Votaries encreased by him from sixe secular Priests to threescore blacke Canons or Monkes with ample reuenues for their maintenance was within the compasse of one hundred yeares what by casuall fire what by the falling out of the Monkes and Bishop Glanvill and what by the calamities it sustained in the warres of King Iohn brought to that ruine and pouerty that the beauty of all her goodly buildings was altogether defaced her Church burned her sacred Vtensiles by robbery and suites in law embezelled mispent and consumed and the whole Couent greatly indebted Anno 1179.3 Id. Aprilis Rofensis Ecclesia cum omnibus officinis cum tota vrbe infra extra muros combusta est anno 97. ex quo Monachi in eadem Ecclesia instituti sunt It was now therefore high time saith Master Lambard to deuise some way whereby this Priory and Church of Rochester might be if not altogether restored to the ancient wealth and estimation yet at the least somewhat relieued from this penury nakednesse and abiection Therefore Laurence of Saint Martins Bishop of this Church and Councellour of King Henry the third perceiuing the common people to bee somewhat drawne by the fraud of the Monkes to thinke reuerently of one William that lay buried in the Church and knowing well that there was no one way so compendious to gaine as the aduancement of a Pilgramage procured at the Popes Court the canonization of the said William with Indulgence to all such as would offer at his Tombe vnderpropping by meanes of this new Saint some manner of reuerend opinion of the Church which before through the defacing of the old Bishop Paulinus his Shrine was declined to naught This Saint William was by birth a Scot of Perthe by trade of life a Baker of bread in charitie so abundant that hee gaue to the poore the tenth loafe of his workmanship in zeale so feruent that in vow he promised and in deed attempted to visit the holy Land and the places where Christ was conuersant on earth In which iourney as he passed through Kent he made Rochester his way where after that he had rested two or three dayes he departed toward Canterbury but ere he had gone farre from the Citie his seruant that waited on him led him of purpose out of the high-way and spoyled him both of his money and life This done the seruant escaped and the Master because he dyed in so holy a purpose of minde was by the Monkes conueyed hither to Saint Andrewes laid in the Quire and promoted by the
Gulielmo de Owre Radulpho de Sauage militibus Thus haue you partly seene the honours and honourable marriages the height and downfall of an eminent and right ancient family Of which no more vntill I come to Lingfield and the Parish Church of Sterborrow in Surrey Hic iacet Iohannes Smith Marioria vxor eius qui ob 20. Feb. 1457. Another of one Iohn Smith qui ob 18. Marcii 1427. Hic iacet Thomas Sharp legis peritus qui ob 20. die Aprilis Ann. 9. H. 7. Ann. Dom. 1493. Cuius Of your charitie pray for the soule of Iohn Herueden who dyed on Saint Nicholas day Ann. 1527. who had one daughter Elenor married to Edmond Page of Shorne Heigham Stephen king of England erected here in this Towne a Religious house wherein he placed blacke veyled Nunnes the valuation and dedication whereof I cannot learne East-Malling Hic iacet Robertus Ereby olim ciuis et Aurifaber de London Ioanna Ioanna vxores sui qui quidem Robertus obiit 15. Aug. An. Dom. 1477. Hic iacet Tho. Ereby filius Roberti Ereby Isodia vxor eius qui ob 1. Sept. 1478. Mepham Simon de Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury who had both his name and natiuitie of this Towne built this Church for the vse of the poore which William Courtney one of his Successours repaired fourescore yeares after and annexed thereunto foure new houses for the same end and purpose Shorham Orate pro bono statu Thome Buckland istius Capelle fundatoris ..... vxoris Codham Here lyeth beryed Alyes Walleys somtym wyff vnto Waltyr Walleys of this Parysh and syster vnto Iohn Alegh of Adyngton in Surrey Squyer Iustice of Quorum Whych Alyes decessyd the second dey of Iuly M. CCCCC.III Who 's sowl swete Iesu pardon Downe Hic iacet Richardus Downe Armiger Margeria consors eius Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus Hic iacet Iohannes Bederenden quondam ciuis Pannarius Camerarius London qui obiit 27. Septemb. 1445. Hic iacent Thomas Petle Isabella vxor eius Quorum animabus .... Orate pro animabus Iohannis Petle Christiane vxoris eius et Iohannis Petle et Alicie et Thome Philipot ac parentum meorum ...... Aynsford Hic iacet Iohannes Donat generosus et Alicia vxor eius ille obiit ..... 1455. illa obiit .... S. Donate ora pro nobis I neuer heard of such a Saint sauing at S. Donats Castle in Glamorganshire the faire habitation of the ancient and notable family of the Stradlings Ici gis ..... la famme de la Roberg de Eckisford This is enrauen in the North Chappell of this Church in a wondrous antique character Snothland Here in the Church porch lyeth buried William Alisander who gaue a weekly stipend of bread to the poore for euer and dyeth 1469. Here lyeth Iohn Pole sonne of Henry Pole of Hartington in the County of Darby who deceased 1487. Here lyeth .... Palmer of Otford Esquire ..... this Epitaph ensuing I haue by relation of one of that surname Palmers al owr faders were I a Palmer liuyd here And trauyld still till worne wyth age I endyd this worlds pylgramage On the blyst Assention day In the cherful month of May A thowsand wyth fowre hundryd seuen And took my iorney hense to Heuen Northfleete Hic in tumba requiescit corpus Richardi Dauy Ar. et Margeria vxor eius quondam cuslos Iocalium Domini Regis Hen sexti obiit 15. Marcii 1491. Pray for the sowl of Mawd Dauy Who 's corps here vndyr do ly She was dawter of William Dauy On whos soul Iesu haue mercy I pray yow al for cherite Say a Pater-noster and an Aue. Hic iacet Alicia quondam vxor Willelmi Wangdesord que obiit die Lune prox post diem dominicam in ramis Palmarum 1421. Hic sub pede anre altaâ—e iacent Willelmus Rikhill Ar. filius Willelmi Rikhill militis primogenitus et Katherina vxor cius que obiit 27. Aug. 1433. qui quidem Willelmus obiit .... die .... 1400. quorum Rikell the father was one of the kings Iustices an Irishman borne the vehement vrger of accusations against Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester and Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury Ann. Reg. Regis Ric. 2.21 1397. Hic iacet Dominus Petrus Lacy quondam Rector istius Ecclesie prebend Preb. de Swerdes in Ecclesia Cathedrali Dublin ...... 18. Octob. 1375 via vite mors Hic iacet Willelmus Lye Rector de Northfleete 9. Ian. 1391. Here lyes Thomas Bredon and Ioane his wife ... 1511. Here lyeth Richard Hunt late seruant to my Lord of Canterbury William Warham and Ioane his wife which Richard dyed ... 1518. and Ioane 1531. Hic iacet Willelmus Hesilt vnus Baronum de Scaccario Domini Regis qui obiit 9. April 1425. et Agnes vxor eius quorum c. Chalk Hic iacet Willelmus Martyn Ar. et Isabella vxor eius qui quidem Willelmus obiit 26. Maii Ann. 1416. This Martyn was a good Benefactour to this Church as appeares in diuers places in the glasse as also in the structure Here are two very ancient Monuments in the wall but to whose memory they were made I cannot learne Swanescombe This Church in times past was much haunted by a mad company of Pilgrimes who came hither for Saint Hildeferths helpe a Bishop by coniecture of his picture yet standing in the vpper window of the South Isle to whom such as were distracted ranne for restitution of their wits Which cure was performed by warmth close keeping and strict dyet A cure no more miraculous saith Lambard then is at this day the keepers of Bedlem Pray for the soul of Nicholas Boneuant and Agnes his wife which Nicholas decessyd 20. Octob. 1516. Hic iacet Reginaldus Thomas in Legibus Bacalareus Rector istius Ecclesie qui .... 1494. Stone The whole Fabricke of this Church is vpholden in wondrous good repaire her inside is neatly polisht and the Monuments of the dead which are ancient and many very faire and carefully preserued Preyeth for the sowl in wey of cheritie Of Richard Bontfant late Mercer of London For the Brethren and Sisters of this Fraternitie Owner of the plas callyd Castle of the Ston Remembyr hym that is leyd vnder Ston For hys sowl and al Christian to prey To the merciful Iesew a Pater noster anon An Aue to hys Moder and mak no deley In March whych decessyd the xix dey In the yer of owr Lord God who kepe hym fro pyne A thowsand fowr hundryd fyfty and nyne Hic iacet magister Iohannes Sorewell in Decretis honoratus Rector istius Ecclesie qui ob penult Decemb. 1439. Hic iacet Dominus Iohannes Lumbard quondam Rector istius Ecclesie qui obijt 12. Maij 1408. Vpon a crosse of brasse layed in the marble
seruiens Abbati et Conuentui de Lesnes qui obiit primo die mensis Ianuarij 1425. Cuius anime Lesnes Abbey In the yeare of our Lord 1178. the third of the Ides of Iune Richard Lucie a Councellour of State and chiefe Iustice of the Realme began the foundation of an Abbey at Lesnes or Westwood neare vnto this Towne of Eâ—â—th The extent of whose yearely reuenue as it was prized by the Commissioners at the suppression amounted to one hundred eighty sixe pounds and nine shillings When this his goodly fabricke was in all parts finished he presently forsooke and surrendred into the kings hands all both his offices and honours And betooke himselfe to the habite and profession of a Canon Regular in this house of his owne foundation where within a short while after euen in the same yeare to wit the fourteenth of Iuly 1479. he exchanged his Conuentuall blacke coole for a glorious bright heauenly crowne And here in the Quire of his Church hee was sumptuously entombed vpon whose Monument this Epitaph was engrauen Rapitur in tenebras Richardus lux Luciorum Iusticie pacis dilector vrbis honorum Christe sibi requies tecum sit sede piorum Iulia tunc orbi lux bis septena nitebat Mille annos C. nouem et septuaginta mouebat Now giue me leaue to go a little further with him and his heires as I finde the words in the Collection of Englands Protectours by Francis Thinne Lancaster Herald Sir Richard Lucie knight chiefe Iustice of England saith he was Protectour of England in the twelfth yeare of the raigne of king Henry the second in the absence of the king when hee was in Normandie and in the parts beyond the Seas Which Lucie in the thirteenth yeare of the same King did valiantly resist and politikely driue backe the Earle of Bolloigne inuading this kingdome He built the Abbey of Leosnes or Westwood in the Parish of Erith in Kent and not in Southfleet as some haue written in the yeare of Christ 1178. and the Castle of Chipping Augre in Essex He had issue Godfrey Bishop of Winchester and three daughters who after the death of Godfrey their brother were his heires Maude the eldest daughter was married to Robert the first called Fitzwater Aueline the second daughter was married to Richard Riuers of Stanford Riuers in Essex Rose the third daughter was married to Richard de Warren the naturall sonne of king Iohn as appeareth by a deed belonging to my selfe who had the Rectory of Leosnes beginning thus Rosa de Douer quondam vxor venerabilis viri Richardi filij Regis de Chillam And king Iohn by his Charter grants to another Rose her grandfathers lands in these words Rex reddidit Roesie de Douerita totam terram suam cum pertenenc qua eam contingit de heredit Richardi de Lucy avi sui tenend sibi hered c. Cart. 24. Reg. Iohannis numero 37. in Archi. Turris London The foresaid Godfrey de Lucy was consecrated Bishop of Winchester the first of Nouember 1189. And died Ann. 1204 hauing gouerned that See fifteene yeares He purchased of king Richard the first the Mannors of Wergraue and Menes which in times past had belonged to his Bishopricke he was a great Benefactour to this Religious house of Leosnes founded by his father wherein according to his will hee was enterred To whose memory this Epitaph was engrauen vpon his Tombe Lux mea lux Christi si terre ventre quiesco Attamen in celo sanctorum luce lucesco Presul de Winton fueram quondam Cathedratus Multum resplendens alto sanguine natus Nunc id sum quod eris puluis rota non retinenda Voluitur inuigila prudens nec differ agenda M. C. bis quatuorque annos his insuper addas Carnis vincla dies soluit secunda Decembris Vos qui transitis ancillam poscite Christi Sit Dominus mitis pulso purgamine tristi Wolwich Orate pro anima Iohannis Colin et Mathilde vxoris eius qui Iohannes obiit 27. Ianuar ..... Mathilda 25. Octob. 1397. Hic tacet Dominus Will. Prene quondam Rector huius Ecclesie viz. tempore Regis Edwardi quarti et postea Rector Ecclesie de Lymming qui fieri fecit istam Capellam et Campanile huius Ecclesie et in uita sua multa alia bona .... ob I. die Decemb. 1464. Willelmus Prene me fecit in honorem sancte Trinitatis Eltham Pray for the sowl of Dame Margerie Roper late wyff of Iohn Roper Suier daughter and one of the heires of Iohn Tattersall Suier who dyed 2. Februar 1518 Roper a name of eminent respect in this County honoured with the title of Baron Roper of Tenham by our Soueraigne Lord Iames late King of England giuen to Iohn Lord Roper now liuing Pray for the sowl of Iohn Morton sonne and heire of Margaret Morton of Asheby de la Zouch in the County of Leicester late wife to Tho. Squier who dyed 23. Aug. Prier pur l'alme Thomas Pierle qi morust le primer iour de Iuyl l'an de Grace Mil. ccc.lxix ..... Here lyeth Iohn Pasley yeoman Porter to king Henry the eighth and Agnes his wife which Iohn dyed .... 1509. Hen. 8.1 West Peckham Iohn Culpeper one of the Iustices of the Common Pleas in the raigne of king Henry the fourth founded here a Preceptorie or free-Schoole which he endowed with threescore and three pounds sixe shillings eight pence of yearely allowance Bromley In the Church wall lyeth the pourtraiture as I learne by tradition of Richard Wendouer Bishop of Rochester and Parson of this Towne He was consecrated 1238. and dyed 1250. yet it is said that his body was buried in Westminster by the kings speciall commandement for that he was accounted a very holy and vertuous man which I cannot much contradict Icy gist Mestre Water de Henche Qi fut Persone de Bromleghe 1360. Lewsham Hic iacet Georgius Hatecliffe Ar. Thesaurarius Domini Regis in Hibernia ac vnus clericorum compoti Hospitii regis obiit 1. Aug. 1514. Iohn Norbury founded a Priory in this Towne of Lewsham which hee replenished with blacke Monkes Aliens belonging to the Abbey of Gaunt in Flanders and thereupon called Aliens because they were Celles to some Monastery or other beyond the Seas The first foundation of these houses I do not finde but in the raigne of king Edward the third they were encreased to the number of one hundred and ten in England besides them in Ireland Aquitane and Normandy The goods of all which Priories the said king Ann. Reg. 12. because of his warres with France caused to be confiscated to his owne vse letting out their houses to farme with all their lands and tenements for the space of three and twenty yeares At the end of which Terme Peace being concluded betweene the two Nations he restored to the Priors Aliens their
houses lands and tenements Ann. Reg. 35. as by his patents may appeare in effect as followeth Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and of Aquitaine to all by these presents c. Although the Priory of Montacute in the County of Somerset by reason of the warres betweene vs and France with all the lands tenements fees aduowsons together with the goods and cattels belonging to the same hath beene of late taken into our hands and by vs farmed and rented forth as appeareth by diuers patents Now therefore since peace is betwixt vs and the noble Prince our most deare brother the king of France we for the honour of God and holy Church restore to the said Prior the Priory with all the lands tenements fees aduowsons and whatsoeuer else belonging to the same to hold the same in as free manner as they held it before And withall forgiue and release all arrerages of Rents which might bee due vnto vs by reason of any former grants In witnesse c. the sixth of February the 35. yeare of our raigne The like letters of restitution all the rest of the houses of Aliens had through England all which were cleane suppressed and vtterly dissolued by king Henry the fifth and their lands giuen by him and his sonne Henry the sixth to Colledges of learned men and to other Monasteries Greenwich This Parish Church is consecrated to the honour of Saint Aelphege sometime Archbishop of Canterbury who suffered martyrdome much-what about the same place where it now standeth Which Aelpâ—ege boâ—ne of great parentage brought vp in good learning preferred first to the Bishopricke of Winchester then to this of Canterbury a man admired for his strict manner of life and holy exhortations by both which hee conâ—uerted many vnto Christ was cruelly put to death by the Danish Pagans with many exquisite torments in the yeare of our Lord a thousand and twelue Of which in William Malmesbury Camden and the Catalogue of Bishops you may reade more at large It was long before these bloudy executioners would suffer his bodie to bee committed to the earth after the manner of Christian decencie yet at length that fauour was obtained and his body here first buried from whence within a short time after his reliques were remoued to Saint Pauls London and from thence at the commandement of king Knute to Canterbury He was canonized and the 19. day of Aprill allowed for celebration of his memory Some write that like another Stephen he was stoned to death that like him he prayed for his enemies and that Turkill generall of those Danes was conuerted to the faith at the sight of his constant martyrdome Here sometime stood an house of obseruant Friers which came hither about the latter end of the raigne of King Edward the fourth at whose hands they obtained a Chantrie with a little Chappell of the holy Crosse a place yet extant in the Towne and king Henry the seuenth builded for them an house adioyning to the Pallace which is there yet to be seene Here in this Towne was another Monastery of Friers Minorites and Aliens founded by King Edward the third and the foresaid Iohn Norbury which as Lewsham did belonged to the Abbot of Gaunt in Flaunders vntill such time as King Henry the fifth seising into his hands by occasion of warre all the lands of the Priors Aliens as I haue touched before bestowed this together with the Mannor of Lewsham and many other lands also vpon the Priory of Chartrehouse Monkes of Shene which hee had then newly erected to which it remayned vntill the time of the raigne of king Henry the eight who annexed it to the Crowne Depeford Orate pro anima ..... Weuer ..... Mercatoris et Maioris Stapul ville Calcis qui ob ..... Februar ... et pro .... Ioanne vx eius qui ob .... Martin the fifth Bishop of Rome granted by this Bull to these Staple Merchants in this Weeuers Maioralty at their earnest request an itinerarie or portable Aulter which they were to take with them to what place soeuer they trauelled to make any time of aboad and withall gaue them licence to elect a Priest to say Masse administer the Sacraments to heare their confessions to enioyne them penance and to giue them absolution as the cause should require The forme of which I hold it not much amisse here to set downe as I found it in an old Manuscript without name or date in the Earle of Exceters Librarie Martinus Episcopus Seruus Seruorum Dei dilectis filijs Maiori et eius locum tenenti ac Constabulario ceterisque Principalibus Societatis Mercatorum lanarum Stapule Anglie Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem Sincere deuotionis affectus quem ad nos et Romanam geritis Ecclesiam non indigne meretur vt petitionibus vestris illis presertim quos ex deuotionis feruore prodire conspicimus quantum cum Deo possumus fauorabiliter animamus Hinc est quod nos vestris deuotis supplicationibus inclinati vt liceat vobis et posteris vestris Maiori et eius locum tenenti ac Constabulario nec non Principalibus societatis Mercatorum lanarum Stapule Anglie ac vestrum ac eorundem posterorum cuilibet habere Altare portatile cum debita reuerentia et honore Super quo in villa Calestie seu alibi etiam in transmarinis seu cismarinis partibus vbi pro tempore vos vel aliquem vestrum esse vel declinare et huiusmodi Stapulum lanarum teneri contigerit in locis ad hoc congruâ—ntibus et honestis positis per proprium vel alium Sacerdotem ydoneum Missas et alia diuina officia sine iuris alieni preiudicio in vestra et ipsorum ac aliorum Mercatorum dicte Societatis ibidem pro tempore presentium Nec non vestrorum et eorundem Posterorum ac Mercatorum familiarium presentia facere celebrari vobis et predictis posteris tenore presentium indulgemus Nulli ergo omnino homini liceat hanc paginam nostre concessionis infringere vel ei ausu temerario contraire Si quis autem hoc attemptare presumpserit indignationem omnipotentis Dei et beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum eius se nouerit incursurum Dat. Mant. 3. Non. Nouemb. Pontificatus nostri Ann. primo By another Bull dated the same yeare and his Apostolicall authoritie he giues them free election of their Confessour the Priest The words are Aliquem ydoneum et discretum presbyterum eligere confessorem indulgemus qui quotiens vobis fuerit oportunum confessionibus vestris diligenter auditis pro commissis debitam vobis absolutionem impendat et iniungat penitentiam salutarem nisi forsan talia fuerint c. propter que sedes Apostolica c. Nulli ergo omnino hominum c. Dat. c. In English We fauourably yeeld to your deuout and pious supplications and we giue
What myght I of the iustyce sayne Kept wythyn this Cytye playne It were long to declare For though I shuld all day tell Or that wyth my ryme dogerell Myght I not yet halfe do spell This townes great honour Therfore shortly as I began Pray for yt both chyld and man That yt may continue and To bere of all the floure To his Reader of these rymes Who so hym lyketh these versys to rede Wyth fauour I pray he will theym spell Let not the rudenes of theym hym lede For to despraue thys ryme dogerell Some part of the honour it doth you tell Of thys olde Cytye Troynouant But not thereof the halfe dell Connyng in the maker is so adaunt But though he hadde the eloquence Of Tully and the moralytye Of Senek and the influence Of the swyte sugred Armony Or that fayre Ladye Caliope Yet hadde he not connyng perfyght Thys Cytye to prayse in eche degre As yt shulde duely aske by ryght Saint Pauls Church As of the Cathedrall Churches in Canterbury and Rochester so I finde Ethelbert king of Kent to be the Founder of this here in London dedicated to the honour of the euerliuing God and Saint Paul Doctor of the Gentiles These are the words of his Charter preserued here in the Church In Christi nomine Aedelbertus Rex Deo inspirante pro anime sue remedio dedit Episcopo Melito terram que appellatur Tillingeham ad Monasterij sui solatium scilicet Sancti Pauli Apostoli Doctoris Gentium Et ego Aedelbertus ita firmiter concedo tibi Presuli Melito potestatem eius habendi possidendi vt in perpetuum in Monasterij vtilitate permaneat Si quis vero contradicere temptauerit hanc donationem Anathema excomunicatus sit ab omni societate Christiana vsque ad satisfactionem Qua de re ego Episcopus Melitus vna cum Rege Aedeberto Humfredum Episcopum subscribere rogaui Signum manus Humfredi Episcopi Signum manus Letharij Episcopi Signum manus Abbane Signum manus Aethelpaldi Signum manus Aespine aliorum multorum Besides this his gift of Tillingham in Essex dedit viginti quatuor Hidas terre iuxta Londoniam as the Lieger booke of this Church speakes the greatest part of which was afterwards diuided into Prebends as More Finnesbury Oldstreet Wenlocksborne Hoxton Newington S. Pancrace Kentishtowne Totenhall Ragener Holborne Portpole Iseldon and there onely remained to the Deane and Chapter Norton Folgate King Athelstan at the request of Bishop Theodred surnamed the good gaue Monasterio Sancti Pauli in Londonia Ciuitate c. decem Mansas ad Sandonam cum Rode octo ad Eardlage now Yerdley cum Luffenhede et decem ad Bylchampe cum Picham et octo ad Lidwolditon nunc Heybridge et duodecim ad Runwellam et triginta ad Edelfesnesam now Pauls soken in Essex et decem ad Breytane et octo ad Berne et decem ad Neoldune cum Pislesdune King Edgar at the request of Bishop Dunstan and his third sonne beautifull young Ethelred pro sexaginta Mancis auri puri which is threescore Markes of our English money dedit ad Monasterium Sancti Pauli viginti quinque Mansiones in loco qui vocatur Nasinstocke Which were confirmed by Etheldred and diuers succeeding kings Canutus or Knute the Dane king of England not onely confirmes his predecessours gifts but also founds and endowes the dignitie of the Deanry with the Church of Lamborne in Barkshire pro victu decani qui pro tempore fuerit The first Deane whereof was Leuegarus as appeares by an ancient Catalogue of the Deanes amongst the Antiquities of this Church whom succeeded Godwynus Syredus Gulielmus Elfwynus Luiredus and in the Conquerours time Wolfmannus after him Radulphus de Diceto that great and iudicious Antiquarie Qui velut alter Iosephus aut Philo saith Bale Cent. 2. suae gentis vetera Monumenta atque inclita facta perpetuare studens multa retroactis seculis incognita produxit in lucem Edward the Confessour confirmes the gift of Wygaley now West Lee in Essex which one Ediua a religious woman gaue Fratribus Sancti Pauli and also giues himselfe Monasterio Sancti Pauli octo Mansas ad Berling et quinque ad Cynford now Chyngford in Essex Kensworth and Caddington and diuers other lands were giuen to this Church before the Conquest all which the Conquerour confirmes by his Charter remaining amongst the Records in the Tower adding thereunto many ample priuiledges and immunities Quia volo saith he vt ista Ecclesia ita sit libera in omnibus sicut volo esse animam meam in die iudicij Moreouer besides this confirmation he gaue vnto this Church and Mauritius the Bishop the Castle of Stortford or Storford in Hertfordshire with all the appurtenances belonging thereunto for euer and namely the land which William the Deacon and Raph his brother held of the king William Rufus by his deed sealed freeth the Canons of Pauls from all works to the walls and Tower of London and withall confirmes all his fathers donations and priuiledges This deed was dated at Hereford Since which time one Peter Newport of which name and family many lie entombed in burnt Pelham within Hertfordshire gaue vnto this Church two hundred acres of wood in Hadley and Thundersey in Essex and fourescore Acres of arable land with a Brewhouse out of which the Deane and Chapter were to pay a certaine summe of money to a Priest to say Masse for his soule Sir Philip Basset knight gaue Drayton to the Deane and Chapter to the entent that they should pay 15. l. for euer to three Chapleynes for the like seruice of saying Masse and his Executours gaue Hayrstead out of which there was yearely spent fiue pounds for an Obit The Executors of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster gaue to this Church the Mannors of Bowes and Pecleshouse in Midlesex for the maintenance of certaine Priests to sing Masse for his soule And of these Mannors the Church was possest vntill the latter end of king Henry the eight The Churches of Willesdon Sunbury Brickesley Rickling and Aueley were impropriated to the Deane and Chapter by diuers Bishops the Impropriations whereof were theirs at that time Besides their lands and reuenues in the countrey these Churchmen had diuers houses in the Citie which were granted sometime Deo et Sancto Paulo sometime Deo et Sancti Pauli seruientibus sometime Sancto Paulo et Canonicis Of these I haue seene many deeds among which one is most remarkable dated in the yeare 1141. the sixth of king Stephen and fastened with a labell to the end of a sticke of what wood I know not howsoeuer it remaines to this day free from worme-holes or any the least corruption not so much as in the barke Whereby one Robert Fitz-Gousbert for his soules health giues vnto this Church a certaine parcell of land or an house containing eight foot in breadth and sixe in length Vpon which wood or
did vse sometimes to steale away circumcise crowne with thornes whip torture and crucifie some one of their neighbours male children in mockery despite scorne and derision of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ crucified by the Iewes in Ierusalem In the yeare 1235. the 19. of Hen. the third seuen Iewes were brought before the king at Westminster which at Norwich had stolne a boy and kept him from the sight of Christian people for the space of one whole yeare and had circumcised him minding also to haue crucified him at the solemnitie of Easter as themselues confessed before the king whereof they were conuicted their bodies and goods remaining at the kings pleasure In the 39. of the said kings raigne vpon the 22. day of Nouember one hundred and two Iewes were brought from Lincolne to Westminster and there accused for the crucifying of a child of eight yeares old named Hugh these Iewes were vpon examination sent to the Tower the murther came out by the diligent search made by the mother of the childe eighteene of them were hanged the other remained long in prison In the seuenth of Ed. the first the Iewes at Northampton crucified a Christian boy vpon Goodfriday but did not throughly kill him For the which fact many Iewes at London after Easter were drawne at horse tailes and hanged Not long after this to wit in the eighteenth yeare of this kings raigne all the Iewes were banished out of England the number of which so expulsed was fifteene thousand and threescore persons to whom was giuen no more money but onely to beare their charges vntill they were out of the kingdome The rest both goods and lands was seised vpon for the Kings vse But to returne backe againe to the story of the martyred boy in derogation and despite of Christian Religion Vpon the day of the Kalends of August 1223. Ann. Reg. Hen. 3 the body of a young boy in the Church-yard of S. Benet at Paules-wharfe was found buried vnder whose paps certaine Hebrew letters were inscribed vpon his body diuers prints markes cuts and rents caused by rods and whip-cords besides many other signes of various torments by the said boy sustained were easie to be discerned The name of the boy was found out by those Characters and withall how that hee was sold by his Christian parents but by whom or to which of the Iewes hee was sold or to what end could neuer be knowne Howsoeuer it was concluded that the buyers of the boy intended to haue had him crucified Yet crucified he was not in regard no print of the nailes either in his hands or feet or any wound in his side appeared Many miracles were said to be wrought at the graue and by the reliques of this young innocent Martyr Whereupon the Canons of Saint Pauls Church tooke forcibly away the sacred remaines of this holy Martyr out of the said Church-yard and solemnly enshrined them in their owne Church not farre from the high Altar On the North side of this Church was sometime a great Cloyster inuironing a plot of ground called Pardon Church-yard whereof Thomas More Deane of Pauls was either the first builder or an especiall benefactor and was therein buried In this Cloyster were buried many persons some of worship and some of honour The Monuments of whom saith Stow in his suruay of London in number and curious workmanship passed all other that were in the great Church About the Cloyster was artificially and richly painted the dance of Death commonly called the dance of Pauls the Picture of death leading all estates In the midst of this Pardon Church-yard was a faire Chappell first founded by Gilbert Becket Portgraue and principall Magistrate as now the Lord Maior is of this Citie father of Tho. Becket the Martyr Archbishop of Canterbury who was therein buried in the raigne of King Stephen Thomas More Deane of Pauls before mentioned reedified or new builded this Chappell and founded three Chaplaines there in the raigne of Henry the fifth In the yeare 1549. on the tenth of Aprill the said Chappell by commandement of Edward Duke of Somerset Lord Protector was begun to be pulled downe with the whole Cloyster the Tombes and Monuments so that nothing of them was left but the bare plot of ground which is since conuerted into a garden for the Petty Canons There was a Chappell at the North doore of Pauls founded by Walter Sherington Chancellour of the Duchie of Lancaster by licence of King Henry the sixth for two three or foure Chaplaines indowed with fourty pound by the yeare This Chappell was also pulled downe in the raigne of Edward the sixth at the commandement of the said Protector and in place thereof an house builded There was on the North side of Pauls Churchyard a large charnell-house for the bones of the dead and ouer it a Chappell founded vpon this occasion as followeth In the yeare 1282. the tenth of Edward the first it was agreed that Henry Walleis Maior and the Citizens for the cause of Shops by them builded without the wall of the Church-yard should assigne to God and to the Church of Saint Paul ten Markes of rent by the yeare for euer towards the new building of a Chappell of the blessed Virgine Mary and also to assigne fiue Markes of yearely rent to a Chaplaine to celebrate there And in the yeare 1430. the 8. of Henry the sixth licence was granted to Ienken Carpenter Towne-clerke of London Executour to Richard Whittington to establish vpon the said Charnell a Chaplaine to haue eight Markes by the yeare There was also in this Chappell two Brotherhoods Sir Henry Barton knight the sonne of Henry Barton of Mildenhall in Suffolcke Lord Maior of London in the yeare 1427. Robert Barton and Sir Thomas Mirfin knight sonne to George Mirfin of Ely in Cambridgeshire Lord Maior of this Citie the yeare 1518. were entombed with their pourtraitures of Alabaster ouer them grated or coped about with iron before the said Chappell all which with many other Tombes ann Monuments of the dead were pulled downe together with the said Chappell at the commandement likewise of the forenamed Duke of Somerset The bones of the dead couched vp in the Charnell-house vnder the Chappell were conuayed from thence into Finsbery field amounting to more then a thousand cart load saith Stow and there laid on a moorish ground in short space after raised by soilage of the Citie vpon them to beare three Mills The Chappell and charnell-house were conuerted to dwelling houses warehouses and sheds before them for Stationers in place of the Tombes Neare vnto this Chappell was a bell house with foure Bells the greatest in London they were called Iesus Bells and belonged to Iesus Chappell the same had a great spire of timber couered with lead with the image of Saint Paul on the top which was pulled downe by Sir Miles Partridge knight in the raigne of Henry the eight The common speech
kyng of Brutons nobly ynough Had regnyd xlviii yer toward his deth he drogh He dede aftyr Martyn Masse euen the sixt dey The Brutons made deel ynough tho he ded ley Hii made a Kyngys toome and hym al hol wyth ynne Upon an horse ridyng of bras put al wyth gynne And vpon the west gate of London sette hit full hegh In token of hys noblesse that men hit fer segh A Chirch of Sent Martyn liuyng he let rere In whyche yat men shold goddys seruyse do And sing for his soul and al Christene also Farewell my freyndes the tyde abydeth no man We be departed fro hence and so â—all yee But in this passage the best song that we say can Is Requiem eternam now Iesu grant hit mee When wee haue endyd all our aduersitee Grant vs in Paradise to haue a mansion That shâ—ed his blood for our redemption Therfore wee tendyrlie requier yee For the souls of Iohn Benson And Anne his wyff of your charitie To say a Pater Noster and an Aue. These verses following were engrauen in copper on the strong Quadrant of Ludgate built by Stephen Foster Lord Maior and Dame Agnes his wife for the reliefe of the Prisoners Deuout souls that passe this way For Stephen Foster late Maior hertely pray And Dame Agnes his Spous to God consecrate That this hous made for Londoners in Ludgate So that for lodging and water Prisoners here nought pay As the kepers shall all ansqueare at dreadfull Doomys day Christ Church The chiefe Foundresse of this religious house is said to be Queene Margaret the second wife of Edward the first sister of Philip the fourth surnamed the Faire King of France and eldest daughter of King Philip the hardy sonne of S. Lewes who died An. 1317. and was buried here before the high Altar Iohn de Dreux second sonne of Iohn Duke of Britaine by Beatrice his wife daughter of King Henry the third Earle of Britaine and Richmond gaue 300 l. to the building of some part of the Church glased all the windowes on the south side and also gaue many rich Iewels and ornaments to be vsed in the same so that he is accounted as a second Founder Diuers other Noble men and worthy Citizens gaue both lands and great summes of money towards the building and endowing of this religious Structure which was finished within 21 yeeres dedicated to the honour of God and our alone Sauiour Iesu Christ and replenished with grey Fryers Minorites valued at the generall suppression but at 32 l. 19 s. 10 d. This Abbey Church hath beene honoured with the sepulture of foure Queenes foure Dutchesses foure Countesses one Duke two Earles eight Barons and some thirty fiue Knights whose names are set downe by Stow in his Suruay of this honourable Citie and in all from the first foundation vnto the dissolution sixe hundred sixtie and hree persons of Qualitie were here interred In the Quire were nine Tombes of Alabaster and Marble inuironed with barres or strikes of iron one Tombe in the body of the Church coped also with iron and seauenscore graue-stones of Marble in diuers places all which were pulled downe taken away and sold for fiftie pounds or thereabouts by Sir Martin Bowes Maior of London An. 1545. The rest of the Monuments are now wholly defaced not any one remaining at this day saue such which are of later times The blacke Fryers This House was founded by Robert Kilwardby Archbishop of Canterbury and the Citizens of London An. Dom. 1276. This Archbishop towards the latter end of his time made a collection saith Godwin for the building of a Monasterie for the Fryer Minors in London Many contributed so largely thereunto as he hauing the helpe of a certaine old Tower which yeelded him stones without charge finished the same with other mens money and was able to affoord the foundation for another at Salisbury King Edward the first and Eleanor his wife were great Benefactors to this worke This was a large Church richly furnished with ornaments and honoured by the burials of many great Personages diuers Parliaments and other great meetings haue beene holden in this Monasterie which is now altogether demolished and other new buildings erected in the same place This order of blacke Fryers Predicants were remoued hither from Oldbourne where they had continued 55 yeeres The reuenewe of this house was valued at 104 l. 15 s. 5 d per annum being surrendred into the Kings hands 12 of Nouember the 30 of Henry the 8. Persons of kingly princely and noble descent of eminent high place and qualitie to the number of fiftie and vpwards are reckoned by Io. Stow out of the Register of this house to haue bin here entombed to whose relation I leaue my Reader onely giue me leaue to speake of one Vpon a Table fastened to a pillar this inscription was not long since here to be read as I haue it out of the collections of Tho. Talbot Here lyeth the body of the Lady Elizabeth the daughter of Sir Bartholomew Balitismere wife of William Bohun Earle of Northampton and mother of the Earles of March and Northampton and of Elizabeth Countesse of Arundell She died 5 Id. of Iune Anno Christi 1378. She was interred before the high Altar Saint Andrewes Wardrobe Cernite sub Betra iacet hac Hatfeeld tumulata Et Margareta claris natalibus orta Anglica parte Patris fuerat Normannaque Matris Traxerat ex ort ..... vterque parent ..... clara Hec fuit Domina Domine Salop Comitisse Anno milleno C quater Lx quoque deno Atque die deno Iunij decessit ameno Eius prestet opem pius anime Deus Amen Prey ...... Katherin Riplingham ..... died M. cccc .... This erazed Inscription is made more plaine by the last Will and Testament of the defunct here interred of which this is a copie in effect I Dame Katherin Riplingham widow of London aduowes the xiij day of Feuerer M. cccc.lxx.iii.xiii Ed. iiii My soule to God my body to be buried in the Chancell of Seynt Andrew at Baynards Castle London I bequeth to the Monastery of Westminster to prey for the souls of my Husbands William Southcote there beryed c. I will that my Feoâ—â—ees performe the award of master Iohn Wood Clerke and Nicholas Lathell indifferently chosen betwene me and Richard Welden Squier and Elisabeth his wiff my doghtyr and Thomas S. Iohn Squier and Alice his wiff doghtyr of one Richard Langham to make a lawfull estate of all my lands in London to Elisabeth Welden my doghter the remaynder to the next heires of William Southcote sometime my Husband fader of the same Elisabyth c. I will the remaynder of all my lands to the right heires of Thomas Baysham my fader I will to my doghtyrs doghtyr Alys S Iohn my gold ryng also to my Doghtyrs son Robart Welden my Maysor which his moder heretofore gaue to me
Andrewes Scotland to the same effect and greatly in this kings commendation Iacobus 4. Rex 105. Anno mundi 5459. An. Christi 1489. Ã conditu Regni 1819. 1. Tristia fata gemens genitoris ferrea gestat Baltea haec luctus dat monimenta sui Margaris Angla datur thalamis Hinc Anglica sceptra Debentur fatis Sexte Iacobe tuis Pax regnis redit et pleno Bona copia cornu Et blandum adspirans aura secunda fauet Rursus ad arma vocat laetis sors invida rebus Tueda vbi finitimam gurgite sulcat humum Flos Procerum Patriaeque simul Pater optimus vna Sorte ruunt Heu sors semper acerba bonis Quod si animis orsisque tuis Sors aequa fuisset Imperij Fines vltima terra daret 2. Desine Pyramidum moles ac Mausolea Sollicitus vacuum surrigere ad tumulum Illum Fama vehens late circumsona Olympo Aequat Pro tumulo maximus orbis erit Much more might be said of this magnanimous and high-spirited king of Scotland which I shall further enlarge when I come to Richmond the place no doubt of his buriall Iohn Casy of this Parish whose dwelling was In the North corner house as to Lad-lane you pas For better knowledge the name it hath now Is called and knowne by the name of the Plow Out of that house yeerely did geeve Twenty shillings to the poore their neede to releeue Which money the Tenant must yeerelie pay To the Parson and Church wardens on Saint Thomas day The heire of that house Thomas Bowrman by name Hath since by his deed confirmed the same Whose loue to the poore doth thereby appeare And after his death shall liue many a yeare Therefore in your life do good while yee may That when meagre death shall take yee away You may liue like fam'd as Casy and Bowrman For he that doth well shall neuer be a poore man Saint Mary Aldermanbury In the Cloister about this Churchyard hanged and fastened to a post is the shanke-bone of a man wondrous great and large in length 28. inches and a halfe of assise with the pourtraiture of a Giant-like person vpon a Table with this Inscription In wise mens sight I seeme not strange Although some friends of Pan will scorne From time to time all shapes will change Full well appeares since the first-borne Deride not that which nought offends Let reason rule strong men haue beene As Sampson tall loe death all ends In Stories past may well be seene If you trust our Stories you must beleeue that Giants or men of vaste bodily composture inhabited this our Island in former times Of whom one Hauillan a Poet who flourished aboue foure hundred yeares since wrote pleasantly in this wise thus translated out of the Latine tongue There Gyants whilome dwelt whose clothes were skins of beasts Whose drinke was bloud whose cups to serue for vse at feasts Were made of hollow wood whose beds were bushie thornes And Lodgings rockie caues to shelter them from stormes Their chambers craggie rocks their hunting found them meat To rauish and to kill to them was pleasure great Their violence was rule with rage and furie led They rusht into the fight and fought hand ouer head Their bodies were interr'd behinde some bush or brake To beare such monstrous wights the earth did grone and quake These pesterd most the Westerne tract more feare made thee agast O Cornwall vtmost doore that art to let in Zephyrus blast And the vulgar receiued opinion is that Brute vpon his first arriuall in Kent was encountred with diuers strong and mightie Giants Of which an Author of reuerend good antiquitie thus writeth as also of the wrastling betwixt Corineus and Gogmagog Ther was a Geant het Gogmagog yat was gret and strong For aboute ane twenty fet men seiy yat he was long A good oke he wolde braye a doun as hit small yerde were And bere hit forth in his hond ye folke all to a fere He com wiy xx Geants and assayllede Brute faste Brut wiy his power hem slough echon atte laste Alle but Gogmagog for hym ne slough he nought For he sholde wiy Corneus wrastle by hys thought In a word my Author makes Corineus to get the vpper hand of Gogmagog and to cast him headlong from one of the rocks not farre from Douer which for a long time was called the fall or leape of Gogmagog and afterwards the fall of Douer And this Gogmagog saith he was the last of that monstrous generation Raph the Monke of Coggeshall who wrote aboue three hundred yeares ago saith that in king Richards time on the sea shore at a Village in Essex called Eadulphnesse were found two teeth of a certaine Giant of such an huge bignesse that two hundred such teeth as men haue now a dayes might be cut out of them These saw I at Goggeshall quoth he and not without wondring And such another Giant-like thing I wot not what saith Camden was in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raigne digged vp by R. Candish a Gentleman neare to this place Vpon which thus he doth further comment I do not denie saith he but that there haue beene men that for their huge bodies and firme strength were wondrous to behold whom God as Saint Austin saith would haue to liue vpon the earth thereby to teach vs that neither beauty of bodie nor talenesse of stature are to bee accounted simplie good things seeing they be common as well to Infidels as to the godly Yet may we very well thinke that which Suetonius hath written namely that the huge limmes of monstrous Sea-creatures elsewhere and in this kingdome also were commonly said and taken to haue beene Giants bones Another iudicious Antiquarie of these times doth also thus illustrate this point I could thinke saith hee that there now are some as great statures as for the most part haue beene and that Giants were but of a somewhat more then vulgar excellence in body and martiall performance If you obiect the finding of great bones which measured by proportion largely exceed our times I first answer that in some singulars as Monsters rather then naturall such proofe hath beene but that now and of ancient time the eyes iudgement in such like hath beene and is subiect to much imposture mistaking bones of huge beasts for humane Claudius brought ouer his Elephants hither and perhaps Iulius Cesar some for I haue read that he terriblie frighted the Britons with sight of one at Coway Stakes when he passed ouer Thames and so may you bee deceiued But more of Giants hereafter Saint Olaues Iewrie Thomas Morsted gist ici Dieu de salme eit merci Amen This man was Chirurgian to three kings Henry the fourth the fifth and the sixth in the yeare 1436. He was Sheriffe of London he built a faire new Isle to the enlargement of this Church on the North side thereof wherein he
lieth buried He died Ann. Dom. 1450. Here lieth Giles Dewes who sometime was seruant to king Henry the 7. and king Hen. the 8. Clerke of their Libraries and Schoolemaster for the French tongue to Prince Arthur and to the Lady Mary Who died 1535. Saint Michael Bassishaw or Bassingshall Iohn Burton lyeth vnder here Sometimes of London Citizen and Mercer And Ienet his wife with their progeny Been turned to erth as ye may see Frends free what so yee bee Prey for vs we you prey As you see vs in this degree So shall you be another dey He deceased in the yeere 1460. he was a great benefactor to the building of this Church as appeareth by his marke placed throughout the whole roofe of the Quire and middle Isle of the Church Huc ades atque tuis metire viator ocellis Quam breuis inclusos illigat vrna duos Vt modo tu vir fuit hic hec femina quondam Nunc gelidi pars est huius vterque soli Nomen Abel More erat cognomen Exoniensum Cesarij Doctor iuris in vrbe fuit Agnes alterius nomen coniuxque Iohannis More fuit huius Abel qui modo frater erat Vt cupis ergo tibi faciant post funera viui Has modo tute breues quisquis es ede preces Hic Abel primo hic Agnes releuetur ab Agno Qui prius agnino sanguine lauit oues Obijt Abel 1486. Agnes 1499. quorum animabus Saint Lawrence in the Iewrie Hic incineratur corpus quondam Gaulfridi Bulleyn ciuis merceri Maioris London qui ab hac luce migrauit An. Dom. 1463. cuius anime pax sit perpetua This Sir Geffray or Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior of London was the Sonne of Geffrey Bullen of Salle or Saull in Norfolke Esquire Hee married Anne the eldest daughter and coheire of Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings by whom he had issue Sir William Bullen of Blickling in Norfolke Knight fâ—ther to Thomas Bullen Viscount Rochford Earle of Wilshire who was father to Anne Bullen Marchionesse of Penbroke the second wife of King Henry the eight and the happy mother of our late Soueraigne Elizabeth Queene of England with all thankefulnesse euer to bee remembred This Lord Maior gaue to poore house holders in London 1000 l and 200 l to the like vse in Norfolke besides many liberall gifts to Prisons Hospitals and lazar houses Hic iacet Thomas Bulleyn de comitatu Norfolcie Armiger qui obijt vltimo die mensis Aprilis An. Dom. 147â— cuius The honorable Merchant Ion Pickering And Elisabyth lie vndyr this ston Of the English merchant Venturers vndyr the kyng In the Martis beyond See gouernor was this Ion Thirty yeere and more that roome he did manteyn To his honor and worschip and died in Nouembyr The xxix day Mcccc fourty and eyght certeyn Who 's soul and al Christians for cherite remembyr Hic Thomas Cressey London mercerus humatur Et Agnes Coniux sua postea suppeditatur M. Domini C quater his x. annoque secundo Sexta luce Iunij iâ—it hic de .... mundo Guild Hall Chappell This Chappell or Colledge of our Lady Mary Magdalen and of all Saints was founded about the yeere 1299. by Peter Fanclore saith Stow Adam Francis and Henry Frowike whose reuenew was much augmented by K. Richard the second K. Henry the sixt and diuers citizens of London so that at the suppression it was endowed with sufficient maintenance for a Custos seauen Chaplaines three Clarkes and foure Quiristers at which time it was valued at xii l xviij s ix d per an Here haue beene many Tombes and marble stones inlaid with brasse whose inscriptions and portraitures are all either worne out with time torne out or quite defaced onely this Epitaph remaining En Thomas Frances pius hic qui lustra per octo Custos extiterat iacet semper requiescat ob Mar. 4. 1488. Ouer the doore of the Councell Chamber in Guild hall was and yet is as I thinke this Distich Carolus Henricus Viuant Defensor vterque Henricus Fidei Carolus Ecclesie Long prosperity To Charles and Henry Princes most puissant The one of the Faith The other of the Church Chosen defendant These verses were depicted here and in other places about this Citie the yeare 1514. when Charles the fift Emperour was here in England to shew in what golden bands of loue these two potent Monarches were enlinked for that amongst other couenants then concluded and confirmed betwixt them by corporall Oathes one was that the Emperour promised to stay for and take to wife the young Princesse Lady Mary King Henries then onely daughter afterwards Queene of England Why the Titles defender of the Church and Faith were attributed vnto these two Princes is vulgarlie knowne because Charles chosen Emperour to purchase the Popes fauour directed forth a solemne Writ of Outlawry against Martin Luther who then had giuen a great blow to the Papall Crowne And King Henry likewise was renowned in Rome for writing a booke against the said Luther vnderpropping the tottering or downe-cast countenance of the Popes Pardons which Luther shrewdly had shaken The Pope therefore to shew himselfe a kinde Father vnto these his sonnes gaue them these Titles which were in truth none other then the same which they sware vnto when the Crownes of their Empires were first set vpon their heads The Hospitall of Saint Tho. of Acars or Mercers Chappell This Hospitall was founded by Thomas Fitz-theobald de Heili and Agnes his wife Sister to Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury in the raigne of Henry the second and dedicated to Saint Thomas of Acon or Acars in the holy land They gaue to the Master and Brethren of this house the lands with the appurtenances that sometimes were Gilbert Beckets father to the said Thomas in the which he was born there to make a Church This Hospitall was valued at the suppression to dispend yeerely 277 l. 3 s. 4 d. it was surrendred the 30 of Henry the 8. the 21 of October and was since purchased by the Mercers by meanes of Sir Richard Gresham Here lyeth entombed Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and Dame Ioane his wife he died Anno Dom. 1428. and she 1430. Hic iacet Thomas filius Iacobi comitis Ormundie ac fratris Iacobi comitis Wilts Ormundie qui quidem Thomas obijt secundo die 1515 anno regni Regis Henrici Octaui 37. cuius The Ancestors of these Earles saith learned Camden were in old time the Butlers an honourable office in Ireland and from thence came this Surname Le Boteler or Butler imposed vpon them and certaine it is that they were linked in most neere alliance vnto Saint Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury as who deriue their descent from his sister which was a great motiue to make them choose this place for their buriall and that after he was murdered they were
by King Henry the second remoued into Ireland who supposed that he should disburden himselfe of the worlds hatred for that fact in case hee aduanced the Kinsfolke and Allies of the said Thomas to rich reuenues and high honours The first Earle of Ormond saith he in this familie was Iames sonne to Edmund Earle of Caricke who wedded the daughter of Humphrey Bohun Earle of Hereford whom he had by a daughter of King Edward the first And here was his first step vnto this honour hereupon Iames his sonne by this marriage came to be commonly named among the people The noble Earle The fifth Earle of these named Iames that I may not stand particularly vpon euere one receiued at the hands of King Henry the sixth the title and honour of Earle of Wiltshire to him and to the heires of his body who being Lord Deputie of Ireland as diuers others of this race and Lord Treasurer of England standing attainted by King Edward the fourth was streight waies apprehended and beheaded but his brethren Iohn and Thomas likewise proclaimed Traitors kept themselues close out of the way Iohn died at Ierusalem without issue Thomas here entombed through the speciall fauour of King Henry the seuenth was in the end restored to his bloud who departed this life as before in his Epitaph An. 1515. leauing behinde him two daughters Anne married to Sir Iames de Sancto Leodegario called commonly Sellenger and Margaret vnto Sir William Bullein who bare vnto him Sir Thomas Bollein whom King Henry the eight created first Viscount Rochford afterwards Earle of Wiltshire and Ormund the father of Anne Bollein as I haue written before Here lyeth ..... Iohn Riche .... the sonne of Richard Riche Sheriffe .... 1469. Respice quid prodest presentis temporis euum Omne quod est nihil est preter amare deum Richard Rich one of the Sheriffes of London Anno 1442. and the father of this Iohn founded certaine Almes-houses at Hodsdon in Hertfordshire He lieth buried in Saint Laurence Church old Iewrie with the like Distich vpon his monument Vndyr this ston lyeth in the holy plas Ambros Cressacre ...... he was Late of Dedington in Huntington shyre Passyd fro this world worshcipfull Esquyre The yere of our Lord God M. cccc.lxxvii it is Iesu for his mercy grant his sowl bliss Iohn Peris and Margaret his wyf The whych late departyd fro this present lyf Here beryed and ther sonn vndyr this ston And ther soulys to God ben passyd and gon To thee for help of mercy thou blessyd Saint Ion And to Saint Margarite also I mak my mon. Here lieth Raph Tilney Grocer sometyme Alderman and Sheriffe of this City and Ioan his wyff who dyed 1503 and Ioan died 1500 .... on whos soulys Clausa sub bac fossa pacis hic Yerford pronus ossa ............... Prudens pacificus in omnes pacis amicus Vixit Mercerus in promissis cuique verus Mors properata nimis dum floruit impia primis Annis vanescit et à nobis sicque recessit Anno milleno quater cccc octuagenâ— Migrat ab hac vita sua spes succurre Maria. Siste precorque legas Alleyneia et eâ—ce Iohannes Londini quondam Pretor erat celebris Confilio Regis summa probitate probatus Inclytus et miles nobilitate valens Quem Deus omnipotens secum dignetur Olympo Et precor eternam donet ei requiem obijt An. 1544. This Lord Maior who for his singular wisedome was made a Priuie Councellour to King Henry the eight built a beautifull Chappell here wherein he was first buried but since his Tombe is remoued thence into the body of the Hospitall Church and his Chappell diuided into Shops He gaue to the city a rich coller of gold to be worne by the Maior he gaue a stocke of 500 markes to be employed for the vse of the poore of London besides the rents of certaine lands by him purchased of the King To Prisons Hospitals and Lazer houses within and two miles without the Citie he was abundantly charitable Saint Mary Bow Magnificus sed iustificus misâ—ris et amicus Vir speciosus vir generosus virque pudicus Et peramabilis et venerabilis atque piarum Vis dux lex lampas flos Maior Londoniarum In terre ventre iacet hic Iohn rite Couentre Dictus quem necuit veluti decuit lue plenus Bis septingenus tricenus citra his et vnus Martius in sole triceno si trahis vnum Virginis a partu carnis modo mortuus artu Viuus erit celis tuba clanxerit vt Gabrielis Amen This Iohn was the sonne of William Couentrie of the Citie of Couentrie in Warwickshire He was Lord Maior of this Citie An. 1425 a man much commended he is in our English Chronicles for his discreet carriage in the debate betwixt Humphrey Duke of Glocester and Henry Beaufort that wealthy Bishop of Winchester One William Copeland Church-warden gaue the great Bell which is rung nightly at nine of the clocke which had this inscription cast in the mettall An. 1515. Dudum fundabar Bowbel campana vocabar Sexta sonat bis sexta sonat ter tertia pulsat No maruaile death in childhood tooke from men This roiall Prince he was a father then Three Hospitalls erected this rate gem And ended praising God for ending them Saint Anthonies commonly called Saint Antlins Here lyth grauyn vndyr this ston Thomas Knowles both flesh and bon Grocer and Alderman yeres fortye Sheriff and twis Maior truly And for he shold not ly alone Here lyth wyth him his good wyff Ione They weren togeder sixty yere And nineteen chyldren they had in feer Now ben they gon wee them miss Christ haue here sowlys to heuen bliss Amen ob Ann. 14 ...... This Lord Maior with the Aldermen his brethren began to new build the Guild Hall he reedified this Church gaue to the Grocers his house neare vnto the same for reliefe of the poore for euer and caused water to be conuayed to the gate of Newgate and Ludgate for reliefe of the prisoners He was Lord Maior Ann. 1. of Hen. the fourth and againe An. 12. eiusdem Regis Thomas Knowles sonne of the foresaid Thomas a great benefactour to this Church was buried here in the North Isle by his father vnder a faire marble stone thus sometimes engrauen but now quite taken away for the gaine of the brasse Thomas Knolles lyeth vndre this ston And his wyff Isabell flesh and bon They weren togeder nyntene yere And x. chyldren they had in fere His Fader and he to this Chyrch Many good dedys they did wyrch Example by him ye may see That this world is but vanitie For wheder he be smal or gret All sall turne to wormys mete This seyd Thomas was leyd on Bere The eighth dey the moneth Fevrer The date of Iesu Crist truly An. M. CCCC fiue and forty Wee mey not prey hertely
none and ye wolde turne therto Me seeth a bond mannes sone somtym a knyght bycome And of a grom a Squyer and aftur knyghts some And such ye haueth the forme of men beth men in alle wise And torneth yow to Manhede and kepeth youre Franchise So it followes how this Bishop went into little Britaine and entreated Aldroennus the king there to send ouer Constantine his brother with a certaine number of men by whose helpe the enemie might bee expelled which was granted and performed accordingly Fastidius Priscus succeeded him in the gouernement of this See who writ diuers bookes of diuine learning mentioned by Bale Hee was a sincere expositor of the sacred Scriptures and a painefull Preacher throughout the whole kingdome Cui abunde suppeditebant cum perbenigno ingenio excellens memoria morum integritas et vita incorrupta quibus cumulatissime caeteros suae gentis praecedebat verbi Praecones He flourished vnder Honorius and Theodosius Emperours 420. By an old namelesse Chronicle which I haue read one Ternekine succeeded Fastidius a piercing wise Prelate into matters of state and in speciall fauour with Aurelius Ambrose King of great Britaine but Vodinus followeth next in the catalogue a man of singular deuotion and good life who for reprehending King Vortigers vnlawfull marriage with Rowenna Hengists daughter his lawfull wife being then liuing was barbarously murdered by the said Hengist and with him many other Priests and religious Persons circa an 452. After the comming of the Saxons the succession of Archbishops was still continued in London for the space of many yeares but secretly euen vntill the time that S. Gregorie sent Augustine hither I finde onely one of them named to wit Theonus who with Thadiocus or Tadiacus of which I haue spoken before in Rochester Bishop of Yorke taking their Clergie with them got them into Wales and Cornewall to the rest of their countrimen whom the Saxons had lately driuen thither this man did not write himselfe Archbishop which is one cause of some controuersie amongst our Historiographers Saint Michaels Cornehill Here lyeth Robert Fabian Alderman and Sheriffe of London who composed a laborious Chronicle of England and France with the monuments and the succession of the Lord Maiors of London and died Anno Dom. 1511. for whom this Epitaph was made now altogether defaced Like as the day his course doth consume And the new morrow springeth againe as fast So man and woman by Natures custome This life to passe at last in earth are cast In ioy and sorrow which here their time doe wast Neuer in one state but in course transitorie So full of change is of this world the glory Hic iacet in tumulo Doctor venerabilis Hugo Dauset olim Rector vere fideique protector M C quater .x. ter ix sit et I sex Aprilisque die ter I V semel I migrat ille Here vndyr was beryed Robart Barnes by name Citizon of London and Mercer of the same And this is written that others may remembyr How godly he departed the twentyth on of Nouembyr ................... Here lyth the body of Iohn Bootes wiff Dissoluyd by deth to her fyrst matter dust Who from the cares of this world departyd her liff The twenty third day of the monyth of August On thowsand fyue hundryd and seuen beyng threescore yeerys old iust Saint Benets Grasse Church Prey for the saulygs of Henry Denne and Ioan his wyf theyr fadyrs theyr modyrs Bredyrs and good frendys and of al Christian saulygs Iesu haue mercy Amen who departyd this lif .... M. cccc.lxxxxi Saint Bartholomewes exchange Vpon an old Tombe the defunct thus seemeth to pray Exte vite principium per te vite remedium In te vite solatium da nobis vite premium Genitor ineffabilis ipsius prolis Paracliti consimilis memento vite fragilis This monument by relation was made to the memorie of Thomas Pike Alderman who with the assistance of Nicholas Yoo one of the Sheriffes of this Citie about the yeare 1438. new builded this Church Hic ..... Willielmus Capel .... Maior Lon ... fil Iohannis Capel ... Neyland in com ... ob ... 1509. Out of this broken Inscription I fynde this whole history how that Sir Richard Empson Knight a Sieue-makers sonne in Tocester and Edmund Dudley Esquire both Lawiers were two instruments for King Henry the seuenth to enrich his and their owne coffers and to empouerâ—sh the subiects by way of calling the richer sort into question for breach of old moth eaten vnreuiued penall Lawes amongst many others whom they most treacherously abused by a false packt Iurie they scruzed from this Sir William Capell aboue sixteene hundred pounds and some twelue or thirteene yeeres after they were at him againe afresh for two thousand pounds more which because he would not pay he was commanded by Dudley Prisoner to the Tower but by the death of the said King which happened the same yeere he was released both of imprisonment and payment in which yeere he also departed this world in the loue of all good men leauing a great inheritance and an honourable remembrance to his posteritie and not long after Empson and Dudley cater-pillers of the common-wealth hatefull to all good people were beheaded on the Tower hill the 17. of August 1510. leauing behinde them nothing they could dispose of for their heires saue the staine of euerlasting infamie He lyeth here entombed in a Chappell of his owne Foundation he was the sonne of Iohn Capell of Stoke Neyland in the county of Suffolke Saint Bennets Finke O God the father of heauyn which art the euerlastyng lyght Haue mercy on the sowl of me poor Water Knyght Who departyd this lyf the monyth of Ianuary In the yere of my Redemer on M .... and fifty Borne I was in Canterbery in the County of Kent Sonne to on Iohn Knyght and Alyse his wife this is verament And to be short all worldly things to confound Of the Earth I was made and to the Earth I am retournd Within this Parish was the Hospitall of Saint Anthony sometime a cell belonging to Saint Anthonies of Vienna founded by King Henry the third for a Master two Priests one Schoolemaster and twelue poore men the reuenewes of this house were much augmented and the number of the houshold increased by King Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth to which Iohn Tate Mercer was a right bountifull benefactor who was here entombed vnder a faire monument he died Anno 1514. and so was VVater Champion Sheriffe of London 1529. who was here buried The lands by yeare of this Hospitall were valued in the 37. yeare of Henry the eight to be 55 l. sixe shillings 8 d. Stow in his Suruay saith that one Iohnson Schoole-master of this Hospitall and Prebend of Windsor spoiled both the Schoole and Hospitall and the Quire of the Church conuayed away the Plate and ornaments then the Bels
force and myght vigorous The swerde he brought away oute of the felde As Iulius it set faste in his shelde Through whiche stroke Sir Neminus then died And buried was at the North gate certayne Of London then where now is edified London Citee royall of all Britayne Thus this worthy knyght in his graue befayne Crosea mors his swerde layd by his syde Whiche he brought from Iulius that tyde By the testimonie of Iohn Bale this his manly prowesse was embellisht and adorned with all good literature who affirmeth that he writ an excellent Historie of the originall pedigree and progresse of his owne Nation Of yowr cherite sey a Pater Noster and an Ave For the soul of William Pratte somtym of Pekerle On whos soul Iesu haue mercy Saint Helens This was the Church to the Nunnerie founded first by William Basing Deane of Pauls who lieth here buried about the yeare 1212. and afterwards by another William Basing one of the Sheriffes of London in the second yeare of Edward the second augmented both in building and reuenue For which he is also holden to bee a Founder This religious house was dedicated to the honour of Saint Helen and replenished with blacke Nunnes There was a partition betwixt the Nunnes Church and the Parish-Church but now the whole Church belongeth to the Parish It was surrendred the 25. of Nouember the 30. of Henry the 8. being valued at 314. l. 2. s. 6. d. of yearely reuenues Orate pro animabus Iohannis Crosby Militis Ald. atque tempore vite Maioris Staple ville Caleis Agnetis vxoris sue ac Thome Richardi Iohannis Iohannis Margarete Iohanne liberorum eiusdem Iohannis Crosby militis ille obiit 1475 illa 1466. quorum animabus propitietur Deus This Crosby was Sheriffe of London the yeare 1470. He was the builder of Crosby house He gaue fiue hundred Markes towards the reforming of this Church which was bestowed saith Stow with the better As appeareth by his Armes both in the stone-worke roofe of timber and glasing it is a fable said of him to be named Crosby of being found by a Crosse. Not long after the second foundation of this house by William Basing the second I finde one Henry Gloucester Citizen and Goldsmith of London descended by the mothers side from the second Founder to be here interred approued by his last Will and Testament written in the Latine tongue which was vsuall in former times with which for forme and Antiquities sake I thinke it not much amisse to acquaint my Reader In nomine patris silij Spiritus sancti Amen Ego Henricus de Gloucestre ciuis Aurifaber London condo Testamentum meum in hunc modum Lego corpus meum ad sepeliendum apud Sanctam Elenam London vbi priorissa et conuentus eiusdem domus ibidem eligere voluerint Item lego Elisabeth filie mee Moniali eiusdem domus Sancte Elene sex solid Item lego Priorisse et Conuentui Sancte Elene vndecim Marcas Argenti annuatim ad inueniend duos Capellanos Diuina celebrare in eadem Ecclesia Sancte Elene pro anima mea et anima Margarete quondam vxoris mee ac pro animabus Willeâ—mi patris mei et Willelme matris mee sil Thome de Basings fratris Willelmi de Basings Fundatoris c. Residuum vero lego ad sustentationem Iohannis filij mei Et si idem Iohannes filius meus sine prole obierit integre remaneat Iohanne filie mee et heredibus de corpore suo legitime procreatis Item lego Elisabeth silie me duas Schopas ahenas Item lego Iohanne Adynet nepte mee quinque solidos Dat. et act London die Iouis prox post festum Sancti Andree Apostoli Ann. Dom. 1332. Reg. Regis Ed. 3.6 Probatum fuit hoc presens Testamentum xv Kal. Ianuarij Ann. Dom. 1332. Ann. 6. Ed. 3. Saint Trinities in Leaden-Hall This Chappell was first built by Simon Eyre before remembred who left liuelihood to the Drapers sufficient and withall a charge That they should within one yeare after his decease establish perpetually a Master or Warden fiue secular Priests sixe Clarkes and two Queristers to sing daily diuine Seruice by note in the same for euer which was neuer performed Not long after this in the yeare 1466. Ed. 4.6 William Rouse Iohn Râ—sby and Thomas Ashby Priests founded a Fraternitie in the same Chappell dedicated to the blessed Trinitie for threescore Priests some of which euery Market day in the forenoone did celebrate diuine Seruice to such Market people as would repaire to prayer The Priory of Christ-Church by Aldgate This Priory was founded by Matilda Queene wife to Henry the first the yeare 1108. for Canons Regular The first Prior hereof was one Norman and he was the first Canon Regular in all England This house was founded saith Stow in the Parishes of Mary Magdalene S. Michael Saint Katherine and the holy Trinitie All which are now but one Parish of Christ-Church in old time called Holy Roode Parish She gaue vnto this Church and those that serued God therein the Port of Aldgate and â—he Soke thereunto belonging with two parts of her rent which she receiued out of the Citie of Exceter It became in processe of time rich in lands and ornaments and passed all the Priories in London This Priory was surrendred to the king in the moneth of Iuly 1532. The Canons were sent to other houses of their owne order and the said Priory with the appurtenances King Henry gaue to Sir Thomas Audley Baron Audley of Walden and Lord Chancellour of England which came by marriage of the Lord Audleies daughter and heire vnto Thomas not long since Duke of Norfolke and was then called the Dukes place The Monuments which sometimes were in this Church are set downe by that laborious Antiquarie Io Stow in his Suruay Saint Dunstans in the East Clausus in hoc tumulo Gulielmus Payne requiescit Quem sacer edituum fouerat iste locus Clarum cui virtus Ars et cui Musica nomen Edwardi quarti Regis in Ede dabat Si tibi sit pietas Tumuli si cura viator Hoc optesilli quod cupis ipse tibi Ob. 1508. Here lieth Clement Towne .... 1540. ... whos obiit shall for euer be observyd in this church and his Masse alwayes vpon the day followyng whos soul and his two wyfs souls Elisabeth and Elisabeth and al their chyldrens souls Iesus take to his glorious mercy Amen Saint Olaues Hart street Qu. A. D. T. D. P. os nguis irus risti ulcedine auit H S M Ch M L As I was so be ye as I am you shall be What I gaue that I haue what I spent that I had Thus I count all my cost what I left that I lost Within this parish was a Friery or Brotherhood founded by Raph Hosiar and William Sabernes Anno 1298. These Friers by their order were called Fratres sanctae crucis Brethren of
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-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
the eight in the 30 of his raigne Saint Botolphs Algate In this Church ouer a vault is a faire tombe of Alabaster curiously wrought hauing these lines following engrauen thereon Here lyeth Thomas Lord Darcy of the north and sometime of the order of the Garter Sir Nicholas Carew knight sometime of the Garter Lady Elizabeth Carew daughter to Sir Francis Brian Knight and Sir Arthur Darcy Knight yonger sonne to the aboue named Lord Darcy and Lady Mary his deare wife daughter to Sir Nicholas Carew knight who had ten sonnes and fiue daughters Here lye Charles William and Philip Mary and Vrsula sonnes and daughters to the said Sir Arthur and Mary his wife whose soules God take to his infinite mercy Amen This Thomas Lord Darcy and Sir Nicholas Carew who was also master of the Kings Horse were both beheaded on the Tower hill the first because he was one howsoeuer constrained thereunto by the Rebels of the commotion in Yorkeshire Anno 1536. the second for being of councell with Henry Marquesse of Exceter and Henry Poole Lord Mountague who were indighted and found guilty of high Treason for deuising to maintaine promote and aduance one Reginald Poole late Deane of Exceter enemie to the King beyond the sea and to depriue the King Anno 1539. Sir Arthur Darcy here mentioned was first buried in the new Abbey of Eastminster wherein he deceased Sir Edward Darcy knight sonne of Sir Arthur lieth with his noble Ancestors in the same vault but hee died but lately Hic iacet Iohannes Epis Bathon Wellensis qui cum plures insignes Legationes .... tandem obijt in Legatione Cleuensis .... Ianuar. M. ccccc.xl cuius anime propitietur Altisimus This Iohn Clerke Doctor of Diuinitie and master of the Rolls was brought vp in Cambridge and consecrated to his Bishopricke the yeare 1523. A man much imploy'd in Ambassages He died as before and was first buried in the Minories being poysoned as it was supposed in Germany when he went Embassadour to the Duke of Cleue to render a reason of the Kings diuorce from the Lady Anne of Cleue his sister King Edgar established here without Aldgate a Knightengield or Confrery for thirteene knights or souldiers of good desert to him and the realme the like by supposition saith Verstegan was in Knight-riders street being the place where the residence or meeting of such Knights-riders with the King might be kept Saint Mary Bethlem This Hospitall of Saint Mary of Bethlem was founded by Simon Fitz-Mary one of the Sheriffes of London in the yeere 1246. He founded it to haue beene a Priorie of Canons with Brethren and Sisters it is now an Hospitall for distracted people who are here receiued and kept yet not without charges to their kindred or friends Saint Mary Spitle This Hospitall was founded by Walter Brune Mercer and Sheriffe of London and Rosia his wife A.D. 1235. it was dedicated to the honour of Iesus Christ and his mother the perpetuall Virgine Mary by the name of Domus Dei and Beate Marie extra Bishopsgate This Hospitall surrendred to king Henry the eight was valued to dispend 478. l. 6. s. 8. d. wherein were found besides ornaments of the Church and other goods pertaining to the Hospitall one hundred and fourescore Beds well furnished for receipt of the poore This place is now best knowne by the Sermons there preached on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday in Easter weeke Saint Leonards Shordich So called of the Sordiches Lords thereof one of which familie namely Sir Iohn Sordich knight flourished in the raigne of king Edward the third as appeares by this deed of grant to his Chaplaine William Croston here resident Sciant c. nos Ioh. de Sordich Miles et Elena vxor mea et Nicholaus de Sordich dedimus Will. de Crostone Capellano omnia illa Red. terr que habuimus in Hackney tam in Dominio quam in Seruitio c. Ann. Reg. Regis Edwardi tertij duodecimo This knight serued in the warres vnder Ed. the third in France and is remembred in our Annals Ann. 14. Ed. 3. Orate pro animabus Humfredi Starky militis nuper capitalis Baronis de Scaccario Domini Regis Henrici septimi et Isabelle vxoris eius et omnium amicorum suorum quorum c. ...... Erlington modo miles Et Margareta coniux ....... ................ Sit pietate dei vita perhennis ei M. C. quater x semel ......... Vnder this defaced Monument Sir Iohn Erlington knight with Margaret his wife daughter and heire to Thomas Lord Itchingham widow to William Blount sonne and heire to Walter Blount the first Lord Mountioy lye entombed In this Church diuers honourable persons lie buried of whom because they dyed but in these later dayes I shall speake hereafter The plates with the Inscriptions of such Monuments as were of more Antiquitie were all taken away for couetousnesse of the brasse by one Doctor Hanmer as I haue it by relation of the Inhabitants Vicar of this Church which he conuerted into coine and presently after ashamed belike of such a detestable act went ouer into Ireland and there ignominiously ended his dayes The Priory of Holywell This was an house of blacke Nunnes anciently founded by a Bishop of London and consecrated to the honour of God S. Iohn Baptist. Stephen Grauesend Bishop of this Diocesse about the yeare 1318. was hereunto a great benefactour Sir Thomas Louell knight of the Garter in the raignes of King Henry the seuenth and of Henry the eighth with whom hee was of Councell was another benefactor not onely in building a beautifull Chappell wherein his body was interred but in many other goodly buildings and endowing the same with lands In most of the glasse windowes of this house these two verses following not long since to be read were curiously painted Al the Nunnes in Holywel Pray for the soul of Sir Thomas Louel He died the 25. of May at Endfield Ann. 1524. This Priory was valued at the suppression to haue of Lands two hundred ninetie three pounds ten shillings three pence by yeare which with the house were surrendred Ann. 1539. the one and thirtieth of Henry the eight I finde in a pedegree of the right noble Lord Francis now Earle of Rutland that Sir George Mannors knight Lord Ros of Hamlake being with King Henry the eight at the siege of Turney and Turwine there tooke a grieuous sicknesse whereupon he languished in the same yeare of this their expedition into France which was Ann. Dom. 1513. And according to his will was here entombed in the Chappell and neare to the high Altar of this Priory This Sir George Mannors was the eldest sonne of Sir Robert Mannors knight by Eleanor his wife the daughter and heire of Thomas Lord Ros of Hamlake hee married Anne the daughter and heire of Sir Thomas Saint Leoger or Sellinger knight begotten of his wife Anne Duchesse of Exceter
Iordan Briset hauing first founded the Priory of Nunnes here by Clerkenwell as aforesaid bought of the said Nunnes ten Acres of ground giuing them for the said ten Acres twenty Acres of land in his Lordship of Willinghale or Wellinghall in Kent Vpon which ground lying neare vnto the said Priory hee laid the foundation of a religious structure for the knights Hospitalers of S. Iohn of Ierusalem These following are the words out of the Register booke of the Deedes of the said house written by one Iohn Stilling-fleete a brother of the house circa ann 1434. to the end that their benefactors names being knowne they may be daily remembred in their prayers Iordanus Briset Baro tempore regis Hen. primi circa an Dom. 110. fundauit domum ac Hospitale S. Iohns de Clerkenwel Hic etiam erat Fundator domus Monialium de Clerkenwel ac ab eis emit decem acras terre super quas dictum Hospitale ac domum fundauit pro illis decem acris terre dedit illis Monialibus viginti acras terre in Dominico suo de Willinghale in com Cant. c. In ye yere of Criste as I haue the words out of an old Mss 1185. ye vj. Ides of Merche ye dominical lettre being F ye Chyrche of ye Hospitall of S Iohns Ierusalem was dedicatyd to ye honor of S. Iohn Baptiste by ye worschypfull fader Araclius Patriarke of ye resurrection of Christe ye sam dey was dedycatyd ye hygh Altrâ— and ye Altre of S. Iohn Euangelist by ye sam Patryarke The said Heraclius in the same yeare dedicated the Church of the new Temple as hereafter is spoken Within a short time this Hospitall began to flourish for infinite were the donations of all sorts of people to this Fraternitie as in the Beadroul of their benefactors is specified but aboue all their Benefactors they held themselues most bound to Roger de Mowbray whose liberalitie to their order was so great that by a common consent in their chapiter they made a decree that himselfe might remit and pardon any of the Brotherhood whomsoeuer in case he had trespassed against any of the statutes and ordinances of their order confessing and acknowledging withall his offence and errour And also the knights of this order granted in token of thankefulnesse to Iohn de Mowbray Lord of the Isle of Axholme the successour of the foresaid Roger that himselfe and his successours in euery of their couents assemblies as well in England as beyond seas should be receiued entertained alwaies in the second place next to the King Thus through the bounty both of Princes priuate persons they rose to so high an estate and great riches that after a sort saith Camden they wallowed in wealth for they had about the yeere of our Lord 1240. within christendome nineteene thousand Lordships or Manours like as the Templars nine thousand the reuenewes and rents whereof fell afterwards also to these Hospitallers And this estate of theirs growne to so great an height made way for them to as great honours so as the Priore of this house was reputed the prime Baron of the land being able with fulnesse abundance of all things to maintaine an honourable port And thus they flourished for many yeeres in Lordly pompe vntill a Parliament begun the 18. of April 1540. Anno 32. Henry 8. their corporation was vtterly dissolued the King allowing to euery one of them onely a certaine annuall pension during their liues as you may reade in the Annals of England The value of this foundation in the Kings bookes was 3385 l. 19 s. 8 d. of ancient yeerely rent This Priory Church and house was preserued from spoile or downe pulling so long as Henry the 8 raigned but in the 3 of King Ed. the sixt the Church for the most part with the great Bell-tower a most curious piece of workemanship grauen gilt and enameld to the great beautifying of the Citie saith Stow was vndermined and blowne vp with Gun-powder the stone whereof was imployed in building of the Lord Protectors house in in the Strand The Charter-house Sir Walter Manny Knight of the Garter Lord of the towne of Manny in the Dioces of Cambrey beyond the seas in that raging pestilence in the 23 of King Ed. the 3. when Churches Church-yards in London might not suffice to bury the dead purchased a piece of ground in this place called Spitle croft containing 13 acres and a Rodd and caused the same to bee enclosed for burials and dedicated by Raph Stratford Bishop of London in which place and in the same yeere more then 50000 persons were buried in regard of such a multitude here interred he caused a Chappell here to be builded wherein Offerings were made and Masses said for the soules of so many Christians departed And afterwards about the yeere 1371. he caused here to be founded an house of Carthusian Monkes which he called the Salutation which house at the dissolution was valued to be yeerely worth sixe hundred forty two pounds foure pence halfe penny Iohn Stow saith that he had read this Inscription following fixed on a stone crosse sometime standing in the Charter-house Church yard Anno Domini M. ccc.xl.ix Regnante magna pestilentia consecratum fuit hoc Cemiterium in quo infra septa presentis Monasterij sepulta fuerunt mortuorum Corpora plusquam quinquaginta millia preter alia multa abhinc vsque ad presens quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen This inscription vpon the foresaid Stone Crosse as also the relation before was taken out from the words of his charter the substance whereof followeth Walterus Dns. de Many c. cum nuper pestilentia esset tam grandis viâ—lenta in ciuitate London quod Cemiteria Ecclesiae ciuitatis non possunt sufficere pro sepultura a personarum in eadem pestilentia discedentia nos moti pietate habentes respectum c. Purchased 13. acres of land without Smithfield Barres in a place called Spitle croft and now called new Church-Haw for the buriall of the persons aforesaid and haue caused the place to be blessed by Raph then Bishop of London in which place plus quam Quinquaginta millia personarum de dicta pestilentia morientium sepulti fuere And there for our Ladies sake wee founded a Chappel of the holy order of the Cartusians made there a Monastery by consent of the Prior or Cartuse Maior in Sauoy c. for the health of King Edward the third and Dame Margaret his wife Hijs Testibus Iohn Hastings of Penbroke Humfrey Bohun of Hereford Edmund Mortymer of Marâ—h and William de Monteacuto of Sarum Earles Iohn de Barnes Maior of London William de Walworth and Robert de Gayton Sheriffes Dat apud London 20 Martij Anno Regni Reg. Ed. 3.45 Sir Walter Manny or de Manie the foresaid Founder was buried here in his owne Church who deceased in the same yeere that he
came an incredible concurse of people saith Leland Hee was for the space of fifteene yeares Prouinciall of the Carmelites Confessor he was to king Henry the fourth and held of him in great estimation as also to his Queene and his eldest sonne Henry Prince of Wales who when he came to the Crowne preferred him to the Bishopricke of Saint Dauids in Wales Being at the Councell of Constance he was by the Pope translated to Chichester not long after which he departed this world and as it is in the Records in the Tower before his translation could be perfected in the yeare 1417. the 22. of September But I will come to the Inscription vpon his Tombe in verse and prose as followeth Hic Frater Stephanus de Patrington requiescit Nomine reque fuit norma corona Pater Ens Carmelitis Rector Doctor Prior Anglis Confessor celebris Regis et ipse manens Henrici Quinti Meneuensis quoque Presul Câ—ristus in aureolam pillea mutet ei ................. Magister Frater Stephanus Patrington sacre Theologie venerabilis Doctor et Prior Prouincialis Fratrum Carmelitarum in Prouincia Anglie annis xv Confessor Domini Regis Henrici quinti. Episcopus Meneuens et Postulatus Cicestriens obijt Londonijs in Conuentu Ann. Dom. M. cccc.xvij.xxij die Mens Septembris Hic varia scripsit opuscula vtilitati Studentium Here somtime lay buried the bodie of Nicholas Kenton borne in Kenton a village in Suffolke about ten miles from Ipsewich he was matriculated and instructed in the rudiments of learning amongst the Carmelites at Ipswich From whence he went to Cambridge where he attained to the full perfection of all solide discipline In poesie and Rhetoricke hee was exquisitely well exercised an acute Philosopher he was and a singular diuine He writ many learned Comments vpon sundrie places of the Scripture and many other workes mentioned by Bale He was Prouinciall of his order in England for the space of twelue yeares and had vnder his gouernment aboue a thousand and fiue hundred Carmelites Hee desired not long before his death to giue ouer his Prouinciallship saying Se iam malle precibus et Deo liberè vacare quam praxi attendere parere potius deinceps velle quam preesse Which was granted after much earnest suite made to all his Couents He died in the Dormitorie of this house the fourth day of September in the yeare of our Lord 1468. to whose honour this riming Epitaph was annexed to his funerall Monument Kenton Doctoris Carmilite Nicholai Sic Peccatricis anime miserens Adonai Carmeli gentis curam qui rexit in Anglis Ipsa bis senis fungens summus Prior annis Huic sibi propitius veniam prestet pater almus Cuius spiramen scandens supra astra sit Amen Iohn Miluerton a Carmelite Frier of Bristow was here entombed hee was Doctor of Diuinitie and of the Chaire in the Vniuersitie of Oxford from whence he was sent for to Paris by Iohn Sorethe the Prouinciall of his Order where by a generall Synode he was chosen Prouinciall of his order through England Scotland and Ireland At length because he defended such of his order as preached against endowments of the Church with temporall possessions hee was brought into trouble committed to prison in Castle S. Angelo in Rome where he continued three yeares and at length was deliuered through certaine of the Cardinals that were appointed his iudges but in the meane time he lost the Bishopricke of Saint Dauids to which he was elected He writ diuers learned workes before after and during the time of his imprisonment which are mentioned by Bale in his fift centurie At the last full of yeeres and cares he here ended his life the last day saue one of Ianuary in the yeare of our redemption 1486. and was buried in the Quire of this monasterie with these nicking Hexameters engrauen vpon his monument Clauditur hic subtus prudens veri reserator Carmeli cultor Doctrine firmus amator Rite Iohannes Oxoniensis in ordine Doctor Sic orthodoxe sidei validus releuator Post Prouinquecialis vixit pluribus annis Mirifice crebro vexatus tempore dampnis Huic reus est sceleris annus magni tribulantis Gaudeat ob meritum constans robur patientis Ipsum turbauit vir fortis perniciose Tandem Catholice trusus superat speciose Aureolam Deus vt det Myluerton numerose Optemus fuerat plexus licet inuidiose Iohn Loneye Doctor of Diuinity and a Carmelite Frier was here interred in the cloister of the Church to whose memory this distich was made Clauditur hoc claustro Frater Loneye Iohannes Expertus mundo celo fruiturus vt heres This Loney saith a late writer was vir acuâ—i ingenij magnae doctrinae multae lectionis boni zeli multae industriae A man of an acute wit excellent doctrine much reading ardent deuotion great industrie Hee with twelue other Doctors did condiscend to the decree saith my Mss of Master William Barton Chancellour of the vniuersitie of Oxford for the condemning of the sixteene Articles of Iohn Wickliffe of the Sacrament of the Altar An Epitaph vpon Iohn Palgraue Prior sometimes of this house Huius confratris grauis est instantia causa Qua domus hec superest proceraque fabrica libris Et murus validus excludit Tamesis vndas Vestes dat sacras sibi det vestes Deus albas Of this Prior I finde no further neither of any other of the Carmelites buried within this conuentuall Church Black Friers Church in Oldborne In old time about the yeere 1221. there was a religious house of Friers Predicants without the Bars in Oldborne to which order Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent was an especiall Benefactor giuing vnto them that noble Pallace at Westminster now called White Hall Thus Hubert was a faithfull seruant to King Iohn and to his sonne Henry the third a carefull Patriot of the State and one who vnfainedly loued his Country who when he had made triall of the variable changes of Fortune as being seldome or neuer but either highly in the Kings loue or in the Subiects hatred or in the Kings heauy displeasure and the peoples generall applause lastly being full fraught with yeers as he was with many eminent vertues he died in the fauour of God the King and all good men at his Mannor of Bansted in Surrey the Ides of May Anno 1243. Hee was first here intombed but afterwards as though he had beene fatally ordained to take no more rest in his graue then quietnesse in his worldâ—y employments his body was translated at the same time when these Friers were remoued from Oldborne into London to that house now called the blacke Friers neere vnto Ludgate where belike it takes no better rest then others haue done so buried Saint Dunstans in the West Hic iacet Iohannes Gyles nuper vnius Clericorum parue Bage cancell Dominorum H. Regum septimi et octaui ac custos siue clericus
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
alter subianitor Vna femina Matrona sub eadem duodecim alie femine Habeat etiam Magister ad sumptus Hospitalis duos homines honestos ad nutum libitum suum in omnibus negotijs tam propriis quam etiam in negotiis hospitalis sibi seruituros In iuramento Magistri Nullam que dispensationem aduersus aliquod statutum siue ordinationem Hospitalis predicti siue aduersus hoc iuramentum meum aut aliquam eius particulam impetrabo aut impetrari curabo neque ab aliis impetratum vllo modo curabo c. Hec omnia et singula in me recipio hec iureiurando promitto me fideliter obseruaturum sicut me Deus adiuuet et hec sacrosancta eius Euangelia Que omnia singula N. Abbati Westmonast Visitatori predicti Hospitalis spondeo c. incentum libris sterlingorum ad vsum Hospitalis predicti meipsum firmiter obligo c. Regule quedam obseruande Sit Magister continue residens in Hospitali predicto nullumque officium administrationem quarumcunque rerum aut cuiuscunque rei vel sub aliqua persona spirituali aut temporali cuiuscunque dignitatis aut conditionis fuerit acceptabit aut geret neque eiusdem Seruitor Capellanus Officiariusve Nec absit in Hospitalis negotiis vltra quadraginta in aliquo anno Pro singulis diebus necessarie sue absentie in Hospitalis causis habeat pro se duobus sibi Servitoribus tantum tres solidos Magister Hospitalis pro tempore existens habeat sibi vltra vnam Togam siue liberatam suam Pro expensis oris sui siue victus proque vadijs suis quibuscunque alijs necessarijs habeat triginta libras annuatim soluendas per manus suas proprias ad quatuor anni terminos vsuales per equales portiones Nec Magister nec alij portabunt vestes exteriores alterius coloris quam blanei anglice blew interiores possunt esse alterius coloris dummodo non sunt rubei vel alterius leuis coloris Omnes Conductijs exceptis portabunt in dextra parte Pectoris vnam Rosam rubeam amplam ad sex polices in circuitu de filis cericis aureis bene contextam et compactam cum Capicio eiusdem coloris There are diuers other the like ordinances which I omit This Hospitall being valued to dispend 529. l. 15. s. 7. d. ob by yeare was suppressed the tenth of Iune the seuenth of Edward the sixth a little before his death the Beds bedding and other furniture belonging thereunto with seuen hundred Markes of the said Lands by yeare he gaue to the Citizens of London with his house of Bridewell to the furnishing thereof and towards the furnishing of the Hospitall of S. Thomas in Southwarke lately suppressed This Hospitall was againe new founded erected corporated and endowed with lands by Queene Mary the third of Nouember in the fourth of her raigne the Ladies of the Court and Maydens of Honor a thing saith Stow not to be forgotten stored the same of new with beds bedding and other furniture in very ample manner and so it continues The Chappell of this Hospitall serueth now as a Parish Church to the Tenements thereof neare adioyning and others In which are diuers funerall Monuments but few of any Antiquitie Hic iacet Tho. Halsal Leighuieng Episcopus in Basilica Sancti Petri Rome Nationis Anglicorum Penitenciarius summe probitatis vir qui hoc solum post se reliquit Vixit dum vixit bene cui leuus conditor Goannes Douglas Scotus Dunkelheng Presul Patria sua exul 1522. This Bishop translated Virgils Aeneiads into the Scottish language compiled the palace of Honor and diuers other Treatises he fled into England for feare of being questioned in Parliament Here lieth Humphrey Gosling of London Vintnor Of the whyt Hart of this Parish a neghbor Of vertuous behauiour a very good Archer And of honest mirch a good company keeper So well enclyned to poore and rich God send more Goslings to be siâ—h Saint Martins in the fields O ye our frends yat here pas by We beseche yow vs to haue in memory Somtym we were as now be ye In tym to come ye shall be as we Edward Norrys and Ioan his wyff These wer our names whyl we had lyff Of yowr charite for vs to pray A Pater Noster and an Aue to say Of your cherity pray for the soule of Sir Humfrey Forster Knight whos body lyeth buried here in earth vndyr this marblâ—ston which decessyâ— the xviij day of the moneth of September 1500 ......... on whâ—s soule Iesu haue mercy Amen Hic iacet Thomas Barret prenobilis Armiger qui quidem Thomas erat abstractus de Sanctuario beati Petri VVestmonasterij et erudeliter intersectus per manus improrum contra leges Anglie et totius vniuersalis Ecclesie priuilegia et iura Anno Domini 1461. Anno illustrissimi Regis Ed. Quarti post conquâ—stum primo Sub eodem queque maâ—moreo lapide Iohannes Barret eiusdem Thome primogenitus sepelitur qui quidem Iohannes obiit ...... die ...... An .... Of this eminent thrice noble Esquire thus drawne and puld out of the Sanctuarie and cruelly murthered by the hands of wicked people against the Lawes of the land and priuiledges of the holy Church as appeares by this Inscription I haue read thus much following out of a namelesse Manuscript Thomas Barryt Squyr to Kyng Harry the syxt oftentyms imâ—loyd in the French warrys vndre the command of Iohn Duc of Bedford as alsoo Iohn Duc of Norfok beyng aswâ—y trew â—â—ge man to hys Souereygne Lord the Kyng hauyng taken Sanctury at Westmynstre to â—hon the fury of hys and the Kyngs enemys was from thense hayld foorth and lamentably hewyâ— a pâ—ees Abut whilke rym or a lityll before the Lord Skales late in an euenyng entryng a wherry Bott wythe three persoons and wghyng toowards UUestmynstre ther lykwys too haue takyn Sanctury was descryed by a wooman wher anon the wherry men fell on hym murthered hym and cast hys mangyld corps aloud by Sâ—ynt Mary Ouerys The Surname of Barret is at this day of exemplarie note and doth greatly resflourish by that worthy Gentleman Sir Edward Barret Knight Lord Baron of Newburgh Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster and one of his Maiesties most honourable priuy Councell Saint Mary Rounciuall This was an Hospitall by Charing Crosse and a cell to the Priorie and couent of Rounciuall in Nauar in Pampalone Diocesse where a Fraternitie was founded in the 15 of Edward the fourth Hospitall of Saint Iames. This Hospitall was anciently founded by the Citizens of London for fourteene Sisters maidens that were leprous liuing chastly and honestly This Hospitall was surrendred to Henry the eight the 23 of his raigne the Sisters being compounded withall were allowed Pensions for the terme of their liues and the King builded there a goodly mannor house annexing thereunto a Parke The Foundation of the religious
house of Conuerts in Chancerie lane anciently called New-streete now knowne by the name of the Rolles Henry the third about the twentieth yeare of his raigne built this house for the Iewes conuerted to be conuerted to the faith of Christ these are the words in his grant Rex Archiepiscopis c. Sciatis nos intuitu Dei et pro salute anime nostre et animarum antecessorum et heredum meorum concessisse et hac charia nostra consirmasse pro nobis et heredibus nostris domum quam fundari fecimus in vico qui vocatur New-streete inter vetus Templum et nouum London ad sustentationem Fratrum conuersorum et conuertendorum de Iudaismo ad fidem catholicam c. hijs Testibus venerabilibus patribus W. Kaerl et W. exon episcopis H. de Burgo Comite Kantiâ— Radulpho filio Nicholai Godfrido de Crancumbe Iohanne filio Philip Amaurico de sancto Aumundo Willielmo de Picheford Galfrido de Cauz et alijs dat per manum ve P. R cicestrens Cancellar nostri apud Westminst 19. die April But this Foundation did not continue long for Edward the first his sonne in the eighteenth yeare of his raigne banished all the Iewes out of England confiscating all their goods and leauing them nothing but money barely to beare their charges King Edward the third appointed this house for the custody of the Rolles and Records of the Chancerie giuing the same by his charter to one William Burstall as then master of that Office and his Successors In the Chappell of this house Iohn Yong Doctor of both Lawes and master of the Rolles lieth entombed with this Inscription Io. Yong. LL. Doctori sacror scrinior ac hius Domus custodi Decano olin Ebor vita defuncto xxv Aprilis sui fideles Executores hoc posuerunt M.D.xvj. Besides which vpon an old table hanging by are written in text hand these verses following Dominus firmamentum meum Hic iacet ille Iohannes Yong cognomine dignus Tali quod nunquam marcesceret vtpote charus Omnibus apprime summo testante dolore Quem neque celabant neque dissimulare valebant Dum sternit iuuenem mors immatura labentem Quis non defleret iuuenis miserabile fatum Ex quo multorum pendebat vita salusque Horum inquam inprimis quos ille benignus alebat Impensis donec vitales carperet auras Nec satis illi erat hoc priuatis consuluisse Rebus quinetiam prudenter publica gessit Munia siue forensia siue etiam extera summa Cum laude illa quidem dum sacris presuit olim Scrinijs haec vero Legati functus honore Saint Stephens Chappell This was a religious Structure first begun by King Stephen and afterwards finished and her reuenewes greatly augmented by King Edward the third in which he placed a Deane twelue Canons secular as many Vicars and other Ministers who had their lodgings in Canon Row now the habitations of diuers Noblemen and Gentlemen These are the words of King Edwards Grant In dei nomine Amen Edwardus dei gratia c. Salutem Capellam quandam speciosam in Palatio nostro apud Westmonasterium situatam in honorem beati Stephani Prothomartyris per progenitores nostros nobiliter inchoatam nostris sumptibus regijs fecimus consummari in qua ad honorem omnipotentis dei et specialiter beatissime Genetricis eius Marie et dicti Martyris ordinamus volumus constituimus et aucthoritate nostra regia perpeiou stabilimus Quod sint exeuntes Decanus vnus et duodecim canonici seculares cum tuum Hospitium nostrum magnum in strata de Lumbard-street ciuitatis nostre London situatum vna cum Patronatibus et aduocationibus Ecclesiarum Perochialium de Dewesburie et Wakefeeld Ebor. Dioces assignamus donemus c. Teste meipso apud VVestmonaster sexto die Augusti An. Regni nostri vicesimo secundo Regni vero nostri Francie nono The reuenewes wherewith King Edward endowed this couent amounted to the value of fiue hundred pounds by yeare and at the suppression the whole foundation was rated to be yeerely worth as I haue it in the catalogue of Religious houses one thousand fourescore and fiue pound ten shillings fiue pence This Chappell serueth now for the lower house of Parliament Westminster Abbey CAmden out of Sulcardus reporteth that here sometime stood an Idoll Temple dedicated to Apollo ouerthrowne by an earthquake about the yeare of grace 153. Of the ruines of which Sebert King of the East Saxons erected another Temple for the seruice of the liuing God and consecrated the same to Saint Peter about the yeare 610. neere about the time of the building of Paules Mellitus as then being Bishop of London and Austin of Canterbury which agrees with these words in the charter of Edward the Confessor Basilica sancti Petri VVestmon edificata fuit antiquitus sub Mellito Londonie primo Episcopo socio et contemporaneo Sancti Augustini primi Cantuar Archiepiscopi et per ipsum beatum Petrum Angelico famulante seruicio sancte crucis impressione et sacre Trinitatis perunctione dedicata to which effect will it please you peruse these verses following King Ethelbert Sainct Poules edefied And King Sebert Westminster founded Mellito theim both halowed and blessified Austin then made Clerke full well grounded Afterwards this Church being destroyed by the Danes Dunstan Bishop of London reedified it about the yeare of Christ 960. and made here a monastery for twelue Monkes After him Edward the confessor with the tenth penny of all his reuenewes built it new for to be his owne Sepulture and a Monastery for Benedictin Monkes endowing it with liuings and â—ands lying disperst in diuers parts of England But after an hundred and threescore yeeres King Henry the third subuerted this Fabricke of King Edwards and built from the very Foundation a new Church of very faire workemanship supported with sundry rowes of Pillars The new erke atte UUestmynster the Kyng tho gauune anon Aftur his coronyng and leyd the ferst ston which the Abbots enlarged very much toward the west end and King Henry the seauenth for the buriall onely of himselfe his children and their posterity adioyned thereunto a Chappell which in regard of the beauty and curious contriued worke thereof is called of Leland Orbis miraculum the wonder of the world The first stone of this admirable Structure consecrated to the honour of the blessed Virgine was laid by the hands of Iohn Islip Abbot of this monastery Sir Reginald Bray Knight of the Garter and others in the 18 yeare of his raigne the 24 day of Ianuary vpon which stone this Inscription was engrauen Illustrissimus Henricus Septimus Rex Anglie et Francie et Dominus Hibernie posuit hanc Petram in honore beate virginis Marie xxiiij die Ianâ—aarij anno Domini M. ccccc 11 et anno dicti Regis Henrici septimi decimo octauo Harpsfeeld sometime Archdeacon
in Philosophie both naturall and morall in Physicke and the canon Law very eloquent an excellent Preacher and esteemed so profound a Diuine as he was thought meete to be the professour of Diuinity or Doctor of the Chaire in the Vniuersitie of Tholouze For these his good gifts hee was much fauoured of the blacke Prince then of King Richard his sonne who preferred him to the Bishopricke of the Isle of Man from that preferment he was translated to the Archbishopricke of Dublin in Ireland thence to Chichester and lastly to the Archbishopricke of Yorke where he sate not fully three yeares but died the 29. of May 1397. His Epitaph is quite worne or torne away from his monument yet I found it in a Manuscript in Sir Robert Cottons Librarie Hic fuit expertus in quouis iure Robertus De Walbye dictus nunc est sub marmore strictus Sacre Scripture Doctor fuit et geniture Ingenuus medicus Plebis semper amicus Presul Adurensis post hec Archas Dublinensis Hinc Cicestrensis tandem Primus Eborensis Quarto Kalend Iunij migrauit cur sibus anni Milleni ter C. septem nonies quoque deni Vos precor orate quod sint sibi dona beate Cum sanctis vite requiescat et hic sine lite In an old riming Manuscript of the succession of the Archbishops of Yorke I finde thus much of this man Tunc Robertus ordinis Fratris Augustini Ascendit in Cathedram Primatis Paulini Lingua scientificus sâ—rmonis Latini Anno primo proximat vite sue fini De carnis ergastulo Presul euocatur Gleba sui corporu Westminstre humatur Here vnder a marble stone in the Chappell royall lyeth the body of Iohn Waltham Lord Bishop of Salisbury who had beene master of the Rolles keeper of the priuie Seale and Treasurer of England in which office he continued till his death which happened in the yeare 1395. hauing sate bishop 7 yeares and executed the Treasurorship foure yeares King Richard the second loued him entirely and greatly bewailed his death In token whereof hee commanded that hee should be buried here among the Kings hoc anno saith Walshingham viz. in the yeare 1395. obijt Iohannes de Waltham Episcopus Sarum regni Thesaurarius qui tantum Regi complacuerit vt etiam multis licet murmurantibus apud monasterium inter Reges meruit sepulturam He lieth in the pauement vnder a flat marble stone iust beside King Edward the first vpon which his Epitaph was inlayd in brasse with his portraiture in Episcopall robes now defaced and almost quite perished Here lyeth another Bishop here buried but not in so conspicuous and princely a place of the Church as doth Waltham who was likewise by the Kings speciall commandement here inhumed for that he was accounted a very holy and vertuous man namely one Richard de Wendouer Parson of Bromley and Bishop of Rochester who died in the yeare 1250. and in the raigne of King Henry the third Here lieth interred Sir Humfrey Bourchier Lord Cromwell the sonne of Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex by Isabell daughter of Richard Earle of Cambridge and sister to Richard Duke of Yorke who in aide of his kinsman King Edward the fourth was slaine at Barnet field vpon Easter day 1471. And here lieth interred another Humfrey Bourchier who was the sonne and heire of Iohn Bourchier Lord Berners who was also slaine at the same battaile to whose memories this Epitaph yet remaines Hic Pugil ecce iacens Bernet fera bella cupiscens Certat vt Eacides fit saucius vndique miles Vt cecidit vulnus Mars porrigit arma cruore Sparsim tincta rubent dolor en lachrimabilis hora Lumine nempe cadit quo christus morte resurgit Bourchier Humfridus clara propagine dictus Edwardi Regis qui tertius est vocitatus Iohn Domini Berners proles et paruulus heres Quartus et Edwardus belli tenet ecce triumphum Quo perit Humfridus vt Regis vernula verus Cyronomon mense sponse Regis fuit iste Elisabeth sibi sic sua virtus crescit honore Armis conspicuus quondam charusque Britannis Hic fuit Vt celis viuat deposcite votis Here lieth entombed in a slight monument in the wall Thomas Mylling sometime Abbot of this Monastery from whence he was preferred to the Bishopricke of Hereford by King Edward the fourth vnder whom he was of the priuie Councell and was Godfather to Prince Edward his eldest Sonne He was a Monke of this house being but a youth and then went to Oxford where he studied vntill hee proceeded Doctor of Diuinitie in which time he attained good knowledge in the Greeke tongue which in those dayes was geason saith the reuerend Author of the Bishops Catalogue He died in the yeare 1493. Here in an obscure place of this Church lieth the body of Hugoline Chamberlaine to King Edward the Confessor of whom this Storie is written in the life of the said Edward King Edward one afternoone lying in his bed with his curtaines round about him drawne a poore pilfering Courtier came into his Chamber where finding the Kings Casket open which Hugolin had forgotten to shut he tooke out so much money as hee could well carry and went away but insatiable desire brought him againe the second and third time for such a ready prey vntill the King who lay still all this while and would not seeme to see began to speake to him and bade him speedily be packing for he was well if he could see for if Hugoline came and tooke him there he were not onely like to loose all that he had gotten but also to stretch an halter The fellow was no sooner gone but Hugoline came in and finding the Casket open and much money taken away was greatly moued But the king willed him not to be grieued For said he he that hath it hath more need of it then we haue This Hugolin saith M. Camden was buried in the old Chapter house of this Church Vpon whose Monument these sillie verses were engrauen Qui ruis iniuste capit hic Hugoline locus te Laude pia clares quia martyribus nece clareâ— For learning in this kings dayes was so low ebbed in England that betweene Thames and Trent there was scant one found which could vnderstand Latine This passage of the aforesaid pilfery is delineated and wrought in the Hangings about the Quire with the Portraitures of the king Hugolin and the Theefe vnder which are these verses Ecce nimis parca furis manus exit ab archa Celat opus furis pietas non regula iuris Tolle quod habes et fuge Hic iacet Willelmus Bedel Ar. et Cecilia vx eius filia heres Domini Roberti Grene militis ac etiam heres domini Iohannis Cley militis qui quidem Willelmus fuit Thesaurarius Hospitij excellentissimi Principis Margarete nuper Comitisse Richmondie Darbie matris Regis Henrici
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
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
God and then after vnto me Vpon which religious and Princely lesson he grounds a reason and pleads a libertie to vse his owne proper conscience in the Kings most weightie affaires as you may perceiue by this part of a letter following written to Cromwell Right worshipfull c. it pleased the Kyngs highnes to send me in the companie of my Lord of London now of Duresme in embassiate aboute the Peace that at our being there was concluded at Cameray betwene his highnes and themperour and the French Kyng And after my comyng home his highnes of his onely goodnes as far my vnworthy I was thereto made me as you well knowe his Chauncelor of this Realme sone after which time his grace moued me agayne yit-eftsonys to loke and considre his great matter and well and indifferently to pondre such things as I should fynde therin And if it so were that therevpon it shoulde happen me to se such things as sholde persuade me to that parte hee wolde gladly vse me among other of his Counsailors in that matter neuerthelesse gracyousely declared vnto me that he wolde in no wise that I sholde other thing do or say therin than vpon that that I shold perceiue myn owne conscience shold serue me and that I sholde fyrst loke vnto God and after God vnto hym Which moost gratiouse wordys was the fyrst lesson also that euer his grace gaue me at my fyrst comyng into his noble servyce c. This learned Chancellour with much labour and earnest suite to the King got leaue to leaue his office before hee had continued therein fully three yeares Vpon his last speech to his three daughters and to the people present at his decollation thus one writes Ne lugete meo confusae funere natae Ipse ego mutari non mea fata velim Truncum terra teget si Rex non abnuet vrnam Et mea iam terris nomina nota volant Libera mens superos repetet neque seruiet vnquam In partem hanc quod agat nulla securis habet Tu quoque spectator tranquillum si cupis aeâ—um Exigere letho fortior esse tuo Qui tibi membra cadanâ— nullo in discrimine pone Quum sint naturae lege caduca suae Another of his death by way of Dialogue thus Hospes Quis iacet hic truncus cuius caput ense rescissum est Quae natat in tetro sanguine canities Ciuis Hic est ille Thomas Morus sic fata rependunt Tristia multa bonis bona multa malis Hospes Quae circumsistunt Diuae lugubre cadauer Diua tenax veri sancta Fides Nemesis Ciuis Harum prima odij caussa fuit altera mortis Vltrix iniustae tertia caedis erat Anno Domini M. D.XXXV.vi Non. Iulij Thus much of Sir Thomas More in this place you may know more of him hereafter by his Epitaph in Chelsey Church Cromwell surnamed the great whom Wolsey first raised from the forge to eminent good fortunes whom Henry the eight vsed as his instrument to suppresse the Popes supremacie and to dissolue religious Structures whom he aduanced to the highest pitch of honour and authoritie whom he cast downe suddenly and bereft both of life and dignitie lies here interred He followed the same steps to the same Stage vpon the said Tower-hill and acted there the same part which his two friends More and Fisher had done before him and that within fiue yeares after This Cromwell this pillar of the State was borne in Putney a Village in Surrey by Thames side foure miles distant from London hee was sonne to a Blacksmith in his later dayes a Bruer Whose mother after his fathers decease was remarried to a Shereman Of whose birth a late writer thus sings Putney the place made blessed by my birth Whose meanest cottage simply me did shrowd To me as dearest of the English Earth So of my bringing that poore village proud Though in a time when neuer lesse the dearth Of happie wits yet mine so well allow'd That with the best she boldlie durst prefer Me that my breath acknowledged from her He was a man of an actiue and forward ripenesse of nature ready and pregnant of wit discreet and well aduised in iudgement eloquent of tongue faithfull and diligent in seruice of an incomparable memory of a reaching politicke head and of a noble and vndaunted spirit Whose good parts being perceiued by Cardinal Wolsey he took him straight into his seruice made him his Sollicitor and emploied him in matters of great importance after whose fall hee was presently aduanced to the Kings seruice wherein he so industriously and wisely demeaned himselfe as that he was thought worthie by the said King to haue the ordering of all weightie affaires Whereupon at seuerall times he heaped these seuerall offices and honours vpon him he made him Master of his jewell-Iewell-house Baron Cromwell of Okeham principall Secretarie Master of the Rolles Chancellour of the Exchequer Keeper of the priuie Seale Iustice of the Forrests and Chases from the Riuer of Trent Northward great Chamberlaine of England Earle of Essex Knight of the Garter Vicegerent or Vicar generall Of which my fore remembred friend thus writes For first from knighthood rising in degree The Office of the Iewell-house my lot After the Rolles he frankly gaue to me From whence a priuie Counsellor I got Then of the Garter and then Earle to be Of Essex yet sufficient these were not But to the great Vicegerencie I grew Being a title as supreme as new Thus Fortune raised him a short time for a sudden fall For vpon the eighteenth day of Aprill 1540. hee was inuested with the honour of the Earledome of Essex and high Chamberlainship of England vpon which day the King also made his sonne Gregory Lord Cromwell Vpon the ninth of Iuly next and immediately following being enuied of many for his honour and authoritie he was suddenly arrested in the Councell-chamber and committed to the Tower vpon the nineteenth of the said moneth he was attainted by Parliament of heresie and high Treason and vpon the 28. of the said moneth hee was beheaded on the Tower-hill More succinctly thus his precipitate downfall is versified The Councell-chamber place of my arrest Where chiefe I was when greatest was the store And had my speeches noted of the best That did them as high Oracles adore A Parliament was lastly my Enquest That was my selfe a Parliament before The Tower hill Scaffold last I did ascend Thus the great'st man of England made his end And such bloudie ends most men haue who are busie managers of the greatest matters He was condemned to death and yet neuer came to his answere by an act as it is said which he himselfe caused to be made of which my fore-remembred Author M. Drayton Those lawes I made my selfe alone to please To giue me power more freely to my will Euen to my equals hurtfull sundrie waies Forced
to things that most doe say were ill Vpon me now as violently seize By which I lastly perish by my skill On mine owne necke returning as my due That heauie yoke wherein by me they drew Thus whilst we striue too suddenly to rise By flatt'ring Princes with a seruile tong And being soothers to their tirannies Worke our much woes by what doth many wrong And vnto others tending iniuries Vnto our selues it hapning oft among In our owne snares vnluckily are caught Whilst our attempts fall instantly to naught Many lamented this great mans fall but more reioiced especially such as had beene religious men or fauoured religious persons of the Clergie he was much hated for that he was an enemy to Poperie and could neuer indure the snuffing pride of the Prelates Thankefull hee was and liberall neuer forgetting former benefits as appeares by his requitall of the kindenesse he had receiued from Friscolald the Italian Merchant carefull he was of his seruants for whom hee had prouided a competencie of liuing notwithstanding his sodaine fall faithfull and forward hee was to doe his friends good and amongst them More and Fisher if we may beleeue their owne letters of which some part Right worshipfull after my moost hartie commendations it may please you to vnderstand that I haue perceiued by the relation of my Sonne Rooper for which I beseche almightie God reward yow your moost cheritable labour taken for me toward the Kings graciouse highnesse in the procuring at his moost graciouse hand the reliefe and comfort of this wofull heuinesse in which myn harte standeth c. concluding in these words And thus good Master Cromwell I make an end of my long troublouse processe beseching the blessed Trinitie for the great goodnesse ye shew me and the great cumfort ye do me both bodelie and ghostlie to prospere yow and in heauen to reward yow At Chelcith the v. day of March by Your deepely bounden Tho. More Knight Bishop Fisher acknowledgeth the like kindenesse from him in many of his letters And howsoeuer these two famous schollers after some hard imprisonment lost both their liues yet was hee not wanting by his best endeuours and his all-potencie with the King to haue saued their neckes from the stroke of the Axe which we may verily beleeue when we consider that King Henries command was a Law of which Cromwell had a triall being conuicted and executed without triall Seruices done by the foresaid Cromwell vnto King Henry the eight within a few yeares after his first comming into the fauour and seruice of the said King copied out of the Originall written with his owne hand and now remaining in the Treasury of the Exchequer Imprimis the King purchased Hampton Court Item the King purchased the Manore of Moye Item the King purchased Saint Iameses in the fields and all the grounds whereof the new Parke of Westminster is made Item his highnesse hath purchased all the old Tenements in Westminstre whereas now is builded the new garden the Tenesplaies and Cock-fights Item his highnesse hath purchased the Manore of Pisowe of the Lord Scroope Item his highnesse hath purchased the Manore of Weston Baldock Item his highnesse hath purchased the Manore and Parke of Copped-hall Item his Maiestie hath purchased lands to a great value of the Earle of Northumberland Item his Maiestie hath purchased certaine lands of Thomas Robarts the Auditore lying besides Waltham Item his Highnesse hath purchased of the Lord Audley the Mannor of Lanamuerye and Keymes in Walles Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor and certaine other lands in Chombham whereof a Parke is made of the Abbot of Chensey Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor of Alderbrooke in the Forrest of Waltham of one Monoke Item the King hath purchased the Mannor of Edmonton in the Country of Middlesex Item his Highnesse hath repaired the Tower of London to his great charges Item his Highnesse hath newly made the Ship called the Mary Rose the Peter Pomgarnete the Lyon the Katherine Galley the Barke the Minione the Sweepestake Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannor of Cogeshall and Estorford of master Southwell Item his highnesse hath purchased the woods besides Portesmouthe in Hampshire sufficient for the new making of Henry-grace a dieu and the great Galley Item his Highnesse hath bought and made within the Tower of new Bowes for a M. l. Item his Highnesse with a great and chargeable traine passed the Seas in his owne person to Callis and Bullen Item his Highnesse hath newly builded Hampton Court Item his Highnesse hath newly builded the place at Westminstre with all the Tenesplaies and Cockfights and walled in the Parke there with a sumptuous wall Item he hath new builded Saint Iameses in the fields a magnificent and goodly house Item his Highnesse hath purchased the Mannors of Dunmington Ewelme Hookenorton and others of the Duke of Suffolke Item his Highnesse hath made a great deale of new Ordenance of brasse here in England Item his Highnesse hath newly edified a great part of the walls of Calles Item his Highnesse hath made a great quantitie of new Ordenance within the Towne of Calles Item his Highnesse hath most costly warres in Scotland Item he hath most costly warres in Ireland Item he hath been at a most costly charge for the Coronation of Queen Anne Item his Highnesse hath maintained the great and sumptuous house of the Lady Katherine Dowager Besides these he did many other seruices for the King his master but I will insist onely vpon two by which he greatly enriched his Coffers The one was vpon the Coronation of Queene Anne Bullen against which solemnitie the King sent writings to all Sheriffes to certifie the names of men of fortie pounds lands to receiue the order of Knighthood or else to make fine for the same The asseasement of which saith my Author was appointed to Thomas Cromwell then master of the Kings jewell-Iewell-house who so vsed the matter that a great summe of money was leuied to the Kings vse by those fines The other was his paines and pollicie in the suppressing of Religious Foundations This great man gaue great reliefe to the poore two hundred poore people were serued at his gates twise euery day with bread meat and drinke sufficient He had 220. men and aboue in checke roll he gaue liueries garded with veluet to his Getlemen and garded with the same cloth to his Yeomen saith Iohn Stow in the Suruay of London in the chapter of orders and customes Within the Quire of this Chappell lieth buried the body of Anne Bollein Marchionesse of Penbroke eldest daughter and coheire of Thomas Bollein Viscount Rochford Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond second wife to King Henry the eight to whom shee bare into the world that most renowned Princesse Elizabeth our late Queene who proued not onely the mirrour of the world for vertue wisedome piety and iustice but also a patterne for gouernment to all the Princes in
thowsand fyve hundryd and seuentene Master of the ordnance or Artillery is a great Officer to whose care all the Kings ordnance and Artillery is committed and most commonly that Office is executed by some eminent great man of the kingdome His fee is 151. l. 11. s. 8. d. per annum Orate pro anima Iohannis Thorley Armigeri qui obiit penultimo die men Febr. Ann. Dom. 1445 ..... Hic iacet Magister Willelmus Harvy nuper vicarius istius Ecclesie qui ob 5. die Nouemb. 1471 ..... Hic iacet Georgius Chauncy quondam Receptor generalis Reuerendi Patris Domini Ric. Fitz-Iames London Episcopi qui obiit decimo nono die Decembris Ann. Dom. 1520. Hic iacet Domicilla Margareta Suanden nat Gandauii Flandrii que ex Magistro Gerardo Hornebolt Gandauensi Pretori nominatissmo peperit Domicillam Susannam vxorem Iohannis Parker Arch. Regis que obiit Ann. Dom. 1529. 26. Nouembris Hic iacet Anna Sturton filia Iohannis Sturton Domini de Sturton Domine Katherine vxoris eius Que quidem Anna obiit in Assumptionem beate Marie Virginis Ann. Dom. 1533. Hic iacet Lora filia Iohannis Blount militis Domini Mountioy Lore vxoris eius que obiit 6. die mens Febr. Ann. Dom. 1480. Cuius anime Deus sis propitius Lora is a name deriued from the Saxon word Lore which signifies learning or vnderstanding A word often vsed by Chaucer in that sense to expresse learning As in the Squiers Prologue I see well that ye learned men in lore Can muckle good Or as Camden doth coniecture a name corrupted from Laura which is Bay and is agreeable to the Greeke name Daphne Cheswicke Orate pro anima Mathildis Salueyne vxoris Richardi Salueyne Militis Thesaurar Eccl ..... que ob 1432. Hic iacet Will. Boydale principalis vicarius huius Ecclesie et fundator Campanilis eiusdem qui ob 15. Octob. 1435. Braineforde Here lyeth the body of Christopher Carhill alias Norrey king at Armes who died ...... 1510. Here lyeth Henry Redmane and Ione his wife .... 1528. Here lyeth Richard Parker seruant in the Botre to Henry the seuenth and Hen. the eight and Margery his wyf late .... to the Lady Maryes Grace ...... daughter to king Henry the eight by Katherin his first wyf daughter of Ferdinando the sixt king of Spayne Which Richard died ..... 1545. Hic iacet Wilielmus Clauel Agnes et Clementia vx eius qui quidem Wilielmus obijt 1496. The Monastery of Sion So named of the most holy Mount Sion which King Henry the fift when he had expelled thence the Monkes Aliens built for religious Virgins to the honour of our Sauiour the Virgin Mary and Saint Bridget of Sion In which house he appointed to the glory of God so many Nunnes Priests and lay Brethren as were in number equall to Christ his Apostles and Disciples namely of Virgines sixtie Priests thirteene Deanes foure and lay Brethren eight These two Couents had but one Church in common the Nunnes had their Church aloft in the roofe and the brethren beneath vpon the ground each Couent seuerally inclosed and neuer allowed to come out except by the Popes speciall licence Vpon whom when this godly and glorious King had bestowed sufficient liuing taken from the Priories Aliens all which he vtterly suppressed he prouided by a law that contenting themselues therewith they should take no more of any man but what ouerplus soeuer remained of their yearely reuenue they should bestow it vpon the poore Their commings in were valued at the suppression to be worth 1944 l. 11 s. 8 d. q. by yeare A Lettore certefyinge the incontynensye of the Nunnes of Syon with the Friores and aftere the acte done the Friores reconsile them to God Endorsed To the right honourable Master Thomas Cromwell chiefe Secretary to the Kyngs highnesse It maye plese your goodnesse to vnderstand that Bushope this daye preched and declared the Kynges tytelle very well and hade a grete Audyense the Chorche full of people one of the Focaces in his said declaration openly called him false knaue with other foolish words it was that foolish fellow with the corled head that kneeled in your waye when you came foorth of the Confessores Chamber I can noe lese doe but set him in prisone vt pena eius sit metus alioram yesterday I learned many enormeous things against Bushope in the examinacion of the lay Brederen first that Bushop perswaded towe of the Brederene to haue gone their wayes by night and he himselfe with them and to the accomplishment of that they lacked but money to buy them seculere apparell Forther that Bushope would haue perswaded one of his laye Brederen a Smithe to haue made a keaye for the doare to haue in the night time receiued in Wenches for him and his fellowes and specially a wyffe of Vxebridge now dwelling not farre from the old Lady Derby nigh Vxbridge which wyffe his old customer hath byne many tymes here at the grates communyng with the said and â—e was desirous to haue her conuoyed in to him The said Bushope also perswaded a Nunne to whom he was Confessor Ad libidinem corporis perimplend And thus he perswaded her in Confession making her beleeue that whensoeuer and as ofte as they shold medle together if she were iâ—mediately after confessed by him and tooke of him absolution shee shold be cleere forgeuen of God and it shold be none offence vnto her before God And she writte diueres and sundrye lettores vnto him of such their foolishnesse and vnthriâ—tynesse and wold haue had his Broder the Smith to haue polled out a barre of iron of that window whereas ye examyned the Ladye Abbas that he might haue gone in to her by night And that same window was their commoning place by night He perswaded the Sextene that he wold be in his contemplacion in the Chorche by night and by that meanes was many nightes in the Chorche talkyng with her at the said grate of the Nunnes Quire and there was ther meeting place by night besides their day communications as in confession it were too long to declare all things of him that I haue hard which I suppos is true This afternoone I intend to make forder serche both of some of the Brederen and some also of the Sisters for such like matteres if I fynde any thing apparent to be true I shall God wyllynge therof sertefy your Mastorshipe to morowe by vii in the mornyng And aftor this daye I suppos there will be no other things to be knowne as yet here for I haue already examined all the Brederen and many of them wold gladly departe hense and be righte weary of their habbyte such Religion and fained sancterye God saue me froe If Master Bedle had byne here a Frior and of Bushopes Counsell hee wold right welle haue helped him to haue
Martyr of the English Nation so the â—bbot of his Monasterie should at all times among other Abbots of Engâ—â—nd in degree of dignitie be reputed first and principall The Abbot and 〈◊〉 of this house were acquitted of all Toll through England They made Iustices ad audiendum terminandum within themselues and no other Iustice could call them for any matter out of their libertie They made Bayliffes and Coroners They had the execution and returne of all Writs 〈◊〉 goods of all out-lawes with Gaole and Gaole deliuerie within themselues And receiued to their owne proper vse the Rom-scot before spoken of throughout all the County of Hertford This Abbey was surrendred vp by the Abbot and Monkes there by deliuering the Couent seale into the hands of â— Pope D. Peter Master Cauendish and other the Kings visitors the fifth day of December 1539. It was valued at a farre vnder â—ate to bee worth of yearely reuenue two thousand fiue hundred and ten pound sixe shillings penny halfe penny q Saint Peters Church in Saint Albans This Church and Churchyard was stuft full with the bodies of such as were slaine in the two battells fought here at Saint Albans In which I finde a funerall Monument for my valiant countreyman Sir Bertin Entwisell who fighting on the Kings partie died of a wound receiued in the first battell Vpon whose Tombe this Inscription inlayd in brasse is yet to be read Here lyth Syr Bertin Entwisel knyght which was borne in Lancaster Shyre and was Vicound and Baron of Brykbeke in Normandy and Baliffe of Constantin Who died the xxviii of May M. cccc.lv on whos sowl Iesu have mercy Of which Sir Bertin thus speaketh Leland in his Commentaries Ther is a Viscownt of Brykbek in Normandy saith he callyd Bertyne or Berframe Cnitwesell that cam into England and was much on the factyon of kyng Henry the sixth and slayn at on of the Battels at Saint Albons and beryed in the Peroche Chyrch of Seynt Peter vnder the plase of the Lectorium in the Quyre wheras a memoriall of hym ther yet remeyneth Ther was a dawghter of this Viscount callyd Lucy of whom Master Bradene of Northamptonshyre is descendyd and in the same Shyre is a mean gentylman of that name These Entwisells were gentlemen of good respect in our countrey in our fathers dayes whose mansion house retaines the name of Entwisell to this houre The last heire of which house as I haue it out of the collections of M. Dalton alias Norroy king of Armes was one Wilfred Entwisell who sold the land that was left him and serued as a Lance at Muselborrowfield in the second yeare of the raigne of king Edward the sixth after that he serued the Guyes in defence of Meth. After that he was one of the foure Captaines of the Fort of Newhauen where being infected with the plague and shipped for England was landed about Portsmouth and being vncertaine of any house died vnder a hedge in September Ann. 1549. Raph Bapthorpe the father and Raphe the sonne of Bapthorpe in the East-riding of Yorkeshire which for many descents hath yeelded both name and habitation to that knightly familie fighting in this Towne vnder the banner of King Henry the sixth lost their liues and here lye buried together with this Epitaph Cum Patre Radulpho Babthorp iacet ecce Radulphus Filius bot duro marmore pressus humo Henrici sexti Dapifer Pater Armiger eius Mors satis id docuit fidus vterque fuit C. Domini quater M. semel L. semel V. semel anno Hos necat haud solos mors truculenta duos Lux hijs postrema Maij vicena secunda Det Deus hijs lucem des sine fine diem Behold where two Raulph Babthorps both the sonne and father lie Vnder a stone of marble hard interr'd in this mould drie To Henry sixth the Father Squire the sonne he Sewer was Both true to Prince and for his sake they both their life did passe The yeare one thousand and foure hundred fiftie five Grimme death yet not alone did them of breath depriue The last day of their light was th'twentith two of May God grant them light in heau'n and without end a day In the yere of Crist on thowsand fowr hundryd ful trew wyth fowr and sixteen Rychard Skipwith gentylman in birth late felow of new Inne In my age twenti on my sowl partyd from the body in August the sixtenth day And now I ly her abyding Gods mercy vndyr this ston in clay Desyring yow that this fal see vnto the Meyden prey for mee That bare both God and man Like as ye wold that oder for yee shold When ye ne may nor can Hic duo consortes Skipwith que Ioanna Ioannes Compaâ—sant vna generosus vnus et alter Vt pariter pausant in pace precare quiescant Tu qui metra legis fic quod requiescere possis Hic iacet Georgius Sâ—ipwith Ar. In this Church are others of this familie interred whose Monuments are quite defaâ—ed of which name Gentlemen of ancient descent faire possessions and knightly degree do at this day flourish at Cotes in the County of Leicester Iunior ense rui fueram tunc Ensiser vni 〈◊〉 Borca comiti dicto cognomine Percy 〈◊〉 Perij periit sibi proh dolor ensis ademit Transâ—ur sum stadij pax sit eique mihi Ipse Thomas dictus Pakington eramque vocatus Hic iacet Edwardus Beulled Ar. quondam Magister Ludi venatici in 〈…〉 Abbatis de Sancto Albano Alicia vxor eius qui Edwardus 〈…〉 M.ccc.lxxv William Wittor and his wyff Grase Vndyr this ston ben buryed her In hevyn good Lord grant them a plase As thow them boght with thy blood so der Which William as her hit doth apper The ninth dey of March past this present lyff On thowsand fowr hundryd and six yer Of Crist whos grase be ther preservatyff Hic iacet Edmundus Westby quondam Hundredarius Sancti Albani 〈◊〉 vxor eius silia heres Ade Stonham et consanguinea et heres Alicie 〈◊〉 .... ob vltimo diâ— Iulii M. cccc.xlvii Hic iacet Cecilia Westby vxor Bartholomei Westby que obiit 2. Iulii Ann. M. cccc.lxxxxv Hic iacet Willelmus Westby quondam Hundredarius et Baliuus Libertatis ......... Hic iacet Edmundus Westby Armiger Iusticiar pacis in Com. Hert. et Hundredarius ac Baliuus de Franchesia Sancti Albani et Margareta vxor eius qui Ed. obiit xviii Septemb. M. cccc.lxxv Henry the sixth was in this Edmunds house Hundreder of S. Albans during the time of the first battell in the Towne Hic iacet Thomas Astry gener filius Radulphi Astry militis et Elisabetha vxor eius â—ilia Willelmi Skipwith Armigeri qui quidem Willel ob ..... M. ccccc.vii Hic iacet Richardus Raynshaw Armig. seruiens ad arma Regis Henrici octaui ......... Here lyth Thomas Blake gentl.
full of honours and yeares ended his life here at his Castle of Berkamsted but was buried at his Abbey of Hales Of whom hereafter Here are diuers Tombes to the memory of the name of Waterhouse whose inscriptions of antiquitie are all taken away with the brasse and the carefull preseruing of the rest altogether neglected Hic iacent Iohannes Waterhouse Margaret vxor eius ..... Ecce sub hoc tumulo coniux vxorque iacemus Eternam pacem donet vterque Deus Nil vnquam abstulimus si quid benefecimus vlli Est qui pro meritis premia digna dabit Est tamen vna salus Christi miseratio quam qui Transis ambobus sepe precâ—re Deum Hic iacet Richardus Westbroke qui obiit 29. Septemb. 1485. supplicans vobis ex charitate vestra pro anima sua dicere Pater Noster Ave. Here lieth Katherin the wyfe of Robert Incent the father and mother to Iohn Incent Doctor of the Law who hath done many benefytes and ornaments to this Chappell of St. Iohn Baptist ..... the twelâ—th yeere of Henry the eight This Iohn Incent Doctor of the Law was Deane of Saint Paules London who built in this Towne a free-Schoole allowing to the Master a stipend of twenty pound per annum And to the Vsher ten pound which was confirmed by Act of Parliament Here lyeth Robert Incent late Servant to that noble Princesse Cicely Duchesse of Yorke who dyed of the sweating sicknesse the first yeere of Henry the seuenth Hic iacet Edwardus de le hay ... 1510. This is an ancient name flourishing euer since the raigne of Hen. the second Stow. Annal. Hic iacet Margarita Briggs que ob 17. Aug. 1374. Here is an ancient monument to the memory of one Iohn Rauen Esquire who died in the yeere 1395. Vnder the Armes of King Edward the sixth painted vpon a table these verses Quid sextum dicis nulli virtute secundus Ingenio nulli nullus in arte prior Edwardi insignis sunt haec insignia Iudiâ— In Signis illum deliniare nequis Vnder the cote and crest of Doctor Incent these Hexameters Mira cano nondum denos compleuerat annos Cum Pater est Patriae Edwardus Musisque Patronus Ille tuis avibus sublatas reddidit alas Incenti obtusis aciem pugionibus ille Ille cruci vires Infanti adiecit amictum Ille Rosam suavi perfudit odore caducam Kings Langley So named of the Kings house thereunto adioyning wherein Edmund Plantaginet the fifth sonne of King Edward the third was borne and thereupon surnamed Edmund of Langley Hereby was a religious House for preaching Friers founded by Roger the sonne of Robert Helle an English Baron valued to be yeerely worth at the suppression one hundred and fifty pound fourteene shillings eight pence in the Church of this monasterie the foresaid Edmund was interred He was Lord of Tindale Earle of Cambridge and Duke of Yorke He married Isabell second daughter and one of the heires of Peter King of Castile and Leon who died before him in the yeare 1393 and was buried in this Friery by whom hee had issue Edward Earle of Rutland Duke of Albamarle and Yorke Richard Earle of Cambridge and a daughter whose name was Constance He had a second wife whose name was Ioane daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent who after his death was married to William Lord Willoughby of Eresby to Henry Lord Scroope and to Henry Bromflet Lord Vescy He is reckoned for one of the Knights of the Garter and in the absence of his father in France is said to be Protectour of the Realme of England Hee is much commended for his affabilitie and gentle deportment as also for his valour of which will you heare my often alledged Author Io. Harding Sir Edmond Langley full of gentylnesse Sir Thomas Woodstok full of corage For his valour in another Chapter thus At whiche battaill duke Iohn of Gaunt indede And his brother Edmond then faught full sore Were neuer twoo better knightes then thei indede That better faught vpon a feld afore It was but grace that thei escaped thore Thei putte theimselfes so fer furth ay in prees That wounded wer thei bothe full sore no lees This renowned Duke deceased saith Stow in the yeare 1402. the third of Henry the fourth and was here buried neare to his wife with two of his brethren who died young Here sometime lay entombed the body of Pierce Gaueston a Gascoigne borne Lord of the Isle of Man and Earle of Cornwall A man in such fauour with Edward the second hauing before ensnared his youth by the allurements of a corrupt life that hee had from the said King whatsoeuer could be poured vpon him For though it might seeme incredible saith Speed out of the booke of Dunstable he both gaue him his Iewels and ancestors treasure and euen the Crowne it selfe of his victorious father not sticking to professe if it lay in him hee should succeed him in the kingdome But his insolencie and presumption vpon the kings fauour made him so farre to forget himselfe as that he scorned the best of the Nobilitie as much as they hated him miscalling and giuing them scoffes with bitter iests which left behinde them a sowre remembrance and the sting of reuenge Of all which my old timer who flourished about those dayes thus speaketh more seriously in Prose Perys went into the kyngys Tresorye in ye Abbey of Westminstre saith he and yer toke away a tabil of gold wyth the tressel and oyer ryche Iuwels the whyche wer sumtym king Arthurys and hem he toke to a merchant yat het Aymery of Friscomband and bar hem ouer the see into Gascoigne and yay wer neuer brought ayen yat was gret harme to yet Reme And this Sure Perys gretly despysyd the Lordys of ye londe and atte yat tym Sure Perys clupyd Robard of Clare ye Erle of Gloucetre Hore sone and ye Erle of Penbrok Ioseph ye Iew and ye Erle of Nycol Sure Henry de Lacy Brokbely and Gowy of Warwike Blak hound of Ardern and also he clupyd ye nobiâ— and gentyl Erle of Lancastre Eherle and oyer meny despytes he sâ—yd to ye Lordys of Englonde wherfor yay weryn sore agreuyd And so much agrieued they were that they surprised him in the night at a viliage or mannour called Dathington or Deddington betweene Oxford and Warwick from whence Guy Earle of Warwick tooke him to his Castle of Warwicke where in a place called Blacklow afterward Gaueshead his head was stricken off the nineteenth of Iune 1311. at the commandement and in the presence of the Earles of Lancaster Warwicke and Hereford as of one that had beene a subuerter of the Lawes and an open Traitour to the kingdome A violent and vnaduised part of these Lords to put to death an Earle so dearly loued of the King without any iudiciall proceeding by triall of his Peeres
tempore Ed. 3. an honourable title as well in France as in England but afterward applied vnto Seruants and Groomes whereupon when the Gentrie reiected it by changing the name they began to be called Gentlemen of the Bedchamber Orate pro animabus Iohannis Barrington et l homasine vxoris eius qui quidem Iohannes obiit 8. die mens Nouemb. 1416. et Thomasina obiit 15. Septemb. 1420. Quorum animabus Ryding from Ralegh towards Rochford I happened to haue the good companie of a gentleman of this countrey who by the way shewed me a little hill which he called the Kings Hill and told me of a strange customarie Court of long continuance there yearely kept the next Wednesday after Michaelmas day in the night vpon the first cockcrowing without any kinde of light saue such as the heauens will affoard The Steward of the Court writes onely with coales and calleth all such as are bound to appeare with as low a voice as possiblie he may giuing no notice when he goeth to execute his office Howsoeuer he that giues not an answer is deeply amerced which seruile attendance said he was imposed at the first vpon certaine Tenants of diuers Mannors hereabouts for conspiring in this place at such an vnseasonable time to raise a commotion The title of the Entrie of the Court hee had in memory and writ it downe for me when we came to Rochford Thus it runnes in obscure barbarous rimes Curia de Domino Rege dicta sine Lege Tenta est ibidem per eiusdem consâ—etudinem Anteortum solis luceat nisi polus Seneschallus solus scribit nisi colis Clamat clam pro Rege in Curia sine lege Et qui non cito venerit citius penitebit Si venerit cum lumine errat in regimine Et dum sunt sine lumine capti sunt in crimine Curia sine cura iurata de iniuria Tenta die Mercurij prox post festum Sancti Michaelis Thus much haue I spoken of a Lawlesse Court for which I haue neither law nor reason For I am sure that this discourse is impertinent and quite from the subiect to which I haue tied my selfe to treat of Yet I hope these lines will not seeme much vnpleasing for my Reader to peruse when his minde is ouercharged with dull heauie and vncomfortable Epitaphs Rochford I am looking for some Monument or other in this Church to the memorie of some one of the Lords of ancient Nobilitie to which this Towne gaue the Surname of Rochford as now it giues the title of Viscount Rochford to that truly honourable and right worthie gentleman Henry Cary Lord Hunsden and Earle of Douer Pris pur Anne Snokeshall fille Iohn filol de Landmare qe gist ici Dieu de salme eit pite et mercy qe ob iour de Seynt Valentin â—an Iâ—su crist M. ccc.lxxxxvi Of your cherite prey for the sowl of Rose Crymvill wyf of Richard Crymvill Which Rose desesyd viii April M. cccccxxiiii on her sowl Iesu haue mercy Hic iacet Maria Dilcock que obiit xiiii die Decembris Ann. Dom. M. Vc. Cuius anime .... The Tower and the Steeple of this Church was built from the ground as the inhabitants by tradition affirme by Richard Lord Rich Baron of Leez and Chancellour of England A most prudent and iudicious Statesman a singular treasure and supporter of the kingdome who for his great good deserts receiued the office of Chancellour of England at the hands of King Edward the sixth Howsoeuer the Armes of the Butlers Earles of Ormond whose inheritance this Towne was in times past are cut in some places on the stone Robert Lord Rich and Earle of Warwicke lately deceased founded here sixe Almes houses for fiue poore impotent men and an aged woman But here let me conclude what I haue spoken of this towne with the words of Camden More inward saith he is Rochford placed that hath giuen name to this Hundred now it belongeth to the now Earles of Warwicke Barons Rich and in old time it had Lords of great nobility surnamed thereof whose inheritance came at length to Butler Earle of Ormond and Wiltshire and from them to Sir Thomas Bullen whom King Henry the eight created Viscount Rochford and afterward Earle of Wiltshire out of whose progenie sprung that most gratious Queene Elizabeth and the Barons of Hunsdon Pritlewell Swein de Essex before remembred built here a Priory for blacke Monkes which he dedicated to the blessed Virgine Mary Which was much augmented by others and holden to be a cell to the Priory of Lewes vntill the yeare 1518. when as a great contention arose betweene the two Houses insomuch that Iohn Prior de Pritlewel noluit soluere vnam Marcam Priori de Lewes nomine subiectionis This house was valued at the suppression to be worth 194 l. 14. s. 3. d. ob yearely Hic iacet Magister Iohannes Lucas Theologie Bacchalaureus quondam vicarius istius Ecclesie Parochialis qui ob 16. Ian. 1477. Cuius anime Prey for the sowl of Iohn Cock the younger and Margaret his wyff Whych Io. dyed ...... 1522. Her vndyr this Grauston lyth beryed Richard Bowrd ... Marchant of Callys .... dyed ... 1432. Vnder this inscription these words are engrauen in a trewe Loues knot Quod servaui perdidi quod expendi habui Quod donaui habui quod negaui perdidi Stangate Here sometime stood a small Priory built by the Predecessours of the Prior of Lewes about what time I cannot learne valued to bee yearely worth 43. l. 8. s. 6. d. Saint Osithes Whose ancient name was Chich now growne out of vse by reason of Osith the virgine of royall parentage who being wholly deuoted to the seruice of God was here stabbed to death by the Danish pyrates in the yeare 653 in the moneth of October And being by our Ancestours honoured for a Saint Richard de Beaveyes Bishop of London in her memoriall built here a religious house of Regular Chanons about the yeare 1120. in the raigne of King Henry the first His grant I haue read in the Records of the Tower beginning thus Richardus Dei gratia London Episcopus c. Salutem Sciatis quod ego dedi Ecclesie Sancte Osithe virginis de Ciz ecclesias de Sudemenestra et de Clachentona cum omnibus que ad illas pertinent c. King Henry confirmes and augments this donation by his Charter dated at Roan in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne And many others so added to the reuenues of this Monastery that at the time of the suppression it was valued at 758. pound fiue shillings eight pence This Bishop the founder was diuers times about to resigne his Bishopricke that he might become a regular Canon in this his owne new built Monasterie and that the rather because being taken with an irrecouerable Palsie he well knew his time to be
nece victus Nomine Rex dictus non re sed homo modo fictus De Maldon Carnifex at Rex vir vocitatus Nostre fraternitatis pater et peramatus Mundi mense pleno Ianuarii die noueno C. quater mille ter et v. tunc Rex ruit ille Sponse que fantur Alys Ann secum tumulantur Quibus solamen precor precamur Amen Augusti vndena sumpta bis in hac requieuit Petra Richardus Wood coninge cumque Iohanna Quorum sunt nati quinque nate quoque sene Iesu cunctorum miserator sis precor horum Farwel you world I tak leue for euer I am cityd to appere I not where Yen al yis world yis tym had I leuer A litl spase to mak a sith for fere Of my trespace broken is for sorrow Myn hart now be that sal not be to morrow Farwell frendys ye tide bidyth no man I am tak fro hens and so salye But to what passage tel you I ne can Ye yat be liuyng may prey wel ye be Nakyd I go nakyd hider we cam Prey ye for me Requiem eternam Orate pro animabus Tho. Drakes et Elisabethe vxoris eius quondam filia Iohannis Heydon Ar. et Alicie vxoris eius filie et vnius heredum Roberti Swynborne militis qui .... ob 26. Iunii 1464. Orate pro animabus Richardi Lyon Shereman Fundatoris huius capelle et Katherine vxoris eius ...... Quisquis ades qui morte cades sta respice plora Sum quod eris modicum cineris prome precor ora Here in this towne sometime stood a religious house of Carmelites or white Friers founded by Richard de Grauesend Bishop of London and one Richard Iselham a Priest about the yeare 1292. valued at the suppression at twentie sixe pounds eight shillings a poore Foundation for so great a Prelate hauing the assistance and charitable contribution of another Priest This little couent was honoured with diuers great schollers which I finde to haue beene therein buried and first Thomas Maldon so called of this towne the place of his birth brought vp of a boy in this house of the Carmelites from whence hee went to Cambridge when hee attained to ripenesse of yeares where he profited exceedingly in all kindes of learning in so much that he was chosen to be the chiefe master or professor of Diuinity in that Vniuersity he was saith Pits de illustribus Anglie scriptoribus from whom Bale doth not much dissent subtilis disputator elegans coÌ„cionator in omni concertatione scholastica promptus et expeditus in dubiis explicandis clarus et dilucidus in decernendis et diffiniendis rebus arduis constans et solidus He was called from Cambridge to take vpon him the gouernement of this Priorie in which office he ended his daies in the yeare 1404. and was interred in the Church of his Couent vpon whose Tombe this Epitaph was engrauen as I haue it in a Manuscript Carmeli Thomas decus hic iacet Ordinis almus Presul cui virtus tot bona iuncta dedit Ingenium Formam mores linguamque disertam Post mortem et vitam que manet vsque piis Obiit Anno Domini M. cccciiii Robert of Colchester a Carme and a good scholler was likewise here interred with this Epitaph or inscription vpon his grauestone Orate pro anima Roberti de Colchester Fratris de monte Carmeli literatissimi piissimique ac quondam prioris huius Cenobii Qui obiit in vigiliis S. Agathe virginis Anno Domini M. cccc.lxv An Epitaph to the memory of Frier William Horkisle here inhumed Carmelita pius iacet hic pro parte Wilhelmus Pars erat ad superos Horkisle postea tutus obiit Anno Dom. 1473. Hic iacet Magister Frater Richardus Acton sacre pagine professor huinsque conuentus carmelitarum peruigilac versutus quondam Gubernator Qui ex hac luce migrauit Anno Dom. M. cccc.xlvi cuius anime propitietur altissimus Here sometime likewise one Frier Tho. Hatfield was remembred with this Epitaph In campo mortis Frater celebâ—rrimus Hatfelde Conditur eximium continet vrna virum Dogmate precipuus nullique secundus amore Claruit ingenio moribus ore stilo The Monument of another namelesse Carmelite was thus inscribed Miseri beatus portus hic est corporis Qui sim viator queris ipse nescio Qui sis futurus tu tamen per me scies Ego tuque puluis vmbra et vmbre somnium Veni abij sic vos venistis abihitis omnes Colchester Here lieth Henry Bedford and Alis his wyf Whych Alis died the 10. of August 1592. they had xi sonnes and 6 daughters Here lyeth Georg Willoughby and Anastacia his wyf whych Georg dyed 28 of May 1533. Here lyeth Robart Rockwood and Agnes his wyf which Robart dyed ...... 1497. Within this Citie and the suburbes are contained ten Parish Churches in all which I could collect no more Inscriptions of any antiquitie saue these in Saint Gyles Church But howsoeuer her Churches at this day be no wayes beautified with the ancient funerall Trophies of any illustrious personages yet her inhabitants may bragge of the buriall of Coill that braue British Prince who built this their Towne of Colchester about one hundred twenty and foure yeares after the birth of our Sauiour Christ. Wherein his sonne Lucius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empresse and Emperour in the world were borne which made Necham saith Speed for Constantine to sing as he did From Colchester there rose a Starre The Rayes whereof gaue glorious light Throughout the world in climates farre Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright This Coilus was brought vp euen from his youth in Rome and therefore fauouring the Romanes payed them his tribute He raigned fifty fiue yeares saith Stow. Harding saith but eleuen In whose commendations will it please you heare himselfe speake Coell ruled the Realme in Lawe and peacefull well That for his wyt and vertuosite Able he was as Chronycles could fele To haue ruled all the Emperalyte For ryght wesnesse manhode and moralyte A doughter had he and none other heyre Elyne that hyght farre passing good and fayre Buryed at Care colune he was his owne cytee Greatly commended well famed and laudifee Both on this syde and beyond the See Eleuen yere regnyd in great dignitee Another of him more ancient thus Coel was a noble man and much power hadde an honde Erle he was of Colchestre here in his londe And aftur his name Colchestre is cluped as iche vnderstond Our Lord amongs othur things hym send a faire sonde That he gat a fair doughter at Colchestre in this londe Seynt Helyne was cluped hee is the holy croys hee fonde Constance for her heritage this mayde to wyve nom And nam wyth hur al this londe and the kyngdom And let hym crouny to kyng that goodde knyght was and fyn And on hur begat one
Sone men cluped Constantyn Without the walls of this Towne stood a large and stately Monastery which Eudo Sewar to king Henry the firsâ— founded and consecrated to the honour of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist wherein he placed blacke Monkes The Ancestors of the right honourable Sir Edward Sackvile knight of the Bath and Earle of Dorset were great benefactours or rather cofounders of this religious structure For in the booke of the Abbey of Colchester I haue read that Iordanus de Saukevil miles et Baro de Bergholt Saukevil filius heres Roberti Saukevil superstes tempore Stephani Regis Henrici secundi confirmavit Ecclesie Sancti Iohannis de Colecestria in perpetuam Eleemosinam manerium de Wicham or Witham quod pater sâ—us Robertus eidem Ecclesie donauerat The foresaid Eudo founded likewise in this Towne an Hospitall for people infected with the contagious disease of Leprosie which he dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalen Here was another religious house wherein were placed brethren of the holy Crosse but by whom founded I cannot finde Valued at the suppression to 7. l. 7.5.8 d. per annum Robert Lord Fitzwater in the yeare 1309. founded here an Abbey for Friers Minors into whose order and House he entred himselfe in the yeare 1325. and then and there tooke vpon him the habite of a religious Votary wherein he spent the rest of his dayes Ann. M.ccc.ix saith the booke of Dunmow Robertus filius Walteri custos de Essex fundamentum posuit Ecclesie Fratrum Minorum de Colcestria And in the Catalogue of such Emperours Kings Princes and other potent personages which from the beginning haue entred into this religious order This Robert is reckoned for one These are the words Frater Dominus Robertus Fitzwater Baro fundator Conventus Colcestrie intrauit ibidem ordinem Ann. Domini Milesimo tricentesimo vicesimo quinto This house was valued at the suppression at 113. l. 12. s 8. d. of yearely reuenewes Earles Colne So called of the Sepulture of the Earles of Oxford which deriue their descent saith Camden from the Earles of Guines in France and haue the surname of Vere from Vere a Towne in Zeland In this parish Church are two Monuments of this familie of the Veres the one lieth crosse-legd with a Sarasins head vpon his tombe which Sarasin say the Inhabitants this Earle slew in the holy Land The other of them with his wife lieth entombed at her feet is the Talbot at his feet the Boare they are both shamefully defaced They were remooued out of the Priory neare adioining at the suppression as I was told This Priorie was first founded by Aubrey de Vere soone after the Conquest which he dedicated to the honour of God and Saint Andrew and placed therein black Monks translated from Abingdon to which Abbey he made this Priory to be subiect vpon this occasion as I haue it out of the booke of Abingdon Godfrey de Vere the sonne and heire of the foresaid Aubrey by Beatrice his wife dying in his fathers life time was buried in the Monastery of Abingdon to which he had beene a benefactor whereupon saith the Story Aubrey his father and Beatrice his mother were determined to choose Abingdon for their buriall place in respect of the tender affection they bore to their child But their Lands lying here in Essex farre off they procured a Grant from King Henry the first to build a religious House at Colne in Essex for their soules health their Sonnes and others as also for their Sepultures et hanc domum Sancto Andrâ—e Apostolo dedicatam subiectam et coherâ—ntem Ecclesie Abingdonen si faciebant Not long after the finishing of this worke and a little before his death Aubrey the Founder tooke vpon him the habite of Religion in this his owne house wherein hee died and was here buried by a younger sonne of his named William in whose remembrance this Epitaph was engrauen vpon their Monument Cedunt a vita votis animisque cupita Barbarus et Scita Gentilis et lsraelita Has pariter metas habet omnis sexus et et aes En puer en senior Pater alter filius alter Legem fortunam terram venere sub unam Non iuvenie â—ote quas epotavit Athene Non vâ—tulo vote vires velopes valuere Sed valuere fides et predia quae memoramus Vt valeant valeant per secula cuncta precamus For the said Aubrey de Vere and Beatrice his wife I found this Inscription to be engrauen vpon their Monument in the booke of Colne Priory Here lyeth Aulbery de Veer the first Erle of Guisnes the sonne of Alphonsus de Veer the whyche Aulbery was the fownder of this place and Bettrys hys wyf syster of kyng Wylliam the Conquerour This Priorie was valued at the fatall ouerthrow of such like buildings to be yearely worth 175. l. 14. s. 8 d ob The house is standing at this day conuerted into a priuate dwelling place as also the old Chappell to it wherein are diuers Monuments vnder which lie buried many of this thrice honourable Familie of the Veres but they are all gone to decay and their Inscriptions by time and stealth quite taken away Vpon one Tombe of Alabaster which is thought to bee the ancientest is the pourtraiture of a man lying in his armour crosse-legged but what was carued at his feet cannot be discerned Vpon another is one lying armed wtih the blew Bore vnder his head which was also crosse-legged as I was informed but now is nothing remaining from the middle downeward A third of wood armed crosse-legged on his Target the Armes of the house of Oxford and there lieth by him a woman made of wood which is thought to haue beene his Lady and Countesse Here are two more likewise in wood armed and crosse-legged the one hath an Hound or Talbot vnder his feet the cote Armour of the other is quite broken away with his Target Here is one in Alabaster not crosse-legged the Garter about one of his legges what is vnder his feet cannot be discerned A woman pourtrayed in Alabaster with a Falcon vnder her feet and a little Monument of Alabaster vpon which is the image of one in a Gowne with a purse hanging at his girdle hee is in length about foure foot But I will shew the Reader the names of such Earles and others of this house which by supposition and certainty are said to haue beene heere interred which may giue some light to the further knowledge of these in this manner intombed Aubrey de Vere the sonne of Aubrey Chamberlaine vnder King Henry the first or Camerarius Anglie as I finde it in old Cartularies hauing lost this his Office of great Chamberlaine and other dignities in the turmoiles betweene King Stephen and Maude the Empresse was by the said Empresse and Henry the second as you may haue it more fully in Vincents discouery of errours
discourse in that exquisite History of Henry the seuenth penned by that learned and iudicious Statesman Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Alban lately deceased The last Earle that I finde to be here entombed of ancient times is Iohn de Vere the fourth of that christian name Earle of Oxford Lord Bulbeck Samford and Scales Lord great Chamberlaine of England and Knight of the Garter he was commonly called little Iohn of Campes Castle Campes in Cambridgeshire being the ancient seate of the Veres where this Earle vsed much to reside He married Anne daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke and died without issue the 14 of July 1526. I finde in a booke of Dunmow in bib Cot. that Maud the wife of Iohn de Vere the seuenth Earle of Oxford lyeth here intombed shee was the daughter of Bartholomew Lord Badelismere Baron of Leedes in Kent and one of the heires of Giles Lord Badelismere her brother She was first married to Robert sonne of Robert Fitz-Paine She outliued her later husband some few yeares and died the 24. of May 1365. ... Coggeshall ....... Coggeshale ...... mil. .... M. ccc ..... For which of the name this broken inscription should be engrauen I cannot learne but I finde that these Coggeshals in foregoing ages were Gentlemen of exemplarie regard and knightly degree whose ancient habitation was in this Towne one of which familie was knighted by King Edward the third the same day that hee created Edward his eldest sonne Earle of Chester and Duke of Cornwall Anno 1336. Hic iacet Thomas Paycocke quondam Carnifex de Coggeshal qui obijt 21 Maij 1461. et Christiana vxor eius quorum animabus Prey for the sowl of Robert Paycock of Coggeshale cloth-maker for Elizabeth and Ioan his wyfs who died 21. Octob. 1520. on whos soul. Here lyeth Thomas Paycock cloth-worker Margaret and Ann his wyfs which Tho. died the 4. of September 1518. Orate pro anima Iohannis Paycock et Iohanne vxoris eius qui quidem Iohannes obijt 2 Aprilis 1533. The Creede in Latine is all curiously inlaid with brasse round about the Tombestone Credo in Deum patrem c. Orate pro animabus Iohannis Kebulet Isabelle et Iohanne vx eius Quorum c. About the verge of the stone in brasse a Pater noster inlaid Pater Noster qui es in celis sanctificetur nomen tuum and so to the end of the praier Vpon the middest of the marble this Aue Maria. Aue Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus sit fructus ventris tui Iesus Amen I haue not seene such rich monuments for so meane persons Orate pro anima Gulielmi Goldwyre et Isabelle et Christiane vxorum qui quidem Gulielmus obijt ... 1514. Mary Moder mayden clere Prey for me William Goldwyre And for me Isabel his wyf Lady for thy Ioyes fyf Hav mercy on Christian his second wyf Swete Iesu for thy wowndys fyf Here in this towne of Cogshal was sometime an Abbey built and endowed by King Stephen and Maud his Queene in the yeare 1140. the fift of his raigne according to the booke of Saint Austins in Canterbury Anno M. c. xl facta est Abbathia de Cogeshal a Rege Stephano et Matilde Regina qui primo fundauerunt Abbathiam de Furnesse Abbatiam de Longeleyrs et postea Abbathiam de Feuersham c. this house was dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary wherein were placed white Monkes â—luniackes the reuenues of which were valued to be yearely worth 298. l. 8. s. it was surrendred the 18. of March 29. Hen. 8. Adioyning to the Rode called Coccill-way which to this towne leadeth was lately found an arched Vault of bricke and therein a burning lampe of glasse couered with a Romane Tyle some 14 inches square and one Vrne with ashes and bones besides two sacrificing dishes of smooth and pollished red earth hauing the bottome of one of them with faire Romane letters inscribed COCCILLI M I may probably coniecture this to haue beene the sepulchrall monument of the Lord of this towne who liued about the time of Antoninus Pius as by the coyne there likewise found appeareth the affinitie betweene his and the now townes name being almost one and the same These remaine in the custody of that iudicious great Statesman Sir Richard Weston Knight Baron Weston of Nealand Lord Treasurer of England and of the most honourable Order of the Garter companion Who for his approued vertues and industrie both vnder father and sonne doth to the publique good fully answere the place and dignity Before these times in a place called Westfield three quarters of a mile distant from this towne and belonging to the Abbey there was found by touching of a plough a great brasen pot The ploughmen supposing to haue beene hid treasure sent for the Abbot of Cogeshall to see the taking vp of it and he going thither met with Sir Clement Harleston and desired him also to accompany him thither The mouth of the pot was closed with a white substance like past or clay as hard as burned bricke when that by force was remoued there was found within it another pot but that was of earth that being opened there was found in it a lesser pot of earth of the quantity of a gallon couered with a matter like Veluet and fastened at the mouth with a silke lace in it they found some whole bones and many pieces of small bones wrapped vp in fine silke of fresh colour which the Abbot tooke for the reliques of some Saints and laid vp in his Vestuary Bocking Dorewards So denominated of the Dorewardes sometimes Lords of this towne and Patrons of this fat Parsonage which is xxxv l x. s. in the Kings bookes as I am perswaded by relation and these Inscriptions vpon ancient Tombes Hic iacet Iohannes Doreward Armig. filius Willelmi Doreward mil .... qui obijt .... 1420. et Isabella vxor eius .... Hic iacet Iohannes Doreward Armiger qui obiit xxx die Ianuar. Anno Dom. Mil. cccc lxv et Blancha vxor eius que obiit ... die mens .... An Dom. Mil. cccc lx quorum animabus propitietur dens Amen Clauiger Ethereus nobis sis Ianitor almus Haulsteed The Lordship of Stansteed within this Parish was the ancient inheritance of the noble family of the Bourchiers in which they had a mansion house many of which surname lie here entombed to continue whose remembrance in the south side of the Quire is a Chappell which to this day is called Bowsers Chappell wherein they lie interred the inscriptions which were vpon their monuments are quite gone this one following excepted Hic iacet Bartholomeus quondam Dominus de Bourgchier qui obiit viii die mens Maii Anno Dom. M. cccc.ix et Margereta Sutton ac Idonea Louey vxores eius Quorum animabus propitietur Deu S. Amen Vnder another of these monuments lieth the
Bell on which is cast a peece of coine of siluer of King Edward the fourth it was giuen by one of the Countesses of Essex as one may partly gather by an old Inscription vpon it is the Bowsers knot Tiltey Here sometime stood a Monastery founded by Maurice Fitz-Gilbert before remembred not long after the Conquest which he dedicated to the honour of the Virgine Mary and therein placed white Monkes of the Cistertian order The donations to this religious house are confirmed in the Records of the Tower Cart. Antiq. lit S. The valuation of it at the suppression was 177. l. 9 s. 4. d. This Monasterie is not altogether ruinous in the little Church whereof I found these Funerall Inscriptions following Bruntingthorpe neare to Leicester hath long beene the habitation of the ancient familie of Dannet saith Master Burton who beareth sable Guttee Argent a Canton Ermine one of which familie lieth here interred with this Epitaph Hic iacet sepultus cum coniuge Maria Gerardus Dannet de Bruntingthorp in Com Lecestr Ar. serenissimi Regis Henrici octaui Consiliarius qui obijt Anno Christi M. ccccc.xx mensis Maij quarto The armes afore blazoned are ouer the Monument of this Councellour to king Henry Abbas famosus bonus viuendo probatus In Thakley natus qui iacet hic tumulatus Thomas dictatus qui Christo sit sociatus Rite gubernauit istumque locum peramauit Great Easton Orate .... Willelmi Moigne Ar .... qui obiit .... M.ccc.v This William Moigne or Monke held this Mannor of Easton ad montem for so it was anciently called with Winterborne and Maston in the Countie of Wilts by seruice of being Clarke of the Kings Kitchin and keeper of his Lardarie tempore Coronationis Hatfield Brad-oke So called saith Camden of a broad spread Oake in which Towne Robert de Vere the third Earle of Oxford and great Chamberlaine of England founded a Priorie for blacke Monkes About the beginning of the raigne of King Henry the third valued at the suppression at 157. l. 3. s. 2. d. ob per annum which Priory Aubrey de Vere the third of that Christian name Earle of Oxford enfeoffed with the Tithes of this Towne and to the instrument of his donation he affixed by a harpe string as a labell to the bottome of the parchment a short blacke hafted knife like vnto an old halfe penny whitle instead of a Seale These are the words in his Grant Per istum cultellum Albericus de Vere tertius feoffauit Prioratum et Conventum de Hatfeeld Regis alas Brodoke cum omnibus decimis in villa predicta Habend c. a festo Assumptionis beate Marie virginis in puram perpetuam Eleemosinam c. Of this old manner of signing and sealing of deeds you may read Lambard in his perambulation of Kent pag. 318. This Robert was first entombed in the Church of his owne foundation and at the dissolution remoued into the Quire of this Parish Church where he lieth crosse-legged with this inscription now almost worne out Sire Robert de Veer le premier count de Oxenford le tierz git ci Dieux del alme si luy plest sace merci Oi pur lame priera xl iors de pardonn anera Pater Noster Sir Robert Vere the first and third Earle of Oxford lieth here God if he please have mercy of his soule whosoeuer shall pray for his soule shall obtaine fourty dayes Pardon He died in the yeare 1221. Hic iacent Thomas Barington Ar. Anna vxor eius qui quidem Thomas obijt v. Aprilis M. cccc lxxij Anna obiit proximo die sequenti Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus At Barington Hall within this Parish saith that learned delineator of Great Britaine M. Camden dwelleth that right ancient familie of the Baringtons which in the raigne of King Stephen the Barons of Montfitchet inriched with faire possessions since which time this house is much enobled by the marriage of Sir Thomas Barington knight with Winifred the daughter and coheire of Sir Henry Pole knight Lord Montague sonne of Margaret Plantaginet Countesse of Salisbury descended of the bloud royall being the daughter of George Duke of Clarence Great Dunmow Exoretis miserecordiam Dei pro anima Walteri Bigod Armigeri qui obijt 17. die mens Mar. 1397. Simon de Regham iadis Parson de Dunmow gist icy Dieu de son alme eit mercy Amen Of yowr cherite prey for the sowls of Iohn Ienone Esquyr somtym on of the Common Pleas of Westmynstre and Alys his wyff Whych Iohn dyed xvii Septembyr M. Vc.xlii Little Dunmow Iuga the wife of one Baynard a Nobleman that came in with the Conquerour the builder of Baynards Castle in London founded the Priority in this village in the beginning of the raigne of Henry Beauclerke and entreated Mauricius Bishop of London to dedicate the Church to the honour of the virgine Mary to which the same day she gaue halfe a Hide of land Her sonne and heire Geffrey Baynard placed blacke Chanons therein by the consent of Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury This house was valued at the suppression to be yearely worth 173. l. 2. s. 4. d. The Church of this monastery is as yet standing in the Quire whereof betweene two pillars lieth the body of Matilda the faire entombed who was the daughter of Robert Fitz-water the most valiant knight of England About the yeare 1213. saith the booke of Dunmow there arose a great discord betwixt king Iohn and his Barons because of Matilda surnamed the faire daughter of Robert Fitz-water whom the King vnlawfully loued but could not obtaine her nor her fathers consent thereunto Whereupon and for other like causes ensued warre through the whole Realme The king banished the said Fitz-water amongst other and caused his Castle called Baynard and other his houses to be spoiled Which being done he sent a messenger vnto Matilda the faire about his old Suit in Loue Et quia noluit consentire toxicauit eam And because she would not agree to his wicked motion the messenger poisoned a boiled or potched Egge against she was hungrie and gaue it vnto her whereof she died the yeare 1213. In the yeare following after her death her banished father was restored to the kings fauour vpon this occasion It happened in the yeare 1214. king Iohn being then in France with a great armie that a truce was taken betwixt the two Kings of England and France for the terme of fiue yeares and a riuer or arme of the Sea being betwixt either host there was a knight in the English host that cried to them of the other side willing some one of their knights to come and iust a course or two with him Wherupon without stay Robert Fitz-water being on the French part made himselfe ready ferried ouer got on horseback and shewed himself ready to the face of
quingentesimo decimo nono In the hall of the Mannor house of Newton Hall in this Parish remaineth in old painting two postures th' 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 Bowser as I had it out of the collections of Augustine Vincent Windsore Herald deceased Boreham The inheritance and honours of this famous and right noble race of the Fitz-waters came at length by mariage into the stocke of the Radcliffes for in the pedegree of Sir Alexander Radcliffe of Ordsall in the county of Lancaster knight of the Bath descended as the Earle of Sussex is from the Radcliffes anciently of Radcliffe in the said County the sonne of that valiant and generally beloued Gentleman Sir Iohn Radcliffe Lieuetenant Colonell slaine fighting against the French in the Isle of Rhee the 29. day of October in the yeare of our Lord one thousand sixe hundred twenty and seuen I finde that Sir Iohn Radcliffe Knight sonne of Sir Iohn Radcliffe knight who married Katherine the daughter and heire of Edward Lord Burnell of Acton Burnell in the county of Salop married Elizabeth the daughter and heire of Walter Lord Fitz-water of Woodham a Baron of great riches as of ancient nobility the father of Iohn who was Father of Robert Radcliffe the first of that sirname Earle of Sussex Viscount Fitz-water Lord Egremont and Burnell who with other two Earles his Sonne and Grandchilde lie here interred vnder a sumptuous monument as appeareth by their seuerall inscriptions and liuely portraitures To the memory of the first Earle for I am tied by my method onely to his at this time these funerall lines following are engrauen Robertus Radcliffe miles Dominus Fitz-water Egremond et Burnel Vicecomes Fitz-water magnus Camerarius Anglie Camerarius Hospitij Regis Henrici octaui ac eidem a consilijs Prelijs in Gallia commissis aliquoties inter primos ductores honoratus in alijs belii pacisque consultationibus non inter postremos habitus aequitatis Institiae constantiae magnum aetatis suae columen obijt xxvii die Nouemb. Anno Dom. M. ccccc.xlii aetat This Earle had three wiues whose portraitures are cut here vpon the Tombe by all of which he had issue By his first wife Elizabeth who was the daughter of Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham hee had Henry after him Earle of Sussex here intombed George Radcliffe and Sir Humfrey Ratcliffe of Elnestow By Margaret his second wife daughter of Thomas Lord Stanley Earle of Darby he had Anne married to Thomas Lord Wharton who lieth here buried by her father and Iane maried to Sir Antony Browne Knight Viscount Mountague By his third wife the daughter of Sir Iohn Arundell of Lanherne in Cornwall Knight he had issue Sir Iohn Radcliffe Knight who died without issue in the yeare 1566. and lieth buried in Saint Olaues Hart-streete London Henry Radcliffe Earle of Sussex sonne of this Robert as aforesaid was one of the priuie Councell to Queene Mary as I finde it in her Grant of liberty made vnto him for the wearing of Coyfes or Cappes in her presence which I coppied out of the Originall amongst the Euidences of Robert late Earle of Sussex deceased expressed in these words following Mary the Queene Mary by the grace of God Quene of Englonde France and Irelonde defendor of the Feythe and in Earthe of the Church of Englonde and Irelonde supreme Hede. To all to whom this present wryting shall come sendeth greting in our Lord euerlasting Know ye that wee do gyue and pardon to our welbeloued and trusty Cosen one of oure priuey Counsell Henry Earle of Sussex Viscount Fitz-water Lord Egremond and Burnell liberty licens and pardon to were his Cappe Coyf or night Cappe or twoo of them at his pleasor as well in oure presens as in the presens of any other person or persons within this our Relme or any other place of our dominion wheresoeuer during his life And these oure lettres shall be his sufficient warrant in this behalfe Yeuen vndre oure Signe Manuell at oure Palaes of Westminstre the second dey of October in the first yere of oure Reigne Her Seale with the Garter about it is fixed to this Grant with a labell of silke and so are the Armes of the Kings of England and E. R. the Seale manuell of Edward the sixt not altered This Henry departed this life at Sir Henry Sidneyes house in Chanon Row at Westminster on wednesday morning the 17. of February betweene fiue and sixe a clocke in the third and fourth yeare of Philip and Mary Anno 1556. as Vincent in his Discouerie of Brookes Errors verifieth by a certificate thereof in the booke of Burials in the Office of Armes Fol. 225. He was buried first by his Father in Saint Laurence Poultney Church in London from whence their remaines were remoued hither as you shall vnderstand by the present sequele That braue-spirited politicke-wise Lord Thomas Earle of Sussex Lord Chamberlaine of the Houshold to Queene Elizabeth of famous memory built or began to build a Chappell in this Church wherein this glorious Tombe is erected as a place of buriall for himselfe and his worthy progeny and commanded by his last Will and Testament as I was told that the honourable remaines of his Father and Grandfather Henry and the foresaid Robert Earles of Sussex should be remoued from the parish Church of Saint Laurence Poultney London where their bodies lay buried to this his Chapbell at Boreham wherein hee desired to be entombed all which was accordingly performed This Tombe was made by one Richard Stephens an outlandish man and finished with all furniture as gilding colouring and the like thereunto belonging the xxviii of May M.D. lxxxxix the whole charge thereof amounting to the summe of cclxxxxii l xii s. viii d. as appeares by the account which I haue seene This Thomas Earle of Sussex saith Camden was a most worthy and honourable personage in whose minde were seated ioyntly both politicke wisedome and martiall prowesse as England and Ireland acknowledged but more of him hereafter These Earles of Sussex of this sirname from Robert the first to Robert the last who died An. Dom. 1629. haue euer beene Knights of the Garter Hic iacet Thomas Coggeshale Ar. filius Thome Coggeshale Armigeri Iohanna vxor eius que quidem Iohanna obijt xvii Iulij M.ccc.xv Thomas obiit ..... Newport Her lyeth Thomas Brown Who 's sowl God pardown ......... M. ccccc.xv Her vndyr this marble ston Lyeth the body of master Ion Heynes Bacheler of Law And somtym Vycar of this Chirch I traw Who passyd out .......... ...... M. cccc Here sometime stood an hospitall in this Towne by whom founded I cannot reade Valued at the fatall destruction of all such houses at 23.
reuenues Richard Cordelion his sonne confirmes the gift and exchange of the Canons made by his father by his Charter to be read in the Tower in these words Richardus Dei gratia c. Inde est quod sicut Pater noster mutationem Canonicorum secularium institutionem Canonicorum regularium fecit in Ecclesia de Waltham eis quasdam non as possessiones et veteres concessit confirmauit Sic nos laudabiliter virorum commutationem in prefata Ecclesia factam nostra autem approbamus Et pro salute predicti Patris nostri et Matris nostre et Fratrum nostrorum et pro salute omnium fidelium constitutionem Canonicorum Regularium in eadem Ecclesia factam donationes possessiones nouas que a Patre nostro eis facte sunt presenti carta nostra confirmamus Dat. c. Henry the third encreased much their reuenues with Faires and Markets a Faire here for seuen dayes and at Epping a Market euery Monday and a Faire for three dayes So by the munificence of these Kings their Successours and Subiects this Abbey at the generall suruey and surrender was valued at Robin Hoods pennieworths to dispend yearely 900. pounds foure shillings and foure pence The Catalogue of religious houses saith 1079. l. 12. s. and a pennie The Church of this Monastery hath escaped the hammers of destruction and with a venerable aspect sheweth vnto vs the magnitude of the rest of this religious Structure Herein Harold made his vowes and prayers for victorie when hee marched against the Norman Conquerour In which battell by the shot of an arrow through the left eye into his braines he was slaine the 14. of October being Saturday 1066. hauing raigned nine moneths and odde dayes whose body by the mediation of his mother Githa and two religious men of this Abbey being obtained of the Conquerour howsoeuer at the first by him denyed affirming that buriall was not fit for him whose ambition had beene the cause of so many funeralls was conueyed with great lamentation by his said mother Githa and a small deiected remainder of the English Nobilitie to this his owne Church and herein solemnly interred vpon whose Monument this Epitaph was engrauen Heu cadis hosle sero Rex a Duce Rege sutaro Par paris gladio milite valido Firmini iusti lux est tibi luce Calixti Pronior hinc superas hinc superatus eras Ergo tibi requiem deposcat vtrumque perennem Sicque precetur eum quod colit omne Deum A fierce foe thee slew thou a King he king in view Both Peeres both Peerelesse both fear'd and both fearlesse That sad day was mixt by Firmin and Calixt Th' one helpt thee to vanquish t'other made thee languish Both now for thee pray and thy Requiem say So let good men all to God for the call Girth and Leofwin his two brethren lost their liues likewise vnder Harolds Banner which was brondet saith Robert of Glocester with sygur of a man fyghtyng biset al about wyth gold and preciosse stons which Baner aftur the Bataile Duc William sent to the Pope in tokne of the victory Whose bodyes were in like manner brought to this Church and here entombed It is said that Girthe not holding it best to hazard the Kindome of England at one cast signified to the King that the successe of warre was doubtfull that victory was rather swayed by fortune then by valour that aduised delay was most important in martiall affaires and if so bee brother said hee you haue plighted your faith to the Duke retire your selfe for no force can serue against a mans owne conscience God will reuenge the violation of an oath you may reserue your selfe to giue them a new encounter which will be more to their terrour As for me if you will commit the charge to me I will performe both the part of a kinde brother and a couragious Leader For being cleare in conscience I shall sell my life or discomfit your enemy with more felicitie But the King not liking his speech answered I will neuer turne my back with dishonour to the Norman neither can I in any sort digest the reproach of a base minde well then be it so said some discontented of the company let him beare the brunt that hath giuen the occasion This Harold is much commended for his courteous affabilitie gentle deportment Iustice and warlike prowesse in nothing blame worthy saue that in the opinion of his owne valour he addicted himselfe wholly to his owne resolutions neglecting the wise deliberations of his best friends and Councellors And that his courage could neuer stoope to be lower then a King For which he is taxed to be an impious man falsely aspiring to the Crowne by vsurpation Of which my old Author with whom I will conclude hath these rimes Harold the falls Erle tho Sent Edward ded ley Hym selue let corone King thulk self dey Falsliche Richard the first king of England for his matchlesse valour surnamed Cordelion or Lions-heart is by some of our old English writers said to haue slaine a Lion and by the pulling out of his heart to haue gained that attribute or denomination the truth is that Hugh Nevill a gentleman of noble linage one of King Richards speciall familiars is recorded to haue slaine a Lion in the holy Land driuing first an arrow into his breast and then running him thorow with his sword whereupon this Hexameter was made Viribus Hugonis vires periere Leonis The strength of Hugh a Lion slue Which atchiuement belike was transferred from the man to the master and the story applied to the by-name of K. Richard This Hugh was high Iustice Gardian or Prothoforester of England He died about the sixt of King Henry the third being full of yeeres corpus eius saith Paris in Ecclesia de Waltam nobili Sarchophago marmoreo et in sculpto traditur sepulturae and his body was buried in this Church of Waltham vnder a noble engrauen marble Sepulchre Iohn Nevill his sonne non ultimus inter Angliae nobiles patris sui pedetentim sequens vestigia and the sonne and heire as well of his vertues as reuenues and offices being accused by one Robert Passelew a man of eminent authoritie vnder King Henry the third of diuers transgressions or omissions in the Forrest Lawes committed by him by his conniuencie or sufferance in this Forrest of Waltham and other the Kings Forrests Parks and Chaces was adiudged to pay a Fine of two thousand markes and ignominiouslie to be cast out of his offices which he tooke so to heart that not long after languishing away with sorrow he breathed out his afflicted spirit in Iuly 1245. at his Mannor of Whelperfield from whence he was conueyed to this Abbey and here honourably entombed by his father I finde in Registro Cartarum Abbatie de Waltam that these two Nevils were great benefactors to
this Monasterie to which Hugh Nevill aforesaid gaue by his deed the Mannor of Thorndon in these words Omnibus ad quos c. Hugo de Nevil salutem Noveritis quod ego pro salute anime mee et Iohanne uxoris mee per consensum bonam voluntatem Iohannis filij mei et heredis concessi Ecclesie de Waltham in liberam Eleâ—mosinam totum manerium meum de Thorndon c. Robert Passelew before remembred was here likewise interred who was one of the Kings instruments for gathering vp money in which his office be vsed such rigor as multitudes of people were vtterlie vndone so vnsafe are priuate mens estates where Princes fall into great wants He was Archdeacon of Lewes and for his good seruice in this businesse Kings haue euer such seruants to expresse their pleasures in what course soeuer they take he should haue bin preferred to the Bishoprick of Chichester but the Bishops withstanding the King therein his election was disanuld in the yeare 1234. being with other called to a strict account for the Kings Treasure ill spent or worse employed he was constrained to take Sanctuarie and seeke odde corners for his safety yet afterwards an argument of the Kings lenitie he was receiued into grace and fauour at the length leauing the troubles which attend the Court hee liued priuately at his parsonage of Derham in Norfolke but died at his house here in Waltham vpon the sixt day of Iune in the yeare 1252. of whom will it please you heare Mathew Paris speake in his owne language Archidiaconus Lewensis Robertus Passeleue eodem quoque anno octauo Idus Iunij obijt apud Waltham de quo multa praescribuntur Hic Robertus Clericus et praelatus non est veritus Regi adhaerendo multos multiformiter depauperare vt Regem impinguaret Opera autem sua sequuntur eum In the Sun-shine of his fortune hee was flattered as all Kings Fauorites are by this allusion to his name Pass-le-eau as surpassing the pure water the most excellent element of all if you beleeue Pindar whereupon these verses were written not the worst in that age if you pardon a little improprietie Out of the collections of Camden Mss. in Bib. Cot. Robertus transgressor aquae nec enim quia transit Sed precellit aquam cognomine credo notari Est aqua lenis est aqua dulcis et est aqua clara Mulcens albiciens emundans omnia lenis Languenti dulcis gustanti clara videnti Tu praecellis aquam nam leni lenior es tu Dulci dulcior es tu clara clarior estu Mente quidem lenis re dulcis sanguine clarus In tribus his excellis aquam nam murmure lenis Est aqua tu mente gustu dulciflua tu re Limpiditate nitens tu sanguine quodlibet horum Est magis intensum procul in te quam sit in ipsa Here lyeth Ion and Ione Cressy On whos sowlys Iesu hav mercy Amen Of yowr cherite for vs and al Christian sowlys Say a Pater Noster and an Aue. On lyue when we wer God sent vs spase To yink on hym and of his grete grase For as we be both body and fase So both mor and less must be in lik case In piteous aray as now yow see It is no nay so sal ye be Your self mak mon or ye bin gon and prey for vs Wythout deley past is the dey we may not prey for yow it s thus Whylst yat yow mey both nyght and dey look yat yow prey Iesu of grase When ye bin gon help is ther non wherfor yink on Whylye hav spase Here stands a faire monument to the memory of Sir Edward Denny sonne of the right honourable Sir Antony Denny Counsellor of Estate and one of the executors of King Henry the eight and of Ioane Champernoun his wife of whom more hereafter This Monasterie is now one of the mansion houses of that honourable Lord Sir Edward Denny Knight Baron Denny of Waltham and Earle of Norwich I found since I writ the premisses that Edward the Confessour was the prime cause of this religious foundation for that he gaue to Harold certaine Lands here conditionally that hee should thereupon build a Monasterie and furnish it with all necessaries as appeares by his Charter of that donation amongst the Records in the Tower Ego Edwardus Dei dono Anglorum Rex c. Haraldo Comiti meo quandam terram antiquitus ab incolis istius loci Waltham nuncupatam cum omnibus ad se pertinentijs â—ampis pratis sylvis aquis c. sub conditione quod in prescripto loco Monasterium edificet in memoriam mei et conjugis mee Eadithe Et insuper ornet diversis Sanctorum martyrum et reliquijs et libris Anglicisque vestibus et alijs ornamentis congruentibus Ibique Catervulam quorundam Fratrum Canonice Regule subjectam constituet Plurimeque terre ut donentur in Monasterij illius extruendi usum et alimentum ipsius etiam Haraldi cure et fidei commisi c. Here he names the lands in particular which are many Et hec omnia saith he ad diluenda mea et Antecessorum meorum peccata collata sunt Quod si quis meorum successorum aliquam partem illius terre subtrahat vel subtrahi proinde requisitus emendare noluerit Ei Dominus justus judex Regnum pariter ac Coronam auferat c. Preterea volo et promitto quod omnia in Monasterij illius opem data vel danda sint semper libera et a Sherifs et a hundredis et extra Curiam sancte Crucis omnibus placitis Geldis c. Scriptum est autem istud privilegium Ann. Dominice incarnationis M.lxii Indictionibus terquinis Epactis Septembris concurrentibus Hijs testibus Ego Edwardus Anglorum Basileus confirmo et corrobero Ego Editha divini numine Christi Regina hec eadem confirmando testimonium do Ego Stigandus Archiepiscopus Dorobernens eadem affirmo Ego Ealdredus Ebor Archiepiscopus hec consollido cum multis alijs Episcopis et Abbatibus Horne-Church Named in times past saith M. Camden Cornutum Monasterium the Horned Minster for that there shoot out at the end of the Church certaine points of Lead fashioned like hotnes To the brethren de monte Iovis or Mountioy or Priory de cornuto by Hauering at the Bower saith Stow the house of Savoy in the Strand did sometime belong which Eleanor wife to King Henry the third purchased of the said Fraternitie or Brotherhood for her sonne Edmond Earle of Lancaster The inhabitants of this parish say by tradition that this Church was built by a female conuertite to expiate and make satisfaction for her former sinnes and that it was called Hore-Church at the first vntill by a certaine King but by what King they are vncertaine which came riding that way it was called The Horned-Church who caused those Hornes to be
Ewes Dynastarum ditionis de Kessel in ducatu Gelriae oriundi Aliciae Rauenscroft coniugis suae viri singularis sub hoc marmore tumulati qui obiit die xii Aprilis Anno Domini CIâ—DXCI Vnico relicto sui ipsius Graciae Hind primae suae coniugis Filio haeredae Paulo D'Ewes Armigero qui duxit in vxorem Sissiliam Filiam vnicam Haeredem Richardi Simonds de Coxden in Pago Dorsetensi Armigeri vnicâ filiâ Aliciâ nupta Gulielmo Lathum de Vpmenster in Comitatu Essex Armigero Egregiâ natus Geerardt de stirpe propinquûm Gueldrorum hic foelix ossa regenda tegit Sciliceâ— invidia fatorum ipse ante sepultus Quam vitâ orbatus mors ita sacra quies Stémata namque Deus modo deprimit et modo Ne nobis coeli gaudia terra ferat Fundamenta tamen proli struxisse regaudec ditat PrimaevuÌ„ ut poterint coÌ„memorare DECVS Hinc proavos superans claros virtute ferendi Non fit ONVS sed erit posteritatis HONOS Arkesden Here lieth Anne the daughter and heire of Richard Fox and the wife of Thamas Langley Esquire ..... 1467. Orate pro anima Willi Cook generosi filij Thome Cook militis Elizabethe uxoris ejus qui obijt 1500. et Elizabetha 1503. Pray for the sowls of Thomas Alderton Stockfishmonger of London and Alis his wyff which Alis decessyd on Saint George his Eue 1513. This Inscription following is vpon the North Wall of this Church Thomas Alderton was a goodd benefactor to this Chirch as by his last Wil and Testament remeyning in this Chirch mor pleynly it doth appere He gave certeyne lands towards the sustentatyon of a Chantre Prest to sing at the Awter and to help devyn Servis at the sam on the Holiday He built this Isle from the north dor hitherto on whos sowl Iesu haue mercy Amen Stansted Mont-fichet The habitation in times past of the familie de Monte Fixo commonly Mont-fitchet whereupon the towne had that denomination In the Church lieth buried Roger of Lancaster who married Philip daughter and heire of Hugh de Bulbeck the second saith Norden and lieth crosse legged in an ancient tombe of white stone vpon which no inscription remaineth He was in her right Lord of Stansted the said mannor afterward came vnto Hugo de Playze by marriage of the yongest daughter of Richard Mont-fitchet of whom came Elizabeth Countesse of Oxford who was daughter to Iohn Howard knight by whom the land came to the Earle of Oxford South Church In this Church are some old Monuments of the Bruins which haue beene old inhabitants there and descended saith Norden as hee thinks from Iordan le Brune a knight Lord of Hacwell in Henry the thirds time Here is an old mannor wherein the old knights which surnamed themselues of the towne Chirche inhabited whereof one Sir Richard in Henry the thirds time was one of the kings Iustices for Gaole deliuery He gaue the greatest part of his land to Christs Church in Canterbury mooued thereunto for want of heires males Shopland In Shopland is an ancient mannor called Butlers of a race of knights and gentlemen that dwelt there and gaue three couered Cups as appeareth in the Church window there is one most beautifull Monument in the Church made to the memory of one Staple a Sergeant at Armes to King Ed. the third which gaue in his Shield a Salter mixt with Staples which in colours with other Scutcheons remaine in the North windowes His tombe is thus inscribed Tho. Stapel iadis Seriant d'armes nostre Seigneus le Roi qi morust le secunde iour de Mars l'an de Gras Mil. ccclxxi gist ici Dieu de s'alme eit mercy Amen Canewdon A great parish so called from King Canutus the Dane who kept his Court here unde Canuti domus The Mannor house hath beene double trenched and fensed after the oldest fashion In the same are other Mannors exceeding ancient as that of Clarendon Hall the old seat of the Chanceux many of them were knights as Sir Giles Chanceux in Edward the first his time many of them lie buryed in the Church with their Pictures Scutcheons and French Poesies all defaced Another Mannor called Breamstons or rather Beanstons honoured by knights descended of Bartholomew a yonger sonne to the Earle of Ewe in Normandy it hath beene inhabited by a knight or more of the name of Scot. Another Mannor called Apton Hall and another called Piuersey Hall whereof Sir Iohn Greyton was Lord in Edward the first his time One of the best called Lamberne Hall whereof one Lamberne vnder Swaine was Lord in the Conquest time and so continued till Richard the second at which time his daughter Thamasin carried all to Toteham and from thence to Barington and from thence to Lumsford a Squire of Sussex that being better planted in his natiue Country vseth this for a Farme as I thinke it was in Lambernes time So many Lordships in the parish haue caused so many of their owners to honour this Church with their Sepultures but to whose memory in particular any one of these monuments were erected cannot bee discerned they are all so shamefully abused Great Stanbridge Here was the inheritance and sepulture of a wariike crew of Knights called Tanye or Thanye one of which named Lucas Tanye a knight and an expert warriour at the taking of the Isle of Anglesey and Castle of Oxe in Wales was with Sir William Lindsey William de Audley Roger Clifford and twelue other of the Kings chiefest Captaines and Knights besides seuenteene young Gentlemen and two hundred common souldiers slaine by Dauid Lord of Denbigh brother to Lhewelin Prince of Wales and his band of fierce Welshmen in the tenth yeare of the raigne of King Edward the first This famous knight was Steward of Gascoyn Writle Hic iacet Thomasia filia et heres Tho. Heueningham iunioris Ar. filij heredis Tho. Heueningham senioris Ar. Tomasie consortis sue que quidem Thomasia dicta filia heres primo nupta suit Tho. Berdefield secundo Iohanni Bedel vltimo Waltero Thomas gen et obiit die Martis 21. Iunij 1513 et qui Tho. Heueningham senior Thomasia Consors eius ac Tho. Heueningham iunior iacent partem sub isto lapide partem magis directe coram imagine S. Trinitatis Quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus Here lieth Thomas Fige and Margaret his wife one of the two daughters and heires of Raffe Toppesfeld Esquire He deceased in April 1513. and had issue one sonne and two daughters Here lieth Iohane somtym wyff of William Wyborne daughter and heire of Thomas Hyde Who died .... 1487. Here lieth Iohn Pinchon Esquire who died .... with Ione his wyff daughter to Sir Richard Empson beheaded Of whom I haue spoken before Out of the collections of the right honourable Thomas Lord
husband Eleanor the second wife of the foresaid Sir Iohn Wriothesley Here lieth buried Ioan wyfe to Thomas Wriothesley sonne to the said Sir Iohn Wriothesley Here lyeth Iohn Wriothesley the younger sonne to Sir Iohn Wriothesly and Eleanor with others of that familie mentioned by Stow in his Suruay of London This Church is likewise much honoured by the Sepultures of Sir Henry Grey knight sonne and heire to George Grey Earle of Kent as also by Reginald Grey Earle of Kent Of which their Funeralls being so neare these times in another place S. Benet Pauls Wharfe In this Church lie entombed the bodyes of Sir William Cheyney knight and Dame Margaret his wife which Sir William Cheyney deceased Ann. 1422. In this Parish and partly as I take it in Saint Peters the little is a faire house sometime belonging to the Stanleys vpon the outward wall whereof are embossed the Armes or rather if you will the legges of the Isle of Man for that the Stanleys honoured with the title of Earles of Darby were commonly called Kings of Man This house was built by Thomas Stanley first of that sirname Earle of Darby and so for a long time it was called Darbie House but at length it being in the tenure of Sir Richard Sackuile knight fallen by morgage vnto him for which morgage Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke out of his affection to the office of Armes satisfied the said Sir Richard who thereupon past it ouer to Q. Mary and at the instant request of the said Duke she by her Charter granted it to Sir Gilbert Dethicke as then Garter principall King of Armes who lieth buried in this Church Thomas Hauley Clarencieux king of Armes of the south parts William Haruey Norroy king of Armes of the north parts and to the other Heralds and Pursuiuants of Armes expressing their titles and order qui pro tempore fuerint in perpetuum vt essent vnum corpus corporatum in re facto nomine habeantque successionem perpetuam nec non quoddam sigillum commune To the end that the said King of Armes Heralds and Pursuiuants of Armes and their successors might at their liking dwell together and at conuenient times meete together speake conferre and agree among themselues for the good gouernement of their faculty and their Records might be more safely kept c. Dated the 18. day of Iuly 1555. Philip and Mary the first and third yeare This Corporation consists of thirteene in number whose names and titles at this time viz. Anno 1631. are as followeth Sir William Segar Knight Garter Principall King of Armes Sir Richard S. George Knight Clarencieux Sir Iohn Borough Knight Norroy Prouinciall Kings William Penson Lancaster Sir Henry S. George Knight Richmond Henry Chitting Chester Iohn Philipot Somerset William le Neue Yorke Iohn Bradshaw Windsore Heralds These sixe Heralds non ab Officiorum praestantia sed è creationis cuiusque antiquitate locos obtinet not from the excellencie of their office but according to the prioritie of their creation take preheminence And to make vp the number there are foure Pursuiuants in this Colledge helpers and furtherers likewise in matters of Heraldry although of an inferiour Classe viz. Rouge-crosse so called of the red crosse by which Saint George the Tutelar Saint of all Englishmen is famozed Blewmantle so called of a skie-coloured coate of Armes Francica maiestatis of a French-like Maiesty assumed by K. Edward the third Rouge-Dragon of a red Dragon sustaining the Shield Roiall of the English instituted by King Henry the seuenth Port cullis of the Port cullis which the said Henry the seuenth vsed in his Cognisance If you would know more of this Colledge may it please you peruse Sir Henry Spilmans Glossarie litera H. Saint Michaels Querne Here lieth interred the body of Iohn Leland or Leyland Natiue of this honourable Citie of London brought vp in the Vniuersities of England and France where he greatly profited in all good learning and languages Keeper of the Libraries he was to King Henry the Eight in which Office he chiefly applied himselfe to the study of Antiquities wherein he was so laborious and exquisite that few or none either before or since may bee with him compared which will best appeare by his New yeares gift to the said King Henry written in Latine and translated into English by his contemporarie companion Iohn Bale and by him intituled The loboryouse Iourney and serche of Iohan Leylande for Englandes Antiquitees giuen of him as a New yeares gift to Kynge Henry the Eyghte in the thirty seuenth yeere of his Reygne Vbi tuae celsit udini visum fuit c. so it begins in Latine Where as it pleased youre hyghnesse vpon very iust consideratyons to encourage mee by the authoryte of youre moste graciouse Commyssion to peruse and dyligently to serche all the Libraries of Monasteries and Collegies of this youre noble Realme to the entent that the Monuments of auncyent Wryters as well of other Nacyons as of your owne Prouynce myghte be brought out of deadly darkenesse to lyuely lyght and to receiue lyke thankes of their posteryte as they hoped for at such time as they employed their long and great studies to the publique wealthe Yea and furthermore that the holy scripture of God might both be sincerely taught and learned all maner of supersticion and crafty coloured doctrine of a rowte of romane Bishops totally expelled oute of this your most Catholique realme I thinke it now no lesse than my very dewtie breuely to declare to your Maiestie what frutes haue spronge of my laboriouse iourney and costly enterprise both roted vpon your infinite goodnesse and liberalite qualitees right highly to be estemed in al Princes and most specially in yow as naturally your owne wele knowne proprietes First I haue conserued many good authors the which otherwise had ben like to haue perished to no small incommodite of good letters Of the which parte remaine in the most magnificent libraries of your royall Palaces Part also remaine in my custodie whereby I trust right shortly so to describe your most noble Realme and to publish the Maiestie of the excellent actes of youre progenitors hitherto sore obscured bothe for lacke of emprinting of such workes as lay secretly in corners And also because men of eloquence hath not enterprised to set them forth in a florishing stile in some times past not commonly vsed in England of Writers otherwise wele learned and now in such estimacion that except truth be delicately clothed in purpure her written veritees can scant finde a Reader That all the world shall euidently perceiue that no particular region may iustly be more extolled than yours for true nobilitie and vertues at all points renoumed Farther more part of the exemplaries curiously sought by me and fortunately found in sundry places of this your dominion hath bene emprinted in Germany and now be in the presses chefely
to reestablish that holy and yet vnfortunate King Henry the sixt in his regall authoritie In this battaile vpon King Edwards part were slaine Humfrey Bourchier Lord Cromwell Henry Bourchier sonne and heire to the Lord Barners both buried at Westminster In the quarrell of King Henry were slaine the foresaid Richard Neuill Earle of Warwicke and Iohn Neuill Marquesse Montacute his brother both buried at Bisham Abbey in Barkeshire the bodies of many others of the Nobilitie and Gentrie on both parties which perished in this vnnaturall conflict had Christian buriall in the Frier Augustines Church London The common Souldiers as also many Commanders were buried vpon the same Plaine where the foresaid battaile was strucken to whose memory a Chappell was built vpon the said Plaine and a Priest appointed to say Masse for their soules as the doctrine went in those daies Vpon both sides of common Souldiers there died that holy Easter day as then the 14. of Aprill saith Ed. Hall ten thousand foure thousand saith Io. Stow and Rob. Fabian saith farre lesse fifteene hundred so vncertaine as I haue said before is the number of the dead slaine in battaile Howsoeuer a part onely of Hertfordshire is comprised within this Diocesse yet giue me leaue to say somewhat in this place of the whole County A rich Countrie saith Clarencieux in corne Fields Pastures Medowes Woods Groues and cleere riuerets And for ancient townes it may contend with the neighbours euen for the best For there is scarcely another in all England that can shew more good townes in so small a compasse the whole circumference of the Shire being but about an hundred and thirtie miles In this County and in the towne of S. Albans two mortall and bloudy battels of Englands ciuill dissentions haue beene fought The first whereof chanced the 24. of May Anno 1455. by Richard Duke of Yorke with his associates the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury and Lords of Fawconbridge and Cobham against King Henry the sixt In whose defence Edmund Duke of Somerset Henry Earle of Northumberland and Iohn Lord Clifford with fiue thousand more lost their liues the King himselfe was wounded in the necke with an arrow the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Sudley in their faces Humfrey Earle Stafford in his right hand and the Earle Dorset almost slaine On the Dukes part onely sixe hundred were slaine Of which battell and of the timerous flight of the Souldiers on the Kings partie the learned Abbot of Saint Albans Iohn Wheathamstead who liued in those daies writes thus Marcia splendiferum regerent cum sydera celum Aspicerentque feros toruis aspectibus Anglâ—s Albani Villam tranquilla pace vigentem Fedarunt multo violenter sanguine fuso Rex aderat presens secumque cohors satis ingent De Dominis Regni contrarius hijs Eboraci Dux que duo comites Warwici et Sarsburiensis Venerunt media fit grandis pugna platea In qua corruerant qui nobilitate vigebant De patria Boree comes insignis Dominusque Corruit ac ipse qui belli causa fuisse Fertur Dux magnus de Somercethe vocitatus Ac alij plures satis asperasors fuit ipsis Multi fugerunt aliter se non properarunt Quin faciunt trepide visum fugiendo Columbe Insultum ve Canis Damus Lepus ac fera queuis Dum fugiunt nemora pecierunt siue Frutecta In quibus vt pueri virgam metuendo magistri Se pudet id ferre vecorditer occoluere Qui fuerant nostra proprius penetralia tecta Ad nos fugerunt sub Stallis et latuerunt Aut infra latebras timor ingens duxerat ipsos Sic imbecillis tergum dedit hostibus hostis Non sine dedecore nec nominis absque rubore Mors est non vita sub turpi viuere fama Et patet in paucis sors belli que fuit huius Qualis euentus Domini Ducis et comitatus Ter deno trino Domini Regis fuit anno Henrici sexti facies hec obuia celi In Maio mense bis dena bis quoque luce M. semel x quino C quater fuit I quoque quino In Maio mense bis dena bis quoque luce Hic strages procerum conflatus hic populorum The second battell fought in this towne of Saint Albans was by Queene Margaret against the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke the Earles of Warwicke and Arundell that by force kept with them the King her husband with whom by constraint he held and on their side fought vntill the field was lost and Lords fled when with great ioy he was receiued by his Queene and yong sonne Prince Edward This battell sell the 17. of February being Shrouesunday Of this towne and of these two battels thus Camden writes in a more succinct and serious stile As Antiquity consecrated this place saith he to be an Altar of Religion so Mars also may seeme to haue destined it for the very plot of bloudy battaile For to let other particulars goe by when England vnder the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke bereft as it were of vitall breath was ready through a ciuill warre to sinke downe and fall in a swoune the chiefe Captaines on both sides ioyned battaile twise with reciprocall varietie of fortune in the very towne First Richard Duke of Yorke gaue the Lancastrians here a sore ouerthrow tooke King Henry the sixt captiue and slew many honourable personages Foure yeares after the Lancastrians vnder the conduct of Queene Margaret wonne here the field put the house of Yorke to flight and restored the King to his former liberty The bodies of such of the Nobility and others of eminent ranke and qualitie which lost their liues in these mortall contentions were buried in the Abbey Church as I haue partly touched before in Saint Peters and in other religious Structures accordingly as they were befriended the common Souldiers were buried in Church-yards and vpon a little greene at the Townes end called No mans land which lies betwixt the two waies as I take it leading to Luton and Sandridge Nere vnto the roade high way saith Camden in this tract betweene Stenenhaugh and Knebworth the seat of the worshipfull house of the Littons descended from Litton in Darbishire I saw certaine round hils cast vp by mans hands such as the old Romans were wont to reare for Souldiâ—ers slaine in the wars of which the Captaine himselfe laid the first turse and now for Essex Essex is a country large in compasse the circumference thereof being one hundred forty sixe miles fruitfull of woods plentifull of Saffron and very wealthy A late writer hauing reckoned vp the commodities which this County doth affoard concludes on this manner If you esteeme not these as things aboue the ground Looke vnder where the Vrnes of ancient times are found The Roman Empâ—rours Coynes oft digd out of the dust And warlike weapons now consum'd with cankring rust And huge and massy bones of mighty fearefull
men To tell the worlds full strength what creatures liued then When in her height of youth the lustie fruitfull earth Brought forth her big-lim'd brood euen Gyants in their birth Neere to Showbery in Rochford Hundred are certaine hils in which the bodies of the Danes there discomfited and slaine in the raigne of Edmund Ironside lie buried in Essex What way saith Camden in Essex this country looketh toward Cambridgeshire Barklow sheweth itselfe well knowne now by reason of foure little hils or Burries cast vp by mans hand such as in old time were wont to be raised as Tombes for Souldiers slaine whose reliques were not easie to be found But when a fifth and sixth of them were not long since digged downe three troughes of stone were found and in them broken bones of men as I was informed The country people say that they were reared after a field there fought against the Danes for Dane wort which with bloud-red berries commeth vp here plenteously they still call by no other name then Danes-bloud of the number of Danes that there were slaine verily beleeuing that it bloometh from their bloud The parish Church of Ashdown or Assandun giues buriall to the slaughtered bodies of many braue English Souldiers for Edmund sirnamed Ironside King of England hauing fought sixe battels with the Danes within the compasse of one yeare in which at the beginning hee had the better putting them euer to rout plaied here in this place his last prize where he was so defeyted by the meanes of false Edrick his counsell that he lost the flower of the English Nobilitie In memoriall of which Battell king Canutus the Danish Conquerour built this Church at such time when as vpon remorse and repentance for the bloud which he had shed he erected Chappels in what part soeuer he had foughten any field and shed Christian bloud Of which my old Rimer Robert of Glocester Knute moche louyd Engâ—ysshmen and the loud thertoo And holy Chyrche susteyned as hym ought to doo And restoryd Abbeyes stroyed that wer befor And Chyrches lette arere that allwer forlor And Chyrches now he lette arere in stedests most thar Where he had Battayles doo and men yslaw ar As vpon Asshedonne and about ther Al for the soulygs of hem that sleyne ther were Certaine small hillocks are remayning neare to this Church at this day out of which haue beene digged the bones of men Armour and the water chaines of horse bridles as the Inhabitants told me Claudius the Emperour saith S Danyel had the honour of taking the whole Isle of Britaine to the Romane Empire which though thus wonne was not till a long time after ouercome For now the Britaines vnderstanding the misery of their dissociation how their submission brought but the more oppression colleague themselues against the Romanes taking their occasion vpon the outrages committed on the person and state of Queene Vaodicia or Boudicea widow of Prasutagus king of the Icenians the Inhabitants of Norfolke Suffolke Cambridge and Huntingtonshires a great and rich Prince who at his death had left Nero his heire and two daughters hoping thereby to free his house from iniuries But it fell out contrary for no sooner was he dead but his kingdome was spoiled by the Cenâ—urions his house ransackt by slaues his wife beaten and his daughters rauished Besides the chiefe men of the Icenians as if all the region had beene giuen in prey were rest of their goods and the kings kinsmen esteemed as captiues with which contumely and feare of greater mischiefe they conspire with the Trinobants the Inhabitants of Midlesex and Essex and others not yet inured to seruitude to resume their liberty And first set vpon the Garrisons of the Veteran Souldiers whom they most hated defeited the ninth Legion whereof they slew all the foote forced Cercalis the Legat and leader to flight and put to the sword seuenty thousand Romanes and associates inhabiting this municipall Towne Comolodunum now Maldon as also London and Verulam before Suetonius the Gouernour of the Prouince could assemble the rest of the dispersed forces to make head against their armie conducted by Vaodicia who with her two daughter brought into the field to moue compassion and reuenge incites them to that noble and manly worke of liberty Which to recouer she protests to hold her selfe there but as one of the vulgar without weighing her great honour and birth resolued to winne or dye Many of their wiues were likewise there to be spectatours and incouragers of their husbands valour But in the end Suetonius got the victory with the slaughter of fourescore thousand Britaines of the Romanes onely foure hundred were slaine and not many moe hurt saith Tacitus lib. Annal. 14. ca. 11. Vaodicia seeing the ouerthrow of her Army was notwithstanding vnuanquished in her owne Noble Spirit and scorning to be a spectacle in their Triumphs or a vassall to their wills after the example of Cleopatra she made an end of her miseries and life by poyson She was affoarded honorable buriall and so were the rest of her vanquished Armie there slaine according to their qualitie neare vnto the places where the battell was strucken BISHOPS OF LONDON CANONIZED SAINTS MEllitus the first Bishop of this See after the remouall of the Archbishopricke to Canterbury had a shrine erected to his honour in this Church as I haue touched before In his time and partly by his instigation this Cathedrall Church was built by Ethelbert King of Kent He was consecrated Bishop of London by Saint Austin Archbishop of Canterbury the yeare 604. In the gouernment whereof hee continued nineteene yeares in which time and about the fourth yeare of his consecration he went to Rome to conferre with Boniface the Pope about diuers things and was by him honourably entertained A yeare or two after his returne died both Ethelbert King of Kent as also Sebert of the East Angles whom he had conuerted to the Christian Faith King Sebert left behinde him three wicked sonnes that being neuer baptized came notwithstanding one day into the Church at Communion time and asked the Bishop what hee meant that hee deliuered not of that same fiâ—e bread vnto them as he was wont to their father Sebert and did yet vnto the rest of the people He answered that if they would be washed in the water of life as he was and the rest of the people there present then would he deliuer vnto them of this bread also but otherwise neither was it lawfull for him to deliuer nor them to receiue it This notwithstanding they would haue enforced him and when they could not preuaile were so enraged as they expelled him their dominions hardly holding their hands from doing him violence at that time Hee being thus exiled went first vnto Laurence Archbishop of Canterbury and finding him in little better case then himselfe was at London departed into France together with Iustus Bishop of Rochester Being
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
for his sapience In citees all he held well vnitees Greate Iustes ay and ioyous tournements Of Lords and knightes he made great assemblees Through all the lande by his wise regimentes They purposed hole by their common assentes To croune hym kyng of all great Italy Within halfe a yere for his good gouernaly But Stow out of Paulus Iouius writes more fully of this marriage In the moneth of Aprill saith he Leonell Duke of Clarence with a chosen companie of the English Nobilitie went towards Millaine there to marrie with Violentis the daughter of Galeasius the second of that name Duke of Millaine at whose comming to Millaine such abundance of treasure was in most bounteous manner spent in making most sumptuous feasts setting forth stately sights and honouring with rare gifts aboue two hundred Englishmen which accompanied his sonne in law as it seemed to surpasse the greatnesse of most wealthie Princes for in the banquet whereat Francis Petrarch was present amongst the chiefest guests there were aboue thirtie courses of seruice at the table and betwixt euery course as many presents of wondrous price intermixed all which Iohn Galeasius chiefe of the choise youth bringing to the table did offer to Leonell There were in one onely course seuenty goodly horses adorned with silke and siluer furniture and in the other siluer vessells Falcons hounds armour for horses costly coates of mayle breast plates glistering of massie steele helmets and corselets decked with costly crestes apparell distinct with costly Iewells souldiers girdles and lastly certaine gemmes by curious Art set in gold and of purple and cloth of gold for mens apparell in great abundance And such was the sumptuousnesse of that banquet that the meates which were brought from the table would sufficiently haue serued ten thousand men But not long after Leonell liuing with his new wife whilest after the manner of his owne countrey as forgetting or not regarding his change of ayre he addicted himselfe ouer-much to vntimely banquetings spent and consumed with a lingring sicknesse died at Alba Pompeia called also Languvill in the Marquisat of Mont-ferrat in Piemont on the Vigill of Saint Luke the Euangelist 1368. in the two and fortieth yeare of his fathers raigne First he was buried saith Camden in the Annalls of Ireland in the Citie of Papie hard by Saint Augustine the Doctor and afterward enterred at Clare in the Couent Church of Austin Friers in England He had issue onely by his first wife one daughter named Philip. Of which you may reade before in the printed copie of the parchment Roll and in the Chronicle of Iohn Harding as followeth His wife was dedde and at Clare was buried And none heire he had but his doughter faire Philip that hight as Cronicles specified Whom quene Philip cristened for his heire Tharchbishop of Yorke for his compeire Hir godmother also of Warwyk the countesse A Lady was of all greate worthynes And in another place Chyldren had he noone but Philip heire By Elizabeth his first wyfe which the kyng Edward maryed to Edmond Mortymer Th erle of Marche that was his warde full yyng Who gate on hir Roger their derelynge Philip the onely daughter of Leonel Plantagenet Duke of Clarence saith Milles agreeing with the former yet going a little further was married vnto Edmund Mortimer Earle of March vpon whom the said Edmund begot Roger and Roger Anne who being married vnto Richard Earle of Cambridge thereby transported the right of the kingdome vnto the House of Yorke I finde in my notes of Burialls in Monasteries that these persons following were also interred in this Priory Church Richard Earl of Clare whom some will haue to bee Founder Dame Alice Spencer Sir Iohn Beauchamp knight Iohn Newborne Esquire who amongst others brought the body of the foresaid Leonell Duke of Clarence into England Iohn Wiborough William Golderich William Capell and Eleanor his wife The Lady Margaret Scroope daughter of .... Westmerland Iohn Kempe Esquire Robert Butterwyke Esquire Ione Candishe daughter of Clopton Dame Eleanor Wynkepery Stoke Clare Here at Stoke adioyning to Clare was a Colledge founded by one of the Mortimers Earle of March valued in the kings bookes to bee yearely worth three hundred twenty foure pounds foure shillings penny halfe penny In this Colledge was entombed the body of Sir Edmund Mortimer the last Earle of March and Vlster of that house Lord of Wigmore Trim Clare and Conaught the Grandchilde of that Edmund Earle of March who married the daughter and onely heire of Leonell Duke of Clarence as it is in the Roll. This Edmund saith Camden in regard of his royall bloud and right to the Crowne stood greatly suspected to Henry the fourth who had vsurped the kingdome and by him was first exposed vnto dangers in so much as he was taken in a battell fought at Pelale in Wales by Owen Glendowr a Rebell and afterward whereas the Percies purposed to aduance his right he was conueyed into Ireland kept almost twenty yeares prisoner in the Castle of Trim suffering all miseries incident to Princes of the bloud while they lye open to euery suspicion and there through extreame griefe ended his dayes the nineteenth day of Ianuary 1424. in the third yeare of the raigne of Henry the sixth Of the foresaid battell his taking and miserable imprisonment thus much out of Harding as followeth Syr Edmonde then Mortimer warred sore Vpon Owen and did hym mekyll tene But at laste Owen laye hym before Where in batell they faught as well was sene Where Owen toke hym prisoner as then full kene With mekell folke on eyther syde slayne And set Edmonde in prysone and great payne He wrote vnto the kyng for great socoure For he had made with Owen his fynaunce To whom the kyng wold graunt then no fauoure Ne nought he wold then make him cheuesaunce For to comforte his foes disobeysaunce Wherfore he laye in fetters and sore prisone For none payment of his great raunsone Here also lay buried the bodies of Sir Thomas Grey knight and his first wife Luce the wife of Walter Clopton Sir Thomas Clopton and Ade his wife Sudbury Saint Gregories In this Church I saw a marble stone some foure yards long and two broad sometimes inlayd all ouer with brasse vnder which the Inhabitants say that Simon Theobold alias Sudbury lyeth interred which may bee true for howsoeuer he hath his Tombe in the Cathedrall Church at Canterbury of which he was Archbishop as I haue written before yet that may be perhaps onely his Cenotaph or honorarie funerall Monument This Simon built whilest hee was Bishop of London the Chappell or vpper end of the Church where this spatious Grauestone lies couched As appeares by this Inscription in the glasse window Orate pro Domino Symone Thepold alias Sudbury qui istam Capellam fundauit Anno Domini M. cccclxv in commemoracione omnium animarum dedicat dat consecrat In
it is one of these in the North or South wall This Pagan king of Denmarke after he had for many yeares infested and harried this kingdome and driuen Alfred our king to strange extremities was in the end ouercome by Alfred in battell presently vpon which he was washed in the lauer of Baptisme which was one of the conditions of peace at his ouerthrow Alfred receiued him for his godsonne by the name of Athelstane and gaue him in free gift this countrey of East Angels and in the same fountaine of Grace saith Simon of Durham thirtie of the chiefe Danish Nobilitie were initiated vpon whom the true Christian King bestowed many rich gifts Of all which my old ryming Cronicler Gutron the king of Denmarke that was tho In Westsex werred full sore and brent the lond Wyth whych the kyng so marryd was wyth wo He wyst not well whether to ride or stond But to Ethelingay anone he tooke on hond To ryde where then he hyd hym in a place For drede of Danes such was hys hap and grace Where then hys Lordes and knyghtes in good araye Came to him then wyth hooste and greate powre Where than the kyng vpon Gutron that day In batayle strong wyth corage fresh and clere Fought sore and tooke Gutron prisonere And thyrtye dukes wyth hym in compaye Vnchrysten were they all of panymrye And had the felde wyth all the vyctorye And of Danes many thousand slewe He baptyzed than as made is memorye Thys kyng Gutron that after was full trewe And named was Athylstan all anewe To whome the kyng gaue than all Estenglond As Edmond had to holde of hym that lond And all hys dukes were also there baptyzed And chrysten menne bycame for goddys loue The yere of Chryste viii C. thenne compeysed Seuente and viii as Flores doth approue This Battell and the baptising of Gutron and his Lords I haue also out of an ancient namelesse Manuscript in my owne custody thus deliuered Than Gunter that fader was of Haueloke Kynge of Denmarke was than of mykle myght Arevyd so than in Ingylond wythe hys floke Of Danes fell cruyll myghty and wyght Wyth whom the kyng full strongly than dydd fyght And hem venquyste wyth sore fyght and batayll And ovar hond had so thrughe hys gouernayll The whiche Gunter and thyrty of hys Lords Thrughe grace toke than baptyme at theyr desyre After he had gouerned these counties of Suffolke and Norfolke keeping his residence here in this Towne the space of twelue yeares complete he died and was buried in the kings towne called Headlega so Hadley is called in the Saxons language in Suffolke among the East English in the yeare 889. Ipswich in times past Gipswich Had Ipswich the onely eye of this Shire beene as fortunate in her surname as she is blessed with commerce and buildings shee might well haue borne the title of a Citie neither ranked in the lowest row whose trade circuit and seate doth equall most places of the land besides It is adorned with twelue or fourteene Churches in all which I finde not any funerall Monument of Antiquitie saue one which came to light not long since vpon the remouall of a Pewe in Saint Laurence Church and so like wise in other Churches many Monuments are buried vnder which the Founder of the said Church was interred as appeares by this Epitaph engrauen vpon the Stone Subiacet hic lapide Iohn Bottold vir probus ipse Istius Ecclesie primus Inceptor fuit iste Cuius anime Domine misereris tu bone Criste. Obijt M. ccccxxxi litera dominicalis G. Since then that so few funerall Monuments are remaining at this day in the Parish Churches of this Corporation I will take a view of the sites of the Religious Houses in and about this Towne now ouerturned Of which and such persons as I finde to haue beene therein inhumed as followeth The Priory of Saint Trinity This Priory was founded by Norman the sonne of Enott and Iohn de Oxenford Bishop of Norwich tempore Hen. 2. replenished with blacke Canons Augustines and valued to bee yearely worth fourescore and eight pounds sixe shillings nine pence Herein lay buried Norman the Founder and Langeline his wife and Dame Ioane Filian The Friars Preachers This Monastery was founded by Henry de Manesby Henry Redred and Henry de Londham saith the Catalogue of Religious Houses to whose honour consecrated I doe not learne neither doe I know any thing of the value or surrender Bodies which I finde to haue beene herein buried were Dame Maud Boerell Edmond Saxham Esquire Iohn Fostolph and Agnes his wife Gilbert Rouldge Ione Charles Edmond Charleton Esquire The white Friers Carmelites This Religious Edifice was founded by Sir Thomas de Londham saith one howsoeuer I finde in the Catalogue of Religious Foundations aforesaid in Speed that the Lord Bardesley Sir Geffrey Hadley and Sir Robert Norton knights were the Founders about the yeare 1279. Herein for of the dedication value or surrender I finde nothing were buried Sir Thomas and Sir Thomas de Londham knights Iohn Londham Esquire Margaret Colevile Gilbert Denham Esquire and Margaret his wife daughter of Edward Hastings And in a Manuscript penned by Iohn Bale I finde these Carmelites following to haue beene here sometimes inhumed Iohannes Hawle ob 1433. Maij 15. Richardus Hadley ob 1461. Aprilis primo Iohannes Wylbe ob 1335. 2. Decemb. Iohannes Barmyngham vir doctissimus Oxonia diu studuit Parisijs intex Sorbonicos he was a man very learned he studied a long time in Oxford and at Paris amongst the Sorbons He writ diuers bookes mentioned by Pitseus and died a wondrous old man being as then Prior of this Fraternitie the two and twentieth day of Ianuary Anno reparationis humana 1448. Iohannes Balsham Episcopus Archiliens hic sepultus ob 1530. The Grey Friers Founded by the Lord Tiptoth In which lay buried for I finde no further of it then the Foundation Sir Robert Tiptoth knight and Dame Vna his wife The heart of Sir Robert Vâ—ere the elder Margaret Countesse of Oxenford wife of Sir Robert Veere the younger Earle of Oxenford Dame Elisabeth wife of Sir Thomas Vfford daughter of the Earle of Warwicke Sir Robert Tiptoth the younger Margaret wife of Sir Iohn Tiptoth Robert Tiptoth Esquire Elisabeth Vfford Elisabeth Lady Spenser wedded to Sir Phellip Spenser daughter of Robert Tiptoth Phellip George Elisabeth children of Sir Phellip Spenser Ione daughter of Sir Hugh Spenser Sir Robert Warhesham and Dame Ione his wife Iohn sonne of William Claydon Sir Thomas Hardell knight Dame Elisabeth wife of Sir Walter Clopton of Hadley Sir William Laynham Sir Hugh Peach and Sir Hugh Peach Sir Iohn Loueloch knights Item the Heart of Dame Petronill Vfford Dame Beatrix Botiler Dame Aueline Quatefeld Dame Margery Aunte of Sir Robert Vfford Dame Alice wydow of Sir Iohn Holbrok The Blacke Friers Of this House I onely finde that one Iohn Hares gaue
ground to build it larger These personages following I finde to haue beene registred in the Martirologe of this house The Lord Roger Bigot Earle Marshall Sir Iohn Sutton Knight Lady Margaret Plays Sir Richard Plays Sir Robert Vfford Earle of Suffolke Wolsey Colledge Cardinall Wolsey borne in this towne whose vast minde alwaies reached at things began here to build a most magnificent and sumptuous Colledge in the place where sometime stood a small monastery of blacke Canons founded by Thomas de Lacy and Alice his wife and dedicated to the honour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Woodbridge Hic iacet Iohannes Albred quondam Tweleweuer istius ville .... ob primo die Maij ... 1400. et Agnes vxor cius This Tweleweuer with Agnes his wife were at the charges people of all degrees being as then forward to beautifie the house of God to cut gild and paint a Rood Loft or a partition betwixt the body of the Church and the Quire whereupon the pictures of the Crosse and Crucifixe the Virgin Mary of Angels Archangels Saints and Martyrs are figured to the life which how glorious it was when it was all standing may be discerned by that which remaineth This their worke of pietie was depensild vpon the fabricke of which so much as is left Orate ..... Iohannis Albrede et Agnetis ......... soluerunt pro pictura totius huius operis superne ... videlicet crucis crucifixi Marie Archangelorum et totius candelab ....... The names of some of the Saints portraied vpon the worke and yet remaining are these S. Paul S. Edward S. Kenelme S. Oswald S. Cuthbert S. Blase S. Quintin S. Leodegare S. Barnaby S. Iherome Orate ... Iohannis Kempe qui obijt 3 Iulij 1459. et pro animabus Margarete ac Iohanne Margarete vxorum ... Pray for ... of Robert Partrich Botcher ... who dyed on Midsommer day M. cccccxxxiii Mariory and Alis his wyffs ... Mariory the vi of Henry the viii Alis ... on their souls their children souls and all cristen souls almighty Iesu hane mercy Here in this Towne was sometime a monastery consecrated to the honour of the blessed Virgin Mary founded by Sir Hugh Rous Knight valued at fiftie pounds three shillings fiue pence halfe penny per annum The bodies buried in this Priorie Church were these which follow Sir Hugh Rous or Rufus the Founder and Dame Alice his wife Sir William Rous and Dame Isabell his wife Sir Arnold Rous and Dame Elisabeth his wife Sir Giles Rous. Sir Arnold Rous and Dame Isabell his wife Sir Richard Brews and Dame Alice his wife Sir Iohn Brews and Dame Eue his wife Sir Iohn Brews and Dame Agnes his wife Sir Richard Brews Lord of Stradbroke Sir Giles Brews Sir Robert Brews and Dame Ela his wife Sir Thomas Brews and Dame Ione and Elizabeth his wiues Sir Nicholas Weyland and Dame Beatrix his wife Sir Thomas Weyland Sir Robert Weyland Sir Herbert Weyland William Brews Esquire William Melton Richard Feningle Muriell Gouncill Seuall Woodbridge Edmond Woodbridge Sir Iohn Shandlow and Dame Elizabeth his wife The names of certaine persons registred in this Monastery in a Table for whose soules the Prior and Couent were bound to pray and say Masse Sir Hugh Rous or Red the Founder and sixe other Knights of the same sirname Sir Richard Brews knight Lord of Stradburgh or Stradbrooke Patron of the Church with seuen other Knights of the same sirname and their wiues Sir Robert de Vfford and Dame Cecily his wife Robert de Vfford Earle of Suffolke and Dame Margaret his wife This Robert who was also Knight of the Garter Lord of Eay and Framlingham He and William Montague Earle of Salisbury were Generals of King Edward the thirds Army in Flanders when he went to make his claime to the Crowne of France He serued vnder the blacke Prince at the battaile of Poictow where Iohn the French king was taken prisoner He died in the fortieth and third yeare of the raigne of King Edward the third on the sunday after All Saints Sir William Vfford second Earle of Suffolke of that sirname and Isabell his wife This Earle built the Church at Parham in this County he died sodainly in the Parliament house at Westminster speaking for the Commons the 15. day of February 1382. and in the fift yeare of the raigne of Richard the second Dame Maud Henand Countesse of .... Sir William de Londham knight Robert Rendlesham Austin Philip. Ione saint Philbert daughter of the Earle of Suffolke Isabell de Braham and Edward the sonne of sir Thomas of Braderton Vfford This is the most neatly polisht little Church that I haue looked into within this Diocesse The roofe whereof and other parts of the Quire being curiously engrauen with sundry kindes of workes and pictures all burnisht and gilt with gold The Organ case whereupon these words Soli Deo Honor Gloria are carued and gilt ouer is garnished and adorned in most costly manner The Font and the Couer of the same is without compare being of a great height cut and gloriously depicted with many Imageries consonant to the representation of the holy Sacrament of Baptisme as also with the Armes of the Vffords Earles of Suffolke whose principall habitation was in this Towne It is said by the Inhabitants the foresaid Earles of Suffolke lie here interred but I finde no shew of it in the Church as also the bowels of Raph de Vfford Lord chiefe Iustice of Ireland of whom the Annales of Ireland speake thus as followeth Vpon the 13. day of Iuly 1343 the Lord Ralph Vfford with his wife the Countesse of Vlster came Lord chiefe Iustice of Ireland vpon whose entring the faire weather changed sodainly into a distemperature of the aire and from that time there ensued great store of raine with much abundance of tempestuous stormes vntill his dying day None of this Predecessors in the times past was with griefe be it spoken comparable vnto him For this Iusticer bearing the Office of Iusticeship became an oppressor of the people of Ireland a robber of the goods both of the Clergie and Laitie of rich and poore alike a defrauder of many vnder the colour of doing good not obseruing the rights of the Church nor keeping the law of the Kingdome offering wrongs to the naturall inhabitants ministring iustice to few or none and altogether distrusting some few onely excepted the inborne dwellers in the land These things did he still and attempted the like misled by the counsell and perswasion of his wife Thus he continued his rigorous gouernement for the space almost of three yeares and vpon Palme sunday 1346. which fell out to be the ninth day of Aprill went the way of all flesh For whose departure his owne dependants together with his wife sorrowed not a little for whose death also the loyall subiects of Ireland reioyce no lesse the Clergy and people both of the Land
obiit vltimo die Iulii anno Domini M.D.xxix. Cuius anime propitietur Deus Brome In the Chancell of this Church is erected a marble Tombe some foure foot high vpon which lie the figures of Sir Iohn Cornwalleis knight in Armour with a white staffe in his hand and a greyhound at his feet and Mary his wife with a Hound at her feet Which Tombe beares this Inscription Iohannes Cornwalleis miles Willelmi Cornwalleis Armigeri filius in Domo Principis Edowardi Oeconomus et vxor eiusdem Maria Edwardi Sulliard de Essex Filia Qui quidem Iohannes xxiij Aprilis Anno Dom. M.D.xliiii obiit Astrugie in Comitatu Buckingham cum ibidem Princeps Edwardus versaretur On the North side of the Isle neare vnto the former monument standeth a marble Tombe vpon which lie the pourtraitures of Sir Thomas Cornwalleis knight in Armour and Anne his wife ..... Of these two and of the familie of Cornwalleis thus Camden writes concurring with the words in these Inscriptions At Brome saith he dwelt a long time the Familie of Cornwalleis of knights degree of whom Sir Iohn Cornwalleis was Steward of Edward the sixth his houshold while he was Prince and his sonne Sir Thomas for his wisedome and faithfulnesse became one of the priuie Councell to Queene Mary and Controllour of her royall House Here also in the said Isle is a Monument whereupon is the Effigies of Henry Cornwalleis Esquire in Armour kneeling thus vnder written Hac conditione intraui vt exirem Cui nasci contigit mori restat In the said Chancell lieth a Tombestone with this Inscription Orate pro anima Edwardi Cornwalleis Armigeri qui obijt iiii die Septembris anno Domini M.D.x. cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Vnder this is the forme of an heart ioyning to it streaming forth these sentences Within the circumference of the Heart this word Credidi From the Heart these lines Redemptor meus viuit In nouissimo die super terram stabit In carne mea videbo Deum Saluatorem Helmingham In the Chancell floore vpon a Tombestone this Inscription in French William Ioce Katerine sa femme gysont ycy Dieu de lor almes eyt mercy amen There are diuers other Tombestones in this Chancell flore without either Inscriptions or Armes which haue beene on them all but are taken out Hintlesham In the middle of the Chancell a faire blew marble stone thereon in brasse the proportion of a man in compleat Armour vnder his head a Helme thereon on a wreath his Creast And on his left hand the pourtraict of a woman in brasse a little hownd lying at her feete vnder both these this Inscription Hic iacent venerabilis vir Iohannes Tymperley Armiger heres Dominus de Hyntylsham Margareta vxor eius Qui quidem Iohannes obijt ... die mensis Anno Domini M. cccc Quorum animabus propitietur altissimus On another marble stone a man in compleat Armour in brasse sans Helme with this Inscription Of your cherite prey for the soul of William Temperley whych dyed the x. day of March in the yere of our Lord God M.D.xxvii on whos soul and all crystyn Iesu have mercy Amen On a Tombe of Alabaster on the South side of the Chancell wall these Inscriptions Hic iacent Thomas Tymperley Armiger qui obijt xiiii die Ian. M.D. et Etheldreda vxor eius prima filia Nicholai Hare .... et Katherine vxor cius Hic iacent Nicholaus Timperley Armiger qui obiit .... et Anna vxor eius filia et heres Gulielmi Markham Armigeri .... Flixton Or Felixton so named of Felix the first Bishop of these parts like as many other places in this Shire had in times past a Monastery of Nunnes of whose Foundation I haue read in a namelesse Manuscript as followeth Margery de Creke daughter to Galfride Hanes the widow of Bartholomew Creke gaue her whole Mannour of Flixton with all the appurtenances which came to her by Inheritance to haue a Religious house of Nuns erected which should professe the Rule of Saint Austin Simon de Wanton at that time Bishop of Norwich Sir William Blunde Robert de Valines William de Medefâ—nd being witnesses of her donation and gift which was in the raigne of King Henry the third for I finde that in his time these witnesses did flourish It was valued at the generall ouerthrow of such houses at twenty three pounds foure shillings pennie halfe penny qua Walton or Waletune A Priory dedicated to Saint Felix the Bishop before remembred wherein were placed blacke Monkes Benedictines And this is all I finde of this Foundation saue that the Bigots or Bigods Earles of Norfolke were great benefactours to this religious building if not the sole Founders of the same As will appeare by this peece of a Record following Rogerus Bigod comes Norfolcie pro salute anime mee c. dedi et concessi Ecclesie Sancti Felicis de Waletune et Monachis ibidem Deo servientibus omnes donationes sicut antecessores mei c. sans date Edwardstow A Monastery was here founded by Peter de la Roche or Petrus de Rupibus that rich Bishop of Winchester in the raigne of King Iohn Heringfleet Here sometimes was a Religious Monastery of Canons Regular dedicated to the honour of Saint Olaue founded by Roger the sonne of Osbert Valued at fourty nine pounds eleuen shillings seuen pence Brisete Here was Priory of blacke Canons consecrated to Saint Leonard Leyston or Laiston The Priory of Leyston saith my Manuscript replenished with blacke Monkes Premonstratenses was first founded by Ranulph de Glanvill about the yeare 1183. renewed and new builded by Sir Robert de Vfford Earle of Suffolke Anno 1363. it was dedicated to the mother of Iesus that blessed Virgine Mary And vpon the destruction of all such Edifices valued farre vnder rate to haue annuall commings in one hundred eighty one pound seuenteene shillings penny halfe pennie Hicham Hoc tegitur saxo Iohannes Spring qui quidem Iohannes obijt duodecimo die mens Augusti Anno a Christo nato M.D.xlvii Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Laneham Here lyeth buried the body of Thomas Spring of Laneham surnamed the Rich Clothier who died .... in the yeare of our Lord God M.D.x. His Monument is in the carued Chappell of Wainscot in the North side of the Chancell which he built himselfe as also he built the great Chappell on the South side of the Chancell Here lieth buried another Thomas Spring of Laneham Clothier who built the Vestrie of the said Church He died the seuenth day of September M. cccclxxxvi the first of Henry the seuenth Orate pro anima Iacobi Spring qui obiit iii die Augusti M. cccclxxxiiii Cuius anime propitietur Deus Amen Cnobersburg or Burgh Castell Which as Camden saith out of venerable Bede was a most pleasant Castle by reason of the woods
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
erexit ... Transit sicut Fulmerston gloria mundi Propitietur Deus animabus Mortuorum Saint Peters Hic iacet Willelmus Knighton ... M. cccc.lxix .... Peter Larke and Elisabeth his wyff on whos souls sweet Iesu haue pite Saint Cuthberts ...... Iohannes Bernard et Elis ..... M. ccccc.xi Here in this towne was a Religious house of Friers Preachers dedicated to the holy Trinitie and Saint Mary which Arfast Bishop of the East-Angles made his Episcopall chaire Afterwards Henry Duke of Lancaster made it a societie of Friers Preachers it was valued at thirty nine pounds sixe shillings nine pence Arfast who died circa annum 1092. was herein buried with this Epitaph vpon his monument Hic Arfaste pie pater optime et Arca Sophie Viuis per merita virtutum laude perita Vos qui transitis hic omnes atque reditis Dicite quod Christi pietas sit promptior isti 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ers Augustines in this I owne was founded by Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Blanch his wife others say by Henry Earle of Lancaster and Leicester It was valued at three hundred twelue pounds foureteene shillings foure pence Here lye buried Dame Margery Todenham Dame Elisabeth wife of Sir Thomas Hâ—ngraue daughter of Sir Iohn Harling with many other you may imagine whose names I haue not The blacke Friers here was founded by Sir Edmond Gonvile Lord of â—irâ—ingford in this County Parson of Terington and Steward with Iohn Eâ—â—e Warren and with Henry Duke of Lancaster It was dedicated to S. Sepulchre The value I haue not learned Buried in the Church of this monâ—sterâ— were Sir Iohn Bretâ— knight Dame Agnes Honell Dame Maud Talâ—â—e wife of Peter Lord of Rickinghill Dame Anastisia wife of Sir Richard Walsingham A Priory of blacke Canons dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Iohn was here founded by one of the Bigods or Bigots Earle of Norfolke Valued at fourty nine pounds eighteene shillings and a penny Surrendred the 16. of February 31. Hen. 8. Here was a religious structure for blacke Nunnes consecrated to the honour of God and Saint Gregory but by whom sounded I do not know It was valued in the Exchequer at fifty pound nine shillings eight pence Here sometimes stood a Colledge or gild dedicated to the blessed Virgine Mary valued at the suppression to be yearely worth one hundred nine pounds seuen shillings Hugh Bigod or Bigot Steward of the House to King Henry the first built and endowed a religious House here for blacke Monkes Benedictines or Cluniacks These words following are in the Instrument of his Foundation I Hugh Bigod Steward to King Henry by his grant and by the aduice of Heâ—bert Bishop of Norwich haue ordained Monkes of the Order of Cluny in the Church of S. Mary which was the Episcopall seate of Thetford which I gaue vnto them and afterwards founded another more meet for their vse without the Towne This Monastery was found at the suppression to be in the Kings bookes foure hundred eighteene pounds sixe shillings three pence halfe penny of yearely reuenues This Hugh the Founder was created Earle of Norfolke by King Stephen in the first yeare of his raigne He died very aged in the 24. yeare of King Henry the second and was buried in this Priory of his owne foundation to whose memory this Inscription was engrauen vpon his Funerall Monument Orate pro anima religiosissimi viri Hugonis Bigod Fundatoris huius Monasterij Seneschalli Hospitij prepotentissimo Principi Henrico Conquestoris filio Anglie Regi et Comitis Norfolcie qui quidem Hugo obiit pridie Kalend. Martii anno milesimo centesimo septuagesimo octauo Propter miserecordiam Iesu requiescat in pace Anno 1107. Optimates Angliae Richardus de Radvarijs Rogerius cognomento Bigotus mortui sunt in Monasteriis Monachorum sepulti sunt quae in propriis possessionibus ipsi condiderunt Rogerius autem apud Thetfordum in Anglia Richardus vero tumulatus apud Montisburgum in Normannia Super Rogerium Cluniacenses Alonax di tale scripserunt Epitaphium Clauderis exiguo Rogere Bigote sepulchro Et rerum cedit portio parva tibi Diuitiae sanguis facundia gratia Regum Intereunt mortem fallere nemo potest Diuitiae mentes subuertunt erigat ergo Te pietas virtus consiliumque Dei Soli moerebat virgo ter noctibus octo Cùm soluis morti debita morte tua It should seeme by the premisses that this Roger Bigot who was Sewer to King Henry the first and Father of the foresaid Hugh was the first founder of this religious Edifice or at least wise of some other in this Towne for Monkes of the order of Cluny And Stow in his Annalls agrees with my Author Ordericus This yeare saith he Maurice Bishop of London Robert Fitzhamon Roger Bigot founder of the Monastery of Monkes at Thetford Richard Redvers Councellours to the King Milo Crispen and many other Noblemen of England deceased Roger Bigot the second of that surname Earle of the East Angles or Norfolke He died about the yeare 1218. and was here interred Hugh Bigot sonne of the foresaid Roger Earle of Norfolke lay here buried who died the ninth of Henry the third 1225 Roger Bigot sonne and heire of Hugh aforesaid Earle of Norfolke and first Marshall of England of that Family was here entombed if his last will and Testament was performed Of which so much as tends to that purpose In Nomine Patris et Filij et Spiritus Sancti Amen Ego Rogerus Bigot Comes Norfolcie et Mareschallus Anglie in bona prosperitate constitutus condo Testamentum meum sub hac forma Inprimis commendo animam meam Christo c. et corpus meum in Ecclesia beate Marie Thetfordie sepeliendum Postea lego c. Huius Testamenti Executores constituo Dominum Symonem de Monteforti Com. Lecestren Dominum Richardum de Clara Com. Glouern Hertford Dominum Willelmum Malberbe Dominum Thomam Denebanke Dominum Hugonem de Tudeham c. Dat. apud Cestreford die Mercurij proximo ante festum Sancti Barnabe Apostoli anno Domini M.cclviii He died about eleuen yeares after the making of his will without issue of a bruise running at Tilt anno 1269. Roger Bigot the last of that Familie Earle of Norfolke and Marshall of England was here buried together with his first wife Alina Alyva or Adeliza daughter of Philip Lord Basset and widow of Hugh de Spenser Iustice of England she died in Aprill in the ninth yeare of Edward the first and he in the 35. of the said Kings raigne Iohn Lord Mowbray Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall of England Earle of Nottingham Lord and Baron of Segraue and of Gower sonne and successour of Iohn the first Duke of Norfolke in the dignities aforesaid was here entombed with his wife Elianor daughter of William Lord Bourchier and sister of Henry Bourchier Earle of
and them in case the sâ—â—d kyng wold invade thys hys Realme whiche he dide in deede contrary to hys oth and promyse with the hoole power of the Realme of Scotlond Whiche when the seid Erle hard of he made as greatt haste towardis hym as he coude with the kyngs power of the North partys And toke hys lodgyng in the Campe or playn caâ—â—yd Wollar haugh in the Countie of Northumbrelond which was in the â—ight of the kyng of Scottis and of all hys army then â—ying on Floddon hyll a ground more lyke a campe or forteres than any meete ground to gyve batayle on contrary to hys promes made to Rogeâ—ras Purseuaunte at armys before sent vnto hym from the seid Erle with message that the said Erle with the Lord Howard then Admerall of Englond hys Son And the no 〈◊〉 men of the North partis with other the kyngs Subgettis of the same North partis was come thedir to represse and resiste hys Invasyons of hys souerayn Lordis Realme desyryng the said kyng of Scottis to gyve hym bataile which his message the same kyng of Scottis toke very thankfully and ioyusly promysyng hym to abide ther on the same grounde wher he than was whiche hys promys he brake as is aforesaid and tooke Floddon hilâ—ys a ground unprengnable and shot at hym hys great Ordenaunce where as he lay like one mynded to kepe it like a forteres And whan the said Erle dide perceyve that he had brokyn hys promys and takyn so stronge â— grounde as Floddon hillys he than the said Erle remoued all his Batail vnto a playn besydis Barmer wood to thentente to get betwene hym and hys owne Realme of Scotlond and ther leygeed but one nyght and on the next mornyng toâ—e hys passage ouer the water of at Twyfull forthe and than he marched the said kyng and hys oste in suche maner as he gat betwene hym and hys aune reame of Scotlond be force wherof the said kyng was fayn to leue his Campe and to prepare hymself to bataile witthe seid Erle on a hyll besydis Bramston in Northumbrelond very neer vnto Sandyford Wher the said Erle witthe good assistauns of the Nobull men and the power of the said North partys fought witthe said kyng and hym â—anquâ—sshed and slewe in playn bataile derectely before his owne Standard In which bataile ware slayne on the Scottysshe parte ii Bysshoppes xi Eâ—lys xvii Barons CCCC knyghtis besydys other Gentilmen with xvii M in nombre which ware nombred asweel by Scottysshe men as by them that dyd bury the moste parte of them And of trouth dyvers Gentylmen and others aswell of the said Erlys servantys as of the North partyes and of Chesshir and Lankasshir war ther slayne for hard it ys and half impossible in suche a conflicte and bataile to be wonne without losse of men whoys deth may be ioyed among ther frendis to dye in so hygh a servys doon to ther Prynce And this noble acte was don by the helpe of almyghty God to the highe honour of the kyngis hyghnes Honor and prays to the said Erle and to all other Noble men and otheres the kyngs Subgettis that war ther with hym at the bataile the ix daye of Septembir in the v yeer of our souerayn Lord kyng Henry the viii And this doon the said Erle went to Barwyke to establysshe all thyngys well and in good order And sent for the dede body of the kyng of Scottis to Barwyke And whan the Ordenaunce of the kyng of Scottis was brouth of the feld and put in good suertie and all other thyngys in good order Than the seid Erle toke hys Iorney toward Yorke and ther abode duryng the kyngis pleasur and caryed with hym the dede body of thafforesaid kyng of Scottis And ther laye vnto suche tyme as the kyngis hyghâ—es cam from beyond the See after his wynnyng of Tyrwyn and Tomey And than hys highnes sent for the seid Erle to mete hym at Rychemond and so he dide and ther delyvered vnto his highnes the dede body of the kyng of Scottis whiche deâ—â— bodye was delyuered in to the Charter hous ther and ther to abide duryng the kyngs plesur And for the servyce that the seid Erle dide he was honorably restored vnto his right name of Duke of Norffolk and also had geuen vnto hym greatt possessyons by the kyngis highnes And whan the warre betwixt the kyng our souerayn Lord and the Frenche Kyng was eended than the said Duke was sent into Fraunce as chieff Commyssyoner with Lady Marye the Kyngis Suster to be maryed vnto the Frenche Kyng Lewes And after when the kyng and the Quene were both out of the Reame to mete witthe Frenche kyng Frauncys at Guynes and the Prynces remaynyng in the Reame beyng a childe the said Duke was left behynde as protector and defender to mynyster Iustice and to see good Rule and Gouernaunce in the Reame in the absence of the kyngis highnes and so contynued aboute the kyng and of his preuye Counsayle tyll he wâ—s of age of fourescore yeeris and then the kyngis highnes was content that the said Duke shulde go home in to hys owne countrey vnto the Castell of Framlyngham wher he contynued and kepte an honorable howse vnto the houre of his deth And ther he dyed lyke a good Cristen Prynce I now to wytnes Whose sowle Iesu pardon And at his depertyng out of Framlyngham Castell toward hys buryall he coude nat be asked one grote for his dette nor for restitucion to any person and so was had to this present Abbay of Thetford with moche honor Accompanyed with many greatt Lordis and the Noble men of both Schires of Norffolk and Suffolk Leuyng then lyuyng these his children herafter named that is to seye his son and heyre the Lord Thomas Duke of Norffolk the Lord Edmond Howard the Lord Willyam Howard and the Lord Thomas Howard witthe Ladye Elysabeth wiffe to the Uicount Rocheford the Lady Agnes Countes of Oxenford the Lady Kateryne espoused to the heyre of Sir Rice app Thomas of Walys the Lady Elysabeth espoused vnto the Uicount Fitzwaters son and heyr And the Lady Dorathie then beyng not maryed but lefte for hir Right good substance to marry hyrwyth Henry Fitz-Roy the naturall sonne of King Henry the eight begotten of the Lady Talboys daughter of Sir Iohn Blount knight Duke of Richmond was here interred as Graston Stow Hollinshed and other writers affirme howsoeuer some will haue him to bee buried at Framingham in Suffolke Hee married Mary daughter of the foreremembred Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall and Lord high Treasurer of England with whom he liued not long but dyed at Saint Iames by Westminster the 22. of Iuly in the yeare of Christ Iesus 1536. He was a Prince very forward in Martiall actiuities of good literature and knowledge in the tongues vnto whom the learned Antiquarie Leland dedicated a booke as appeareth by this Hexastichon following which is
non dedit orbi Mors erit vnius vita sed alterius Rara auis in terris confectus morte Viattus Houerdum baeredem scripserat ante suum Dicere nemo potest recte perijsse Viattum Ingenij cuius tot monimenta vigent In another place to the said Lord Henry Howard thus Accipe Regnorum Comes illustrissime carmen Quo mea Musa tuum laudavit maesta Viattum Againe Perge Houerde tuum virtute referre Viattum Dicerisque tuae clarissima gloria stirpis This Sir Thomas Wiat the Translatour of Dauids Psalmes into English died of the pestilence in the West countrey being on his iourney into Spaine whither he was sent Embassadour from the King vnto the Emperour in the yeare 1541. But to returne this Earle had together with his learning wisedome fortitude munificence and affabilitie yet all these good and excellent parts were no protections against the Kings displeasure For vpon the twelfth of December the last of King Henry the eight he with his Father Thomas Duke of Norfolke vpon certaine surmises of Treason were committed to the Tower of London the one by water the other by land so that the one knew not of the others apprehension The fifteenth day of Ianuary next following hee was arraigned at Guild Hall London where the greatest matter alledged against him was for bearing certaine Armes that were said belonged to the King and Prince the bearing whereof hee iustified To be short for so they were with him hee was found guilty by twelue common Iuriars had iudgement of death and vpon the nineteenth day of the same moneth nine dayes before the death of the said King Henry the eight was beheaded at Tower Hill He was first interred in the Chappell of the Tower and afterwards viz. in the raigne of our late drad Soueraigne King Iames of famous memory his remainders of ashes and bones were remoued to this place by his second sonne Henry Earle of Northampton as appeares by the foresaid Inscription Many more goodly Tombes and Grauestones but without Inscriptions are in this Church made for the remembrance of this Heroicall Progenie of the Howards and their Matches who haue here a faire and beautifull Castle fortified with a banke ditch and walls of great thicknesse wherein are thirteene Towers inwardly furnished with buildings right commodious and necessarie the resemblances and figures whereof had been cut and delineâ—ted if the hastinesse of the Presse would haue permitted Of this surname of Howard thus Verstegan writes in his treatise Of our ancient English Titles of Honour Dignities and Offices And of the word Holdward This ancient and honourable name of Office saith he hath receiued the inâ—ury of time which hath worne it out of vse and memory The l and d being for easinesse of sound omitted in the pronunciation as in sundrie other words the like is seene it became of Holdward which signifieth the gouernour or keeper of a Castle fort or hold of warre to be Howard Which name of Office albeit we haue long since lost yet retaineth our Realme to the high honour and illustrious ornament thereof the great and â—â—ghâ— noble familie vnto whom it is now the surname and it is like that at first it so became to be vpon the bearing of such a warlike honourable Office and charge Orate pro animabus Iohannis Plomer et Margerie vxoris eius qui istum fontâ—â— fâ—ciebant Keteringham Here lyeth Henry Grey the Son of Syr Thomas Grey knyght of Heton and Ione hys wyffe that was Syster to the Duc of Norffolk who dyed at Venys and Emme the wyffe of thaforseyd Henry Grey the doughter of Willyam Apleyard of the seyd County of Norffolk Esquyer .... Orate pro anima Thome Heueningham Armigeri filij et heredis Iohannis Heueningham militis et Baronetti Qui obijt vltimo die Ianuarij â—nno Domini M. cccclxxxxix Orate pro anima Anne nuper vxoris Thome Heueningham Armigeri filie heredis Thome Yard Armigeri que obijt anno Domini M. cccccviii The Tombe for Thomas her husband is arched whereupon the pictures of himselfe and his wife are grauen in brasse himselfe hauing fyve sonnes likewise engrauen in brasse behynd him and she six doughters There is another Tombe erected to the memory of Sir Anthony Heveningham knight without Inscription This Towne is now the place of residence of the most ancient Familie of the Heueninghams which hath beene very honourably matched and with whom few families in England doth parallel for a Knightly descent Of which I haue read this note out of certaine Antiquities collected by Master Howldiche Ann Dom 1020. in the raigne of King Canutus Gualfride de Heueningham was Lord of Heueningham in the County of Suffolke of which house hath beene 25. Knights with Sir Io. Heueningham now liuing An. 1610. Their originall indeed is from that Towne of Heueningham in Suffolk which is possessed by them to this day Where in a particular Chappell adioyning vnto the Parish Church lie three statues cut out of the heart of Oke of their Ancestours of great antiquitie in their full postures Two of them representing men the other a woman which doth appeare to haue beene very curiously painted and gilt West Dereham or Derham Hubert Deane of Yorke afterwards Bishop of Salisbury and from thence translated to Canterbury was Founded of a Monastery in this Towne where he was borne in the raigne of King Henry the second for his owne soules health and for the soules health of his Father and Mother and of Ranulph de Glanvile and Bertha his wife who brought him vp He bought the land whereupon this Monastery was built of one Geffrey Fitz. Geffrey of Derham He placed therein Regular Canons of the order of Premontre vpon the dedication thereof to God and the most glorious virgine Mary but the particulars of the Foundation will best appeare by his Charter thus recorded Omnibus sancte Matris Ecclesie filijs presentibus et futuris Hubertus dei gracia Eboracensis Ecclesie Decanâ—s eternam in domino salutem Prudentis est hijs que saluti anime proficiunt dum potest intendere transitorijs eterna commutare Quod quidem intelligentes in Honore Dei et gloriose Virginis Marie Matris eius quoddam Cenobium Premonstratensis ordinis in feudo nostro apud Dereham fundauimus pro salute anime nostre et patris et matris nostre et Domini Ranulph de Glanvile et Domine Berte vxoris eius qui nos nutrierunt et pro salute fratrum sororum consanguineorum Familiarium et omnium amicorum nostrorum et preâ—ate Domui et Canonicis dedimus et concessimus et presenti charta nostra confirmavimus totum tenementum in eadem villa cum pertinentijs quod de Galfrido filio Galfridi emeramus c. Witnesses to this his Foundation were Iohn Bishop of Norwich Ranulph de Glanvile Lord chiefe Iustice of England Walter Fitz. -Robert Geffrey Fitz-Peter
Hengraue in Suffolke of which Familie and the owner of which Lordship was that renowned Lawyer Edmund de Hengraue who flourished in the raigne of Edward the first who died the 23. of May 1349. Sir Robert Bacon Richard Earle of Clare Roger Fitz. Osbert Lady Katherin his wife Sir Henry Bacon Sir Robert Bacon Knights Lady Sabina the wife of ... Bacon Iohn Bacon his sonne and nine other children Ione of Acris Countesse of Glocester William Woderow and Margaret his wife Founders of this Monasterie of Augustine Friers as I haue it in my notes from William Le Neue Sir Henry Bacon of Garleston or Garneston obiit 1335. Dame Alice Lunston obijt 1341. Dame Elianor wife of Sir Thomas Gerbrigge of Wickhampton obijt 1353. Dame Elianor .... Dame Ione Caxton obijt 1364. Dame Sibill Mortimer wife of Sir Raphe Pygott of Gelston obijt 1385. Sir Iohn Laune of Flixtonforth and Mary his wife Iohn Haukin Esquire obijt 1385. Iohn Belhowse Esquire obijt 1399. Alexander Falstolfe William March Esquire obijt 1412. Iohn Pulham gent. obijt 1481. Snoring Orate pro animabus Radulphi Shelton Militis Domine Alicie vxoris eius filie Thome de Vuedal militis qui quidem Radulphus obijt M. ccccxxiiii The Rector of this Church at this time as I am informed is that reuerend learned Diuine and bountifull house-keeper Robert Pearson Doctor of Diuinitie Archdeacon of Suffolke sometimes Fellow of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge To whom I am bound to acknowledge all thankfulnesse he being in the same Colledge my Tutor Shelton Pries pour l'ame du Mounsieur Rauf Shelton Maistres istius ville qui morust le 18. Nouemb. L'an de grace M.ccclxxiii ...... pour la femme fil du Mounsieur Plays ... Vnder a faire Grauestone lieth the body of Sir Iohn Shelton who married the daughter of Sir William Bullein this Inscription remaining Hic sum sepultus Iohannes de Shelton Miles Here is a Tombe vnfinished of Sir Iohn Shelton knight who married Margaret the daughter of the Lord Morley and had issue Sir Raph Shelton knight and three daughters Anne married to .... Sir Iohn Goosalue knight Alice married to the heire of Sir Thomas Ieselyn knight and Mary married to Sir Iames Skudamor knight Here is also another Tombe vnfinished of Sir Raphe Shelton knight who married to his first wife Mary the daughter of Sir William Woodhouse knight and had issue Thomas his sonne and heire who married the daughter of Baron Flowerdew Sir Iohn who married the daughter of the Lord Cromwell Raph vnmarried Edward who dyed young Audrie Shelton married to .... Walsingham in Kent By his second wife the daughter of Master Barrow he had issue Henry Shelton and two daughters .... How neare these times these come I doe not know for I haue no further instructions but from an imperfect Funerall Monument Neither had he I meane Master Howldich who first collected these Inscriptions Marham Here was a religious little house of white Nunnes valued at thirteene pounds sixe shillings pennie halfe penny The first Founder hereof was Isabell Countesse of Arundell in her widowhood the wife of Hugh de Albeney Earle of Arundell and Sussex as by these words following extracted out of the booke of Wauerley in Surrey will appeare Isabella Comitissa Arundell morum quidem grauitate non mediocriter adornata circa salutem anime sue diligens sollicita divina vt creditur inspiratione preuenita Abbatiam Monialium ordinis Cistercen Marham vocatam cum summa devotione hoc anno viz. 1252. construxit Cuius rei causa Abbatem nostrum duxit consulendum ac permissione Domini ipsius domum nostram intrauit societatem ordinis in capitulo nostro deuote petiit et obtinuit Quatuor Marcas vnum Dolium vini Conventui ad pitancias donauit And thus religious orders were enricht and made great feasts by the admittance of lay persons into their Fraternities and Sisterhoods as I haue touched before in my discourse cap. I finde that William Bishop of Norwich gaue vnto the Abbey of Nunnes in Marham the appropriation and patronage of the Parish Church of Saint Peter in Rockland within the Diocesse of Norwich Anno Christi 1349. Shouldham A Priory consecrated to the holy Crosse and the blessed Virgin replenished likewise with white Nunnes Gilbertines The valuation of whose endowments amounted to bee yearely worth an hundred seuenty and one pound six shillings 8. pence It may very well be that Robert de Monte alto or Monthault was the Founder for I finde in the Abbey booke of Langeley that he lieth here buried An honorable Familie anciently in this tract and in diuers other places of the kingdome Chappell in the field Founded by Iohn Brome or his Ancestours for a Deane and seuen Prebends in which lye buried besides the Founder Williom Rees Esquire and Margerie his wife Edmond Bokenham Esquire and Dionisia his wife Iohn Strange Elisabeth wiffe of Iohn Ienny daughter and heire of Io. Wedyrlye Raueningham Sir Iohn of Norwich knight founded a Colledge here at Raueningham the Kings licence and Antonyes Bishop of Norwich thereunto first obtained for a Master and eight brethren Priests Anno 24. Ed. 3. which will best appeare by his Charter which followes Vniuersis c. Iohannes de Norwico miles Salutem Illud Apostoli frequenter in animo revoluens Qualia seminaverit homo talia metet c. ad mei meriti et Margarete consortis mee c. ad honorem Dei Genetricisque sue Sancti Andree Apostoli omniumque sanctorum Collegium ex Magistro et octo confratribus Presbyteris in Ecclesia de Raueningham diuina perpetuis temporibus celebratur duxi peritorum consilio ordinand Quod Collegium domus Sancte Marie de Raveningham nominari dispono Dat. apud Thorpe iuxta Norwic. die xxv Iulij Anno Domini M.cccl Tomeston or Thonston Sir Thomas de Skardelow knight and Iohn his brother founded here a Chantrie of six Chapleines to pray for the soules of the said Thomas Iohn and Agnes his wife and their parents soules The donation beares date the 8. of Feb. 1349. the 23. of Ed. the third Valued it was at fiftie two pounds fifteene shillings seuen pence halfe penie Cockford Anno 1243. the Priory of blacke Canons Reguler at Cockford or Cokesford was founded by Sir Iohn de Canneto id est Cheney knight After him the Lord Say and after that the Lord Clinton were Patrons as I haue it out of a Manuscript Which Foundation was rated as others were at a low value to be of yearely reuenues one hundred fiftie three pounds seuen shillings and a pennie Tylney Smeeth So called of a smooth plaine or Common thereunto adioyning some two miles in extensure Pinguis adeo luxurians vt Paduana pascua videatur superasse So abundantly fertile that in fatnesse of soile it doth exceed the pastures about Padua in Italy For it serues
Stâ—w Annal. The finall dissoluâ—â—â—â— of Pâ—â—ories Aliens Aelphege Archbishop of Canterbury Caâ—graut in vita Elphege Ditmaâ— Marâ—â—◠〈◊〉 The Friery aâ— Greenwich Lamb. peramb. The Priory Weeuer and Ioane his wiâ—e The Popes Bul to the Staple Merchants for a portable Altâ—r and a Masse-priest Their Priest Confessour The forme of an Absolution The definition of a Merchant What Pedlers are Staple whar Burialls at Otford Alrick king of Kent Bartilmew the Saint at Otfâ—rd and his offering A part of Saint Tho Beckets 〈◊〉 Burials in Holmes Dalâ— M. Drayton Polyol Song 18. Io. Sariâ—â—â—r de Nugis Curial li. 6 ca 18. Camd. in Kent The Gentrie of Kent The Yeomanry of Kent The conclusion of this Diocesse Lamb. Godwin Lamb. Camd. Midlesex * Yorke * Other Speed Midlesex In Midlesex Albions England Chap. 14. The foundation of Saint Pauls Church Diploma Regis Ethelberti In Arch. Turris Lond. Cartae antiqua A. Sebba king of the East-Saxons Lib. 4. cap. 11. Etheldred king of England surnamed The Vnready Will. Malms Rob. Glocest. * they i Lib 6 cap. â— â—ib 1â— ca â—lt * Etheldred Erkenwald Bishop of Lond. De gestis Pontif. lib. 2. Beda lib. 4. ca. 6. Harpsfeeld Secul 7. cap. 13. Eustace de Fauconbridge Bishop of Lond. In bib Cott. Henry de Wingham Bishop of London Mat. Paris Lib. Mon. de Wauerley in bib Cott. Rager the black Bishop of London Rob. Braybrooke Bishop of London Rob. Fitz-Hugh Bishop of London Thomas Kempe Bishop of London Brian Twyn Antiq. Acad. Ox. Iohn Stokesley Bishop of London William Bishop of London Charta London Fulke Basset Bishop of London Mat. 〈◊〉 Paris In bib Cott. Io. Chishull Bishop of Lond. Mat. Westm. Rich. Newport Bishop of London Raph Baldocke Bishop of London Godwin Catal. Stow. Annal. Fran. Thinne Rob. Glocest. Michaell Northbrooke Bishop of London In Arch. Turris Lond. Rich. Clifford Bishop of London Godwin Catal. Richard Fitz-Iames Bishop of London Godwin de Praesul Ang. Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Blanch Duchesse of Lancaster Fabian Constance Duchesse of Lancaster Vpodigma Neust. Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne In bib Cott. Vincent Catal. Lib. Moâ— de Whalley Laurence Allerthorp Lord Treasurer * Francis Thinne In Arch. Turris Lond. Sir Simon Burley knight of the Garter Stow. Annal. In Arch. Turris Lond. Sir Raph Hengham chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench. Iudges fined for briberie and extortion Stow. Annal. Fulke Louell Archdeacon of Colchester Io. Boys Nich. Rikkell and Isabell their wife William Worsley Deane of this Church .... Odeâ—y Canon of this Church Iohn Colet Deane of this Church Cent. 5. William Liâ—â— the first Master of Paulâ— Schoole Bale Cent. 5. Tho. Linakâ—r phisition and his vale Tho. de Eure Deane of Pauli Tho. Wynterburne Deane of Pauls Reymund Pilgrim Canon Rich. Pleâ—â—ys Canon William Harington Secretary Apostolicall Si◠〈…〉 Lord 〈◊〉 In Arch. Turrâ—â— Lond. In Arch. Turris Lond. Suruay Rich. Piriton Archdeacon of Colchester Margaret Countesse of Shrewsbury Râ—maines Romaines The foundation 〈…〉 Peâ—â—y Canons Polyol 1. Song â—â—land ad Cyg Cant. Brute King of great Britaine Gildas Cambrius Hard. in viâ— Bruti * forth * â—he * an hauâ—â— â—owne * thither * there The body of a boy found in Saint Bâ—nâ—is Church-yard by Pauls Whaâ—fe enshrined afterwards in this Church who was martyred by the Iewes Stow. Annal. 〈◊〉 Paris 〈◊〉 codem Pardon Church-yard Thomas More Deane of Pauls Dance of Pauls Chappell in Pardâ— Church yard Gilbert Becket Portgraue of London Stow Sur. in Faring Ward Chappel at the North doore of Paulâ— Charnell-house with our Ladies Chappell Sir Hen. Barton Sir George Mirfin knightâ— Rob Barton Bell-house in Pauls Church-yard Holmes Colledge Adam de Bury Lord Maior Anne Duchesse of Bedford Poultneys Chappell Sir Iohn Poultney Iesus Chappell Sir Alan Boxhul knight of the Garter Shrines in S. Pauls Ex. Mss. in bib Cot. Camd. in Mid. Dierius alij Sir Hen. Spelman Gloss. liâ— C. Regist. lib. 3. Epist. 14. Cardinals of S. Paul 〈…〉 Church William Wâ—st Canon and Cardinall Iohn Good Chanâ—er of the Bale William Lily Lud King of the Britaines Io. Harding Now the Bishop of Londons house saith Harding Rob. Glocest. Cadwallo K. of the Britaines Geâ—â—â—ay Mon. Harding Iohn Benson and Anne his wife The foundation of Christ-Church or the Friers Minorites Margaret the â— wife of King Ed. 1. â—â—gist Frat. Miâ— Mss. in bib Câ—t The foundation of the blacke 〈◊〉 in vita R K. 〈◊〉 chiâ—piscopi Suruey of London Elizabeth Countesse of Northampton Margaret Hatfâ—eld Katherine Riplingham Her Will Tho. Riplingham His Will Agnes Milborne Nicholas Faringdon Lord Maior The Foundation of S. Martins In Arch turris London Lib. S. Martin Stow Sur. Iohn Pemberton Vpon a Table in the north Isle A Table in the Quiâ—e Deus Diabolus Vita Mors. Coelum Infâ—rnum Ioan the wife of Baron Thorp Stow Annal. William Brecke-speare Robbert Traps Agnes and Ioan his wiues Robert Agnes Ioan. Ioice Frankland An Inscription â—nder the portraiture of Queene Elizabeth Io. Brokitwell Michael Forlace and Mary his wife Mary Pawson Sir Hen. Weâ—â—eâ— knight and his wife Ioan. Sir Iohn Woodcocke Lord Maior The head of Iames the 4. king of Scotland Stow. Annal. Suruay Lond. Lib. Monasterij de Whalley in Com. Lanc. Io. Lesle in vil Iac. 4. Remaines pa. 371. The mount of Flodden * De corpore enim nondum compertum est Inscâ—iptâ— the waâ—â— Shanke bone of 28. inches long Camâ—en in Cornwall * In Cornwall Râ—b Glocest. * saith * wiâ—h Gogmagog the last Giant Camd. in Essex Selden in his Illuâ—â—râ—tions Polyol Song 1. Tho. Morsted Giles Dewes Iohn Burton 〈◊〉 Ienet his 〈◊〉 â—holl Moore Doctor of Law â—nd Agnes his brothers wife Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior Catal. of honouâ— Tho. Bullen Iohn Pickering and 〈◊〉 his wife Tho. Cressly and Agnes his wife The foundation of the Collegiate Chappell at Guild-hall Hollins Speed Hist. Foundation of Mercers Chappell Stow. Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and Ioane his wife Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond Camden in the County of Tipperary Ireland Becket was borne neere to this Church here he had a shrine and his picture ouer the Chappell dore Iohn Rich. Stow Suruay Ambrose Cressacre Iohn Peris and Margaret his wife Raph Tilney and Ioan his wife Yarford Io. Allen Lord Maior Stow Suruay Iohn Couentrie Lord Maior Fabian Stow Annal. Stow Suruay Vnder the Statue of K. Ed. the sixt vpon the Standard in Cheape Tho. Knowles Lord Maior and Ioane his wife Tho. Knowles Ioan Spenser Walter Lempster 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Simon Street Agnes his wife Will. Goldhirst and Margaret his wife Stephen Spilman Sheriffe of London Ric. Grey Sheriffe of London R. Marlow Lord Maior Corpus Christi play Ric. Hill Master or Sergeant of the kings câ—ller Sir Charles Blunt knight Lord Mountioy Camd. in Shrop. Camd. in Darbishire Rob. Dalusse Baâ—her and Alice his wife Io Micolt and Ioan his wife Raph Astry Lord Maior Margery and Margaret his wiues
Bangor were to meete Austin the first Archbishop of Canterbury concerning certaine points tending to the Catholicke vnitie and concord they came first saith venerable Bede to a certaine holy and wise man which liued thereabout an Anchorites life to aske his counsell whether they ought at Austins preaching and exhortation to leaue their traditions or no And we reade in the said Authour that Cuthbert Bishop of Durham enforced thereto by the King increasing in the merit of religious and holy deuotion came also to the secret silence of an Anchors life and contemplation that by prayer he brought forth water out of a stonie ground and also receiued graine by the labour of his owne hands and that out of all season of sowing And I haue seene the Psalter translated out of Latine into English by one Richard a religious Hermite the antiquitie whereof may bee gathered by the character of the English of which I will giue you an Essay of certaine parcels We heryen ye God we knowlechen ye Lord Alle ye erye worschips ye euerlasting fader Alle aungels in heuens and alle ye poures in yis warld Cherubin and Seraphin cryen by voyce to ye vnstyntyng Blessyd be ye Louerd God of Israel for he has visityd and maad bying of his puple My soul worschips ye Louerd and my gost ioyed in God my hele for he lokyd ye mekenes of hys honde mayden So for iken of yat blissefulle schall sey me all generaciouns For he has don to me grete yingis yat myrty is and hys nome hely Louerd you leuest nowe yi servaunt in pees aftyr yi word yat you hast seyde bifore for now I am ripe to die For myn eghen hau seen yin owen son Christ yat is yin owen he le to men The Boc of ye generacoun of Ihu Crist sone of Dauid sone of Abraham Abraham gendride Isaac Isaac forsaye gendride Iacob Iacob forsoye gendride Iudas and hys brâ—yeen Ye dedis of ye Apostlis Theosile fyrst I maad a sermon of all yingis yat Ittu bigan to do and to teche into ye dat of hys assencioun in whyâ—he he commandide in ye hooli goost to his Apostlis whyche he hadde thosen to whyche he schew de hymself alyue aftyr hys passioun by many argumentys appering to hem fourti dais Paul ye servaunt of Ihu Crist clepid an Apostle deâ— romptyd into the Gospel of God whyche he hadde behote tofore by hâ—â—e Profetis in hooli scryptur of his sone Apocalipis Apocalipis of Ihu Crist whyche God 3 as to hym to maak open to hys servauntis whyche yingis hit behouey to be maad soone and he signyfyed sendynge by hys Angel to hys servaunt Ion. Whyche bar witnessyng to ye word of God In the like language are all the Collects Epistles and Gospels for the whole yeare much what as we haue them in our Church as also the Pater-noster and the Creede All which by the Dialect I gesse to haue beene translated by this Hermite in the dayes of King Henry the second comparing them with the English of that Pater Noster and the Creed which Adrian the fourth Pope of Rome an Englishman the sonne of Robert Breakespeare of Abbots Langley in Hertfortshire sent to the said King Henrie the second as followeth Ure fadir in heuene riche Thi nom be haliid euerliche Thou bring vs to thi michilblisce Thi wil to wirche thu vs wisse Al 's hit is in henene ido Euer in erth ben hit also That hell bred yat laffyth ay Thou sende hious yis ilke day Forgiuous al yat we hauith dou Al 's we forgiu vch oder mon He let ous falle in no founding Ak scilde ous fro ye toul thing Amen I beleue in God Fadir almighty shipper of heuen and erth And in Ihesus Crist his oule thi son vre Louerd That is iuange thurch the hooli Gost bore of Mary maiden Tholede Pine vndyr puonce Pilat pickt on rode ire dead and yburiid Licht into helle the thrid de day fro death arose Steich into heuene sit on his Fadir richt honde God almighty Then is cominde to deme the quikke and the dâ—de I beleue in ye hooli Gost Alle hooli Chirche Mone of allehallwen forgiuenis of sine Fleiss vprising Lit withuten end Amen This Hermite likewise translated all the Psalmes of Dauid with a glossâ— or exposition in English vpon euery Pslame Blysfull man yat whych away rede naught in councâ—ll of wiâ—ked and in ye way of sintull stud nought and in ye chayer of peâ—yleus he nought satt But in lagh or Louerdyr wille of hym and in his lagh he schall yeuke day and nigt Selden tells vs of a Psalter in that famous Bodleian Librarie in Oxford with a metricall translation of the Psalmes the which as hâ—e is perswaded by the character was englished about the time of King Edward the second where he giues vs the first Psalme as a taste of the idiom or forme of our speech in those dayes which a wicked hand saith he by cutting the first Capitall left a little imperfect Ely beerne that nought is gan In the red of wikked man And in strete of Sinfull noght he stode ...... of Scorne vngode But in the lagh of Louerd his wil be aâ— And his lagh think he night and day And al his lif swasal it be As it fares be a tre That streme of water sett is nere That gises his frute in tym of yere And lefe of hym to dreue noght sal What swa he dos sal soundfull al. Noght swa wikked men noght swa Bot aâ—s dust that wind the erthe tas fra And therfor wick in dome noght rise Ne sinfull in rede of right wise For Louerd of right wise wot the wâ—y And gate of wick forworth sal ay Gloria Patri Blisse to Fadir and to the Sone And to the heâ—y Gost with them one Al 's â—irst was is and ay sal be In werld of werldes unto the thre And in the same place you may reade a verse or two of the fifteenth Psalme thus rimed Louerd who id thi Tâ—ld who sâ—l wun In the heli hille or who rest mun He that in comes wâ—mles And euer wickes rightwisenes Here the more willingly to vse the words of the transcriber of these Psalmes I haue inserted these parcels of the Psalter that by this occasion my Reader might palliate his taste with an Essay of our Ancestors old English as well in the curte composition of their prose as in the nearnesse of their holy meeters which howsoeuer abounding with libertie and the character of their times yet haue I confesse my admiration And for a conclusion we reade in Henry Archdeacon of Huntington that a certaine Anchorite or quidam vir Dei as he calls him prophesied in King
Etheldreds dayes that forsomuch as Englishmâ—n were giuen ouer to all drunkennesse treason and carelesnesse of Gods house first by Danes then by Normans and a third time by the Scots they should be ouercome Of which I speake elsewhere To this retyred holy Order aforesaid women were admitted as well as men For I reade in an old Lieger booke that one I sold Heâ—on widow vnlike in conuersation to these Anchorites I haue spoken of or the Anchoresâ—es in the Primitiue times made sure to King Henry the sixth that shee might be an Anchoresse or vowed recluse in that part of the Abbey of Whally anciently ordained for that purpose which was granted and thus confirmed Henricus Dei gra Rex Angl. Dominus Hibernie omnibus ad quos presentes litere peâ—uenuerint Salutem Sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali concessimus dilecte nobis isole de Heton de Com. Lanc. vidue quod ipsa pro terâ—â—iâ—o vâ—te sue esse possit Anachorita in loco ad hoc ordinato iuxta Ecclesiam Parochialem de Whalley in dicto Com. Lanc. quod ipsa talem sustentationem habere possit pro ut ibidem pertinet de Abbate conuentu loci ciusdem In cuius rei tetimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus patentes Dat. suh sigilla nostra ducatus nostri Lanc apud Manerium nostrum de Kenington Vâ— die Iulij An. Regni quinto decimo Per breue de priuato Sigillo But this religious Votaresse tooke no great delight in her straight lodging as appeares by the story for within a short time after she being desirous of more libertie broke out of her cage as other such like holy Sisters had done before her and flew abroad in the open world Whereupon the Abbot and Couent of the said Monasterie made certificate following to the King To the Kyng owr souereigne Lord c. Be hit remembryd that the please and habitacion of the seyd Recluse is within place holowed and nere to the gate of the seyd Monastre And that the weemen that haue been attendyng and acquayntyd to the seyd Recluse haue recorse dailly into the seyd monastre for the liuere of brede ale Kychin and other thyngs for the sustentacion of the seyd Recluses accordyng to the composicion endentyd above rehersed The whyche is not according to be had within suche religyous plases And how that dyvers that been Ancores and Recluses in the seyd plase afore tyme contrary to theyr own oth and professyon haue brokyn owt of the seyd plase wherin they wer reclusyd and departyd therfrom wythowt eny reconsilyatyon And in especyal how that now Isold of Heton that was last Reclused in the seyd plase denominacion and preferment of owr souereigne L. and Kyng that now is is broken owt of the seyd plase and hath departyd therfrom contrary to her own oth and professyon not willyng nor entendyng to be restoryd ageyn and so liuyng at her own liberte and large by this two yer and mor like as sche had neuer bin professyd And that diuers of the wymen that haue been seruants ther and attendyng to the Recluses afortym have been misgouerned and gotten with chyld wythin the seyd plase halowyd to the grete displesaunce of hurt and disclander of the Abbey aforeseyd c. Please hit yowr highnes of yowr especial grase to grant to yowr orators the Abbat and c. This Anchoresse hauing taken vpon her so strict a vow and being thus loose in her life and conuersation some may very well imagine that Nuns which had more libertie allowed them by their rules were farre more licentious and indeed the Author of Piers the Ploughman speakes in the person of the Frier Wrath somewhat reprochfully of his Aunt a Nunne and an Abbesse As also of other like Votaresses and Votaries which with his introduction followeth I am wrath quoth he I was sometyme a Frere And the Couents gardiner for to graften impes On Limitours and Legisters lesings I imped Til thei bear leaues of smoth speach Lordes to please And sithen thei blosomed abrod in bour to hear shrifte Now is fallen therof a fruit that folk han wel liuer Shew her shrifts to hem than shriuen hem to her persons And persons haue perceiued that Freres part with hem These possessours preach and depraue Freres And Freres findeth hem in default as folk bear witnes And when thei preach the people in many places about I wrath walk with hom and wish hem of my bookes Thus they speken of my spiritualty and despise ech other Til thei be both beggers and by my spiritualty libben Or els al rich and â—iden about I Wrath rest neuer That I ne most follow this wicked folk for such is my grace I haue an Aunt to Nun and an Abbes both Her had leue swone or swelt than suffer any payne I haue ben coke in her kitchen and her Couent serued Many monethes with hem and with Monks both I was the Priores potager and other pore ladies I made hem iowts of iangling That Dame Ione was a bastard And dame Clarence a knights doughter a cokolde was her Sire And dame Pernel a Priestes file Priores was she neuer For she had child in chery time al our chapter hit wiste Of wicked wordes I Wrath her wortes made Till thou liest and thou liest lopen out at once And either hit other vnder the cheke Had thei had kniues by Christ either had killed other Saint Gregory was a good Pope and had good forewit That no Priores wer Priest for that he prouided Let haply thei had no grace to hold harlatry in For thei article of her tonges and must all secretes tell Among Monkes I might be and many times yshamen For thei be many fel frekes my feris to espie Both Prior and Subprior and our Pater Abbas And if I tel any tales thei taken hem togethers And do me fast Fridayes to bread and to water I am challenged in chapter house as I a child were And balaced on the bare ars Thus haue I spoken of all the religious Orders which I finde to haue beene cloistered here in England at the time of the dissolution of Religious houses howsoeuer their number might bee farre more then I haue spoken of For. I. Fox in his Martyrologe alphabetically sets down a catalogue of an hundred and twelue seuerall orders of Monkes Friers and Nuns here and beyond seas whose rules were confirmed by seuerall Popes all branched from the foure Primitiue institutions of Basill Augustine Benet and Francis Of which increase for a conclusion to this Chapter as also to this discourse one Lelius Capilupus a Catholike Romane in his Anatomie of the Romane Clergie hath formerly written in Latine verse thus not long since Englished But though I had an hundred tongues and moe I could not tell how many sorts there be Nor shew the names and orders which do flow From this wast Sea in their posteritie CHAP. XVII Of