knowe whether hee shall be saued c.  Marian Morden his own sister Also that shee dyd not worship Images And after these little thynges he intended to teache her of the Sacrament  W. Afrike or Littlepage Iohn Afrike or Litlepage Emme Harding or Afrike Iohn Fip Phisition ¶ To thys Iames Morden with other moe abiurers it was enioyned by Bishoppe Smith for seuen yeares to visite the church of Lincolne twise a yeare from Amersham And when diuers had gotte licence of the Bishoppe for length of the iourny to visite the Image of our Ladie of Missenden for the space of v. yeares thys Iames Morden when hee coulde not obtaine licence so to doe yet notwithstandyng for the tediousnesse of the way went with them to the same Image and thereuppon was charged for violatyng the Bishops iniunction Also because to get his liuing hee wrought halfe a yeare out of the dioces when he had bene inioyned by the Bishop not to goe out of the diocesse of Buckingham Fol. 11. This Iam. Morden confessed y t he vsed his Pater noster and Creede so much in English that he had forgot many words therof in Latin and therefore was inioyned by bishop Smith to say it no more in English but only in Latine and because he kept not this iniunction he fell therefore in relaps Roger Benet by like compulsion of his othe was caused to detect these following to be knowne persons W. Rogers Tyler and his wife W. Harding Rog. Harding Ioane Ienynges George seruaunt to Tho. Tochel Th. Gray seruant of Roger Benet Agnes Franke. Ioane Colyngworth W. Smith The wife of Iohn Milsent Rob. Stampe and his wife The wife of Rob. Bartlet The wife of Dauid Lewys of Henley Ioh. Frier seruant to M. Penne. Iohn Tracher  Ioh. Mordens wife Rich. Ashford Wil. Litlâpage prentise sometime of Iohn Scriuener Emme his wife Ioh. Scriuener Isabel Morwyn For teaching Coplands wyfe her errors Thom Halfaker sworne vpon his othe did detect these names here folowing Ioh. Milsent his wife Rog. Harding and his wife Th. Bernard Th. Afrike his wife W. Rogers W. Harding and his wife Kat. Bartlet the mother of Rob. and Ric. Barlet Th. Harding his wife W. Franke and Agnes his wife This great abiuraâion was anno 1511. Because these comming to the Church and especiallye at the eleuatioÌ time would say no prayers but did sitte mumme as hee tearmed it lyke beastes Because Katherine Bartlette beyng of good health came but seldome to the Church but fained her selfe sicke and because William Franke maried Agnes hys wife shee beyng before abiured  Rob. Pope Because hee fled away when the great abiuration was at Amersham Also for hauing certaine English bokes fol. 16.  Emme Affrike alias Emme Harding I. Affricke Henry Milner Hernes wife now the wife of Waiuer William Tilseworth Emme Tilseworth of London Thomas Tilseworth and his wife The wife of Robert Tilseworth William Glasbroke Christopher Glasbroke Milner Thomas Groue and Ioane his wife Thomas Man by Bristow Tho. Holms detected Hen. Miller Counted for a great heretike and learned in the Scripture  Iohn Schepard The wife of Iohn Schepard of Dorney The elder daughter of Rog Harding of Amersham Nich. Stokely Couper and his wife of Henley Iohn Clerke Tho. Wilbey of Henley W. Stokeley Hobs with his sonnes of Hychenden The wife of Iohn Scriuener Smith of Owborne Thomas Clerke the elder Thomas Clerke the younger Wigmer fermer of Hychenden Robert Carder weiuer Iohn-Frier seruant to M. Pen. Iohn Morwen and Isabel his wife Elizabeth Houer wife of Henry Houer of little Missenden Rich. White Fuller of Beckinsfield  Andr. Randal and his wife of Ricmansworth Because they receyued into theyr House Thomas Manne flying for persecution and for reading Wickleffs Wicket  The father of Andrewe Randall Benet Ward Fuller Thys Benet Warde was also denounced by Iohn Merstonne for saying that it booteth no manne to pray to oure Ladie nor to no Sainte nor aungell in Heauen but to God only for they haue no power of mans soule  The wife of Benet Ward and her dâughter For saying that Thomas Pope was the deuoutest manne that euer came in their house for he woulde sitte readyng in his booke to midnight many times The foresayd Tho. Holmes detected Tho. Tailour and his wife of Vxbridge Rob. Quicke Rob. Cosine Tho. Clarke and his wife of Ware One Gâldener about Herford Iohn Bay and Wil. Say his sonne of little Missenden The wife of Iohn Wellys of Amersham Ioane Glasbroke sister to Wil. Glasbroke of Harow on the Hill Tho. Susan Wheler Iohnâ Lee Smith Iohn Austy Sherman Iohn Frier Edmund Harding Ioh. Heron Carpenter of Hambeldon Henry Miller  Iohn Phips Hee was very ripe in Scriptures  Emme wife of Rich. Tilsworth  Iohn Phip He was a reader or rehearser to the other  Iohn Say of Missenden William Stokeley  Rog. Squire For saying to Holmes Thys is one of them that maketh all this businesse in oure Towne wyth the Byshoppe I pray GOD teare al the bones of him  Roger Herne A certaine Tanner  Ioh. Butler Carpenter Rich. Butler W. King of Vxbridge These three sate vp all the night in the house of Durdant of Iuencourte by Stanes For reading the Scripture in Englishe readinge all the nighte of a Booke of Scripture  Iohn Muklyf Weauer For speaking againste holy bread and holy water  Tho. Man For saying that Christ was not substantially in the Sacrament  Thomas ãâ¦ã Butler For receiuing an English booke geuen hym by Carder his father who after his abiuration don before bishop Smith fel sieke and died  Rich Vulford of Riselip Hackar Thomas King  Ione Cocks The wife of Rob. Wywood husbandman For desiring of Durdant her maister that he being a knowen a man woulde teache her some knowledge of gods law and desiring the same also of the Butlers Rob. Carder of Iuer weuer detected these Nic. DurdaÌt of Stanes Dauy Durdant of Ankerwike The wife of old DurdaÌt The wife of Nich. Durdant These were detected for that olde Durdant of Euyncourte at dinner sitting with his children their wiues bidding a boy there staÌding to departe out of y e house that he should not heare and tel did recite certain places vnto them out of the Epistles of S. Paule of the Gospels  Ric. White Father in law to Benet Ward of Bekinsfield He was detected to be a knowen man because after the death of bishop Smith he was heard to say these words my L. that dead is was a good man and diuers known men were called before him he seÌt them home againe bidding them y t they should liue among their neighbors as good Christen men should do And now saide he there is a new Byshop which is called a blessed man and if he bee as he is named hee wil not trouble the seruants of God but wil let them be in quiet
to his mercifull goodnes Of which diuorcement and suppressing of the Popes authority we haue likewise to make declaration But first as we haue begun with the Cardinall of Yorke so we will make an ende of him That done we will God willing addresse our selfe to other matters of more importance As the ambassadours were thus trauailing in Rome to promote the Cardinall to be Pope althoughe the Pope was not yet dead in the meane time the Cardinall played the Popish persecuter here at home Fryer Barnes with two Marchantes of the Stilliard caused by the Cardinal to beare fagots For first hee sitting in his Pontificalibus in the Cathedrall Churche of Paules vnder his cloth of estate of rich cloth of golde caused Frier Barnes an Augustine Frier to beare a fagot for certayne poyntes which he called heresie Also hee caused the same two marchants of the stilliarde likewise to beare fagottes for eating fleshe on a friday At the which time the Byshop of Rochester made a sermon in reproofe of M. Luther who had before wrytten agaynst the power of the B. of Rome This bishop in his sermon spake so muche of the honoure of the Pope and his Cardinals and of their dignitie and preeminence that he forgate to speake of the Gospel which he tooke in hande to declare which was about the yeare of our Lord. 1526. Anno. 1528. After this the said Cardinall likewise An. 1528. and in the moneth of Nouemb. sitting at Westminster as legate called before him the whole Cleargie and there promysed that all abusions of the church shuld be amended but there nothing els was done saue onely he caused to be abiured Arthur Bilney Geffrey Lome and Garret for speakinge against the Popes authoritie and his pompous pride Of whome more shal be sayd the Lord assisting vs hereafter And this was An. 1528. Anno 1529 The yeare next following which was An. 1529. began the question of the kings mariage to be reuiued Wherupon Cardinal Campegius was sent againe into Englande from Rome The occasion of the Cardinalls fall for the hearing and debating of the matter Who then with Cardinall Wolsey consulting with y e king although at first he seemed with his felow Cardinal to incline to the kings disposition yet afterward perceiuing the sequele of the case whether it tended so farre as peraduenture might be the occasion of a blot to the court of Rome The cause of the kinges mariage with his brothers wife was daÌgerous to the Pope for this For if it were vnlawfull then the dispensation of Pope Iuly was voyde If it were lawfull then the iudgementes of so manye vniuersities were false and might shake perhaps the chaire of the Popes omnipotent authoritie as wel in other cases like if this one case were throughly decided by learning and trueth of Gods word he therefore slipping his necke out of the collar craftily shifted him selfe out of the Realme before the day came appoynted for determination leauing his suttle felowe behinde him to wey with the king in the meane time while the matter might be brought vp to the court of Rome The king thus seeing himselfe disappoynted foded wyth false promises and craftily doubled withal by the Cardinalles and at last after so many delaies and long expectation nothing to be concluded was sore agreeued in his mind with them but especially with Cardinall Wolsey whom he had before so highly exalted and promoted to so many greate dignities as to the Archbishoprike of York the bishoprike of Winchester The king deluded by the two Cardinalls of Duresme the abby of S. Albons besides the Chancelorship of England and many other high roumes preferments in the realme which caused him clearly to cast him out of his fauour so that after that time he neuer came more to the kings presence Ex Hallo Then folowed first a counsaile of the nobles called the first of Octob. A Counsaile of the Nobles called During the which counsaile all the Lordes and other the kings Counsaile agreeing together resorted to Windsore to the king and there informed the king that all things which he had done almost by his power LegaÌtine were in the case of the Premunire and prouision and that the Cardinall had forfaited all his lands The Cardinall cast in the Premunire tenements goods and cattels to the king wherefore the king willing order to him according to the order of his lawes caused his attourney Christopher Hales to sue out a Wryt of Premunire against him in the which he licenced hym to make an Attourney And further the 17. day of Nouember hee sent the two Dukes of Norffolke Suffolke The Cardinall depriued of the Câauncellourship to his place at Westminster to fetch away the great Seale of England whyche he was lothe to deliuer if there had bene any remedie but in conclusion he deliuered it to the two Dukes which deliuered the same to Doctor Tailour Maister of the Rolles to carie it to the king which so did the next day Besides this the king sent Syr William Fitzwilliams Knight of the Garter and Treasurer of his house and doctor Steuen Gardiner newly made Secretary to see that no goodes should be embesiled oute of his house Steuen Gardiner the kinges secretarye and further ordeined y t the Cardinal should remoue to Asher beside Kingston there to tary the kings pleasure and to haue all things deliuered to hym which were necessary for him but not after his olde pompous and superfluous fashyon for all hys goodes were seased to the kinges vse When the Seale was thus taken from the Cardinall The Cardinalls goods seased to the king the Dukes of Norffolke and Suffolke wyth many Earles Byshops and Barons came into the Starre chamber the xix day of October where the Duke of Norffolke declared that the kings highnesse for diuers and sundry offences had taken from hym his great Seale and deposed him of all offices and lest men might complaine for lacke of iustice he had apointed him and the Duke of Suffolke with the assent of the other Lordes to sitte in the Starre chamber to heare and determine causes indifferently and that of all thyngs the kings pleasure and commaundement was that they should keepe their hands close from any rewards taking or maintenance and so that weeke they sate in the Starre chamber and determined causes The Cardinalls remouing from Yorke place A fewe dayes after in the same moneth the Cardinall remooued out of hys house called Yorke place wyth âne Crosse saying that he woulde he had neuer borne more meaning that by his crosse that which he bare as Legate which degree taking was hys confusion as you see openly and so hee tooke his barge and went to Pueney by water and there tooke his horse and roade to Asher where he remained till Lent after During which time hee being called on for an aunswere in the kings Bench to the Premunire for geuing
benefices by preuention in disturbance of mens inheritance and diuers other open causes in the Premunire accordynge to the kings licence constituted Iohn Scute Edmonde Ienny Apprentises of the lawe his attourneys whych by his owne warrant signed w t his hand confessed all thyngs concerning the said suit for they were too open to be cloked or hidden and so iudgement was geuen that hee shoulde forfeite all his landes tenements goodes and cattels and shoulde be put oute of the kings protection but for al that the king sent him a sufficient protection and of hys gentlenes left to him the bishoyprikes of Yorke and Winchester and gaue to hym plate and stuffe conuenient for hys degree Doctour Tunstall Byshop of Duresme Iohn Stokesly made Byshop of London and the Bishoprike of Duresme he gaue to Doctour Tonstall Bishop of London and the Abbey of S. Albones he gaue to the Priour of Norwich and to London he promoted Doctour Iohn Stokesley then Ambassadoure to the vniuersities for the marriage as you hearde before For all this kindnesse shewed to the Cardinall yet still hee maligned against the king as you shal hereafter perceiue but first we will proceede in the course of these matters as they passed in order The next yeare following whych was Anno. 1530. Anno 1530. in the moneth of Nouemb. was summoned a generall parlament to be holden at Westminster In the which yeare about the 23. day of October A parliameÌt called the king came to his manor of Grenwich and there much consulted wyth his Counsaile for a meete man to be his Chauncelour so that in no wise he were no man of the Spiritualtie and so after longe debate the king resoluted him selfe vpon sir Thomas Moore knight Chauncelor of the Duchy of Lancaster Syr Thomas More made lord ChauÌcelour of England a man wel learned in the tonges and also in the common law whose wit was fine and full of imaginations by reason whereof hee was a litle too muche geuen to mocking more then became the person of M. More and then on the Sonday the 24. day of the same moneth the king made him his Chauncelor and deliuered him the great seale which Lord Chancelor the next morow after was ledde into the Chancerye by the two Dukes of Norffolke and Suffolke and there sworne and then the Mace was borne before him Of this fall of the Cardinall and of the placing of Syr Thomas More in the Chauncelorship Erasmus in an Epistle to Iohn Uergera thus wryteth The Cardinall of Yorke hath so offended the kings minde Ex Eras. that he being turned out of his goodes and all his dignities is coÌmitted not into prison but into a certaine Lordshippe of his with 30. seruaunts or kepers to geue attendance vpon him Many and sundry complaintes are coÌmenced against him so that he is not like to escape with his life Such is the daliaunce of fortune of a scholemaister to be made a king For so hee raigned more like a king then the king him selfe Hee was dreaded of all men he was loued but of a fewe almoste of none A litle before he was appreheÌded he caused Richard Pacie to be cast in the towre Also he threatned my Archbishop of Canterburie Salomon sayeth By this Archbyshop he meaneth William Warham That before the fall of man his spirite shall be eleuated The Archb. of Caunterbury was called or restored to be chosen Lord Chancellor which is the chiefest office in all that realme but he excused himselfe by his age as being not able to weld such a function Wherefore the sayde office was bestowed vpon Tho. More no les to the reioycing of many then the other was displaced from it These newes my seruaunt brought me out of England c. Ex Epist. Erasm. ad Ioan Vergeram You heard before A parliameÌt summoned in Nouemb. anno 1530. how a counsaile of the Nobles was appoynted by the king in the moneth of October to assemble in the Starre chamber aboute the Cardinals matter and also how a parliament was summoned to begin in the moneth of Nouember in the yeare following An. 1530. At the beginning of which Parliament after that M. Moore the newe Chauncelour had finished hys oration the commons were commaunded to chuse them a Speaker Thomas Audely speaker of the Paâliament Sixe greuaÌces of the commons agaynst the clergye who was Thomas Audeley Esquire and attorney of the Duchie of Lancaster Thus the Parlament being begun the 6. day of the foresaid month of Nouember at Westminster where the king with all the Lordes were set in the Parlament chamber the commoÌs after they had presented their speaker assembling in the nether house began to common of their grieues wherwith the spiritualtie had before time greeuously oppressed them contrary both to all righte and to the lawe of the realme and especially were sore mooued with these 6. great causes ¶ Greeuances against the Cleargie of Englande 1. THe first for the excessiue fines which the Ordinaries tooke for probate of Testaments ãâ¦ã of testamentes in so much that Sir Henry Guilford Knight of the Garter and Comptrollour of the Kings house declared in the open Parliament of his fidelitie that he and other being executours to Syr William Compton Knight payed for the probate of hys will to the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand marke sterling After this declaration were shewed so many extortions done by Ordinaries for probates of willes A thousand ãâã for ãâã probate ãâ¦ã testaââât The vnreasâââble ãâã of the clergye for Mortuaries that it were too much to rehearse 2. The second cause was the great poling extreame exaction which y e spirituall men vsed in taking of corps presents or Mortuaries for the childreÌ of the dead should all die for huÌger and go a begging rather then they would of charitie geue to theÌ the sely cow which the dead maÌ ought if he had but onely one such was the charitie of them 3. The third cause was that Priestes being Surueyers Stuards Fârmes and Granges in Priestes handes and officers to Byshops Abbots and other spirituall heads had and occupied Farmes Graunges and grasing in euery Countrey so that the poore husbandmen could haue nothing but of them and yet for that they shuld pay dearely 4. The fourth cause was that Abbots Priors and spirituall men kept Tannehouses Monkes and priests marchauntes and bought and sold wooll cloth and all maner of Marchaundise as other temporall Marchaunts did 5. The fift cause was because the spirituall persons promoted to great benefices Beneficed men take of their flocke but geue nothing and hauing their liuing of theyr flocke were lying in the Court of Lords houses and tooke all of their parishioners and nothing spent on them at all so that for lacke of residence both the poore of the parishe lacked refreshing and vniuersally all the parishioners lacked preaching and true instruction of Gods
other good deedes and as for one of them whatsoeuer he haue of money in his purse he will distribute it for the loue of God to poore people Also he sayde that no man should geue laud nor prayse in no maner of wise to no creature nor to no Saint in heauen Tim. 1. but only to God Soli Deo honor gloria that is To God alone be all honour and glory Also he sayd ah good Sir Edmund ye be farre from the knowledge and vnderstanding of the Scripture for as yet ye be a Pharisey with many other of your company but I trust in God I shall make you and many other mo good and perfect Christen men ere I depart from the Citie The Godly courage of Rich Bayfilde for I purpose to reade a common lecture euery day at S. Fosters Church which lecture shall be to the edifyeng of your soules that be false Phariseys Also he sayde that Bilney preached nothing at Wilsedone but that was true Also he sayd that Bilney preached true at Wilsedone if he sayd that our Ladyes crowne of Wilsedone The peoples offringes bestowed bestowed vppon harlots her rings beades that were offered to her were bestowed amongest harlots by the Ministers of Christes Churche for that haue I seene my selfe he sayd heere in London and that will I abide by Also he sayde he did not feare to commen and argue in Arthur and Bilneys opinions and Articles and if it were with my Lord Cardinall Also he sayd that he would hold Arthur and Bilneys opinions and Articles and abyde by them that they were true opinions to suffer death therfore I know them said he for so noble and excellent men in learning Also he sayde if he were before my Lord Cardinall hee would not let to speake to him and to tell hym that he hath done nought in prisoning of Arthur and Bilney whyche were better disposed in their liuings to God then my Lord Cardinall or my Lord of London as holy as they make themselues Also he sayd my Lord Cardinall is no perfect nor good man to God for he keepeth not the Commaundements of God for Christ he said neuer taught him to folow riches nor to seeke for promotions nor dignities of this worlde nor Christ neuer taught him to weare shoes of siluer and gilt set with pearle and precious stones The Cardinals shooes nor Christ had neuer ij crosses of siluer ij axes nor piller of siluer gilt Also he sayde that euery Priest might preach the Gospell without licence of the Pope my Lord Cardinall my Lord of London or any other man And that would he abide by and thus he verified it as it is written Marke 16. Euntes in mundum vniuersum praedicate Euangelium omni creaturae Christ commaunded euery Priest to go foorth thoroughout all the worlde and preache the word of God by the authoritie of this Gospel and not to runne to y e Pope nor to no other man for licence and that would hee abyde by he sayd Also he sayd Wel Sir Edmund say you what you will and euery man my Lord Cardinall also and yet will I say and abide by it my Lord Cardinall doth punishe Arthur Bilney vniustly for there be no truer Christen men in all the world liuing then they two be and that punishment that my Lord Cardinall doth to them he doth it by might and power as who say this maye I do and thys will I do who shall say nay but he doth it of no iustice Also about the xiiij day of October last past at iij. of the clocke at after noone Syr Richarde Bayfilde came to S. Edmunds in Lumbardstreete where he founde me Syr Edmund Peerson Sir Iames Smith and Syr Myles Garnet standing at the vttermost gate of the personage Syr Edmund sayd to Syr Richard Bayfilde how many Christen men haue yee made since yee came to the Citie Quoth Sir Richard Bayfilde I came euen now to make thee a Christen man and these two other Gentlemen with thee for well I know ye be all three Phariseis as yet Also he sayd to Syr Edmund that Arthur and Bilney were better Christen men then he was or any of them that did punish Arthur and Bilney Per me Edmundum Peerson And thus we haue as in a grosse summe coÌpiled together the names and causes though not of al yet of a great and to great a number of good men good women whych in those sorowful daies from the yere of our Lord 1527. to this present yere 1533. that is til the comming in of Queene Anne were manifold wayes vexed and persecuted vnder the tiranny of the Bishop of Rome Ten Dutchmen Annabaptists put to death Segor Derycke Symon Runa Derycke Dominicke Dauid Cornelius Ellâen Milo Where again we haue to note that froÌ this present yeare of our Lord 1533. during the time of the sayd Quene Anne we read of no great persecution nor any abiuration to haue bene in the Church of Englande saue onely that the Registers of London make mention of certaine Dutchmen counted for Anabaptists of whom 10. were put to death in sondry places of the realme an 1535. other 10. repented and were saued Where note again that 2. also of the said company albeit the diffinitiue sentence was read yet notwithstaÌding were pardoned by the king which was contrary to the Popes law Now to proceede forth in our matter after that the Byshops and heads of the clergy had thus a long time taken their pleasure Anno. 1533. exercising their cruell authoritie against the poore wasted flocke of the Lord Complaynt of the CoÌmons against the Clergy Ex Edw. Hallo A Parliament an 1534. and began furthermore to stretch foorth their rigour and austeritie to attach molest also other greater persons of the temporaltie so it fell that in y e beginning of the next or 2. yere following which was an 1534. a parlament was called by the king about the 15. day of Ian. In the which parlament the commons renuing their old griefes complained of the cruelty of the Prelates Ordinaries for calling men before them Ex Officio For suche was then the vsage of the Ordinaries and theyr Officials Crueltye of the Clergye against the temporaltie that they would send for men lay accusations to them of heresie onely declaring to them that they were accused and would minister Articles to them but no accuser should be brought forth wherby the coÌmons was greuously anoyed oppressed for the party so acited must eyther abiure or do worse for purgatioÌ he might none make As these matters were long debating in the Common house as last it was agreed that the temporall men should put their griefs in wryting and deliuer them to the King Whereuppon the 18. day of Marche the common speaker accompanied wyth certaine Knights and Burgeses of the common house came to the Kyngs presence and there declared how the temporal
the king to the conuocation house sent him therewith to the Conuocation house among the Byshops Cromwell commyng with the kynges signet boldly into the Clergy house and there placyng himselfe among the Byshops W. Warham beyng then Archbyshop begaÌ to make his Oration declaryng to them the authoritie of a kyng and the office of subiectes and especially the obedience of Byshops Churchmen vnder publicke lawes necessaryly prouided for the profite quyet of the coÌmon wealth Which lawes notwithstandyng they had all transgressed highly offended in derogation of the kynges royall estate fallyng in the law of Premunire in that noâ onely they had consented to the power Legatiue of the Cardinall For the copie of the Bishops ãâã to the Pope read before pag. 1025. The clergy condemned in the Premunire Syr Tho. Cromwell made knight and M. of the kinges Iewel house but also in that they had all sworne to the Pope contrary to the fealtie of their soueraigne Lord the kyng therfore had forfeyted to the kyng all their goodes cattels landes possessions and whatsoeuer liuynges they had The Byshops hearyng this were not a litle amased and first began to excuse and deny the fact But after that Cromwell had shewed them the very copie of their othe made to the Pope at their coÌsecration and the matter was so playne that they could not deny it they begaÌ to shrinke and to fall to entreatie desiryng respite to pause vpon the matter Notwithstandyng the end thereof fell so out that to be quite of that Premunire by Act of Parliament it cost them to the kyng for both the prouinces Canterbury and Yorke no lesse then .118840 poundes whiche was about the yeare of our Lord. 1530. whereof before you may read more at large pag. 1020. After this an 1522. Syr Thomas Cromwell growyng in great fauour with the kyng Cromwell made M. of the Rolles Cromwell made knight of the Garter was made Knight Maister of the kynges Iewell house shortly after was admitted also into the kynges CouÌsaile which was about the commyng in of Queene Anne Bullen Furthermore within two yeares ofter the same an 1524. he was made Maister of the Rolles Doct. Taylor beyng discharged Thus Cromwel springyng vp in fauour and honour after this in the yeare .1527 a litle before the byrth of kyng Edward was made Knight of the Garter L. Cromwell made Earle of Essex great Chamberlaine of England and Vicegerent to the king not long after was aduaunced to the Earledome of Essex and made great Chamberlaine of England Ouer and besides all which honours he was constitute also Uicegerent to the kyng representyng his person Whiche office although it standeth well by the law yet seldome hath there bene sene any besides this Cromwell alone either to haue susteined it or els to haue so furnished the same with counsayle and wisedome as Cromwell did And thus much hytherto coÌcernyng the steppes and degrees of the Lord Cromwels risyng vp to dignitie and high estate Now somewhat would be sayd likewise of the noble Actes the memorable examples and worthy vertues not drowned by ease of honour in him but encreased rather quickened by aduauncemeÌt of authority place to work more abundantly in the common wealth Among y t which his woorthy actes and other manyfolde vertues in thys one chiefely aboue all other riseth his commendation The actes and doinges of the L. Cromwell described for his singular zeale and laborious trauaile bestowed in restoring the true Church of Christ and subuerting the Synagogue of Antichrist the Abbeyes I meane and religious houses of Friers and Monkes For so it pleased almighty God by the meanes of the said Lord Cromwell to induce the King to suppresse first the Chauntries then the Friers houses and small Monasteries till at length all the Abbeys in England both great and lesse were vtterly ouerthrowne and pluckt vp by the rootes The which acte and enterprise of him as it may geue a president of singular zeale to all Realmes christened which no Prince yet to this day scarse dare folow so to this Realme of Englande it wrought such benefit commoditie as the fruite thereof yet remayneth and will remayne still in the Realme of Englande though we seeme little to feele it Rudely and simply I speake what I suppose without preiudice of other which can inferre any better reason In the meane time my reason is this that if God had not raised vp thys Cromwell as he did to be the instrument of rooting out of the Abbeyes and Celles of straunge religion The L. Cromwel a profitable instrument in suppressing Abbayes what other men see I know not for my part I neuer yet saw in thys Realme any such Cromwell since Cromwels time whose hart and courage might not sooner haue bene subuerted with the money and bribes of Abbots then he to haue subuerted any Abbey in all England But heere I must of necessitie answeare the complaynt of certayne of our countrey men For so I heare of many the subuersion of these Monasteries to be reprehended The defence of the L. Cromwell for ouerthrowing the Abbayes as euill and wicked The building say they mighte haue bene conuerted vnto schooles and houses of learning The goodes and possessions might haue bene bestowed to much better and more godly vse of the poore and mainteining of hospitalitie Neyther do I denie but that these thyngs are well and godly spoken of them and could willingly embrace their opinion with my whole hart if I did not consider heerein a more secret and deeper meaning of Gods holy prouidence then at the first blush peraduenture to all men doth appeare And first to omit the wicked and execrable life of these religious orders The abhominable life in Monasteryes bewrayed by their owne confessioÌ ful of al feditie found out by the Kings visitours and in their Registers also recorded so horrible to be heard so incredible to be beleeued so stinking before the face of God and man that no maruayle it is if Gods vengeance from heauen prouoked woulde not suffer anye stone or monument of these abhominable houses to be vnplucked vp But as I sayd letting these things passe vnder chaste silence whiche for very shame will abhorre any storie to disclose let vs now come to the first institution of these orders and houses of Monkerie and consider howe and to what end they were first instituted and erected here among the Saxons at the first foundation of them about the time 666. In the former parte of thys Hystorie declaration was made before Read afore pag. 133.134 page 133.134 first by whome and at what time these Monkish houses heere in England among the Saxons flowing no doubt out of the order of Saint Benet The first beginning of religious houses in the time of the Saxons and brought in by Augustine began first to be founded as by Augustine the Monke Furseus Medulphus
histories seuerally to comprehend first of all we will somewhat speake of Barnes D. of diuinitie whose perticular story here followeth This Barnes after he came from the Uniuersitie of Louaine Robert Barnes Prior of the house of Auguâtines in Cambridge went to Cambridge where he was made Prior and maister of the house of the Augustines At that tyme the knowledge of good letters was scarcely entred into the Uniuersitie all things beyng full of rudenes and barbaritie sauing in very few which wer priuy and secret Wherupon Barnes hauing some feeling of better learning and authors began in his house to read Terence Plautus Cicero Thomas Parnel a Londoner borne scholer to Barnes M. Cambâidge M. Field M. Colman M. Couerdall Bachelers of diuinity so that what with his industry paines labours and with the helpe of Tho. Parnell his scholer whom he brought from Louane with him reading Copia verborum rerum he caused the house shortly to florish with good letters and made a great part of the house learned which before were drowned in barbarous rudenesse as M. Cambridge maister Felde M. Colman M. Burley M. Couerdall with diuers other of the Uniuersitie that soiourned there for learnings sake After these foundations laid then did he read openly in the house Paules Epistles and put by Duns and Dorbel and yeâ he was a questionarye himselfe and onely because he would haue Christ there taught and his holy word he turned their vnsauory Problemes and fruitles disputations to other better matter of the holy scripture thereby in short space he made diuers good diuines The same order of disputatioÌ which he kept in his house he obserued likewise in the vniuersitie abrode wheÌ he shuld dispute with any man in the commoÌ scholes And the first man that aunswered Doctor Barnes in the Scriptures was Maister Stafford for his forme to bee Bacheler of diuinitie which disputation was maruelous in the sight of the great blynde Doctors and ioyfull to the godly spirited Thus Barnes what with his reading disputation and preaching became famous and mighty in the Scriptures preaching euer against bishops and hypocrites and yet did not see his inward outward idolatry which he both taught and mainteined till that good M. Bilney with other as is aforesayd in the lyfe of M. Bilney conuerted him wholy vnto Christ. The first sermon that euer he preached of this truth was the Sonday before Christmas day at S. Edwardes church longing to Trinitie hall in Cambridge The first Sermon ãâã Doct. Baner preacheââ ãâ¦ã by y e Pease marker whose theame was the epistle of the same sonday Gaudete in domino c. and so postilled the whole epistle folowyng the scripture and Luthers postill and for that sermon he was immediatly accused of heresie by ij fellowes of the kings hall Then the godly learned in Christ both of Penbroke hall S. Iohns Peter house Queenes colledge the Kings colledge Gunwell hall Benet college shâwed themselues flocked together in open sight both in the scholes and at open Sermons at S. Maries and at the Austens and at other disputations and then they conferred continually together The house that they resorted most commonly vnto was the white horse which for despite of them to bryng Gods word into contempt was called Germany This house especially was chosen because of them of S. Iohns The kings colledge and the Queenes colledge came in on the backe side At this tyme much trouble began to ensue The aduersaries of D. Barnes accused him in the RegeÌt house before the Uicechancelor where as his articles were presented with him receyued he promising to make answer at the next conuocation and so it was done Then Doctor Nottoris a ranke enemy to Christ mooued Doct. Barnes to recant but he refused so to do which appeareth in hys booke that he made to king Henry the 8. in English confuting the iudgement of cardinall Wolsey and the residue of the Bishops papisticall Trouble amongest the Cambridge men for the Gospell and so for the tyme stoode stedfast And this tragedy continued in Cambridge one preachyng agaynst another in trying out of Gods truth vntil within vj. dayes of Shrouetyde Then sodenly was sent downe to Cambridge a sergeaunt of armes called maister Gibson dwelling in s. Thomas Apostles in LondoÌ D. Barnes ãâã by M. Gibson who sodeÌly arested D. Barnes openly in the conuocatioÌ house to make all other afraid and priuily they had determined to make search for Luthers bookes and all the Germaines workes sodenly But good D. Farman of the Queenes Colledge sent word incontinently thereof Search in Cambridge for bookes to the chambers of those that were suspected which were in number xxx persons But God be praysed they were conueied by that tyme that the sergeant at armes the Uicechauncelor and the Proctours were at euery mans chamber False Brethâââ goyng directly to the place where the bookes lay wherby it was perceiued that there were some priuy spies amongst that small company and that night they studied together and gaue him his answer which answer he caried with him to LondoÌ the next morning which was Tuesday before Shrouesonday D Barnes brought to London came on the Wednesday to London lay at M. Parnels house by the stockes In the morning he was caried by the Sergeant at armes to cardinal Wolsey to Westminster waytyng there all day and could not speak with him til night D. Gardinet Secretary to the Cardinall Then by the reason of D. Gardiner Secretary to the cardinall of whose familiar acquaintance he had bene before and M. Foxe M. of the Wardes he spake the same nyght with the cardinal in his chamber of estate kneeling on his knees Then sayd the cardinall to them is this D. Barnes your man that is accused of heresie Yea and please your grace and we trust you shall find him reformable for he is both well learned and wise What M. doctor sayd the cardinal had you not a sufficient scope in the scriptures to teach the people The talke betweene Cardinall Welsey and D. Barnes but that my golden shewes my pollaxes my pillers my goldeÌ cusshioÌs my crosses did so sore offeÌd you that you must make vs Ridiculum caput amongst the people We were iolily y t day laughed to scorne Uerily it was a sermon more fitter to be preached on a stage theÌ in a pulpit for at the last you sayd I weare a payre of red gloues I should say bloudye gloues quoth you that I should not be cold in the midst of my ceremonies And he answered I spake nothing but the truth out of the scriptures according to my conscience and according to the old Doctors and then did hee deliuer him vi sheetes of paper written to confirme and corroborate his sayinges He receaued them smiling on him and saying we perceiue then that you intend to stand to your Articles and to shew your learning Yea
kings Maiesties person his realme and subiectes No worde hetherto sent from the Lords to the Lord Protector what they required of him to doe Reasonable coÌditions offered by the Lord Protector you shall finde vs agreeable to any reasonable conditions that you will require For we doe esteeme the kings wealth and tranquillitie of the realme more then all other worldly things yea more then our owne life Thus praying you to send vs your determinate answer heerein by M. Secretarie Peter or if you will not let him go by this bearer we beseeche God to geue both you and vs grace to determine this matter as maye be to Gods honour the preseruation of the king and the quiet of vs all which may be if the fault be not in you And so we bid you most heartily fare well From the kings maiesties Castle of Windsore the 7. of Octob. 1549. Your Lordships louing frend E. Somerset After these letters receiued and the reasonable condition of the Lorde Protectour and yet not much regarded of the Lordes they persisting still in their pretended purpose tooke this aduise first to keepe themselues in the Citie of London as strong as they might and therfore calling vpon the Maior and the Aldermen they willed them in any case to prouide a good and substantiall watch by nyght A solemne watch commauÌded in London and a good warde by day for the safegard of their Citie and the portes and gates thereof which was consented vnto and the CoÌpanies of London in theyr turnes warned to watch and warde accordingly Then the sayd Lordes and Counsailours demaunded of the Lorde Maior and hys brethren 500. menne to ayde them to fetche the Lorde Protectour out of Windsore from the king but therunto the Maior answeared The Citye of London pressed with 500. mân to fetch the L. Protector The aunswere of the Lorde Maior to the Lordes The Lordes assembled in the L. Maiors house that he could graunt none aide without the assent of the common Counsaile of the citie wherupon the next day a common councell was warned But in this meane time the said Lordes of the Counsaile assembled theÌselues at the Lorde Maiors house of London who then was Syr Henrye Amcottes Fishmonger and W. Locke Mercer and sir Iohn Aileph Sheriffes of the said citie and there the said Counsaile did agree and publishe a Proclamation foorthwith agaynst the Lorde Protector the effect of which Proclamation was as followeth 1 First The effect of the proclamation seâ out agaynst the Lord Protector that the Protector by his malitious and euill gouernment was the occasion of all the sedition that of late happened within the realme 2 The losse of the kings peeces in France 3 That he was ambitious and sought his owne glorye as appeared by building of most sumptuous costly houses in the time of the kings warres 4 That hee esteemed nothinge the graue Counsell of the Counsailours 5 That he sowed diuision betwene the Nobles the gentlemen and the commons 6 That the Nobles assembled themselues together at LondoÌ for none other purpose but to haue caused the protectour to haue liued wythin limites and to haue put such order for the suretie of the kings maiestie as appertained whatsoeuer the Protectours doinges were whyche they sayd were vnnaturall ingrate and traiterous 7 That the Protectour sclaundered the Counsaile to the king and did that in him lay to cause variaunce betweene the king and the nobles 8 That hee was a great traitor and therefore the Lordes desired the citie commons to aid them to take hym from the king And in witnes and testimonie of the contents of the said Proclamation the Lordes subscribed theyr names whych were these The Lorde Rich Lord Chauncellour The Lord S. Iohn Lord great maister president of the Counsaile The Lord Marques of Northampton The Earl of Warwike Lord great Chamberlaine The Earle of Arundel L. Chamberlaine The Earle of Shrewsburie The Earle of South-hampton Wriothesley Sir Thomas Cheyney knighte treasurer of the kings house and Lord Warden of the Cinque portes Syr Iohn Gage knight Constable of the Tower Syr Wil. Peter knight Secretarie Syr Edwarde North knight Syr Edwarde Montague chief Iustice of the common place Syr Rafe Sadler Syr Iohn Baker Syr Edw. Wootton Doctour Wootton Deane of Cant. Syr Rich. Southwell After the foresaide Proclamation was Proclaimed the Lordes or the most parte of them continuing and lying in London came y e next day to the Guild hal during the time that the Lord Maior and their brethren sate in their Court or inner chamber The Lordes comming into the Guild hall and entred and communed a long while with the Maior and at the last the Maior and his brethren came foorth vnto the common Counsaile where was read the kings letter sent to the Maior and citizens commaunding them to aid him with a thousand wel appoynted men out of their citie and to send the same with all speede to his Castle at Windsore Thys Letter by name was directed to Syr Henrye Amcottes knighte Lorde Maior to Syr Roulande Hyll knight Maior electe and to the Aldermen and common Counsaile of the Citie of London The daye and Date of the Letter was the sixte of October in the thirde yeare of his raigne being assigned with the hand of the King and of the Lorde Protectour the contentes of which letter for the satisfaction of the reader are heere to be seene in maner and forme as followeth EDWARD By the King TRustie and welbeloued we greete you wel Wee charge and commaunde you most earnestly to geue order with all speede for the defence and preseruation of that our citie of London for vs The Copy of the kinges letter sent to the L. Maior Aldermen and Citizens of LoÌdon in the behalfe of the L. Protectour and to leuy out of hande and to put in order as many as conueniently you maye well weaponed and arraied keeping good watch at the gates and to sende vs hither for the defence of oure person one thousand of that our Cittie of trustie and faithfull men to attend vpon vs and our most entirely beloued vncle Edward Duke of Somerset Gouernour of our person and Protector of our Realmes dominions and subiects well harnessed and with good and conuenient weapon so that they do make their repaire hither vnto vs this night if it be possible or at the least to morow before noone and in the meane time to doe what as appertaineth vnto your duetie for ours and our sayd vncles defence against all such as attempt any conspiracie or enterprise of violence against vs our sayd Vncle as you knowe best for our preseruation and defence at thys present Geuen vnder our Signet at our Honor of Hampton Court the sixte of October the thirde yeare of oure raigne You shall farther geue credite to our trustie and welbeloued Owen Cleydon the bearer heereof in all such things as hee shall further declare vnto you
THE seconde Volume OF THE ECCLEsiasticall Historie conteining the ACTS AND MONVMENTS of Martyrs with a Generall discourse of these latter Persecutions horrible troubles and tumultes stirred vp by Romish Prelates in the Church with diuers other things incident especially to this Realme of Englande and Scotland is partly also to all other forreine nations appertaining from the time of Kâng HENRY the VIII to Queene ELIZABETH our gracious Ladie nowe raigning Newly ãâã ãâã ãâã by ãâ¦ã IOHN FOXE 15ââ AT LONDON Printed by Iohn Day dwelling ouer Aldergate Cum ãâ¦ã ⧠Here folovveth the second Volume AND THE VII BOOKE BEGINNING WITH THE REIGNE OF KING HENRYE THE EIGHT Anno. 1509. AS touching the ciuil state and administration of the Common wealth and likewise of the state of the Churche vnder the raign of king Henry 7. how he entred first in possession of y e crowne how the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster were in hym conioyned through marriage with Elizabeth the eldest daughter to King Edwarde 4. by the prudent counsail of Iohn Morton then Bishop of Ely Notes summarely collected and repeated of things done in the tyme of K. Henry the seueÌth after Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinall howe long the sayd King reigned and what persecution was in his time for lacke of searche and knowledge of Gods word both in the diocesse of Lincolne vnder bishop Smith who was erector of the house of Brasen nose in Oxforde as also in the diocesse of Couentrie and other places moe and further what punishment and alteration God commonly sendeth vpon cities and realmes publique for neglecting the safety of his flocke sufficiently in the former booke hath bene alredy specified Wherin many things more amply might haue ben added incideÌt in the raigne of this Prince which we haue for breuitie pretermitted For hee that studieth to comprehend in story all things which the common course vse of life may offer to the wryter may sooner finde matter to occupye himselfe then to profite other Otherwise I myght haue inferred mention of the seditions tumult of Perkin Werbecke wyth his retinue Anno 1494. also of Blackheath field by the Blacke smith An. 1496. Perkin Werbeck which fained himself to be K. Edwards sonne I myght also haue recited the glorious commendation of Georgius Lilius in his Latine Chronicle testifying of King Henrie 7. howe hee sent three solemne Oratours to Pope Iulius 2. to yeelde his obedience to the sea of Rome An. 1506. and likewise howe Pope Alexander 9. Pius 3. and Iulius 2. sent to the sayde king Henry 7. three sundrie famous Ambassadours whith tree swordes and three cappes of maintenance Blacke heathe fielde electing and admitting hym to be the chiefe defendor of the faith The commendation of which facte howe glorious it is in the eyes of Georgius Lilius and Fabian that I leaue to them This I suppose that when Kyng Henry sent to Pope Iulius three Orators wyth obedience if he had sent him thre thousand harquebuziers to furnish his fielde against the French king fighting at Rauenna hee had pleased pope Iulius much better If Georgius Lilius had bene disposed to illustrate his story with notes this had bene more worthy the noting Ex Masseo lib. 20. howe Ludouike 12. French king calling his Parliament moued this question against Pope Iulius whether a Pope might inuade any Prince by warlike force wythout cause and whether the prince might withdraw hys obedience from that Pope or not And it was concluded in the same Parliament wyth the king against the Pope Also it was concluded the same time which was in the raigne of this king Henry 7 that the * Pragmatica sanctio was a practising or a determination of a certaine parliament in Fraunce against the Bishop of Rome in defeÌce of certaine matters of religion concluded in the couÌcel of Basill Pragmatical sanction should be receiued in ful force and effect through all the realme of Fraunce And for so muche as wee are fallen into the mention of Georgius Lilius this in hym is to be found not vnworthy noting howe after the burning of Thomas Norice aboue mentioned pag. 775. at the citie of Norwich that the same yeare followed such a fire in Norwich that the whole Citie well neare was therewith consumed Ex Geor. Lilio Like as also after the burning of the foresayde good aged father in Smithfield A note of Gods plagues folowing the burning of his people the same yeare which was 1500. we reade in the Chronicle of Fabian a great plague to fall vppon the Citie of London to the great destruction of the inhabitantes therof Wherein agayne is to be noted as is aforesayd that according to the state of the church the disposition of the common wealth commonly is guided eyther to be wyth aduersitie afflicted or els in prosperitie to flourish But after these notes of King Henry 7. nowe to the storie of king Henry 8. This king Henry 7. finishing his course in the yeare abouesayd which was 1509. had by Elizabeth hys wife aboue named The children ofspring of king Henry .7 foure men children and of women children as many Of whome 3. onely suruiued to wit prince Henry Lady Margarete and Lady Mary Of whome King Henry the eight after hys father succeded Lady Margaret was marryed to Iames the fourth king of Scottes Lady Margaret maried to king Iames 4. of Scotland Lady Margaret maried to the K. of Castile Prince Arthur maried to Lady Katherine daughter to the Spanishe king The death of Prince Arthur K. Henry marieth Lady Katherine his brothers wyfe Ladie Mary was affied to Charles king of Castile Not long before the death of king Henry prince Arthur his elder sonne had espoused Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinandus being of the age of 15. yeares and shee about the age of 17. and shortly after hys mariage wythin 5. monethes departed at Ludlowe and was buried at Worcester After whose decease the succession of the Crowne fell next to king Henry the 8. being of the age of 18. yeres who entred hys raigne the yeare of our Lorde 1509. and shortly after maried with the foresayde Katherine his late brother Prince Arthurs wife to the end that her dowry being great shoulde not be transported out of the lande In the which his marriage being more politique then Scripture like he was dispensed wyth by pope Iulius at the request of Ferdinandus her father The raigne of this king continued with great noblenes and fame Blind dispeÌsatioÌs of the Pope the space of 38. yeres During whose time and raigne was greate alteration of things as well to the ciuile state of the Realme as especially to the state Ecclesiasticall and matters of the Church appertaining For by him was exiled and abolyshed out of the Realme the vsurped power of the Byshop of Rome Idolatrye and superstition somewhat repressed Images and pilgrimages defared Abbeys and monasteries pulled downe Sectes of religion
of the Articles whyche are these 1 First the said booke damneth all holy Canons calling them ceremonies and statutes of sinfull men and vncunning Newe articles coÌmensed against Hunne after his death and calleth the Pope Sathanas and Antichrist 2 Item it damneth the Popes Pardons saieng they be but leasings 3 Item the sayd booke of Hunne saith that Kings and Lords called Christen in name and heathen in conditions defoyle the Sanctuarie of God bringing clarkes full of couetise heresie and malice to stop Gods law that it can not be knowne kept and freely preached 4 Item the saide booke saith that Lordes and Prelates pursue full cruelly them that would teach truly and freely the lawe of God and cherish them that preach sinful mens traditions and statutes by the which he meaneth the holy Canons of Christes Church 5 Item that poore men and idiotes haue the truth of the holy Scriptures more then a thousand Prelates and religious men and clarkes of the schole 6 Item that Christen Kings and Lordes set Idols in Gods house and excite the people to Idolatrie 7 Item that Princes Lords and Prelates so doyng be worse then Herode that pursued Christ and worse then Iewes and heathen men that crucified Christ. 8 Item that euery man swearing by our Lady or any other Saint or creature geueth more honour to the saints then to the holy Trinitie and so he sayth they be idolaters 9. Item he sayth that Saintes ought not to be honored 10. Item he damnethe adoratioÌ prayer kneelyng offeryng to Images which he calleth stockes and stones 11. Item he sayth that the very body of the Lord is not conteyned in the SacrameÌt of the aultar but that men receiuing it shall thereby keepe in mynde that Christes flesh was wounded and crucified for vs. 12. Item he daÌneth the Uniuersitie of Oxford with all degrees and faculties in it as Art Ciuile CanoÌ and Diuinitie saying that they let the true way to come to the knowledge of the lawes of God and holy Scripture 13. Item he defendeth the translation of the Bible and holy Scripture into the English tongue An holy mother Church which cannot abide the worde of God to be translated which is prohibited by the lawes of our mother holy Church These Articles thus collected as also the others before specified they caused for a more shew of their preteÌded iustice and innocencie to be opeÌly read the next Sonday folowing by the Preacher at Paules Crosse with this Protestation made before â Maisters and frendes for certaine causes and considerations I haue in commaundemeÌt to rehearse shew publish here vnto you the Articles of heresie vpoÌ which Richard Hunne was detected and examined The Bishops publication at Paules crosse against R. Hunne and also other great Articles and damnable poyntes and opinions of heresie conteined in some of his bookes be coÌmen to light and knowledge here ready to be shewed And therewith he read the Articles openly vnto the people concludyng with these wordes And maisters if there be any man desirous to see the specialtie of these Articles or doubt whether they be coÌteined in this booke or not for satisfying of his minde let him come to my Lord of London and he shall see it with good will Moreouer here I counsaile and admonishe that if there be any persons that of their simplenes haue bene familiar and acquainted with the sayd Richard Hunne in these Articles or haue heard him read vpon this booke or any other souÌdyng to heresie or haue any like bookes their selues let them come vnto my Lord of London betwixt this and Candlemasse next and knowledge their fault they shal be charitably intreated and dealt withall so that both their goodes and honestie shal be saued if they will not come of their owne offer but abyde the processe of the law then at their owne perill be it if the rigour of the law be executed agaynst them After which open publication admonition the Byshop at sundry tymes examined diuers of his Priests and other lay persons vpon the contentes of both these Articles Among which examinates there was a man seruauÌt and a mayde of the sayd Hunnes who although they had of long dwelt with him were not able to charge him with any great thing worthy repreheÌsion no not in such points as the Byshop chiefly obiected agaynst him But yet the Priestes through whose procurement this mischief was first begon spared no whit stoutly and maliciously to accuse him some in the contentes of the first Articles some in the second Wherefore hauyng now as they thought sufficient matter agaynst him they purposed speedely to proceede to his condemnation Ex Registro Fiâziames Lond. And because they would seeme to doe all thynges formally and by prescript order they first drew out certaine short and summary rules by the which the Byshop should be directed in this solemne Session which are these 1. First let the Byshop sit in his tribunall seate in our Ladyes Chappell 2. Secondly let him recite the cause of his comming Marke the manner of this proceeding and take Notaryes to him to enact that shal be there done 3. Thirdly let him declare how vppon Sonday last at Paules Crosse he caused to be published a generall monition or denunciation that all fautours and mainteyners of Richard Hunne should come in as by this day submit themselues and let him signifie withall how certaine haue come in and haue appeared already 4. Fourthly let him protest say that if there remayne any yet behynd which haue not appeared accordyng to the former monition and denunciation yet if they will come and appeare and submit themselues they shal be heard receiued with grace and fauour 5. Fiftly let the Byshop or some other at his appointmeÌt recite the Articles obiected agaynst Richard Hunne in the tyme of his life and theÌ the other Articles likewise which were out of his great booke of the Bible extracted 6. Sixtly let the aunsweres and confessions of the sayd Richard Hunne summarely be recited with the AttestatioÌs made to the same Articles Also let his bookes be exhibited and theÌ Thomas Brooke his seruaunt be called for 7. Seuently let it be openly cryed at the Quere doore that if there be any which will defend the articles opinions bookes or the memory of the said Richard Hunne let them come and appeare and they shall be heard as the lawe in that behalfe shall require 8 Eightly let it be openly cryed as in maner before for such as be receiuers fauourers defenders or beleeuers of the sayd Richard Hunne that all such do appear and submit themselues to the Bishop or else he intendeth to proceede to the excommunication of them in generall according to the exigence of the law in that behalfe 9 Ninthly then the Byshop speaking to the standers by and to them which sate with him vpon the bench of the Clergie demaunding of them what their iudgement
free will and minde without any question or Inquyry to him made by the sayd Alen Moreouer the sayde Alen sayth that all that euening Graundger was in great feare ¶ The Deposition of Richard Horsnayle Bayliffe of the Sanctuary Towne called Goodesture in Essex THe sayd Richard sayeth that friday before Christmas day last past that one Charles Ioseph Somner to my Lord of London became a Sanctuary man and the aforesayd Friday he registred his name the sayde Charles saying it was for the sauegard of his body for there be certein men in London so extreame agaynste him for the death of Richard Hunne that he dare not abide in London Howbeit the sayd Charles sayth he knowledgeth himselfe guiltlesse of Hunnes death for he deliuered the keyes to the Chauncellour by Hunnes life also the sayd Bayliffe sayth that Charles payd the duty of the sayd Regestring both to him and syr Iohn Studley Uicar ¶ The Copy of Richard Fitziames Letter then Bishop of London sent to Cardinall Woolsey I Beseeche your good Lordshippe to stand so good Lord vnto my poore Chauncellour nowe in Warde and indighted by an vntrue quest for the death of Richard Hunne The letter of the B. of London to Cardinall Woolsey vpon the onely accusation of Charles Ioseph made by payne and duraunce that by your intercession it may please the kinges grace to haue the matter duely and sufficiently examined by indifferent persons of hys discreete counsell in the presence of the parties ere there be any more done in the cause and that vpon the innocency of my sayde Chauncellour declared it may further please the kinges grace to award a Plackard vnto his Attorney to confesse the sayde Enditement to be vntrue when the time shall require it for assured am I if my Chauncellour be tryed by any twelue men in London they be so maliciously set In fauorem hereticae prauitatis that they will cast and condemne any Clerke though he were as innocent as Abel Quare si potes beate pater adiuua infirmitates nostras tibi imperpetuum deuincti erimus Ouer this in most humble wise I beseech you that I may haue the kinges gracious fauour whom I neuer offended willingly and that by your good meanes I might speake with his grace and you and I with all mine shall pray for your prosperous estate long to continue Your most humble Oratour R.L. Lastly nowe remayneth to inferre the sentence of the questmen which foloweth in like sort to be seene and expeÌded after I haue first declared the wordes of the Byshop spoken in the Parliament house ¶ The wordes that the B. of London spake before the Lordes in the Parliament house MEmorandum that the bishop of London said in the parliament house that there was a bil brought to the parliament to make the Iury that was charged vpon y e death of Hunne true men and sayde and tooke vpon his conscience that they were false periured Caytiffes and sayd furthermore to all the Lordes there then being For the loue of God look vpon this matter for if you do not I dare not keepe mine owne house for heretiques And sayde that the sayd Richard Hunne hanged himselfe and that it was his owne deed and no mans els And furthermore sayde that there came a man to his house whose wife was appeached of heresy to speake with him he sayd that he had no mind to speake with the same man which man spake and reported to the seruauntes of the same Bishoppe that if his wife would not hold still here opinion he would cut her throat with his owne handes with other wordes ¶ The sentence of the Inquest subscribed by the Crowner THe inquisition intended and taken at the city of LondoÌ in the Parish of S. Gregory in the ward of Baynard Castle in London the sixt day of December in the 6. yeare of the raigne of K. Henry the 8. before Thomas Barnewel Crowner of our souereigne Lord the king within the city of London aforesayd Also before Iames Yarford and Iohn Mundey Sheriffes of the sayde City The senteÌce of the Inquest vpon the sight of the body of Richard Hunne late of London Taylour which was found hanged in the Lollardes tower and by the oth and proofe of lawfull men of the same warde and of other three wardes next adioyning as it ought to be after the custome of the city aforesayd to inquire how in what maner wise the sayd Richard Hunne came vnto his death and vpon the oth of Iohn Bernard Thomas Stert William Warren Henry Abraham Iohn Aborow Ioh. Turner Robert Alen William Marler Ioh. Burton Iames Page Thomas Pickehill William Burton Robert Brigewater Thomas Busted Gylbert Howel Richard Gibson Christopher Crafton Iohn Eod Richard Holt Iohn Pasmere Edmunde Hudson Iohn Arunsel Richard Couper Iohn Tyme the which saide vpon theyr othes that where the sayd Richard Hunne by the commauÌdement of Richard Bishop of London was emprisoned and brought to holde in a prison of the sayd Bishops called Lollardes Tower lying in the Cathedrall Church of S Paule in London in the parish of S. Gregory in the ward of Baynard Castle aforesayd William Horsey of London Clerke Richarde HuÌne cleared by the Inquest not to haue haÌged himself otherwise called William Heresye Chauncellouâ to Richard Bishop of London and one Charles Ioseph late of London Sumner and Iohn Spalding of London otherwise called Iohn Belringer feloniously as felons to our Lord the king with force and armes agaynst the peace of our soueraigne Lord the king dignity of his crowne the fourth day of December the sixt yeare of the raygne of our soueraigne Lord aforesayd of theyr great malice at the parish of S. Gregory aforesayde vpon the sayde Richarde Hunne made a fray and the same Richard Hunne felonously strangled and smodered and also the necke they did breake of the sayde Richard Hunne and there feloniouslye slue him and murdered him and also the body of the sayde Richard Hunne afterward the same fourth day yere place parish and ward aforesayd with the proper gyrdle of the same Richard Hunne of silke blacke of coulor of the value of 12. d. after his death vpon a hooke driuen into a piece of timber in the wall of the prison aforesayd made fast and so hanged him agaynst the peace of our Soueraigne Lord the king and the dignity of his crowne and so the sayd Iurye hath sworne vpon the holy Euangelistes that the sayd W. Horsey Clerke Charles Ioseph and Iohn Spalding of theyr set malice then and there felonously killed and murdered the sayd Richard Hunne in maner and forme aboue sayd agaynst the peace of our soueraign Lord the king his crowne and dignity Subscribed in this maner Thomas Barnewel Crowner of the City of London After that the 24. had geuen vp theyr verdict sealed and signed with the Crowners seale The Parlament iudging with Richarde Hunne y e cause was theÌ brought into the Parliament house where the
Richard Bartlet Robert Bartlet Thomas Bernard  Iohn Clerke of little Missenden For saying shee neuer did beleeue in the sacrament of the aultare or euer would beleue in it Iohn Gardiner did appeache Iohn Horne of Ambylden His sister Agnes Warde Wardes wife of Marlow Nicholas Stokeley Because that when this Gardiner sayde God helpe vs and our Ladie and all the saints of heauen then she sayd what neede is it to goe to the feete when we may goe to the head  William Stokeley The wife of William Deane Will. Ramsey of Newbery Iohn Symon og Marlow Hys wife of Marlow Iohn Gray of Marlow Dauy Schyrwood William Schyrwood Raynold Schyrwood Iohn Say did detect Christopher Shomaker Ih. Okinden Rob. Pope Thys Chrystopher Shomaker hadde beene burned a little before at Newbery Christoph. Shomaker martir ¶ Byshop Longland seeking matter against Isabell Morwyn of whome hee coulde take no greate aduauntage by examination called and caused Elizabeth Copland her own sister to testifie against her in maner as followeth Elizabeth Coplande witnesseth against Isabel Morwyn her owne sister Firste because in talke together comming from their father being at the poynte of death Isabell sayde to her sister Elizabeth that all whych dye either passe to hel or heauen Nay sayde the other there is betweene them purgatorie Agayne when Elizabeth came from the roode of rest sayd Isabell that if she knew so much as shee hath heard shee would go no more on pilgrimage while she liued for all Saints said she be in heauen Then asked Elizabeth wherfore pilgrimage was ordeined of Doctours and Priestes Said the other for gaine profit Who hath taught you this quoth Elizabeth man or womaÌ Your Curate I dare say neuer learned you so My Curate sayd she will neuer knowe so much and moreouer sayd to Elizabeth her sister that if she woulde keepe counsaile not tell her husband she would say more And when Elizabeth answered that she would not tell but sayth the other I will haue you to sweare and because she woulde not sweare the other would not proceed any further Alice Browne forced by her othe too detect Iohn Tracher of Chessham The cause why this Iohn Tracher was denounced was thys for that hee taught her in the Gospell this sayeng of Iesus Blessed bee they that heare the word of GOD and keepe it Also because hee taughte her the eyghte beatitudes in English ¶ Emme Tilseword because she refused to detect other by vertue of her othe and denied such matter as by witnes and by the Bishops actes were prooued against her in paine of relaps the Bishop enioyned her to make certaine fagots of cloth and to weare the same both before her vpper garment and behinde so long as she liued Ex Regist. Longland  Thomas Afrike For asking howe hys cousin Widmore clerke the elder and Iohn Fip did at Hichenden whether they kepte the lawes of GOD as they were woont W. Phippes forced by his othe to detect Roger Parker deceased Ioh. Phip For sayeng that Images are not to bee woorshipped because they are made and carued wyth mans hande and that such ought not to be worshipped  Iohn Gardiner For that to the sayde Wil. this Gardiner sayd that all which are burned for thys secte are true Martyrs  Iohn Stilman  Iohn Butler by his othe was forced to detect Thomas Geffray firste of Vxbridge then of Ipswich Taylor For reading and teaching him in the acts and preachings of the Apostles Item for hauing a Scripture Booke in English whyche Booke the sayde Gefferay gaue to the Byshoppe of London when hee was accused Item that the sayde Gefferay sayde that true Pilgrimage was barefoote to go and visite the poore weake and sicke for they are the true Images of God  Richard Vulford This Uulforde and Thomas Gefferay tolde the sayde Iohn Butler that the hoste consecrated was not the verye true bodye of Christe In proofe whereof they sayde that let a Mouse bee put in the pixe wyth the hoste A story of a mouse put into the pixe and the Mouse woulde eate it vp And for more proofe they declared vnto the sayde Iohn Butler that there were two Priests in Essex which put a mouse in the pixe to a consecrated hoste and the mouse did eate it Afterwarde the facte of these Priestes beyng knowne and brought to the Byshop one of the Priestes was burned for the same  Ioh. Clerke of DeÌham Also the same Uulford and Geffrey told him and Iohn Clerke that holy bread and holy water were but a vayne glorye of the world for God neuer made them but were mennes inuentions and that GOD neither made Priestes for in Christes time there were no priests Moreouer that Thomas Geffrey caused this Iohn Butler diuers SoÌdayes to goe to London to heare Doctour Colet Doctor Colet commended  Andrew Fuller of Vxbridge Because this Iohn Butler had an olde booke of Richard Uulford Also an other greate booke of Andrewe Fuller for whiche hee payde sixe shillyngs and foure pence and an other litle booke of Thomas Man which he brought to the Byshop The foresayd Iohn Butler did detect Thomas Man Moreouer this Thomas Man was appeached because hee read to this deponent ten yeares agoe howe Adam and Eue were expelled out of Paradise and for speakyng agaynste Pilgrimage and worshyppyng of Images and agaynst the singyng seruice vsed then in Churches This Thomas Man was burnt and dyed a Martyr of whoÌ mention is made before pag. 817.  William Kyng This William Kyng was appeached because he lodged Thomas Man in his house vppon a certaine holy day at diuine seruice vnto whom resorted Richard Uulford and Ioh. Clerke this Ioh. Butler to whom the sayd Tho. Man declared that pilgrimage was naught that Images were not to be worshypped  Rob. Carder Durdant Rich. Butler his own brother Wil. Kyng To these was layd that Thom. Caâder brought this Ioh. Butler to Durdantes house at IueÌcourt by Stanis where was Rich. Butler his brother and William Kyng readyng in a certaine Engglishe booke At whiche tyme Durdant desired theÌ not to tell that he had any such English booke in his house least hee should be burned for the same  Rich. Nash or Ashford Also an other tyme that Iohn Butler with Richard Butler his brother and Robert Carder weÌt to the house of Rich. Ashford or Nashe to heare the same Ashford read in a certaine little booke but which coÌteined many good things Agayne when Elizabeth came from the roode of rest sayd Isabell that if she knew so much as shee hath heard shee would go no more on pilgrimage while she liued for all Saints said she be in heauen Then asked Elizabeth wherfore pilgrimage was ordeined of Doctours and Priestes Said the other for gaine profit Who hath taught you this quoth Elizabeth man or womaÌ Your Curate I dare say neuer learned you so My Curate sayd she will neuer knowe
so much and moreouer sayd to Elizabeth her sister that if she woulde keepe counsaile not tell her husband she would say more And when Elizabeth answered that she would not tell but sayth the other I will haue you to sweare and because she woulde not sweare the other would not proceed any further Alice Browne forced by her othe too detect Iohn Tracher of Chessham The cause why this Iohn Tracher was denounced was thys for that hee taught her in the Gospell this sayeng of Iesus Blessed bee they that heare the word of GOD and keepe it Also because hee taughte her the eyghte beatitudes in English ¶ Emme Tilseword because she refused to detect other by vertue of her othe and denied such matter as by witnes and by the Bishops actes were prooued against her in paine of relaps the Bishop enioyned her to make certaine fagots of cloth and to weare the same both before her vpper garment and behinde so long as she liued Ex Regist. Longland  Thomas Afrike For asking howe hys cousin Widmore clerke the elder and Iohn Fip did at Hichenden whether they kepte the lawes of GOD as they were woont W. Phippes forced by his othe to detect Roger Parker deceased Ioh. Phip For sayeng that Images are not to bee woorshipped because they are made and carued wyth mans hande and that such ought not to be worshipped  Iohn Gardiner For that to the sayde Wil. this Gardiner sayd that all which are burned for thys secte are true Martyrs  Iohn Stilman  Iohn Butler by his othe was forced to detect Thomas Geffray firste of Vxbridge then of Ipswich Taylor For reading and teaching him in the acts and preachings of the Apostles Item for hauing a Scripture Booke in English whyche Booke the sayde Gefferay gaue to the Byshoppe of London when hee was accused Item that the sayde Gefferay sayde that true Pilgrimage was barefoote to go and visite the poore weake and sicke for they are the true Images of God  Richard Vulford This Uulforde and Thomas Gefferay tolde the sayde Iohn Butler that the hoste consecrated was not the verye true bodye of Christe In proofe whereof they sayde that let a Mouse bee put in the pixe wyth the hoste A story of a mouse put into the pixe and the Mouse woulde eate it vp And for more proofe they declared vnto the sayde Iohn Butler that there were two Priests in Essex which put a mouse in the pixe to a consecrated hoste and the mouse did eate it Afterwarde the facte of these Priestes beyng knowne and brought to the Byshop one of the Priestes was burned for the same  Ioh. Clerke of DeÌham Also the same Uulford and Geffrey told him and Iohn Clerke that holy bread and holy water were but a vayne glorye of the world for God neuer made them but were mennes inuentions and that GOD neither made Priestes for in Christes time there were no priests Moreouer that Thomas Geffrey caused this Iohn Butler diuers SoÌdayes to goe to London to heare Doctour Colet Doctor Colet commended  Andrew Fuller of Vxbridge Because this Iohn Butler had an olde booke of Richard Uulford Also an other greate booke of Andrewe Fuller for whiche hee payde sixe shillyngs and foure pence and an other litle booke of Thomas Man which he brought to the Byshop The foresayd Iohn Butler did detect Thomas Man Moreouer this Thomas Man was appeached because hee read to this deponent ten yeares agoe howe Adam and Eue were expelled out of Paradise and for speakyng agaynste Pilgrimage and worshyppyng of Images and agaynst the singyng seruice vsed then in Churches This Thomas Man was burnt and dyed a Martyr of whoÌ mention is made before pag. 817.  William Kyng This William Kyng was appeached because he lodged Thomas Man in his house vppon a certaine holy day at diuine seruice vnto whom resorted Richard Uulford and Ioh. Clerke this Ioh. Butler to whom the sayd Tho. Man declared that pilgrimage was naught that Images were not to be worshypped  Rob. Carder Durdant Rich. Butler his own brother Wil. Kyng To these was layd that Thom. Caâder brought this Ioh. Butler to Durdantes house at IueÌcourt by Stanis where was Rich. Butler his brother and William Kyng readyng in a certaine Engglishe booke At whiche tyme Durdant desired theÌ not to tell that he had any such English booke in his house least hee should be burned for the same  Rich. Nash or Ashford Also an other tyme that Iohn Butler with Richard Butler his brother and Robert Carder weÌt to the house of Rich. Ashford or Nashe to heare the same Ashford read in a certaine little booke but which coÌteined many good things  Richard Vulman of London This Uulman was detected vpon this for that he would haue red to this Iohn Butler a certaine english booke and spake against pilgrimage and images  Henr. Vlman his wife of Uxbridge  Radulph Carpenter of London A daughter of Iohn Phip A daughter of William Phip This Rafe Carpenter was detected for hauing certaine bookes of the Apocal. in English Also for that thys CarpeÌter and his wife did bring him and the wife of Henry Uulman to a cornerhouse of Fridaystreete where the goodman of y e house hauing a stumpe foote had diuers such bookes to the inteÌt they should heare them read  R. Butler Ienkin Butler his owne breethren The mother of Richard Ashford I. Butler his other brother These were detected partly for holdyng against the Sacrament of the alter partly also because they were reading two houres together in a certayne booke of the actes of the Apostles in English at Chersham in Ashfords house Iohn Phip compelled by his othe to detect The wife of Robert Pope For hauing certaine bookes in English For reading bookes in Englishe one bound in bourds and three with parchment couerings with foure other sheetes of paper written in english conteining matter agaynst the Romish Religion Also another booke of the seruice of the virgin Mary in English Thomas Stilman Tho. Stilman was therefore detected for y t he told Wil. Fip how that he being in lolards tower did climbe vp the steeple where y e bels were and there cutting y e belropes did tye two of them together and so by them slipped downe into Paules Churchyard escaped Tho. Tredway compelled by his othe to detect Iohn MordeÌ of Ashly greene Rich. Asheford his brother Agnes Ashford his owne mother These were accused detected because Iohn Morden had in hys house a booke of y e Gospels and other chapters in english read three or foure times in the same In whiche booke his brother Ashford also did rede once Item because I. Morden spake against Images and spake these words our Lorde Iesus Christ saith in hys Gospell Blessed bee they that heare y e word of God kepeth it c. Tredway also detected his mother for teaching him y t he shuld
Burforde vpon holy roode day with Colyns Lyuord Thomas Hall and other  Rob. Colins his wife Iohn Colins and his wife For buying a Bible of Stacy for 20. s.  The father of Rob. Colins This father Colins had beene of his doctrine from the yeare of our Lord. 1480. The foresaid Roger Dods of Burford by his othe was compelled to vtter these persons here annexed Tho. Baker of Whatley Robert Lyuord Iohn Symson of Steuenton Tho. Ryley of Burford Iohn Clemson seruaunt to the Prior of Burford Iohn Edmundes of Burford William Gunne of Wytney To these was layd that they beyng in the house of Iohn Harris of Upton at the mariage of Ioane the wife of Roberte Burges dyd reade in a Booke called Nicodemus gospell that made the cloth which our Lorde was buryed in as the Register sayth and in that Booke is the story of the destruction of Hierusalem Iohn Baker Weauer of Wytney The Bayliffe of Wytney Iohn Hakker Iohn Brabant and his wife Iohn Brabant his sonne For reading the Scripture in Englishe with his wife Iohn Brabant the younger sonne with his wife Reginald Brabant of Stanlake For reading in a certayne English book of Scripture they being together in Ioh. Brabantes house of Stanlake  Henry Fyppe The crime and detection against this HeÌry was for that he being asked of this Dâddes an 1515. Whether he would go to Wycomb or not aunswered agayne that hee was chosen Rood man that is keeper of the Roode loft saying y t he muste go tind a candle before his Blocke almightye BLOCKE ALMIGHTIE  Olyuer Smyth of Newlyne and his Wyfe  William Hobbis This William Hobbis was detected first by Radulphe Hobbys his brother to Byshop Smyth but was deliuered throughe the suite of the Curate of Westwycame Iohn Edmundes Against the bodely presence of the Sacrament otherwise called Iohn Ogins of Burford did detect Philp Brabant seruaunt of Rich. Colyns For saying that the sacrament of the aultar was made in the remeÌbrauÌce of Christs own body but it was not y e body of Christ.  The shepheardes kalender was also accused detected Because the same Edmundes sayde that hee was persuaded by this booke readynge these woordes Against ãâã bodely presence that the Sacrament was made in the remembrance of Christ.  The booke of William Thorpe likewise was muche complayned of both by thys Iohn Edmundes and diuers other  Richard Colyns of Gynges This Richard Colins as he was a great doer among these good men so was he muche complayned vppon by diuers also by thys Edmundes for bringing with him a booke called the king of Beeme The booke called the king of Beeme into theyr company and did read thereof a greate parte vnto them in this Edmundes house of Burford Iohn Edmundes otherwise called Iohn Ogyns of Burford did de detect Alice Colins wife of Rich. Colyns This Alice likewise was a famous womaÌ among them and had a good memory could recite much of y e scriptures and other good bookes And therefore when any conuenticle of these men did meete at Burford commonly she was sent for to recite vnto them the declaration of the x. commaundementes the Epistles of Peter and Iames. Ioanne Colyns daughter of Rich. and of Alice Colyns This Ioanne also following her fathers and Mothers steppes was noted for that she had learned with her father and mother the x. CommauÌdementes For hauyng the x. Commaundements in Englishe the seueÌ deadly sinnes the seuen woorkes of mercy the fiue wittes bodely and ghostly the eight blessings and v. chapters of S. Iames Epistle  Agnes Edmundes his owne daughter This Agnes Edmundes was also detected by her Father that he brought her to the house of Richarde Colyns to seruice The father accuseth his owne daughter to the intent shee myght bee instructed there in Gods law where she had learned likewise the x. Commaundementes the fiue wits Bodely and Ghostly and the 7. deadly sins  Alyce Gunne W. Russell of Colmanstreet One mother Ioanne Father Iohn Hungerford Ioanne Taylor seruaunt of Iohn Harrys of Burford Thomas Quicke Weauer of Redyng Philip Brabant Weauer Iohn Barbar Clerke of Amersham Iohn Eding of Hungerford One Brabant brother to Philippe Brabant of Stanlake  Robert Butterfield Thomas Whyte and Thomas Clerke did appeach Cost lost For saying Our Ladye is not at Wilsedon but in heauen William Dorset The wordes of William Dorsette were these that pilgrimage was of none effect and offering candles or other things to saynts stoode in no steede and was but cost lost Also when his Wyfe was going on pilgrimage and hee asked whether and she sayd to our Ladye of Wilsedon our Lady sayd he is in heauen Iohn Baker being vrged vpon his othe The Image of God did disclose Iohn Edmundes This Iohn EdmuÌdes was detected because that hee talking with the sayde Baker of pilgrimage bad hym goe offer his money to the Image of GOD. when the other asked what that was he said that the Image of GOD was the poore people blinde and lame and sayde that hee offended almighty God in goinge on pilgrimage William Phyppe adiured by his othe did accuse Father accuseth his owne soÌne Henry Phippe his owne sonne For communing with Roger Dods agaynst pilgrimage and adoration of Images BLOCKE ALMIGHTIE Henry Phip being examined and abiured by the Bishop was compelled to disclose his owne wordes spoken to Roger Dods saying to him that he must light a candle before his BLOCKE ALMIGHTYE being then roode man Roger Parker William Phip his owne father For talking together agaynste Pilgrimage and Idolatry Iohn Brabant the elder sonne of Iohn Brabant did nominate Iohn Hakker Robert Pope For reading the holy Scripture in his fathers house and for saying these woordes Christ made his mauÌdy and sayd take thys breade eate it thys is my body Take this wine drinke it thys is my bloude And Priestes saye by these wordes that the Sacrament of the aulter is the body of Christ.  Iohn Brabant his Father his Mother For being present when Hacker was reading the Scripture in theyr house  Philip Brabant his Vncle The wordes of Philippe Brabant were these that it was deadly sin to goe on pilgrimage ¶ Concerning this Iohn Brabant here is to be noted the forme and effect of the Byshoppes examination asking and demaunding thus of the sayde Brabant Ex Regist. Io. LonglaÌd Fol. 85. An vnquam audiuit Ioannem Hakker legentem sacram Scripturam contra determinationem Ecclesiae That is whether he euer heard Iohn Hacker reade the which wordes if he meane that it is agaynst the determination of the church to read the holy Scripture it may therby appeare to be a blind church And if they meane that the holy scripture conteineth anye such thing in it whiche is agaynst the determination of the church then it appeareth theyr church to be coÌtrary vnto
shoulde be maryed to Christ. And as shee shuld be burned vpoÌ a saterday vpoÌ Michaelmas euen vpon a saterday sayde shee I was first maryed and vpon a Saterday I shall be maryed agayn And seing the dongcart brought wherein she should be caryed she reioyced thereat shewing suche constancye in her martyrdome as made all the beholders to maruell Ex. Ioan. Crisp. Henry 2. FreÌch king An Officer of the kings house petrus Castellanus Byshop Machonensis A poore Taylour of paris dwellynge in the streete of S. Antony At Paris An. 1549. Among many oother godly martyrs y t suffered in France A godlie Taylour in Paris martyr the story of this poore Tailor is not the least nor worst to be remeÌbred His name is not yet sought out in y t french storyes for lack of dilligence in those writers more is the pittie The story is this Not long after the coronation of Henry ii the Frenche king at whose coÌming into Parris dyuers good Martyrs were there brought out and burned for a spectacle as is aboue said a certayne poore Taylour who then dwelt not farre from the kynges Pallace in the streete bearing the name of S. Antony was apprehended of a certayne officer in the kinges house for that vpon a certayne holy daye he followed hys occupation and did worke for his lyuing Before he was had to prison the officer asked hym why he dyd labour and worke geuing no obseruation of the holy day To whom he aunswered that he was a poore man liuing onely vpon hys labour and as for the day he knew no other but onely the Sonday wherein hee might not lawfully worke for the necessitie of his liuing The taylour imprisoned fâr breaking a pâââe of an holy day Then the Officer began to aske of hym manye questions whereunto the poore Taylour dyd so aunswere y e eftsoones hee was clapt in prison After that the Officer comming into the Court to shewe what good seruice he had done for the holy Churche declared to certayne estates how he had taken a Lutherane workyng vpon the holy day shewing that he had suche answeres of hym that he commaunded hym to prison When the rumour hereof was noysed in y e kings chamber through the motioÌ of theÌ which were about the king the poore man was sent for to appeare that the king might haue y e hearing of him Whereupon the kinges chamber being voyded saue onely a fewe of the chiefe Pieres remayning about the king the simple Taylour was brought The king sitting in hys chayre The taylour brought before the kyng commaunded petrus Castellanus Byshop of Mascon a man very fitte for such Inquisitions to question wyth hym The Taylour being entred and nothyng appaulled at the kynges maiestie after hys reuerence done vnto the prince gaue thankes to God that he had so greatly dignified hym being such a wretch as to bring him where he might testifie his truth before such a mighty prince Then Castellanus entring talke began to to reason with hym touching the greatest and chiefest matter of Religion Whereunto the Taylour without feare or anye haltyng in hys speache The present boldnes of the taylor aunsweryng for his religion before the kyng with present audacitie witte and memory so aunswered for the sincere doctrine and simple truth of Gods Gospel as was both conuenient to the purpose and also to his questions aptly and fitly correspondent Notwithstandyng the nobles there present with cruell tauntes and rebukes did what they coulde to dashe him out of countenance Yet all this terrefied not hym but with boldnes of hart and free libertie of speach he defended his cause or rather the cause of Christ the Lorde neither flattering with their persons not fearing their threates which was to them all a singular admiration to behold that simple poore artificer to stand so firme and bold aunsweryng before a kyng to those questions propounded agaynst him Whereat when the kyng seemed to muse with him selfe as one somwhat amased and which might soone haue bene induced at that present to further knowledge the egregious Bishop Pestilent counsell about the kyng other courteours seeyng the king in such a muse sayd he was an obstinate a stubburne person obfirmed in his own opinioÌ and therfore was not to be maruelled at but to be sent to the iudges to be punished and therefore lest he should trouble the eares of the sayd Henry the kynge hee was commaunded agayne to the handes of the officer that his cause myght be informed and so within few daies after he was condemned by the hye Stuard of the kyngs house to be burned aliue And lest any deepe coÌsideration of that excellent fortitude of the poore man might further peraduenture pearsâ the kinges mynde A fumish comparison of a fierie Cardinal the Cardinals and Byshops were euer in the kynges eare tellyng hym that these Lutheranes were nothyng els but such as caryed vaine smoke in their mouthes which being put to y e fire would soone vanish The death and martyrdome of this taylour Wherfore the king was appointed himself to be present at his executioÌ which was sharpe cruell before the Church of Mary the Uirgin where it pleased God to geue such strength and courage to his seruaunte in suffering his martyrdome that the beholding thereof did more astonish the kyng then all the other did before Ex Ioan. Crisp. Ex Henr. Pantall Lib. 7.  Claudius Thierry At Orleance An. 1549. The same yeare for the same doctrine of the Gospell one Claudius also was burned at the sayde Towne of Orleance Claudius Thierry Martyr being apprehended by the waye commyng from Geneua to hys Countrey Ex Ioan. Crisp.  Leonard Galimard At Paris An· 1549. This Leonard for the confession lykwise of Christ and his Gospel was takeÌ and brought to Paris Leonard Galimard martyr and there by the sentence of the couÌsayle was iudged to be burnt the same time as Florent Uenote aboue mentioned did suffer at Paris Ex IoaÌ Crisp.  Macaeus Moreou At Troyes An. 1549. He was burned in Troyes in Campaine a Towne in France remaining constant to the end in the Gospell Macaeus Moreau martyr for the whiche he was apprehended Ex eodeÌ Â Ioan Godeau Gabriell Berandinus An. 1550. These two were of the Churche of Geneua Afterwarde for theyr freindly admonishing a certayn priest which in his sermon had abused the name of God Ioh. Godeau Gabriell Berandine martyrs they were takeÌ at ChaÌberiace Godeau standyng to his confession was burned Gabriell thoughe he beganne a litle to shrynk for feare of the tormentes yet beyng confirmed by y e constant death of Godeau recouered agayne and standing likewise to his conclusion first had his tongue cut out Who notw tstanding through Gods might did speake so as hee might be vnderstand whereupon the hangman being accused for not cutting of his tongue rightly said that he could not stoppe him of
when hee knew that he had flatly renounced Christ and hys worde he sayde vnto hym O vnhappy and more then miserable Philbert prophecieth is it possible for you to be so folish as for sauing of a few dayes which you haue to liue by the course of nature so to start awaye and to denye y e truth Know you therfore that although you haue by your foolishnes auoyded y e corporall fire yet your life shal be neuer the longer for you shall dye before me and God shal not geue you the grace that it shal be for hys cause and you shal be an example to al Apostates The marueilous iudgement of God against Apostates He had no sooner ended hys talke but the priest goyng out of prison was slayne by two gentlemen which had a quarrell to him Wherof when M. Philbert had heard he affirmed that he knewe of no such thing before but spake as pleased God to guyd hys tongue Wherupon immediately he made an exhortation of the prouidence of God which by the occason hereof moued the hartes of many and conuerted them vnto God At last the foresayd Philbert after hys condemnation was had to the place of his martyrdome before the palace and as he was exhorting the people to the intent hys wordes shoulde not be heard the trumpets blew without ceasing Trumpets blowen to stoppe the hearing of Philbert And so being fastened to y e post this holy martyr praying exhortyng the people was strangled and hys bodye wyth fire consumed on palme sunday euen Ex Gal. hist. Crisp. lib. 6. Ripet a Secretary Anthony Eschaux Baily The kinges Procurator Micholas Startorius At Ost by Piedmont An. 1557. Nicolaus Startorius of the age of 26. yeres borne in Piedmont came to the partes of Chamberye in Lent Nicolas Startorius martyr where a certayn warden of the Fryers in the towne of Oste had preched on good friday vpon the passion The reporte of which Sermon being recited to this Sartorius by one that heard him Sartorius reprehended the errour and blasphemyes thereof whiche were agaynst the holye scriptures Shortly after the party that told hym went to a Secretarye named Ripet who couertly came to entrap Nicholas demaunding him of the Friers Sermon And did not our Preacher sayd he preach well No sayde Nicholas but he lyed falsely Ripet entring further w t him demaunded And do not you beleue the body of the Lord to be in the hoste to whom Nicholas then aunswered agayne that to be agaynst our Creed which sayth that he ascended vp and sitteth c. Incontinent Ripet went to the Frier and his companions to cause him to be apprehended The frendes of Nicolas perceiuing the daunger willed him to auoyde and saue himselfe and also accompanyed him out of the town about the space of three leagues Then was great pursute made after him to al quarters who at length was taken at the towne of S. Remy at the foot of the mountaine of great S. Bernard where he was examined before Anthony Eschaux Bailife of the towne and other iustices before whom he aunswered with great boldnesse for hys fayth Then they brought him to the racke when the Sergeant refused to draw the corde the Bayliffe himselfe the Receiuer with a Canon did rack him with theyr owne handes Notwithstanding that the Lordes of Berne wrote for him to the towne of Ost requiring to haue theyr owne subiect deliuered vnto them they hastened the execution and pronounced sentence that he should be burned Which sentence he receiued with such constancy that neither the kinges receiuer nor all the other enemies coulde diuert him from the truth of the Gospell which he manfully mainteined while any spirit remayned in his bodye Ex Ioan. Crisp lib. 6. The accusers be not named in the story A broderer of Tours Martyr George Tardif George Tardif Martyr with one of Tours a Broderer Nicholas a Shomaker of Ienuile At Tours An. 1558. At Ienuile An. 1558. The Printer of the story of the french martyrs named Crispine among othermoe maketh also memoriall of George Tardif a Broderer of Tours and Nicholas of Ienuile declaring that all these three together were in prison and afterward were disseuered to suffer in sundry places one from the other of whome first George Tardife was executed in Sens. The Broderer of Tours as hee was comming with 5. or 6. other out of a woode beyng at prayer was taken and thereupon examined Before hee shoulde bee examined he desired the Iudges that hee myght praye Which being graunted after his prayer made wherein he prayed for the Iudges for the king and all estates for the necessity of all Christes Sayntes he aunswered for himselfe with such grace and modestye that the hartes of many were broken vnto the sheddyng of teares seeking as it seemed nothing els but hys deliueraunce Notwithstanding he at last was sent vnto Tours and there was crowned with martyrdome The third which was Nicolas being but young of yeares and newly come from Geneua Nicolas of Ienuile Martyr to his couÌtrey for certayne money by meanes of a Lady there dwelling was caused to be apprehended When he was condemned and set in the cart his Father comming with a staffe would haue beaten him but the officers not suffering it would haue stroken the olde man The sonne crying to the Officers desired them to let his father alone saying that his father had power ouer him to doe with him what he would and so going to the place where he should suffer hauyng a balle of yron put in his mouth he was brought at length to the fire in the towne of Ienuile where he paciently tooke his death and Martyrdome an 1558. Ex Typogra Crisp. Lib. 6. The Priestes of the College of plessis The doctors of Sorbone Doctor Democrates Cenalis Bishop of Auranches Martine the kinges Attorney The Cardinall of Lorrane Maillardus Henry the secoÌd freÌch king The congregation of Paris persecuted to the number of three or foure hundreth At Paris An. 1558. AN. 1558. Sept. 4. a company of the faythfull to the nuÌber of 3. or 4. hundred wer together conuented at Paris in a certeÌ house hauing before it y e college of Plessis in the strete of S. Iames behinde it A terrible persecution at Paris against the CoÌgregation the college of Sorbone Who ther assembled in the beginning of the night to the intent to communicate togeather the Lordes supper but incontineÌt that was discouered by certeyne Priestes of Plessis who gathering together suche as were of that faction came to beset the house and made an outcrye that the watch mighte come and take them so that in short time almost all the city of Paris was vp in armor thinking some conspiracy to haue bene in y e city Who then following the noyse perceiuing that they were Lutheranes a greate part of theÌ were in extreme rage furiouslye seeking to haue theyr bloud and
therefore stopped the streetes and lanes with cartes and made fires to see that none shoulde escape The fury of this world against the poore Christians The faythfull albeit God hath geueÌ them leisure to finysh their administration prayers with such quetnes as they neuer had better seeing the sodennesse of the thyng were stroken in great feare Who then being exhorted by the gouernors of the congregation fel to praier That done through the counsell of some whyche knew the cowardly hartes of the multitude this order was taken that the men whiche had weapon should aduenture through the prese onely the womeÌ and children remayned in the house and a few men with them which were lesse bolde then the other to the number of sixe or seauen score Where appeared the admirable power of God in them that went out with weapon One of the CoÌgregation beateÌ downe in the streates and Martyred which notwithstanding that y e lanes and passages were stopped and the fires made dyd all escape saue onely one who was beateÌ down with stones and so destroyed Certayne that remayned in the house with the womeÌ afterward leaped into gardens where they were stayed till the Magistrates came The women which were all Gentlewomen or of great wealth onely sixe or seuen excepted seing no other hope and perceiuing the fury of the people went vp to the windowes crying * Mercy here importeth no oâfeÌce acknowledged but to be saued from the rage of the people mercy and shewing theyr innocent intent required iustice ordinary Thus as they were inclosed about 6. or 7. houres at last came Martin the kinges Attorney with force of Commissaries and Sergeantes Who with much adoe appeasing the courage of the people entred into the house where he viewing the women children and the other furniture there being prepared for that congregatioÌ perceiued testimonies sufficient of their innocency in so much that in considering therof for pity of hart his eyes could not refraine from teares Notwithstanding proceeding in his office hee had them all to prison within the litle Castle I omit here the furious vsage of the people by the way how despightfully they plucked and haled the women tare their garmeÌts thrust of theyr hoods froÌ their heades disfigured theyr faces with dust and durt Neither were they better entreated in the Prison then they were in the streetes for all the villaines and theeues there were let out of theyr holes and stinking caues and the poore Christians placed in theyr roomes Besides these manifolde wronges oppressions done to these poore innoceÌts folowed theÌ which was worst of all the cruell slaunderous reportes of the friers and priestes A false and malicious slaunder raised agaynst the Congregation who in theyr rayling sermons other talke cryed out to the Lutherans perswading the people most falsly that they assembled together to make a banket in the night and there putting out y e candles they went together Iacke with Iille as the sayde after a filthy and beastly maner Adding moreouer to make the lye more likely that certayne Nunnes also Monkes were with them Also that they should conspyre against the king and other like heynous crimes whatsoeuer theyr malice could inuent for defacing of the Gospell With such like malitious misreportes sclauÌders Sathan went about to extinguish the auncient church of Christ in the primitiue time accusing the innocent Christians then of incest conspiracy killing of infantes putting out of candles Vid. supr pag. 36 filthy whoredome c. Vide supra pag. 36. These sinister rumors cursed defamations were no sooner geueÌ out but they were as soone receiued and spread farre not onely to theÌ of the vulgar sort but also among the states of the Court and euen to the kinges âares The Cardinall of Lorraine y e same time bare a great sway in the court who then procured a certayne Iudge of the Castle to come in declaring to the king that he found there lying in y e floore of the foresayd house diuers couches pallets vpon which they intended to coÌmit theyr whoredome also much other furniture and preparation appointed for a sumptuous feast or banquet wherewith the kyng was mightely inflamed agaynst them neyther was there any one person that durst contrary it Here the enemies began highly to triumph thinking verily that the gospell with all the freÌdes therof were ouerthrowne for euer On the other side no lesse perplexity and lamentation was among y e brethren sorowing not so muche for themselues as for the imprisonment of theyr fellowes Albeit they loste not theyr courage so altogether but as well as they could they exhorted one another considering y e great fauour and prouidence of God in deliuering them so wonderfully out of the daunger Some comfort they tooke vnto them consulting together in this order that first they should humble themselues to God in theyr owne priuate familyes Secondly to stoppe the running brutes of theyr holy assembles they should write Apologies one to the kyng an other to the people Thirdly that letters of consolatioÌ should be written and sent to theyr brethren in prison The first Apology was written to the king and conueyed so secretly into his Chamber The Apologie of the Congregation against false reportes that it was found and read opeÌly in the hearing of the king and of all his nobles Wherin the Christians learnedly discreetly both cleared themselues of those reportes and shewed the malice of theyr enemies especially of Satan which euer froÌ the beginning of the Church hath and still doeth goe about to ouerturne the right wayes of the Lord declaring further by manyfolde examples and coÌtinuall experience eueÌ from the primitiue time how the nature of the Church hath euer bene to suffer vexations and sclaunderous reports and infamation by the malignant aduersaries c. And lastly comming to the king they craued that theyr cause might not be condemned before it had indifferent hearing c. Neuerthelesse this Apology to the king serued to litle purpose forsomuch as the aduersaries incontinent denied all that was written to the king making him to beleue that all were but excuses pretensed neither was there any person that durst replye agayne But the other Apology to the people did inestimable good in satisfying the rumors and defending the true cause of the gospell Wherupon certayne doctors of SorboÌ began to write both agaynst y e Apology and the persons Doctoââââmochareâ persecâââââ of whom one was called Demochares who taking for his foundation without any proofe that they were all heretiques cryed out for iustice with billes glaues fire and sword An other Sorbonist more bloudy then the first not only exclamed against theÌ for putting out y e candles in theyr detestable concourses assembles but also accused theÌ as men which mainteined that there was no God and denied the diuinity humanity of Christ the immortallity of the soule the
euening Prayers and exhortations the men departed that night to auoyde a greater inconuenience When they had gone all the night long and had passed ouer y e great hill of Libron they might see many villages and farmes set on fire Miniers in the meane time had deuided his army into two partes marching himselfe with the one towardes the Towne of Merindoll and hauing knowledge by espiall whether the Merindolians were fled he sendeth the other parte to set vpon them and to shewe theyr accustomed crueltie vpon them Yet before they came to the place where they were some of Miniers armye eyther of good will or mooued with pitie priuily conueyed themselues awaye and came vnto them to geue theÌ warning that their enemies were comming and one from the top of an high rocke where he thought that the Merindolians were vnderneath casteth downe two stones and afterward although he could not see them he calleth vnto them that they should immediately flye from thence But the enemies suddenly came vpon them The Merindolians ouertaken of their enemies finding them all assembled together at praiers and spoyled them of all that they had pulling off their garments from their backes some they rauished some they whipped and scourged some they sold away like cattell practising what cruelty and villanie soeuer they could deuise against them The women were in number about fiue hundreth In the meane time Miniers came to Merindoll where he founde none but a young man named Maurice Blanc who had yelded himselfe to a souldiour promising him for his raunsome two French crownes Miniers woulde haue had him away by force but it was answered that the souldiour ought not to lose his prisoner Miniers therefore paying the two crownes himselfe tooke the young man and caused him to be tyed to an Oliue tree and shot thorough with harquebushes and most cruelly martired Vile cruelty shewed vpon a youÌg man of Merindoll Many Gentlemen which accompanied Miniers against their willes seeyng thys cruell spectacle were mooued wyth greate compassion and could not forbeare teares For albeit this yong man was not yet very well instructed neyther had before dwelt at Merindoll yet in all hys tormentes hauyng alwayes hys eyes lyfted vp to heauen wyth a loude voyce he ceased not still to call vpon God and the last words that he spake were these Lord God these men take away my life full of miserie but thou wilt giue vnto me life euerlasting by thy sonne Iesus Christ to whome be glory So was Merindoll without any resistance valiantly taken ransackt burnt rased The towne of Merindol destroyed of the Papists and layed euen with the ground And albeit there was no man to resist yet this valiant Captaine of Opede armed from toppe to toe trembled for feare and was seene to chaunge his colour very much When he had destroyed Merindoll he layed seege to Cabriers and battered it with his ordinaunce The towne of Cabriers falsely takeÌ but when hee coulde not winne it by force he with the Lorde of the Towne and Poulin his chiefe Captaine persuaded wyth the inhabitauntes to open their gates solemnely promising that if they would so do they would lay downe theyr armour and also that their cause should be heard in iudgement with all equitie and Iustice and no violence or iniurie should be shewed against them Upon this Othe and promise brokeÌ of the Papistes they opened their gates and let in Miniers with his Captaynes and all his army But the Tyraunt when he was once entred falsified his promise and raged like a beast For first of all he picked out about thirtie men 30. men Martyrs causing them to be bound and caried into a medowe neare to the Towne and there to be miserably cut and hewen in peeces of hys souldiours Then because he would leaue no kinde of crueltie vnattempted 40. Women Martyrs hee also exercised outrage and fury vppon the poore selly women and caused fortie of them to be taken of whome diuers were great with child and put them into a barne full of strawe and hey and caused it to be set on fire at foure corners And when the sely women running to the great window where the hey is wont to be cast into the barne woulde haue leaped out they were kepte in with pikes and halberdes Then there was a souldyoure which moued with pitie at the crieng out and lamentation of the women opened a dore to let them out but as they were comming out the Tyraunt caused them to be slaine and cut in peeces opening their belyes that theyr children fell out whome they trode vnder their feete Many were fled into the wineseller of the Castell Cruelty Neronicall or rather furye diabolicall and many hid themselues in caues whereof some were caryed into the medowe and there stripped naked were slaine othersome were bound two and two together and caried into the hall of the Castell where they were slaine by the Captaynes reioysing in theyr bloudy butcherie and horrible slaughter That done this Tyraunt more cruell then euer was Herode commaunded Captayne Iohn de Gay wyth a bande of ruffians to go into the Churche where was a great number of women children and yong infantes to kill all that he founde there Which the Captayne refused at the first to do sayeng that were a crueltie vnused among men of warre Whereat Miniers being displeased charged him vpon payne of rebellion and disobedience to the King to do as he had commaunded hym The Captaine fearing that myght ensue entred with hys men and destroyed them all sparing neither young nor olde In this meane while certaine souldiors went to ransacke the houses for the spoyle where they founde many poore men that had there hidden themselues in sellers and other priuy places flying vpon them and crying out kill kill The other souldiors that were without the town killed all that they could meete with The noÌber of those that were so vnmercifully murdered Aboue a â000 Martyrs of Cabriers were about M. persons of men women and children The infantes that escaped their furie were baptised againe of their enemies In token of this ioly victory the Popes Officers caused a piller to be erected in the said place of Cabriers in the whych was engrauen the yeare and the day of the taking and sacking of this Towne by Iohn Miniers Lorde of Opede chiefe President of the Parlament of Prouince for a memoriall for euer of the barbarous crueltie the like whereof was yet neuer heard of Whereupon we withall our posterity haue to vnderstand what be the reasons and arguments wherewith the Antichrist of Rome is wont to vphold the impious seate of his abhomination Who now is come to such excesse and profunditie of all kindes of iniquitie The argumentes wherevpoÌ the doctrine of the popes church staÌdeth that all iustice equitie and veritie being set a side he seeketh the defence of his cause by no other thyng then only
together by those whyche kepte the passages The enemies againe driuen backe Whereuppon hee sent hys whole armie whome they valiauntly withstoode from the morning till nighte Then they of Luserne sent newe aide During thys combate an ambushment of souldiours descended from the toppe of the mountaine by a place so harde to passe by that no manne would haue suspected it The poore Christians ruÌne through the pickes The poore people seeing themselues so enuironed of their enemies saued them selues some running through the middes of their ennemies and other some into the rockes The ennemies being entred into Rosa consumed all with fire and swoorde The AngroniaÌs with their youÌg infantes flie into the mountaines The residue of the people fledde by a secrete way leading to the Ualley of Luserne and wandred al that night vppon the mountaines full of snowe loden with their stuffe carrying their litle infantes in theyr armes and leadinge the other by the handes wyth greate paine and trauail When they of the valley saw them they ranne vnto them praising God for their deliueraunce for they thought they had beene all slaine All be it thys poore people were heere in suche great extremitie yet they were ioyfull and comforted them selues wythout any lamentation or mourning excepte the little poore infantes whych cried out for colde A fewe dayes after the Lorde of Trinitie entred into the Ualley of Luserne by three seuerall wayes that is to say by Rosa by the plaine and by the sides of Tailleret They which kept the passages at the first resisted their ennemies valiauntly but perceiuing that they were assailed on euery side they retired to Uillars The Waldoys agayne assaulted by the Lorde of Trinity and there defended them selues a while But because they sawe that their enemies hadde already passed the Plaine and gotten aboue Uillars towardes Boby they gaue ouer and leafte Uillars and fled into the mountaines The souldiours beyng entred burned houses and slew all that they coulde finde The poore people which were fled to the mountaines seeing the village on fire praised God and gaue him thanks that had made them worthy to suffer for his name and for his cause and also they were glad to see the village on fire least that their enemies should encampe there themselues Then the souldiours in great rage mounted the hilles on euery side pursuing this poore people in great furie but a few of them after they had ardently called vpon God toke courage and beate backe theyr ennemies to Uillars This done the armie retired Fewe dayes after the medowe of Tour was assaulted by three seuerall wayes on the East side The combate dured a long season where diuers of the enemies were hurt and many slaine but none of this poore people were slaine that day onely two were hurt which were soone healed againe But to declare the conflictes assaultes skirmishes and alarmes which were at Angrongne and other places therabout it were too long for breuities sake it shall be sufficient to touch the most principall those which are most worthy of memorie On Saterday which was the fourteenthe day of Februarye the people which were in the vppermost parte of the Medowe of Toure perceiued that a company of souldiours were ascended vp the hill to Angrongne and burning y e rest of the houses there They doubted that it was a pollicie of theyr ennemies to drawe them thether and in the meane time to sette on them behynde and so to winne the Medowe of Tour from them Therefore they sent onely sixe harquebushes against those souldiours the whych hauing the higher grounde and not espied of theyr ennemies discharged their gunnes altogether Whereuppon incontinent the souldiers fledde The wicked flyeth when no man pursueth hym albeit no man pursued them Whether they fledde of pollicie or for feare it was not knowen Shortly after they of the warde of the Medowe of Tour whiche were in the watche on the top of the mountaine because euery morning there was a sermone made whereunto the people resorted and they mighte see a farre of rounde about them espied a troupe of souldiours marching on that side of the hill which is betweene the Easte and the Northe and soone after that discouered an other companye whyche marched on the North side towardes the sayde troupe The firste were ascended an houre before the other and fought on the toppe of the mountayne called Melese but they were soone discomfited The persecutors pursued and because they coulde not runne faste by meanes of the deepe snowe and difficulty of the waies in fleeing they fell often downe vpon the grounde Whiles they that pursued them were earnest in the chase and had taken from them theyr drumme beholde there came certaine vnto them cryinge out that the other troupe was entred into the medowe of Toure by meanes wherof they gaue ouer the chase or els not one of their enemies had escaped Gods people fight with prayer as they whych were there reported for a trueth Not one of Angrongne were slayne or hurt The other troupe which came by the North side tooke a high hil in the top of the mountaine the whych seemed to be almost inaccessible by reason of the snow and ice which was there The chiefest of this company were Lodouicke of Monteil which had bene before master of the campe in the kings warres and Charles Truchet When they wer come to the toppe of the hill they caused seuen souldiours to goe downe the hill and to viewe the waye and to see whether the troupe might descende that way or no. These 7. went downe almost to the houses They sent also other to occupie the rest of the high places which were neare to the foote of the hill and the rockes In the meane time the ministers and the people which were in the middes of the valley of the medowe sawe al this and were much discouraged therwith wherfore they fell to prayer called vpon God ardently not without great sighes lamentation and teares euen vntill night The seuen spies whiche came downe to discouer the wayes cried vnto their captaine Truchet Come downe come downe Seignior Charles this day Angrongne shal be taken The other cried to them againe ascend ascend returne or els ye shall be slaine euery one of you Immediately issued out fiue against these spies and tooke certaine and chased the rest The first of the fiue which set vpoÌ them cast two of them downe vppon the grounde with a forke of fire Soone after eight of Angrongne issued out agaynste the whole troupe which was wonderfull to see them goe with suche courage and boldnesse to assaile suche a multitude and it seemed that they should haue ben all destroyed and hewen in pieces The firste of the eight went a good way before the other to discouer the enemies and caryed a great staffe The courage of Gods people against their enemies which they call a Rancon and is somewhat bigger then
reproue any thing in them for feare to be called hereticke and then they would make him smoke or beare a Fagot And the Cardinall himselfe was so elated that he thought himselfe equall with the King and when he had sayd Masse he made Dukes Earles to serue him of wine with a say taken and to hold the bason at the Lauatories Furthermore as he was Ambassadour sent to the Emperour at Bruxels he had ouer with him the great Seale of England and was serued with his seruitours kneeling on their knees and many noble men of England wayting vpon him to the great admiration of all the Germaines that beheld it such was his monstrous pompe and pride Ex Parâlip Abb. Vrspur This glorious Cardinall in his tragicall doyngs dyd exceede so farre all measure of a good subiect that he became more like a Prince then a Priest for although y e King bare the sword yet he bare the stroke makyng in a maner the whole Realme to bend at his becke to daunce after hys pipe Such practises and fetches he had that when he had well stored his own cofers first he fetched the greatest part of the Kings treasure out of the realme in xij great barels ful of gold siluer to serue the Popes warres And as his auaritious mind was neuer satisfied in getting so his restles head was so busie ruffling in publicke matters that he neuer ceassed before he had let both England Fraunce Flaunders Spayne and Italy together by the cares Thus this Legate well following the steppes of hys maister the Pope and both of them well declaring the nature of their religion vnder the pretence of y e Church practised great hipocrisie and vnder the authoritie of y e King he vsed great extortion with excessiue taxes and lones and valuation of euery mans substance The pilling ãâ¦ã Cardinall so pilling the commoÌs and Marchaunts that euery man complayned but no redresse was had Neither yet were the Churchmen altogether free from the pillax and pollax from the pilling polling I meane of this Cardinall who vnder his power Legantine gaue by preueÌtions all benefices belonging to spirituall persons by which hard it is to say whether he purchased to himselfe more riches then hatred of the spiritualty So farre his licence stretched that he had power to suppresse diuers Abbeyes Priories and Monasteries and so did taking from them all their goodes moueables and not moueables except it were a little pension left onely to the heads of certayne houses By the saide power Legantine he kept also generall visitations through y e Realme sending Doctor Iohn Alein his Chaplein riding in hys gowne of veluet The Fryers obseruaunts ãâã of the Cardiââll with a great traine to visit all religious houses whereat the Friers obseruants much grudged would in no wise coÌdescend thereunto wherfore they were openly accursed at Paules crosse by frier Forest one of the same order so that the Cardinall at length preuayled both against them Of Fryer ãâã Vid. ãâ¦ã Reg. Henriâ 8. and all other Against whom great disdayne arose among the people perceauing how he by visitatioÌs making of Abbots probates of testamentes graunting of faculties licences and other pollings in his courtes Legantine had made his treasure equall with the Kings and yet euery yeare he sent great summes to Rome And thys was their dayly talke against the Cardinall Beside many other matters and greeuances which stirred the harts of the commons against the Cardinall thys was one which much pinched them for that the sayd Cardinall had sent out certain strait commissions in the Kings name that euery man should pay the vj. part of his goods Wherupon there folowed great muttering amongst y e coÌmons ãâ¦ã 19. Reg. Henriâ 8. in such sort y t it had almost growen to some riotous commotion or tumult especially in the partes of Suffolke had not the Dukes of Northfolke and Suffolke with wisedome and gentlenes stept in and appeased the same Another thing that rubbed the stomackes of many or rather which moued them to laugh at the Cardinall was this to see his insolent presumption so highly to take vpon him as the Kings chiefe counsailer to set a reformation in the order of the Kings houshold making and establishing new ordinances in the same He likewise made new officers in y e house of the Duke of Richmond which was then newly begon In like maner he ordeined a Counsell established another houshold for y e Lady Mary then being princes so that all thing was done by his coÌsent by none other All this with much more tooke he vpoÌ him making the King beleeue y t all should be to his honour and y t he needed not to take any paine insomuch that the charge of all things was committed vnto him whereat many men smiled to see his great folly and presumption At this tyme the Cardinall gaue the King the lease of the Manour of Hampton Court which he had of the Lord of S. Iohns and on which he had done great coste Therfore y e King again of his geÌtle nature licenced him to lie in his Manour of Richmond so he lay there certain times But when the common people and specially such as were King Henry the vij seruantes sawe the Cardinall keepe house in the royall Manour of Richmond which K. Henry the vij so much esteemed it was a maruaile to here how they grudged saieng See a butchers dogge lie in the Manour of Richmond These with many other opprobrious wordes were spoken agaynst the Cardinall whose pride was so hygh that he regarded nothyng yet was he hated of all men And now to expresse some part of the ãâã practises and busie intermedlynges of this Cardinall in Princes warres first here is to be noted The Cardinall ruffling in matters and warres of Princes that after loÌg warres betwene England Fraunce 1524. in the which warres kyng Henry takyng the Emperours part agaynst FrauÌces the French kyng had waged with his money y e Duke of Bourbon and a great part of the Emperours army to inuade and disturbe certaine partes of Fraunce it happened that the French kyng commyng with his armye toward Millan at the siege of Pauia was there takeÌ by the Duke of Bourbon Uiceroy of Neaples Fraunces ãâã French king taken prisoner and so led prisoner into Spayne Here note by the way that all this while the Cardinall held with the Emperour hopyng by hym to be made Pope but when that would not be he went cleane from the Emperour to the French kyng as the Lord willyng ye shall heare After this victory gotten and the French kyng beyng taken prisoner who remayned in custody about a yeare halfe at leÌgth through great labour solicitation as well of other as namely of the Cardinall and kyng Henry an order was taken The French king prisoner a yeare and a halfe and conditions propouÌded
quatuor or the Cardinall of Pouche was slayne and with him were a M. Prelates and Priests fiue hundred Gentlemen fiue hundred Souldiers wherefore immediately the Captaines determined to lay siege to the Castle of S. Angell least they within might issue out and turne them to damage wherefore sodeinly a siege was planted round about the Castle The castell of S. Angel besieged In the meane season the souldiers fell to spoyle Neuer was Rome so pilled either of the Gothes or Uandales for the Souldiers were not content with the spoyle of the Citizens Rome spoyled but they robbed y e Churches brake vp the houses of close religious persons and ouerthrew the Cloisters and spoyled virgines and rauished maried women Men were tormented if they had not to geue euery new asker or demaunder some were strangled some were punished by the priuie members to cause them to confesse their treasure This woodnes continued a great while some man might thinke that wheÌ they had gotten so much then they would cease be quiet but that was not so for they plaied continually at dyce some v. C. some a M. Ducates at a cast and he that came to play ladeÌ with plate went againe almost naked and then fell to rifeling againe Many of the Citizens which could not paciently suffer that vexation drowned themselues in Tyber The Pope mocked and scorned opânly in Rome before his owne face The Souldiers daily that lay at the siege made Iestes of the Pope Sometime they had one riding like the Pope with a whore behinde hym sometime he blessed and sometime he cursed sometyme they would with one voyce call him Antichrist and they went about to vndermine the Castle and to haue throwne it downe on his head but the water that enuironeth the Castle disappointed their purpose In this season the Duke of Urbine with xv M. men came to ayde the Pope but hearing that Rome was takeÌ he taried xl myle from Rome till he heard other worde The Marques of Saluce and Sir Frederico de Bodso with xv M. footemen and a M. horsemeÌ were at ãâã be the tenth day of May where they hearing that the Citie of Rome was taken also taried The Cardinall of Colume came with an army of Neapolitans to helpe the Emperours men but when he saw the cruelty of the Souldiers he did little to helpe them but he hated them much The Byshop of Rome was thus besieged till the eight Ides of Iuly The Pope besieged and taken at which day he yelded himselfe for necessitie and penury of all things in the Castle and theÌ he was restored to geue Graces and graunt Bulles as he did before but he taried still in the Castle of S. Angell and had a great number of Almaines Spanyards to keepe him but the Spanyards bare most rule in the Castle for no maÌ entred nor came out of the Castle but by them When the moneth of Iuly came corne began to fayle in Rome and the pestilence began to waxe strong wherfore the great army remoued to a place called Narma xl mile from Rome Warre and pestilence is Rome leauing behind them such as kept the Byshop of Rome When they were departed the Spanyards neuer were contented till they had gotten the Almaynes out of the Castle of S. Angell and so they had the whole custody of the Pope And thus much for the sacking of Rome Ex Paralip Abbat Vrsper When the Cardinall heere in England heard how hys father of Rome was taken prisoner The Cardynall bestirreth him for the Pope hee began to styrre coales and hearyng of his captiuitie he laboured with the King all that he might to stirre hym vp to fight with the sayd Pope against the Emperour and to be a defendour of the Churche whiche if hee would do the Cardinall perswaded him that hee shoulde receiue great rewarde at Gods hand To whome the King aunswered againe and sayd in this maner My Lord I more lament this euill chaunce then my tong can tell but where you say I am y e defendour of the faith I assure you that this war betwene the Emperour the Pope is not for the faith The Pope fighteth for temporall possessions but for teÌporall possessions and dominioÌs and now sith Pope ClemeÌt is taken by men of warre what should I do My person nor my people can not rescue him but if my treasure may helpe him take that which seemeth to you most coÌuenient Thus the Cardinall when he could not obteine at the Kings hands what he would in stirring him vp to mortall warre 12. score thousand Poundes conueyed out of England by the Carâinall A new fouÌd Letanye of the Lord Cardinalls making he made out of y e Kings treasure xij score thousand poundes which he caried ouer the Sea with him After this the Cardinall sent his commission as Legate to all the Bishops commaunding fastings and solemne processions to be had wherein they did sing the Letany after this sort Sancta Maria ora pro Clemente Papa Sancte Petre ora pro Clemente Papa and so forth all the Letanie This Cardinall passing the Seas with the foresayde summes of money departed out of Callis accompanyed with Cuthbert Tunstall Byshop of London the Lorde Sandes the Kings Chamberlaine the Earle of Darby Syr Henry Guilford and Syr Thomas Moore wyth many other Knightes and Squiers to the number of xij hundred horse hauing in his cariage lxxx wagonnes and threescore Moyles and sumpter horses It were long to discourse in this place the manifold abuses and treasons which he practised wheÌ he came to the French Court at Amias conuerting the greate summes of money Warre waged by the Cardinall whiche before you heard he had obteined of the King for the reliefe raunsome of Pope Clement which at that time was prisoner in the Emperours armye and bestowed the same in the hyring of souldiers furnishing out the French Kings armye appoynting also certayne English Captaynes in the King of Englandes name to go against the Emperour to rescue the Pope all whiche army was payd with the King of Englands money Besides that he priuely by his letters caused Clarentius king of the armes to ioyne with the French Herauld and openly to defie the Emperour whereby there began great displeasure to rise betwen y e Emperour the King but that the Emperour of his politike nature would take no occasion of displeasure agaynst the Kyng of England Now agayne he vttered another of his practises for vpon the sayd defiaunce the Cardinall surmising whispering in the Kings eare that y e Emperour had euill intreated and imprisoned the Kings Ambassadours in Spaâne The craftye practise of the Cardinall caused Hugo de Mendosa the Emperours Ambassadour in England to be attached put in safe keeping and hys house with all his goodes to be seased Which so remained vntill y e manifest letters came of the gentle intreatye of the kings
word to the great perill of their soules 6. The sixt cause was because one Priest being litle learned Pluralities of benefices had tenne or twelue benefices and was resident on none and many well learned scholers in the Uniuersitie which were able to preach and teach had neyther benefice nor exhibition These thinges before this time mighte in no wise be touched nor yet talked of by any man except he woulde be made an hereticke or lose all that he had for the Byshops were Chauncellours and had all the rule about the King so that no man durst once presume to attempt any thyng contrary to their profite or commoditie But now wheÌ God had illuminated the eyes of y e king and the time so serued Three bils drawen out against the misorder of the clergye that men more boldly durst expresse with voyce such grudges as they had long conceaued in their harts against the Clergy the Burgesses of the Parliament appoynted certayne of the common house men learned in the Lawe to drawe one bill of the probates of testaments another for Mortuaries the third for none residence pluralities and taking fermes by spiritual men The first bill for mortuaryes And first to y e bill of Mortuaries being drawen and being also passed the commoÌ house and sent vp to the higher the Spirituall Lords shewed a faire face sayeng that assuredly Priestes and Curates tooke more then they shoulde and therefore it were well done to take some reasonable order Thus they spake because it touched them but little The second bill for probates of testamentes After this within two dayes was sent vp the secoÌd bill concerning probates of testaments which bill because it touched their profite somewhat neare both the Archbishop of Canterbury and all other Bishops in generall began to frowne and grunt in so much as Doctor Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester staÌding vp in the Parlament chamber openly protested that such billes were sent vp froÌ the coÌmon house tending to no other thing but to the destruction of y e Church which Church being downe the glory then of y e whole kingdome said he must needes fall desiring therfore the Lords for Gods sake to take example by the kingdome of Boheme For as it was then with the people there D. Fysher chargeth the coÌmons with lacke of faith The grudge oâ the commons in the lâwer house against Fisher Bishop of Rochester so now what say the coÌmons here but down with y e Church And all this said he seemeth only to be for lacke of faith When these words were reported to the coÌmons of the lower house what the Bishop had sayde in noting all their doings to be for lacke of faith they tooke the matter greeuously so to be esteemed of the Bishop for no better then heretikes vnderstanding moreouer how that he by those slaÌderous words went about to perswade the Lords temporall against them and so to ouerthrowe the two billes by them passed before as ye haue heard Whereupon after long debate it was at length agreed by the said commons that Thomas Audeley their speaker with xxx of the chief of that house should be sent to the kyng beyng then in his palace at Westminster before called Yorke place where they eloquently declared what a dishonour to the kyng and the realme it was to say that they which were elected for the wisest meÌ of all y e Shyres Cities and Boroughes within the Realme of England should be declared in so noble and open presence to lacke fayth which was equiualent to say that they were Infidels and no Christians as ill as Turkes or Sarasins so that what payne or study soeuer they tooke for the commoÌ wealth or what actes or lawes soeuer they made or stablished should be taken as lawes made by Paynims and Heathen people and not worthy to be kept by Christian men wherefore they most humbly besought the kynges hyghnesse to call the sayd Byshop before him and to cause him to speake more discretly of such a number as was in the common house The kyng not beyng well contented with the saying of the Byshop yet gently aunswered the speaker The king not contented with the Byshop of Rochester and sent them away Who immediately sent for the Archbyshop of Canterbury vi other Byshops and Rochester also signifying vnto them the grudge of the commons The Byshop of Rochester excusing himselfe aunswered that he in so saying meant onely the doyngs of the BohemiaÌs to be for lacke of fayth The Byshops excuse not the doynges of them that were in the coÌmon house which saying was confirmed by the Byshops there present which had him in great reputation so by that onely saying the kyng accepted his excuse and therfore sent word to the coÌmons by Syr WilliaÌ Fitzwilliams Knight Treasurer of his houshold which blynde excuse pleased the commons nothyng at all After this Difference betweene the laity and spiritualtye about certaine constitutions diuers assemblies were kept betwene certaine of the Lordes and certaine of the Commons for the Billes of the probates of Testamentes and Mortuaries The temporaltie layd to the spiritualtie their own lawes Constitutions and the Spiritualtie sore defended them by prescription vsage To whom it was thus aunswered by a GentlemaÌ of Greyes Inne The vsage hath euer bene of theeues to rob on Shoters hill Ergo is it lawfull With this aunswere the spirituall men were sore offended LoÌg vse maketh not euill thinges lawfull because their doynges were called robberies but the temporall men stood still by their sayinges in somuch that the sayd GentlemaÌ sayd to the Archb of CaÌterbury that both the exaction of probates of Testamentes Mortuaries as they were vsed differed but litle from theft and the takyng of Mortuaries as they were vsed were open robbery and theft After long disputation the temporall Lordes began to leane to the commoÌs but for all that the Bylles remayned vnconcluded a while It folowed shortly after in the ParliameÌt that a Byll was assented to by the Lords of the higher house and sent downe to the commons in the lower house and by them also with much labour agreed vnto of whoÌ the most part were the kynges seruauntes in the which Bill it was required and concluded that the kyng should be released of all such loane of money which he had borowed of his subiectes in the xv yeare of his reigne The passing of which Byll went sore agaynst the stomackes of the poore Commons for many rested vpon it countyng and passing it ouer one to an other for good debt as if it had bene ready money in their purses Wherfore the king to regratifie theÌ agayne graunted to them a generall pardoÌ of all offences onely certaine great offences debts excepted also he ayded them for the redresse of their grieues agaynst the spiritualtie caused two new Bylles to be made indifferently both for the probates
of Testamentes Mortuaries which Bylles were so reasonable Redresse of the greeues of the commons that the spirituall Lordes asseÌted to them all though they were sore agaynst their myndes and in especiall the probate of Testamentes sore displeased the Byshops and the Mortuaries sore displeased the Parsons and Uicares After these Actes thus agreed the commons made an other Act for pluralities of benefices none residence buying and sellyng and takyng of fermes by spirituall Parsons which Act so displeased the spiritualtie that y e priests rayled on the commoÌs of the lower house and called them heretickes and schismatikes for the which diuers Priestes were punished This Act was sore debated aboue in the Parliament chamber and the Lordes spirituall would in no wise consent The third bill of the coÌmons for pluralities c. Wherfore the kyng perceiuyng the grudge of his coÌmons caused viij Lordes viij of his Commons to mete in the starre chamber at an afternoone and there was sore debatyng of the cause in so much that the teÌporall Lordes of the vpper house which were there tooke part with the Commons agaynst the spirituall Lordes and by force of reason caused them to assent to the Bill with a litle qualifiyng which Bill the next day was wholy agreed to in the Lords house to the great reioysing of the lay people and to the great displeasure of the spirituall persons And thus much concerning these Bylles agaynst the Cleargy by the way Now to returne to the Cardinall agayne during the time of the said Parliament there was brought downe to the Commons the booke of Articles which the Lords had put vp to the King against the Cardinall The chiefe Articles were these 1 FIrst that he without the Kings assent had procured to be Legate Articles against the Cardinall by reason whereof he tooke away the right of all Byshops and spirituall persons 2 In al writings that he wrote to Rome or to any other Prince he wrote Ego rex meus I and my King as who would say that the King were his seruaunt 3 That he slaundered the Church of England to y e court of Rome for his suggestion to be Legate was to reforme the Church of England which as he wrote was Facta in reprobum sensum 4 He without the Kings assent caried the Kings great Seale with him into Flaunders when he was sente Ambassadour to the Emperour 5 Without the Kings consent he sent commission to Sir Gregory de Cassalis Knight to conclude a league betweene the King and the Duke of Ferrarie 6 That he hauing the French pockes presumed to come and breathe on the King 7 That he caused the Cardinalles Hat to be put on the Kings coyne 8 That he had sent innumerable substance to Rome for the obteining of his dignities to the great impouerishmeÌt of the Realme with many other things which are touched more at large in Chronicles These articles with many moe being read in the coÌmon house were confessed by the Cardinal and signed with his hand Also there was shewed an other writing sealed with his seale by the which he gaue to the Kyng all his moueables and vnmoueables You haue heard hytherto declared how y e Cardinall was attainted in the Premunire how he was put out of the office of the Chauncelour lay at Asher which was in the yeare of our Lord 1530. Anno. 1530. The next yeare after in the Lent season the king by the aduice of his counsayle licenced him to go into his dioces of Yorke and gaue hym commandemeÌt to keepe him in his dioces and not to returne Southward without the Kings speciall licence in writing So he made great prouision to go Northward apparelled his seruants newly and bought many costly things for his houshold but diuers of his seruaunts at this tyme departed from him to the Kings seruice and in especiall Thomas Crumwell one of his chiefe counsaile and chiefe doer for him in the suppression of Abbeys After that all things necessary for his iourney were prepared he tooke his iourney Northward til he came to Southwell which was in his dioces and there he continued that yeare euer grudging at his fall as you shall heare heereafter but the sands which he had geuen to his Colleges in Oxford and Ipswich were now come to the Kings hands by his attainder in the Premunire and yet the King of his gentlenes and for fauour that he bare to good learning erected againe the Colledge in Oxford and where it was named the Cardinalles Colledge he called it the Kings College and endued it with faire possessions and ordeined newe statutes and ordinances The Cardinalls Colledge now called Christes College in Oxforde and for because the Colledge of Ipswich was thought to be nothing profitable therefore he leaft that dissolued NotwithstaÌding that the Cardinall of Yorke was thus attainted in the Premunire as is aboue mentioned yet the King being good vnto him had graunted him the Bishopricks of Yorke and Winchester with great plentie of substance had licenced him to lye in his dioces of Yorke where he so continued the space of a yeare But after in the yeare folowing The Cardinall complayneth to the Pope of the king which was 1531. he being in his dioces wrote to the Court of Rome and to diuers other Princes letters in reproch of the King and in as much as in him lay he stirred them to reuenge his cause against the King and his Realme in so much that diuers opprobrious words against the King were spoken to Doctor Edward Keerne the Kings Oratour at Rome and it was sayd to him that for the Cardinalles sake the King should haue the woorse speede in the suite of his matrimonie The Cardinall also would speake faire to the people to winne their harts and declared euer that he was vniustly and vntruely ordered which faire speaking made many men beleeue that he sayd true and to Gentlemen he gaue great giftes to allure them vnto him and to be had in more reputation among the people The Cardinalls proudâ iourneie toward ãâã he determined to be installed or inthronised at Yorke with all the pompe that might be and caused a throne to be erected in the Cathredral Church in such an height and fashion as was neuer seene and sent to all the Lords Abbots Priors Knightes Esquiers and Gentlemen of his dioces to be at his Manor of Cawood the sixt day of Nouember and so to bring hym to Yorke with all maner of pompe and solemnitie The King which knew his doings and priuie conueyance all this yeare dissembled the matter to see what hee would do at length till that he saw his proud hart so highly exalted that he would be so triumphaÌtly installed without making the king priuie yea and in manner in disdaine of the King thought it not meete nor conuenient to suffer him any longer to coÌtinue in his malitious proud purposes and
his acquaintance wyth M. Tindall Whereunto he sayde that he denied not but that foure yeares then past The purgatiân and answere of Humfrey Mummuth to the artycles he had heard the said Tindal preach two or three sermons at S. Dunstons in the West and afterward meeting with the said Tindall had certaine communication with hym coÌcerning his liuing who then told him that he had none at all but trusted to be in the Bishop of London his seruice for then he laboured to be his chaplayne But being refused of the Bishop so came agayne to the sayd Mummuth this examinate and besought him to helpe hym Who the same tyme tooke hym into hys house for halfe a yeare Tindal refused of Byshop Stokesley to be his Chaplein where the said Tindall liued as he sayd like a good priest studieng both night day He would eat but soddeÌ meate by his good will nor drink but small single beere He was neuer seene in that house to weare lynnen about him al the space of his beyng there Whereupon the sayd Mummuth had the better liking of hym so that he promised him ten pound as he then sayd for his father and mothers soules The temperate conuersation of W. Tyndall and all Christen soules which money afterward he sent him ouer to Hamborow according to his promise And yet not to him alone he gaue this exhibition but to diuers other moe likewise which were no heretikes as to D. Royston the Bishop of Londons Chaplayne he exhibited fortie or fiftie pounds to D. Wodiall Prouinciall of the Frier Austens as much or more to D. Watson the Kings Chaplayne also to other scholars and diuers Priests besides other charges bestowed vpon Religious houses as vpon the Nunry of Dendey aboue fiftie poundes sterling bestowed c. And as touching his bookes as Enchiridion the Pater noster De libertate Christiana an Englishe Testamente of whome some W. Tindall left with him some he sent vnto hym some were brought into hys house by whome he could not tell these bookes he said did lye opeÌ in his house the space of two yeares together he suspecting no harme to be in them And moreouer the same bookes beyng desired of sondry persons as of the Abbesse of Denney a Frier of Grenewich the Father Confessour of Syon he let them haue them and yet he neuer heard Frier Priest or lay maÌ finde any fault with the sayd bookes Likewise to D. Watson to D. Stockehouse Maister Martin Parson of Totingbecke he committed the perusing of the bookes of Pater noster and De libertate Christiana which found no great fault in them but onely in the booke De libertate Christiana they sayd there were thynges somewhat hard except the Reader were wise Thus he excusing himselfe and moreouer coÌplainyng of y e losse of his credite by his imprisonment in the Tower and of the detrimentes of his occupying who was wont yearely to shyp ouer v. hundreth clothes to straungers set many Clothiars a worke in Suffolke and in other places of whoÌ he bought all their clothes which almost were now all vndone by this reason at length was set at libertie beyng forced to abiure and after was made Knight by the kyng and Shriffe of London Of this Humfrey Mummuth we read of a notable example of Christian patience A notable exaÌple of Christian pacience in an Alderman M. George Stafford reader in Cambridge in the Sermons of M. Latimer which the sayd Latimer heard in Cambridge of M. George Stafford reader of the Diuinitie Lecture in that Uniuersitie Who expoundyng the place S. Paule to the Romaines that we shall ouercome our enemy with well doyng so heape whote coales vpon his head c. brought in an exaÌple saying that he knew in London a great rich Marchaunt meanyng this Humfrey Mummuth which had a very poore neighbour yet for all his pouertie he loued him very well and lent him money at his neede and let him come to his table whensoeuer he would It was euen at that tyme when D. Colet was in trouble and should haue bene burnt if God had not turned the kyngs hart to the contrary Now the richman began to bee a Scripture man he began to smell the Gospell The poore man was a Papist still It chaunced on a tyme when the rich maÌ talked of the Gospell sittyng at his table where he reproued Popery and such kynde of thynges The poore man beyng there present tooke a great displeasure agaynst the rich man in somuch that hee would come no more to his house he would borow no more money of him as he was wont to doe before tymes yea and conceiued such hatred and malice agaynst him that he went and accused him before the Byshops Now the riche man not knowyng of any such displeasure offered many tymes to talke with him and to set him at quyet It would not be Ex concione Doct. Hugo Latimeri The poore man had such a stomacke that hee would not vouchsafe to speake with him If he mete the rich man in the streate he would goe out of his way One tyme it happened that hee mete him so in a narrow streate that he could not auoyde but come neare him yet for all that this poore man I say had such a stomacke agaynst the riche man that he was mynded to goe foreward and not to speake with hym The riche man perceiuyng that caught hym by the hand and asked him saying Neighbour Agree with thine enemie while thou art in the way with him Math. 5. what is come into your hart to take such displeasure with me What haue I done agaynst you tell me and I will be ready at all tymes to make you amendes Finally he spake so gently so charitably so louyngly and frendly that it wrought so in the poore mans hart that by and by he fell downe vppon his knees and asked him forgeuenesse The riche man forgaue him and so tooke him agayne to his fauour and they loued as well as euer they dyd afore ¶ The history of Thomas Hitten Persecuters Martyrs The Causes Wil. Warham Archbyshop of Canterbury Fisher Byshop of Rochester Thomas Hytten At Maydstone An. 1530. TOuchyng the memoriall of Thomas Hytten remayneth nothyng in writtyng Tho. Hitten Martyr but onely his name saue that William Tyndall in his Apologie agaynste More and also in another booke entituled The Practise of Prelates doth once or twise make meÌtion of him by way of digression He was sayth he a Preacher at Maydstone whom the Byshoppe of Canterbury William WarhaÌ and Fisher Byshoppe of Rochester after they had longe kepte and tormented him in prison with sundry torments and that notwithstanding he continued constant at the last they burned him at Maydstone for the constant and manifest testimonie of Iesu Christ and of his free grace and saluation In the yeare of our Lord 1530. ¶ The burnyng of Thomas Hytten Persecuters Martyrs The Causes
in such sort that how much better the man is so much y e lesse he should liue vnto himselfe but vnto other seruing for the common vtilitie that we should think a greate parte of our byrth to be due vnto our parentes a greater part vnto our country the greatest part of all to be bestowed vpon the Churche if we will be counted good men First of all he begaÌ hys study at Cambridge Iohn Fryth first studient in CaÌbridge In whoÌ nature had planted being but a child maruelous instructions loue vnto learning whereunto he was addict He had also a wonderful promptnes of wit a ready capacitie to receaue and vnderstand any thing in so much that he seemed not to be sent vnto learning but also borne for the same purpose neyther was there any diligence wanting in him equall vnto that towardnes or worthy of his disposition Commendation of Frytheâ learning Whereby it came to passe that he was not onely a louer of learning but also became an exquisite learned man In the which exercise wheÌ he had diligently laboured certayn yeres not without great profite both of Latine and Greeke at the last he fell into knowledge and acquayntaunce with William Tindall through whose instructions he first receaued into his hart the seede of the Gospell and sincere godlines At that time Tho. Wolsey Cardinall of Yorke prepared to build a Colledge in Oxford The College in Oxford of Frydeswide now called Christes Colledge maruelous sumptuous which had the name title of Frideswide but now named Christes Church not so much as it is thought for y e loue zeale that he bare vnto learning as for an ambitious desire of glory renoume to leaue a perpetual name vnto the posteritie But that building he being cut of by y e stroke of death for he was sent for vnto y e king accused vpon certaine crimes and in the waye by immoderate purgations killed him self least partly begun partly halfe ended vnperfect and nothing els saue only the kitchin was fully finished Wherupon Rodulphus Gualterus a learned maÌ being then in Oxford beholding the Colledge sayd these wordes in Latine The saying of Rodolphus Cualterus touching the Cardinals Colledg Egregium opus Cardinalis iste instituit collegium et absoluit popinam Howe large ample those buildings should haue ben what sumptuous cost should haue bene bestowed vpon the same may easily be perceiued by y t that which is already buylded as the kitchin the hall and certain chambers where as there is such curious grauing and workemanship of stone cutters that all things on euery side did glitter for the excellency of the workmaÌship for the finesse of y t matter with the gilt antikes embossings in so muche that if all the rest had bene finyshed to that determinate end as it was begun it might well haue excelled not onelye all Colledges of studentes but also palaces of Princes This ambitious Cardinal gathered together into that Colledge what soeuer excellent thing there was in the whole realme eyther vestments vessels or other ornaments beside prouision of all kind of precious things Besides that he also appointed vnto that coÌpany all such men as were found to excell in anye kinde of learning knowledge Whose names to recite all in order would be to loÌg The chiefe of them whiche were called from Cambridge were these M Clarke Maister of art of xxxiiij yeares of age M. Fryer afterward Doctour of Phisicke after that a strong papist M. Sumner maister of Art M. Harman maister of Art and after felow of Eaton Colledge after that a papist M. Bettes maister of Art a good man and zelous and so remayned M. Coxe maister of Art who conueyed him selfe away toward the North and aftrr was Schoolemaister of Eaton and then Chaplayne to Doctor Goodrich Bishop of Ely and by him preferred to king Henry and late Byshop of Ely Iohn Frith Bacheler of Art Bayly Bacheler of Art Goodman who being sicke in the prison with the other was had out and dyed in the towne Drumme who afterwardes fell away and forsooke the truth Thomas Lawney Chapleine of the house prisoner with Iohn Frith To these ioyne also Tauerner of Boston the good Musitian This Tauerner repented him very muche that he had made songes to Popishe dâtties in the tyme of hys blindenes besides manye other called also out of other places moste pyked young men of graue iudgement and sharpe wittes who conferring together vpon the abuses of relygion being at y t time crept into y e Church were therfore accused of heresie vnto the Cardinall and cast into a prison within a deepe caue vnder the grouÌd of the same Colledge where their salt fyshe was layde so that through the fylthie stinche thereof they were all infected and certaine of them taking their death in the same prison shortly vpon y e same being taken out of the prison into their chambers there deceased The troublers and examiners of these good men were these Persecuters Doct. London Doctor Higdon Deane of the same Colledge and Doct. Cottesford Commissary M Clarke M. Sumner Syr Baily killed through imprisonment Maister Clarke maister Sumner and Syr Bayly eating nothing but saltfishe from Februarie to the middest of August dyed all three together within the compasse of one weeke Maister Bettes a wittie man hauyng no bookes fouÌd in hys chamber through entreatie and suertie gote out of prison and so remayning a space in y e Colledge at last slipt away to Cambridge and after was Chapleine to Queene Anne and in great fauour with her Tauerner although he was accused and suspected for hidinge of Clarkes bookes vnder the bordes in his schoole yet the Cardinal for his musicke excused him saying that he was but a Musitian and so he escaped After the death of these men Iohn Frith with other by the Cardinalles letter which sent word that he would not haue them so straightly handled were dismissed out of prison vpon condition Of this Dalaber reade more in the story of Tho. Garret not to passe aboue ten myles out of Oxford Which Frith after hearing of the examination of Dalaber and Garret which bare then fagottes went ouer the sea and after two yeares he came ouer for exhibition of the Prior of Reading as is thought and had y â Prior âuer with him Bâyng at Reading Iohn ãâã set in the stockes a Reading it happened that he was there taken for a vacabond brought to examination where the simple man whiche coulde not craftily enough colour him selfe was set in the stockes Where after he had sitten a loÌg time and was almost pined with hunger and woulde not for all that declare what he was Leonard Coxe Schoolemaister of Reading at the last hee desired that the Scholemaister of the towne might be brought to hym which at that time was one Leonard Coxe a maÌ very wel learned As
him the tenour whereof here ensueth ¶ The sentence geuen against Iohn Frith IN the name of God Amen We Iohn by the permission of God Byshop of London lawfully and rightly proceeding with all godly fauour by authoritie and vertue of our office against thee Iohn Frith of our iurisdictioÌ Sentence against Iohn Frythe before vs personally here present being accused and detected and notoriously slaundered of heresie hauinge hearde seene and vnderstande and with diligent deliberation wayed discussed and considered the merites of the cause all thinges being obserued which by vs in this behalfe by order of law ought to be obserued sittyng in our iudgement seate the name of Christ being first called vppon and hauing * As they had which crucified Christ. God onely before our eyes because by y e actes enacted propouÌded and exhibited in this matter and by thine owne confession iudicially made before vs we do finde that thou hast taught holden and affirmed and obstinately defended dyuers errours and heresies and damnable opinions contrarie to the doctrine and determinatioÌ of the holy Church and specially agaynst the reuerende Sacrament and albeit that we following the example of Christ which woulde not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and lyue haue oftentimes gone about to correct thee and by al lawfull meanes that we coulde and moste wholesome admonitions that we did knowe to reduce thee againe to y e true fayth and the vnitie of the vniuersall Catholique Churche notwithstanding wee haue founde thee obstinate and stiffe necked willingly continuing in thy damnable opinions heresies and refusing to returne againe vnto the true faith and vnitie of the holy mother Church and as the childe of wickednesse and darkenesse so to haue hardened thy harte that thou wylt not vnderstande the voyce of thy sheapeheard which with a fatherly affection doth seeke after thee nor wilt not be allured with his godly and fatherly admonitions We therefore Iohn the Bishop aforesaid not willyng that thou whiche arte wicked shouldest become more wicked and infecte the Lordes flocke wyth thy heresye which we are greatly afrayde of do iudge thee and definitiuely condemne thee the sayde Iohn Frith thy demerites and faultes beyng aggrauate through thy damnable obstinacie as gyltie of most detestable heresies and as an obstinate vnpenitent sinner refusing penitently to returne to y e lappe and vnitie of the holy mother Church and that thou haste bene and arte by Lawe excommunicate and pronounce and declare thee to be an excoÌmunicate person also wee pronounce and declare thee to bee an heretique to be cast out from the Church and left vnto the iudgement of the secular power and nowe presentlye so do leaue thee vnto the secular power and their iudgement moste earnestly requiring them in the bowels of our Lorde Iesus Chryst that this execution and punishment worthily to be done vppon thee maye so bee moderate that the rigour thereof be not too extreme nor yet the gentlenesse too muche mitigated but that it may bee to the saluation of thy soule to the extirpation terrour and conuersion of heretiques to the vnitie of the Catholique fayth Moderation pretended but none shewed by this our sentence definitiue or finall decree which we here promulgate in this fourme aforesayde This sentence thus readde the Byshop of London directed hys letter to Syr Steuen Pecocke Mayor of London Iohn Fryth deliuered to the secular handes and the Sheriffes of the same Citie for the receyuyng of the foresayde Iohn Frith into their charge Who being so deliuered ouer vnto them the fourth daye of Iulie in the yeare aforesayde was by them caryed into Smithfield to be burned and when he was tyed vnto the stake there it sufficiently appeared with what constancye and courage he suffered death The constant death of Iohn Fryth for when as the fagots and fire were put vnto hym hee willingly embraced the same therby declaring with what vprightnesse of mynde he suffered hys death for Christes sake and the true doctryne whereof that daye hee gaue with his bloud a perfect and firme testimonie The wynde made hys death somewhat the more longer which bare away the flame from him vnto his felowe that was tyed to his backe but hee had established hys minde with such pacience God geuinge hym strength that euen as though he had felt no paine in that long torment he seemed rather to reioyce for his felow theÌ to be careful for himselfe This truely is the power and strength of Christ stryuing vanquishing in his Saintes who sanctifye vs together with them and direct vs in all thinges to the glory of his holy name Amen This day before the burning of these worthye men of God the Bishop of London certified king Henry the eight of his worthy ye rather wooluish proceeding against these men the tenour whereof for as muche as it proceedeth as the other do before we therefore omit it referryng the reader to the same ¶ Andrewe Hewet burned with Maister Frith ANdrewe Hewet borne in Feuersham in the county of Kent Andrew Hewet Martyr a yong man of the age of foure and twenty yeres was apprentise with one maister Warren Taylor in Watlyng streete And as it happened that hee went vppon a holy daye into Fleete streate Anno. 1533. towarde Saint Dunstanes he met with one William Holt which was foreman with the kyngs Taylour at that present called maister Malte and beynge suspected by the same Holt which was a dissemblyng wretche to be one that fauoured the Gospel after a litle talke had with hym he went into an honest house about Fleete Bridge whiche was a bookesellers house Then Holt thynking he had founde good occasion to shew foorth some fruit of his wickednesse Andrew Hewet apprehended sent for certaine offycers and searched the house fynding the same Andrew apprehended hym and caryed hym to the Byshops house where he was cast into yrons The man that gaue him this file was Valentine Freese the Painters brother who was afterward with his wyfe burned in Yorke and being there a good space by the meanes of a certaine honest man he had a File conueyed vnto hym wherewith he fyled of his yrons when he spyed his tyme he got out of the gate But being a man vnskilfull to hyde hym selfe for lacke of good acquaintance he went into Smythfielde and there mette with one Wythers whych was an hypocrite as Holt was Which Wythers vnderstandynge howe he had escaped and that hee knewe not whyther to goe pretendyng a faire countenaÌce vnto hym willed hym to go wyth him promysing that he shoulde bee prouyded for and so kept hym in the countrey where he had to do from Lowe Sunday til Whitsuntide and then brought him to London to y e house of one Iohn Chapman in Hosier lane beside Smithfielde and there left him by the space of two dayes Then he came to the layde Chapmans house againe and brought Holt with
borne Yet neuertheles his purpose was to prooue and feele what they both would say vnto it therefore sent Steuen Gardiner to Rome to way with Pope Clement To the Emperour was sent Syr Nicolas Heruy knight ambassador in the Court of Gaunt Firste Pope Clement not weying belike the full importaunce and sequele of the matter Campeius the Popes Legate sent Cardinal Campeius as is sayde into Englande ioyned with the Cardinal of Yorke At the comming of which Legates The kinges perswasion to the Legate the King first opening vnto them the griefe of hys conscience seemed wyth great reasons and persuasions sufficiently to haue drawne the good will of those two Legates to his side Who also of their owne accord pretended no lesse but to shew a willing inclination to further the kinges cause But yet the mouthes of the common people and in especial of women and such other as fauoured the Queene and talked their pleasure Euill language of the people about the kinges diuorce were not stopped Wherefore to satisfie the blinde surmises and foolishe communication of these also who seeing the comming of the Cardinalles cast out suche leaude wordes that the king woulde for his owne pleasure haue an other wife with like vnseeming talke he therefore willing that al men should know the truth of his procedings caused all his Nobilitie Iudges and Counsaillors wyth diuers other persons to resort to his Pallace of Bridewel the 8. day of Nouemb. An. 1529. where he openly speaking in his great chaÌber had these words in effect as followeth The kings Oration to his subiects OVr trustie welbeloued subiects both you of the nobility you of the meaner sort it is not vnknoweÌ both how that we both by Gods prouision and true and lawfull inheritaunce haue raigned ouer this realme of England almost the terme of 20. yeares During whiche time we haue so ordered vs thanked be God that no outward enemy hath oppressed you nor taken anye thing from vs nor we haue inuaded no realme but we haue had victory honor so that we think that you nor none of your predecessors neuer liued more quietly more wealthely nor in more estimation vnder any of our noble progenitors But when we remeÌber our mortality and that we must die then we think that all our doings in our life time are clearely defaced worthy of no memory if we leaue you in trouble at the time of oure deathe for if our true heir be not known at the time of our death see what mischiefe and trouble shall succeede to you and to your children The experience thereof some of you haue seene after the death of our noble grandfather king Edward 4. and some haue heard what mischief and manslaughter continued in this realme betwene the houses of Yorke and Lancaster by the which dissention this realme was like to haue bene clearely destroyed And although it hath pleased almighty God to send vs a faire daughter of a noble woman and of me begotten to our greate comfort and ioy yet it hath bene tolde vs by diuers great Clearks that neither she is our lawfull daughter nor her mother our lawfull wife but that we liue together abhominably and detestably in open adulterie in somuch that when our Ambassade was last in France and motion was made that the Duke of Orleance should marry our sayde daughter one of the chiefe Counsailours to the French king sayd It were well done to know whether she be the king of Englands lawfull daughter or not for well knowen it is that he begot her on his brothers wife which is directly againste Gods law and his precept Thinke you my Lords that these words touch not my body and soule Thinke you that these doings doe not daily and hourely trouble my coÌscience and vexe my spirits Yes we doubt not but and if it were your cause euery man wold seeke remedy when the pearil of your soule and the losse of your inheritance is openly laide to you For this onely cause I protest before God and in the word of a Prince I haue asked councell of the greatest Clearkes in Christendome and for this cause I haue sent for this Legate as a manne indifferent onely to knowe the truth and so to settle my conscience and for none other cause as God can iudge And as touching the Queene if it be adiudged by the law of God that she is my lawfull wife there was neuer thing more pleasant nor more acceptable to me in my life both for the discharge and clearing of my conscience and also for the good qualities and conditions the which I know to be in her For I assure you all that beside her noble parentage of the which shee is descended as you well know she is a woman of most gentlenesse of moste humilitie and buxumnesse yea and of all good qualities appertaining to nobilitie she is without comparison as I this 20. yeares almoste haue had the true experiment so that if I were to mary againe if the marriage might be good I would surely chose her aboue all other women But if it be determined by iudgement that our mariage was against Gods law and clearely voyde then I shall not onely sorowe the departing from so good a Ladie and louing companion but much more lameÌt and bewaile my infortunate chance that I haue so long liued in adultery to Gods great displeasure and haue no true heire of my body to inherite thys Realme These be the sores that vexe my minde these be the paÌgs that trouble my conscience and for these greeues I seeke a remedy Therefore I require of you all as our trust and confidence is in you to declare to our subiects our minde and entent according to our true meaning and desire them to pray with vs that the very truth may be knowen for the discharge of our conscience and sauing of our soule and for the declaration hereof I haue assembled you together and now you may depart Shortly after this Oration of the king wherewith he stirred the harts of a number then the two Legates being requested of the king for discharge of his conscience The legates talke with the Queene to iudge and determine vpon the cause went to the Queene lying then in the place of Bridewell and declared to her how they were deputed iudges indifferent betwene y e king and her to heare and determine whether the mariage betwene them stoode with Gods law nor not When she vnderstoode the cause of their comming being thereat some thing astonied at y e first after a litle pausing with her selfe Ex Edw. Hallo thus she began answering for her selfe ALas my Lorde said she is it nowe a question whether I be the kings lawfull wife or no when I haue bene maried to hym almost 20. yeres and in the meane season neuer question was made before Diuers Prelates yet being aliue and Lords also Queene Katherines aunswere to the Cardinalles
shoulde haue borne the whole burthen Wherefore my brethren I charitably exhorte you to beare your partes of your liuelode salarie toward the paiment of this summe grauÌted Then it was shortly sayde to the Byshop My Lorde twenty nobles a yeare is but a bare liuing for a Priest for now vittaile and euery thyng is so deare The priestâ aunswer to the bish that pouertie in maner enforceth vs to say nay Beside that my Lorde we neuer offended in the Premunire for we medled neuer wyth the Cardinals faculties let the Byshoppes and Abbottes which haue offended pay Then the Bishops Officers gaue to the Priestes hygh wordes which caused them to be the more obstinate Also diuers temporall men whych were present comforted the Priestes and bade them agree to no paiment In tâys rumour diuers of the Bishops seruaunts were âuââered and stricken so that the Bishop began to be afraide and wyth faire wordes appeased the noyse and for all things which were done or sayd there he pardoned them gaue to them hys blessing and prayed them to departe in charitie Then they departed thinking to heare no more of the matâââ but they were deceiued For the Byshop went to Sir Thom. More then being Lorde Chancellor which greatly fauoured the B. and the clergy and to him made a greeuous coÌplaint declared the fact very greuously B. Stokesly complaineth to Syr Tho. More Wherupon commaundement was sent to syr Tho. Pargitor Maior of the Citie to attache certaine priests and temporal men and so 15. priestes 5. temporall men were arrested of the whych Certayne priestes and temporall meÌ committed to priââ some were sent to the Tower some to the Fleete and other prisons where they remained long after This being done in the yeare of our Lorde 1532. it followeth moreouer the same yeare that diuers preachinges were in the realme one contrary to another coÌcerning the kings mariage and in especiall one Thom. Abell Clerke Preaching against the kinges first mariage which was the Queenes Chaplaine to please her withal both preached and also wrote a booke in defence of the sayd mariage wherby diuers simple meÌ were persuaded Wherfore the king caused to be coÌpiled and reduced into a boke the determination of the vniuersities with the iudgemeÌts of great Clerkes which booke being printed set abroade did againe satisfie all indifferent and reasonable persones which were not too much wedded to their willes Mention was made a litle before of a parlameÌt begon the 15. day of Ianuary An. 1533. in the which Parlament the coÌmons had put vp a Supplication complaining of y e strait dealing of the Cleargie in their proceeding Ex officio The wilked acte Ex officio brokeÌ by the king Statut. an 25 Reg. Hen. 8. This coÌplaint although at the first it seemed not greatly to be tendered of the king yet in prorogation of y e parlament the time so wrought withall that the King hauing more cleare vnderstaÌding of the abuses enormities of the clergye and in speciall of the corrupt authoritie of the Sea of Rome prouided certayne actes agaynst the same First as concerning the lawes decrees ordinaunces and constitutions made and stablished by the pretensed authoritie of the Byshops of Rome to y e aduauncemeÌt of theyr worldly glory y t who so did or spake any thing either agaynst their vsurped power or agaynst y e sayd lawes decrees or constitutioÌs of theirs not approued nor grouÌded vpoÌ holy scripture or els being repugnant to y e kings prerogatiue royal An acte coÌcerning the popes lawes shuld therfore staÌd in no danger nor be impeachable of heresie And likewise touching such coÌstitutions ordinances canoÌs prouinciall or Synodall which were made in this realm in y e conuocation of bishops being either preiudicial to y e kings prerogatiue or not ratified before by the kinges assent or being otherwise onerous to the king and his subiects or in anye wise repugnant to the lawes and statutes of this realme they Decrees and constitutions prouinciall of this realme coÌmitted to examinatioÌ were committed to the iudgment of 32. persons chosen by the king out of that higher lower house to be determined either to stand in streÌgth or to be abrogate at their discretions and farther that all y e Clergy of this realme submitting themselues to the kyng should and did promise in verbo Sacerdotij neuer hereafter to presume to assemble in theyr conuocations without the kinges writte nor to enact or execute suche constitutions without hys royall assent c. Ex Statut. Henr. 8. Farther in the same Parliament was enacted and decreed that in causes and matters happening in contention no person should appeale pruoke or sue No man to appeale to Rome out of the kinges dominions to the Court of Rome vnder payne of prouisours prouision or Premunire Item in the same parliament was defined and concluded y t all exportation of Annates and first fruites of Archbishoprickes and Bishoprickes out of this Realme to the Sea of Rome for any bulles brieues or palles * Boner in his prologue before De vera obedientia saithâ that this rauinous pray of the pope commeth to asmuch almost as the kings reuenues The maneââ of Inuesting by the king or expedition of any such thing should vtterly cease Also for the inuesting of Archbishops Bishoppes or other of any Ecclesiasticall dignitie such order in the sayde Parlament was taken that the king should send a licence vnder the great seal with a letter missiue to the Prior and Couent or to the Deane and Chapter of those Cathedrall Churches where the Sea was vacant by the vertue of which liceÌce or letters missiue they within 12. daies should chose the said person nominated by the king none other and y t election to stand effectuall to all intents which election being done then the partie elect making first his othe and fealty to the king if it were a Bish. that was elect then the king by his letters patents to signifie the sayd election to the Archb. of that prouince and 2. other Bishops or els to 4. bishops within this realme to be assigned to that office without any other suing procuring or obtaining any bulles breues or other things from the Sea of Rome Moreouer against al other whatsoeuer intolerable exactions and great summes of mony vsed to be paid out of this realme to the B. of Rome in pensions censures Peterpence procurations fruites suites for prouisions expeditions of bulles for Archb. and Bishops for delegacies and rescriptes in causes of contentions and appeales Peter pence stopped froÌ Rome iurisdictions legatiue also for dispensations licences faculties graunts relaxations writtes called Perinde valere rehabilitations abolitions canonizations and other infinit sorts of bulles breues and instrumeÌts of sundry natures the number whereof were tedious particularly to be recited In the said Parlament it was ordained y t all such vncharitable vsurpations exactions
pensions censes portions and Peterpence wont to be paide to the sea of Rome should vtterly surcease and neuer more to be leuied so that the king with his honorable counsaile should haue power and authoritie from time to time for the ordering redresse and reformation of all manner of indulgences priuileges c. within this realme Where is to be noted by the way as touching these PeterpeÌce aforesaide that the same were first brought in and imposed by K. Iua about the yere of our Lord. 720. Which Iua K. of the WestsaxoÌs Peter pence how they came how long they continnued Vide supra pag. 127. Vide supra pag. 114. caused through al his dominioÌ in euery house hauing a chimny a peny to be collected paid to the B. of Rome in the name of S. Peter therof were they called PeterpeÌce vide supra pag. 127. The same likewise did Offa K. of MerciaÌs after him about the yere of our Lord. 794. vide pag. 114. And these Peterpence euer since or for the most part haue vsed of a long custome to be gathered and summoned by the Popes collectors here in England froÌ the time of Iua aforesaide to this present Parlament An. 1533. Finally by the authority of the Parlament it was consulted and considered coÌcerning the legalitie of the lawfull succession vnto the crowne in ratifying and inhabling the heires of the kings body and Quene Anne In the whych parliament moreouer the degrees of mariage plainly and clerely were explaned and set forth such as be expresly prohibited by Gods lawes as in this Table may appeare A Table of degrees prohibited by Gods lawe to marrie The sonne not to mary the mother nor stepmother The brother not to mary the sister Statut. an 25 Reg. Hen. 8. The father not to mary his sonnes daughter nor his daughters daughter The sonne not to mary his fathers daughter gotten by hys stepmother The sonne not to mary his aunte being either his fathers or his mothers sister Degrees prohibited to marrye The sonne not to mary his vncles wife The father not to mary his sonnes wife The brother not to mary his brothers wife No man to mary his wiues daughter No man to mary his wiues sonnes daughter No man to mary his wiues daughters daughter No man to mary his wiues sister All these degrees be prohibited by the scripture All these things thus being defined and determined in this foresaide Parliament and also being in the same Parliamente concluded that no man of what estate degree or condition soeuer Seperation betweene the king and the Lady Catherine by acte of Parlyament hath any power to dispense wyth Gods lawes it was therfore by the authoritie aforesayd agreing with the authoritie of Gods word assented that the maryage aforetime solemnised betwene the kyng and the Ladie Katherine being before wife to prince Arthur the kynges brother and carnally known by him as is aboue proued should be absolutely demed and adiudged to be vnlawfull and against the law of God and also reputed and taken to be of no value nor effect and that the separation thereof by Thomas Cranmer Archb. of Cant. should stand good and effectuall to all intents and also that the lawful matrimony betwene the king and the Lady Anne his wife shoulde be established approoued and ratified for good and consonant to the lawes of almightye God The mariage betwene the king and Queene Anne approued by publicke Parlyament ãâã heyres âf K. Henry and Queene Anne ratified by Parliament And further also for the establishing of thys kinges lawfull succession it was fully by the sayd parliament adiudged that the inheritance of the crowne shuld remaine to the heirs of their two bodies that is of the King and Queene Anne his wife During the time of this Parliament before the mariage of Queene Anne there was one Temse in the Common house which mooued the Commons to sue to the king to take the Queene againe into hys companie declaring certaine great mischiefes like to insue therof as in bastarding the Ladie Marie the kings onely childe and diuers other inconueniences which being reported to the kings eares he sent immediately to syr Thomas Audley Speaker then of the Parliament expressing vnto hym amongest other matters that he marueiled muche why one of the Parlament did so openly speake of the absence of the Queene from him which matter was not to be determined there for it touched sayde hee hys soule The kinges wordes to Syr Tho. Audley speaker of the Parliament and wished the Matrimonie were good for then hadde he neuer bene so vexed in conscience But the Doctors of Uniuersities said he haue determined the mariage to be voide and detestable before God which grudge of conscience hee sayde caused hym to abstaine from her companie and no foolishe nor wanton appetite For I am sayde he 41. yeare olde at whyche age the lust of man is not so quicke as it is in youthe And sauing in Spaine and Portugale it hath not bene seene that one manne hath maried two sisters the one being carnally knowen before but the brother to mary the brothers wife was so abhorred amongest al nations that I neuer heard it that any christian man so did but my selfe Wherefore ye see my conscience troubled and so I pray you report And so the Speaker departing declared to the Commons the kings saying Not long after that the Kinge perceiuing belyke the mindes of the Cleargy not much fauouring his cause sent for the Speaker againe and 12. of the Common house The kinges workes to certaine of the coÌmon house hauing with him 8. Lordes and sayde to them Well beloued subiects we had thought the Clergy of our realme had ben our subiects wholye but nowe we haue well perceyued that they be but halfe oure Subiectes yea and scarce oure subiectes For all the Prelates at their consecration make an othe to the Pope cleane contrarye to the othe that they make vnto vs so that they seeme to be hys subiectes and not ours and so the King deliuering to them the Copie of both the othes required them to inuent some order that he might not thus be deluded of his spirituall subiects The spirituaââ men the Popes subiectes ãâã then the king ãâã The Speaker thus departed and caused the othes to be read in the Common house the very tenor wherof here ensueth The othe of the Clergie to the Pope I Iohn Bishop or Abbot of A. from this houre forwarde shall be faithfull and obedient to S. Peter to the holy church of Rome and to my Lorde the Pope and his successours Canonically entring I shall not be of counsaile nor consent The othe which the Clergye commoÌly geueth to the Pope that they shall loose either life or member or shall be taken or suffer anye violence or any wronge by any meanes Their counsaile to me credited by them their messengers or letters I shall not
agaynst y e proud vsurpation of the Bishop of Rome The Byshops of England then good Lutherans then these men haue done If they dissembled otherwise then they meant who coulde euer dissemble so deepely speaking so pithily If they meant as they spake who coulde euer turne head to tayle so sodenly so shortly as these men did But because these thinges we write for edification of other rather then for commendation of them let vs marke therefore theyr reasons and let the persons goe And although the sayd proufes and argumentes heretofore alledged might suffice to the full discussion of this matter agaynst y e Popes vsurped primacy yet because many do yet remayne which wil not be satisfied to refel therfore confute this popishe article of the popes vayne and proud primacie with as much matter and furniture of reasons allegations as the writinges and testimonies of these Bishops and others do minister vnto vs we mynde the Lord willing to annexe to thâse former confirmatioÌs of the bishops aforesayd The epistle of Tonstall Stokesly to Cardinal Poole an other supplement also of a certayne Epistle sent by Bishop Tonstall and by Iohn Stokesley byshop of London to Cardinall Poole for a more ample confutation of the vsurped power Concerning the argument of whiche Epistle here is first to be vnderstanded that about thys time or not much ouer Cardinall Poole brother to the Lord Montagew was attaynted of high treasoÌ and fled away vnto Rome where within a short time after he was made Cardinall of S. Mary Cosmeden of whoÌ more is to be spoken hereafter the Lord so permitting when we come to the tyme of Queene Mary In the meane tyme hee remayning at Rome there was directed vnto hym a certayne Epistle exhortatory by Stokesley Byshop of London and Tonstal Byshop of Duresme perswading hym to relinquishe and abandon the supremacy of the Pope and to conforme himselfe to the religion of his king The copy of which his Epistle for the reasons and argumentes therein conteined about the same matter we thought here not vnworthely to be put in or vnprofitable to be read The tenour wherof here followeth * The true copy of a certayne letter written by Cutbert Tonstall Byshop of Duresme and Iohn Stokesley Byshop of London to Cardinall Poole prouing the Byshop of Rome to haue no speciall superioritie aboue other Byshoppes This letter was testified by Cutbert Tonstall to Mathew Archb. of Canterbury and others to be his owne about 14. dayes before his death Read his trayterous Oration to ãâã Emperour in his booke intituled De Ecclesiae Concordia mouing him to seeke the destruction of king HeÌry and the whole realme of England FOr the good will that we haue borne vnto you in times past as long as you continued the kinges true subiect we cannot a little lament mourne that you neyther regarding the inestimable kindnes of the kings highnes heretofore shewed vnto you in your bringing vp nor the honor of the house that you be come of nor the wealth of the countrey that you were borne in should so decline from your duety to your prince that you shuld be seduced by fayre words and vaine promises of the Bishop of Rome to winde with him going about by all meanes to him possible to pull downe and put vnder foote your naturall Prince Maister to the destruction of the countrey that hath brought you vp and for a vayne glory of a red Hat to make your selfe an instrument to set forth his malice who hath styrred by all meanes that he could all such ChristiaÌ Princes as would geue eares vnto him to depose the kinges hignes from his Kingdome and to offer it as a pray for them that should execute his malice and to styrre if hee could his subiectes agaynst him in styrring and nourishing rebellions in his realme where the office duety of all good ChristiaÌ men and namely of vs that be priestes should be to bring all commotion to tranquillity all trouble to quietnes all discord to concord and in doing contrary we do shew our selues to be but the ministers of Satan and not of Christ who ordeined all vs that bee priestes to vse in all places the legatioÌ of peace not of discord But since that can not be vndone that is done second it is to make amendes and to followe the doing of the prodigall sonne spoken of in the Gospell who returned home to his father was well accepted as no doubt you might be if you will say as he said in knowledging your folly Luke 15. and doe as he did in returning home agayne from your wandring abroad in seruice of him who little careth what come of you so that their purpose by you bee serued And if you be moued by your conscience that you can not take the king your mayster as supreme head of the Church of England because the Bishop of Rome hath heretofore many yeares vsurped that name vniuersally ouer all the Church Math. 18. vnder pretence of the Gospell of S Mathew The place of Mathew ãâã Petrus expounded saying Thou art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church Surely the text many of the most holy auncient expositors wholy doe take to be ment of the fayth then first confessed by the mouth of Peter vppon whiche fayth confessing Christ to be the sonne of God 1. Cor. 3. the church is builded Christe being the very lowest foundation stone whereupon both the Apostles themselues Luke 22. The place of Luke expounded and also the whole fayth of the Churche of Christ by them preached through the world is founded and builded and other foundation none can be but that onely as S. Paule sayth No other foundation can any man lay besides that which is layd which is Christ Iesus And where you thinke that the Gospell of Luke proueth the same authority of the Bishoppe of Rome saying Peter I haue prayed for thee that thy fayth shoulde not fayle and thou beynge once conuerted confirme thy brethren Surely that speaketh onely of the fall of Peter knowne to Christ by his godly prescience whereof he gaue an inkling that after the time of his fal he should not despayre but returne agayne and confirme his brethren as he euer being most feruent of them was wont to do The place doth playnely open it selfe that it can not be otherwise taken but thys to be the very meaning of it and not to be spoken but to Peter The place of Iohn 21. expouÌded For els his successours must first fayle in the fayth and then conuert and so confirme theyr brethren And where as you thinke that this place of the Gospell of Iohn Feede my sheepe was spokeÌ onely to Peter and that those woordes make him shepheard ouer all and aboue all 1. Pet. 5. S. Peter himselfe testifieth the contrary in his canonicall Epistle where he sayth to all priestes Feede the flocke
in eadem ecclesia duos simul Episcopos esse nec priorem ligitimum Episcopum sine sua culpa deponi Because it was not lawfull for two Bishoppes to be at once together in one Church neyther the former Byshop being lawfull to bee deposed without his fault were proued The church of Rome hath no more prerogatiue then any other Church And this is not a prerogatiue of the church of Rome more theÌ of any other cathedrall speciall patriarchall or metropoliticall church as appeareth in the third Epistle of the first booke and in the eight of the second and of the fourth booke of S. Syprian to Cornelius Whose wordes and reasons although peraduenture they might seeme to conclude the vnitie of the Church in the vnitie of the Bishop of Rome The vnity of the church standeth not in the vnyty of the bishop of Rome because they were al written to him in his own case may as wel be written vnto any other bishop lawfully chosen who percase should be likewise disturbed as the bishoppes of Rome then were by any factions of ambitious heretickes And where you thinke the name of supreme head vnder Christ giuen and attributed to the kinges maiestie maketh an innouation in the Church and perturbation of the order of the same it can not be any innouatioÌ or trouble to the church to vse the roume that God hath called him to which good Christian Princes dyd vse in the beginning when faith was most pure August Epist. 162. as S. Augustine ad Glorium Eleusium sayth Ait enim quidam non debuit Episcopus pro consulari iudicio purgari c. One there is which âaith that a Bishop ought not to haue ben put to his purgation before the iudgement seate of the Deputie as though he him selfe procured it and not rather the Emperour himselfe caused this inquirie to be made to whose iurisdiction for the which he must answere to God that cause did especially pertain Chrysostome writeth of that Imperiall authoritie thus Laesus est qui non habet parem vllum super terram summitas caput est omnium hominum super terram The imperiall authority is next vnder God He is offended that hath no peere at all vpon the earth for he is the highest potentate and the head of all men vpon earth And Tertullian ad Scapalum saith Colimus ergo Imperatorem sic quomodo nobis licet ipsi expedit vt hominem à Deo secundum c. We honour reuerence the Emperour in such wise as is lawfull to vs and expedient to him that is to say as a man next and the second to God from whom he hath receiued all the power he hath and also inferiour to God alone whose pleasure it is so to haue it For thus is he greater then all men whiles he is inferiour but to God alone Tertull. in Apologet And the sayde Tertullian in his booke apologeticall speaking of Emperours saith Sciunt quis illis dederit imperium c. They knowe who hath giuen to them their gouernement they know that God is he alone vnder whose onely power they be and take themselues as second to God after whom they be chefe before al other Theophil in Rom. Theophilacte also to the Rom. vpon this place Omnis anima potestatibus sublimioribê° subdita sit Saith the Apostle there teacheth euery maÌ Siue sacerdos ille sit siue Mona chus siue Apostolus vt se principibus subdat that whether he be a priest or a monke or an apostle he should subiect him selfe to princes That is although thou be an Apostle an Euangelist a Prophet or whatsoeuer thou art be subiect Non enim saith he subuertit pietatem haec subiectio For this subiection ouerthroweth no godlines And the Apostle sayth not onely Let him obey but let him be subiect 1. Paral. 28. And if the Apostles be subiect to princes much more all Byshoppes and Patriarkes yea the Bishoppes of Rome and all other 2. Paral. 16. 2. Paral 19. It is written also in the Chronicles Dauid said to Salomon behold the priest and Leuites diuided in companies to do all manner of seruice that pertaineth to the house of God Also Dauid did appoint chiefly to thanke the Lord Asaph and his brethren c And Iosaphat the king did constitute Leuites and priestes the ancient families of Israel for the iudgement and cause of the Lord towardes all the inhabitants of the earth Chron. 31. and he charged them saying thus shall ye do in the feare of the Lord faithfully in a perfect heart Furthermore Ezechias appointed the priestes and the Leuites in their order to wayte by course euery man according to his office And it followeth Ezechias gaue commandement to the people dwelling in Hierusalem that they shoulde giue their portions to the priestes and Leuites that they might attend on the lawe of the Lord. Where it followeth also that by the precept of Ezechias the king and of Azarias the bishoppe of the house of the Lord all things were done to whom pertained al the dispeÌsatioÌ the house of the Lord. And in the end it is said Ezechias did all these things in all Iurie he wrought that which was good right true before his Lord God in all the furniture of the ministery of the house of the lord according to the law ceremonies desirous to seek his Lord God with al his heart as he did and prospered therein Chron. 35. Iosias also did ordeine priestes in their offices and commaunded many thinges By al which it may appeare that ChristiaÌ kings be soueraignes ouer the Priestes as ouer all other their subiectes and may commaunde the priestes to do their offices as well as they do others and ought by their supreme office to see that all men of all degrees do their duties whereunto they be called either by God or by the king and those kinges that so do chiefly do execute well their office So that the kinges highnes taking vppon him as supreme head of the Church of England to see that as well spiritual men as temporall do their duties dooth neither make innouation in the Church nor yet trouble the order thereof but doeth as the cheefe and best of the kinges of Israell did and as all good Christian kinges ought to doe Which office good Christian Emperours alwayes tooke vpon them in calling the vniuersal Councels of all countries in one place and at one time to assemble together to the intent that all heresies troubling the Church might there be extirped calling and commaunding as well the Bishop of Rome as other Patriakes and all primates as wel of the East as of the West of the South as of the North Generall Councellâ called by the Emperourâ to come to the sayd Counselles As Martianus the Emperour did in calling the great Counsell of Calcedon one of the foure chiefe first generall Councels
cyuill and also the lawes of God be on our side For a free man borne doth not lose his liberty no nor hurt the plee of his libertie though he write himselfe a bond man Againe if they leane to custome we send them to sainct Ciprian which saith that custome Custome if trouth be not ioyned with it is nothing but erroris vetustas that is an old error Christ sayd Ego sum via veritas vita I am y e way trouth and life He neuer sayd Ego sum consuetudo I am the custome Wherfore seeing custome serueth you on y e one side and Scripture vs vppon the other are ye able to matche vs In how many places doth Christ monish you to seek no primacie to preferre your selues before no body no The Popes ãâã and his digniââ agree not to geather to be obedient vnto all creatures Your old title Seruus seruorum euill agreeth with your new forged dignitie But we will not tary in matters playne We onely desire God y t Cesar other Christian Princes would agree vpoÌ some holy Councell where trouth may be tried and ReligioÌ set vp which hath bene hurt by nothing so sore as by general not generall Councels Errours and abuses grow to fast Best that euery Prince reforme his owne realme and tary not for generall Councells Erudimini erudimini qui iudicatis terram Get you learning you y t iudge the earth excogitate some remedy for these so many diseases of y e sick Church They that be wisest do dispayre of a generall Councel Wherfore we think it now best that euery Prince call a Councell prouincial and euery Prince to redresse his owne Realme We make all men priuy what we thinke best to be done for the redresse of religion If they like it we doubt not but they wil follow it or some other better Our trust is that all Princes will so handle themselues in this behalfe that Princes may enioy their own and Priests of Rome content themselues with that they ought to haue Princes as we trust will no longer nourish Wolues whelpes they wil subscribe no more to popish pride to the Papacie c. Fauour our doinges O Christen Princes Your honor ancient Maiestie is restored RemeÌber there is nothing pertaining so muche to a Princes honour as to set forth truth and to helpe religion Take you heed that their deceite worke not more mischief then your vertue can doe good euerlasting warre we would all Princes had with this Papacie As for their Decrees so harken to them that if in this Mantua assemble thynges be well done ye take them but not as authorised by them but that trouth and thyngs that mainteyne ReligioÌ are to be taken at all meÌs haÌdes And eueÌ as we will admit thynges well made so if there be any thyng determined in preiudice of trouth for mainteinauÌce of their euill grounded primacy or that may hurt y e authoritie of kings we protest vnto y e whole world that we neither allow it nor will at any tyme allow it Ye haue Christen Readers our mynde coÌcernyng the generall Councell We thinke you all see that Paule his Cardinals Byshops Abbots Monkes Friers with the rest of the rablemeÌt do nothing lesse inteÌd then the knowledge or search of trouth Ye see this is no tyme meete MaÌtua no place meete for a generall CouÌcell And though they were both meete yet except some other cal this CouÌcell you see that we neither neede to come nor to seÌd You haue heard how euery Prince in his owne Realme may quiet thynges amisse If there be any of you that can shew vs a better way we promise w t all harty desire to do that that shal be thought best for the setlyng of Religion that we wil leaue our owne aduises if any maÌ shew vs better Which mynde of ours we most hartly pray GOD that gaue it vs not onely to encrease in vs but also to send it vnto all Christen Princes all Christen Prelates and all Christen people A little before the death of Queene Anne there was a ParliameÌt at Westminster wherin was geueÌ to the kyng by coÌsent of the Abbots all such houses of religioÌ as were vnder 300. markes Which was a shrewde prognosticate of the ruine of greater houses which in deede folowed shortly after as was might easely be perceaued before of many who theÌ sayd that the low bushes and brambles were cut downe before but great okes would folow after Although the proceedyng of these thyngs did not well like the myndes of the Popes frendes in EnglaÌd The Papistes purpose disapointed Queene Iane maryed to the king yet notwithstandyng they began agayne to take some breath of comfort when they sawe the foresayd Queene Anne dispatched Neuerthelesse they were frustrate of their purpose as is aforeshewed and that doblewise For first after they had their willes of Queene Anne the Lord raysed vp an other Queene not greatly for their purpose with her sonne kyng Edward L. Cromwell groweth in authoritye And also for that the Lord CroÌwell the same tyme began to growe in authoritie Who like a mighty piller set vp in the Churche of Christ was enough alone to confounde and ouerthrow all the malignant deuises of the aduersaries so long as God gaue him in lyfe here to continue whose story hereafter followeth more at large Shortly after this foresayd Mariage of the kyng with this Queene Iane Semer aboue mentioned in y e moneth of Iune duryng the continuation of the Parliament by the consent of the Clergy holdyng theÌ a solemne conuocation in the Church of S. Paule Alteration of religion a little beginneth a booke was set forth conteyning certaine Articles of religon necessary to be taught to the people wherein they intreated specially but of three Sacramentes Baptisme Penaunce the Lordes Supper Where also diuers other thyngs were published concernyng the alteration of certaine pointes of Religion as that certaine holy dayes were forbiddeÌ and many Abbayes began to bee suppressed For the whiche cause the rude multitude of Lincolneshyre fearing the vtter subuersion of their old Religion Commotion in Lincolnshire wherein they had bene so long nousled did rise vp in a great coÌmotion to the nuÌber welneare of 20. thousaÌd hauyng for their Captaine a Monke named D. Makerell calling himselfe then Captaine Cobbler but these rebels being repressed by the kyngs power and desiryng pardon A moÌke stirrer of the coÌmotioÌ soone brake vp their assembly For they hearing of the royal army of the king coÌming against them wyth his owne persone there present fearing what would follow of this first the noble men and Gentlemen which before fauoured them began to w tdraw themselues so that they were destitute of Captaines and at the laste they in writing made certaine petitions to the king protesting that they neuer intended hurt toward his royal person These petitions the king
receiued and made thys answere againe to them as followeth The kings answere to the rebels FIrst we begin and make answere to the fourth and sixt articles The kinges aunswere to the rebels because vpon them dependeth much of the rest Concerning choosing of Counsailours I neuer haue red heard nor knowen that Princes Counsailours and Prelates should be appoynted by rude and ignorant common people nor that they were persons meete or of habilitie to discerne and choose meete and sufficient Counsailours for a Prince How presumptuous then are ye the rude coÌmons of one shire and that one the most base of y e whole realme and of the least experience to finde fault with your Prince for the electing of his Counsailours and Prelates and to take vpon you contrary to Gods lawe and mans lawes to rule your Prince whom ye are bouÌd by al law to obey and serue with both your liues landes and goodes and for no worldly cause to withstand As to the suppression of religious houses Monasteries we wil that ye and al our subiects should wel know For suppression of religious houses that this is graunted vs by all the nobles spirituall temporall of thys realme and by al the commons in the same by Acte of Parlament and not set foorth by any Counsailour or Counsailours vpon their mere wil and fantasy as ye full falsely would perswade our realme to beleeue And where ye alleage that the seruice of God is muche diminished the trueth thereof is contrary for there bee no houses suppressed where God was well serued but where most vice mischiefe and abomination of liuing was vsed and that doth well appeare by their owne confessions subscribed wyth their owne handes in the time of their visitations and yet we suffred a great many of them more then we needed by the Acte to stand wherin In these visitations of religious houses horrible it is to read what wickednes and abomination was there founde and regystred by the vysitors if they amend not their liuing we feare we haue more to aunswere for then for the suppression of all the rest And as for the hospitalitie for the reliefe of the poore we wonder ye be not ashamed to affirme that they haue bene a great reliefe of poore people when a great many or the most parte hath not past foure or fiue religious persons in them diuers but one which spent the substaunce of the goodes of their houses in nourishing of vice and abhominable liuing Nowe what vnkindnes and vnnaturalitie may we impute to you and all our subiects that be of that minde which hadde leuer suche an vnthriftie sorte of vicious persons shoulde enioye suche possessions profites and emoluments as grow of the sayd houses to the maintenance of their vnthriftie life then we your naturall Prince soueraigne Lorde and King whych doth hath spent more in your defences of our owne then sixe times they be woorth As touching the acte of vses we maruaile what madnes is in your braine The acte of vses or vpon what ground ye wold take authority vpon you to cause vs to breake those lawes and statutes which by all the noble Knightes and Gentlemen of this Realme whom the same chiefly touched hath bene graunted and assented too seeing in no maner of things it toucheth you the base commons of our realme Also the groundes of all those vses were false and neuer admitted by law but vsurped vpon the prince contrary to all equitie and iustice as it hath bene openly both disputed declared by all the well learned meÌ in the Realm of Englande in Westminster Hall whereby yee may well perceiue howe madde and vnreasonable your demaundes be both in that and in the rest and howe vnmeete it is for vs dishonorable to graunt or assent vnto and lesse mete and decent for you in such a rebellious sort to demande the same of your Prince As touching the fifteene which yee demaunde of vs to be released thinke yee that we be so faint hearted The acte of fiftene that perforce ye of one shire were ye a great many mo could compell vs with your insurrections such rebellious demeanour to remitte the same or thinke yee that any man will or may take you to be true subiects that first make shewe a louing graunt and then perforce would compel your soueraigne Lord and King to release the same The time of paiment whereof is not yet come yea and seeing the same will not counteruaile the tenth peny of the charges whych we haue and daily do susteine for your tuition safegarde make you sure by your occasioÌs of these your ingratitudes vnnaturalnes and vnkindnes to vs now administred ye geue vs cause which hath alwayes bene asmuche dedicate to your wealth as euer was King not so muche to set our study for y e setting forward of the same seing how vnkindly and vntruly ye deale now wyth vs wythout any cause or occasion And doubt yee not though you haue no grace nor naturalnes in you to consider your duetie of allegiaÌce to your king soueraigne Lord the rest of our Realm we doubt not hath we and they shall so looke on thys cause y t we trust it shal be to your confusion if according to your former letters you submit not your selues As touching the first frutes we let you to witte it is a thing graunted vs by Acte of Parlament also The acte of first fruites for the supportation of part of the great and excessiue charges which we support beare for the maintenaunce of your wealthes and other our subiects and we haue knowen also that yee our commons haue much complained in times passed that the most part of our goodes landes and possessions of the Realme were in the spirituall mens handes and yet bearing vs in hande that yee be as louing subiectes to vs as may be yee can not finde in your hearts that your Prince and soueraigne Lord should haue any part therof and yet it is nothing preiudiciall vnto you our commons but doe rebel and vnlawfully rise against your Prince contrary to the dueây of allegiaunce Gods commaundement Syrs remember your follies and traiterous demeanours and shame not your natiue country of England nor offend no more so greuously your vndoubted king natural prince which alwayes hathe shewed him selfe most louinge vnto you and remember your duetie of allegiance and that yee are bound to obey vs your king both by Gods commandement and lawe of nature Wherfore we charge you eftsoones vppon the foresayde bondes and paines that yee wythdrawe your selues to your owne houses euery manne and no more to assemble contrary to our lawes and your allegiaunces and to cause the prouokers of you to thys mischiefe to âe deliuered to our Lieutenaunts handes or ours and you your selues to submitte you to suche condigne punishment as wee and our nobles shal thinke you worthy for doubt you not els
that we our nobles can nor wil suffer this iniury at your hands vnreueÌged if ye geue not place to vs of soueraignetie shew your selues as bounden and obedient subiects and no more to entermeddle your selues from hencefoorth wyth the waightie affaires of the Realme the direction whereof onely appertaineth to vs your king and such noble men and counsailours as we list to electe and choose to haue the ordering of the same And thus wee pray vnto almightie God to geue you graee to doe your dueties to vse your selues towardes vs like true and faithfull subiectes so as wee may haue cause to order you therafter and rather obediently to consent amongest you to deliuer into the hands of our Lieutenant a hundreth persons to be ordered according to their demerites at our will and pleasure then by your obstinacie and wilfulnes to put your selues your wines children lands goodes and cattels beside the indignation of God in the vtter aduenture of total destruction vtter ruine by force and violence of the sword After the Lyncolneshyre menne had receiued thys the Kynges aunswere aforesayd The commotion of Lyncolnshire asswaged made to theyr petitions eche mistrusting other who shoulde be noted to be the greatest meddler euen very sodeinly they began to shrinke and out of hand they were all deuided and euery man at home in his owne house in peace but the Captaines of these rebels escaped not all cleare but were after apprehended and had as they deserued Ex Edw. Hallo After thys immediately wythin sixe dayes vpon the same followed a newe insurrection in Yorkeshire for the same causes A Popishe insurrection in yorkshire through the instigation and lying tales of seditious persons especially Monkes and Priests making them beleeue that their siluer chalices crosses iewels and other ornaments shoulde be taken out of their Churches and that no man should be maried or eate any good meate in his house but should geue tribute therfore to the King but their speciall malice was against Cromwell and certaine other Counsailours The number of these rebelles were neare about 40. M. hauing for their badges the 5. woundes The badges of the rebels wyth the signe of the Sacrament and Iesus wrytten in the middest This their deuilish rebellion they termed by the name of a holy pilgrimage A holy Pilgrimage but they serued a wrong and a naughty Saint They had also in the field their streamers and banners whereuppon was painted Christ hanging vpon the Crosse on the one side and a chalice with a painted cake in it on the other side with other such ensignes of like hypocrisie and fayned sanctitie pretending thereby to fight for the faith and right of holy Church As soone as the king was certified of this newe seditious insurrection hee sent with all speede against them the Duke of Northfolke The kinges power agaynst the âebels in the North. Duke of Suffolke Marques of Excetor Earle of Shrewsbury other wyth a great armye forthwith to encounter with the rebels These noble Captaines and Counsailours thus well furnished with habilement of warre approching towarde the rebels and vnderstaÌding both their number and howe they were ful bent to battaile first with policy went about to assay and practise how to appease all without bloudsheding The blinde âââburnnes âf superstitiâus people âebelling âhere they ââue no ãâã but the Northern men stoutly and sturdely standing to their wicked cause and wretched enterprise wold in no case relent froÌ their attempts Which when the nobles perceiued saw no other way to pacifie their furious mindes vtterly sette on mischiefe determined vppon a battel The place was appoynted the day assigned and the houre set but see y t wanderous worke of Gods gracious prouideÌce The night before the day of battaile came as testifieth Edward Hall fell a small raine nothing to speake of A great ãâã of God in dââfeÌding the ãâã of his Gospelâ but yet as it were by a great miracle of God the water which was but a very small forde and that men in maner y e day before might haue gone brishod ouer sodenly rose of suche a height deepenes and breadth that the like no man that there did inhabite could tell that euer they sawe afore so y t the day euen when the houre of battayle shoulde come it was impossible for the one army to come at the other After this y e appoyntment made betweene both y e armies being thus disappoynted as it is to be thought onely by God who extended his great mercye and had compassion on the great number of innocent persons that in that deadly slaughter had like to haue bene murthered could take no place then by the great wisedome and pollicie of y e said Captaines a communication was had a pardon of the kings Maiestie obteined for al the captayns and chiefe doers of this insurrection and they promised y t such thinges as they found themselues agreeued with all they shoulde gently be heard and theyr reasonable peticions graunted that their articles shoulde be presented to the king that by his highnesse authoritie and wisedome of his Counsayle all thinges shoulde be brought to good order and conclusion and with this order euery man quietly departed and those which before were bent as hote as fire to fight being letted therof by God went now peaceably to their houses and were as cold as water A Domino factum est istud In the time of this ruffle in Yorkeshyre and the king lying the same time at Windsore there was a Butcher dwelling within 5. miles of the saide towne of Windsore Popishe priesteâ rebelling against the king whiche caused a Priest to preach that all they that tooke part with the Yorkshire men whom he called Gods people did fight in Gods quarrell for the whiche both he and the priest were apprehended and executed Diuers other priestes also with other about the same tyme committing in like sorte treason agaynst the king suffered the like execution Such a busines had the Kyng then to ridde the realme from the seruitude of the Romish yokes Tantae molis erat Romanam euertere sedem But Gods haÌd did still worke with all in vpholding hys Gospell and troden truth against all seditious sturres coÌmotions rebellions and what soeuer was to the contrary as both by these storyes aforepassed and by suche also as hereafter follow may notoriously appeare The yere next after this which was of the Lord. 1537. after that great execution had bene done vpon certayne rebellious Priestes and a fewe other lay men Anno. 1537. with certayne noble persons also and gentlemen amongest whome was the Lord Darcy the Lorde Hussy Syr Robert Constable Syr Thomas Percy Syr Frances Bygot Syr Stephen Hamelton Syr Iohn Bulmer and his wife William Lomeley Nicholas Tempest with the Abbottes of Gerney and of Riuers c. in the month of October the same yeare folowing was borne Prince Edward Shortly
vpon the bourd and the Bishop in washing standing so betweene me and the dore that I could not get out The strauÌgenes betweene Winchester and Boner Winchesters bookeÌ of instructions to Boner Thyrlebye and Winchester great togeather and there would he needes that I should wash with hym and sup and I suppose all the way from Barella to Bloys he talked not aboue foure times with me and at euery time sauing at Molyns where he by mouth told me somewhat of the Kings affaires heere in Fraunce and at Veronne when he aunswering to my requests in writing deliuered me his booke of his owne hand for mine instructions the copie whereof is now sent heere withall there was quicke communication betweene vs. His talking by the way was with M. Thirleby who I thinke knoweth a great deale of his doing and will if he be the man I take him for tell it plainely to your Lordship I my selfe was out of * * Why Boner was out of credite with Wynchester Winchesters fleshe trembled at the first comming of Doct· Thirleby to succeede him credence with the Byshop not being appliable to his manners and desires And surely as M. Thirleby told me at his first comming to Lyons and then speaking with the Bishop the Bishop seemed to be so well content to returne and so glad of his comming to succeede him that his fleshe in his face began all to tremble and yet would the Bishop make men beleeue that he would gladly come home Which thing beleeue it who will I will neuer beleeue for euer he was looking of letters out of England from M. Wallop and M. Brian whome he taketh for his great frends and M. Wyat himselfe reckoned that the Bishop should haue come into Spaine or else my Lord of Durham Winchester loth to returne into England so that the Bishop of Winchester euer coueted to protract the time desiring yet withall to haue some shadow to excuse and hide himselfe as tarieng at Barella he made excuse by my not comming to Lyons and comming to Varennes and there hearing by the Embassadors of the Venetians a flieng tale of the going of the Frenche King towardes Bayon to meete the Emperour Boner called M. diligence by and by he said lo where is mayster diligence now If he were now heere as then I was that night wee would to the Court and present him and take our leaue But wheÌ I in the morning was vp afore him and ready to horse hee was nothing hasty No comming to Molyns afore him and there tarrieng for him the Frenche King lieng at Schauenna three small leagues off hee made not halfe the speede and haste that hee pretended I mislike in the Byshop of Winchester that he cannot be content that any ioined in commission with him The second complainte should keepe house but to be at his table Wherein eyther he searcheth thereby a vaine glory and pride to himselfe with some dishonour to the King Winchester would be alone as who saith there were among all the Kings Embassadors but one able to mainteine a table and that were he either else he doth the same for an euill entent and purpose to bring them therby into his daunger that they shall say and do as liketh him alone which I suppose verily hath bene his entent I mislike in the sayd Bishop that where he for his owne pompe and glory hath a great number of seruaunts in their veluets and silkes The thyrd complaynte The Pompe and glory of Winchester with their chaines about their neckes and keepeth a costly table with excessiue fare and exceeding expenses many other waies he doth say and is not ashamed to report that he is so commaunded to do by the Kings grace and that is his aunswere commonly when his frends telleth him of his great charges and so vnder colour of the Kings commaundement and honour he hydeth his pride which is heere disdained The fourth complaynte Wynchester geuen more to hys owne affections theÌ to the kings affayres I mislike in the said Bishop that he hauing priuate hatred against a man will rather satisfie his owne stomacke and affection hindering and neglecting the Kings affaires then relenting in any part of his sturdy and stubburne will geue familiar and harty counsaile whereby the Kings highnes matters and busines may be aduaunced and set foorth to him that he taketh for his aduersary I mislike in the said Bishop that he euer continually heere in this Court of Fraunce made incomparably more of the Emperours The 5. coÌplaint Wynchester suspected to be imperiall King of Portugals Venetians and Duke of Ferraries Ambassadours then of any Frenchmen in the Court which with hys pride caused them to disdaine him and to thinke that he fauoured not the French King but was imperiall I mislike in the Bishop that there is so great familiaritie and acquaintance The 6. coÌplaint Boner like a true Gospeller complayneth of Papistes yea and suche mutuall confidence betweene the said Bishop and M. as naughty a fellow and as very a Papist as any that I know where he dare expresse it The Bishop in his letters to M. Wyat euer sendeth speciall commendations to Mason and yet refuseth to send any to M. Heynes and me being with M. Wyat as we perceiued by the sayde letters And Mason maketh such foundation of the Bishop that he thinketh there is none suche And hee telled me at Villa Franca that the Byshop vpon a time when he had fallen out wyth Germaine so trusted him that weeping and sobbing he came vnto him desiring and praieng hym that hee woulde speake wyth Germaine and reconcile him Winchester suspected of vntrue dealing so that no wordes were spoken of it and what the matter was hee would not tell me That yong fellowe Germaine knoweth all and Preston which is seruaunt to the Byshop of Winchester shewed me one night in my chamber at Bloys after supper that Germaine is euer busie in shewing the Kings letters to straungers and that he himselfe hath geuen him warning thereof This thing Preston told me the night before that the Byshop departed hence and when I woulde haue more of him therein hee considering how the Bywop and I stoode kept him more close and woulde say no further In this declaration of D. Edmund Boner sente to the Lord Cromwell aboue prefixed Thinges in the foresayd declaration to be noted The rancour and pride of Steuen Gardiner diuers things we haue to note First as touching Steuen Gardiner Bish. of Wint. heere we haue a plaine demonstration of his vile nature and pestilent pride ioyned with malice and disdaine intollerable whereof worthely complaineth D. Boner aforesayd shewing sixe speciall causes why and wherefore he misliketh that person according as he was willed before by the Kings commaundement so to do Secondly in the said Steuen Wint. this we haue also to note and vnderstand that as he heere declareth a secret inclination from
out of Wales was brought to the gallowes and there also with the foresayd Frier as is sayde was set on fire Whome the Wealshmen muche worshipped and had a Prophecye amongest them that this Image shoulde set a whole forrest on fyre Which prophecy tooke effect for he set this Fryer Forest on fire and consumed hym to nothing The Fryer when he saw the fire come and that present death was at hand he caught hold vpon the lader and would not let it go but so vnpaciently took his death as neuer any man that put his trust in God at any time so vngodly or vnquietly ended his life In the month of October Nouember the same yere shortly after the ouerthrow of these images and pilgrimages folowed also the ruine of the Abbeis religious houses which by the speciall motion of the Lord Cromwel or rather and principally by the singuler blessing of almighty God were suppressed being geuen a litle before by acte of Parliament into the kinges hand wherupoÌ not onely the houses were rased but theyr possessions also disparcled among the nobility in such sort The ruyne dissolutioÌ of Abbeyes âonasteryes in England as all friers monkes Chanons Nunnes and other sectes of religion were then so rooted out of this Realme from the very foundation that there semeth by Gods grace no possibility hereafter left for the generation of those straunge weedes to grow here any more according to the true verdict of our Lord and Sauior Christ in his Gospell saying Euery plantation being not planted of my father Math. 15. shal be plucked vp by the rootes c. ¶ The history of the worthy Martir of God Iohn Lambert otherwise named Nicolson with his troubles examinations and aunsweres as well before the Archbishop of Caunterbury Warham and other Bishops as also before K. Henry 8. by whom at length he was condemned to death burned in Smithfielde Ann. 1538. IMmediatly vpon the ruine and destruction of the monasteries Anno 1538. the same yeare in the month of Nouember followed the trouble and condemnation of Iohn Lambert y e faythfull seruaunt of Iesus Christ and Martyr of blessed memory This Lambert being borne and brought vp in Northfolke was first conuerted by Bilney and studied in the Uniuersity of Cambridge Where after that he had sufficiently profited both in Latin and Greeke and had translated out of both tongues sondry things into the English tongue being forced at last by violence of the time he departed from thence to the partes beyond the seas to Tyndall and Frith Lambert ââeacher to the Englysh ãâã at Antwerpe and there remained the space of a yeare and more being preacher and Chapleine to the Englishe house at Antwerpe till he was disturbed by sir Thomas More and by the accusation of one Barlow was caried froÌ Antwerpe to London Lambert brought froÌ Antwerpe to London where he was brought to examination first at Lambeth then at the Bishops house at Oxford before Warham y e Archb. of Cant. and other aduersaries hading 45. articles ministred agaynst him wherunto he rendred answere agayne by writing The which answeres for as much as they conteine great learning may geue some light to the better vnderstanding of the common causes of religion now in controuersy I thought here to exemplify the same Lambert accused by one Baââow as they came right happely to our handes The copy both of the articles and also of his aunsweres here in order foloweth ¶ Articles to the number of 45. layd to Lambert IN primis whether thou wast suspecte or infamed of heresy Articles agaynst Iohn Lambert 2. Whether euer thou hadst any of Luthers bookes and namely sith they were condemned how long thou kepst them and whether thou hast spent any study on them 3. Whether thou wast constitute priest and in what Dioces and of what bishop 4. Whether it be lawfull for a Priest to mary a wife and whether a priest in some case be bouÌd by the law of God to mary a wife 5. Whether thou beleuest that whatsoeuer is done of man whether it be good or ill commeth of necessity 6. Whether the sacrament of the aulter be a sacrament necessary vnto saluation and whether after the consecration of the bread and wine done by the priest as by the minister of God there is the very body and bloud of Christ in likenes of bread and wine 7. Item what opinion thou holdest touching the Sacrament of Baptisme whether thou doest beleue that it is a sacrament of the Church and a necessary sacrament vnto saluation and that a Priest may baptise and that the order of baptising ordeined by the church is necessary and wholsome 8. Item whether you beleue that matrimony be a sacrament of the church necessary to be obserued in the church that the order appointed by the Church for the solemnising therof is allowable and to be holden 9. Item whether thou doest beleue orders to be a sacrameÌt of the church Sacrament of orders and that saying of masse ordeined by the Church is to be obserued of Priestes whether it be deadly sinne or not if it be omitted or contemned and whether the order of Priesthoode were inuented by mans imagination or ordeined by God 10. Item whether penaunce be a sacrament of the Church and necessary vnto saluation Sacrament of penance and whether auricular confession is to be made vnto the priest or is necessary vnto saluation and whether thou beleuest that a ChristiaÌ is bouÌd besides contrition of hart hauing the free vse of an apte or meet priest vnder necessity of saluation to be confessed vnto a Priest and not vnto any lay man be he neuer so good and deuout whether thou beleuest that a Priest in cases permitted vnto him may absolue a sinner beyng contrite and confessed from his sinnes and enioine him wholsome penaunce 11. Item whether thou doest beleue and holde Sacrament of confession that the sacrament of confirmation extreme vnction be sacrameÌts of the church and whether that they doe profite the soules of them which receiue them and whether thou beleuest the foresayde seuen sacramentes to geue grace vnto them that do duly receiue them 12. Whether all thinges necessary vnto saluation are put in holy Scripture Vnwritten verities and whether things onely there put be sufficient and whether some thinges vpon necessity of saluation are to be beleued and obserued which are not expressed in Scripture 13. Whether thou beleuest that Purgatory is and whether that soules departed be therin tormented and purged Purgatory 14 Whether holy martyrs apostles and confessors departed from this world ought to be honored and called vpon Praying to Saintes and prayed vnto 15. Whether the Sayntes in heauen as Mediatours pray for vs 16. Whether thou beleuest that oblations pilgrimages may be deuoutly and meritoriously done to the sepulchres and reliques of sayntes Pilgrimage 17. Whether
accused indited or presented should be admitted to chaleÌge any that shoulde be enpanelled for the triall of any matter or cause other theÌ for malice or enuy which chaleÌge should forthwith be tryed in like maner as in cases of felony c. Prouided moreouer that euery person that shoulde be named Commissioner in this inquisition should first take a corporall oth the tenor of which oth here ensueth * The oth of the Commissioners The othe geuen to the Commissioners to enquire vppon true Christians YE shall swere that ye to your cunning witte and power shall truely and indifferently execute the authority to you geuen by the kinges Commission made for correction of heretickes other offenders mentioned in the same Commission without any fauor affection corruption dread or malice to be borne to any person or persons as God you helpe and all Sayntes And thus much briefly collected out of the act and Originals Stat. an 31. Reg Henr. 8. which more largely are to be sene in y e statute an 31 Reg. Henr. 8. concerning the sixe Articles which otherwyse for the bloudy cruelty thereof are called the whip with sixe stringes set forth after the death of Queene Anne and of good Iohn Lambert deuised by the cruelty of y e Bishops but specially of the Bishop of Wint. and at length also subscribed by K. Henry But herein as in many other parts moe the crafty pollicy of that Bishop appeared who like a lurking Serpent most slyly watching his time if he had not taken the king comming out vpon a soddayne there where it was I spare here to report as I heard it it was thought and affirmed by certaine which then were perteining to the king that Winchester had not obteined y e matter so easely to be subscribed as he did These sixe Articles aboue specified although they conteined manifest errours Truth in danger left desolate heresies and absurdities agaynst all Scripture and learning as all men hauing any iudgemeÌt in Gods word may plainly vnderstand yet such was the miserable aduersity of that time the power of darcknes that the simple cause of truth and of religion was vtterly left desolate and forsakeÌ of all frends For euery man seing the kinges minde so fully addict vpon polliticke respectes to haue these articles to passe forward few or none in all that Parliament would appeare Cranmer stood openly in the Parliament against the 6. articles which either could perceiue that was to be defended or durst defend that they vnderstood to be true saue onely Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who then being maryed as is supposed like a constant Patron of Gods cause tooke vpon him the earnest defence of the trueth oppressed in the ParliameÌt three dayes together disputing against those sixe wicked articles bringing forth suche allegations and authorities as might easely haue helped the cause nisi pars maior vicâsset vt saepe solet meliorem Who in the sayd disputation Cranmer willed to departe ãâã of the Parliament house for his consââence Cranmer refused to goe out of the Parliament for matter against his conscience behaued himselfe with such humble modesty and with such obedience in words toward his Prince protesting the cause not to be his but the cause of almighty God that neither his enterprise was misliked of the king agayne his reasons and allegatioÌs were so strong that well they could not be refuted Wherfore the king who euer bare speciall fauour vnto him well liking his zealous defeÌce onely willed him to depart out of the Parliament house into the Councell Chamber for a time for sauegarde of his conscience til the Acte should passe and be graunted which he notwithstanding with humble protestation refused to do After the Parliament was finished that matter concluded the king considering the constant zeale of the Archbishoppe in defence of his cause and partly also weighing y e many authorities reasons wherby he had substantially confirmed the same sent the Lord Cromwell which w tin few dayes after was apprehended the ij dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke and all the Lordes of the Parliament to dine with hym at Lambeth where they signified vnto him that it was the kinges pleasure that they all shoulde in his hignes behalfe cherish comfort animate hym Cranmer comforted againe by the king as one that for his trauell in that parliameÌt had declared him selfe both greatly learned and also a man descreet wyse and therfore they willed him not to be discouraged in any thing that was passed in that Parliament contrary to hys allegations He most humbly thanked first y e kinges highnes of his singuler good affection towardes him and them all for theyr paynes adding moreouer that he so hoped in God that hereafter his allegations and authorities should take place to the glory of god commodity of the realme Which allegations and authorities of his I wish were amongest vs extant to be seene and read no doubt but they would stand in time to come in great good stead for y e ouer throw of the wicked and pernicious Articles aforesayd Allegations agaynst the vi Articles IN the meane while for so much as the sayd hereticall articles are not so lightly to be passed ouer Allegationâ agaynst the 6. articles wherby y e rude ignorant multitude hereafter may be deceiued in the false erroneous doctrine of them any more as they haue bene in times past for lack of right instructioÌ and experience of the auÌcient state course of times in our fore elders dayes I thought therefore the Lord therunto assisting so much as antiquity of stories may helpe to the restoring agayn of truth and doctrine decayed to annexe hereunto some allegations out of auncient recordes which may geue some light to the conuincing of these newfangled Articles and heresies aboue touched And first as touching the Article of transubstantiation wherin this Parliament doth enact that the Sacrament of the Altar is the very naturall body of Christ the selfe same which was borne of the virgin Mary and that in such sort as there remayneth no substance of bread wine after the Priestes consecration but only the body bloud of Christ vnder the outward formes of bread and wine First here is to be noted that this monstrous article of theyrs in that forme of words as in standeth was neuer obtruded receiued or holden either in the Greek Church or in the Latine Church vniuersally for a Catholicke that is for a generall opinion or article of doctrine before y e time of the Laterane Counsell at Rome vnder Pope Innocent the 3. an 1216. And for so much as it hath bene a common persuasioÌ amongest the most sort of people The article of transubstantiatioâ that this article in y e forme of words as here standeth is hath bene euer since Christ his time a true Catholick generall doctrine commonly receiued and taught in the Church being
to rule all vnder the King or rather with the King so that the freshest wittes and of best towardnes most commonly sought vnto him Among whome was also Thomas Cromwell to his seruice aduaunced where he continued a certayne space of yeares Cromwell solliciter to the Cardinall Cromwell More and Gardiner companions in the Cardinalls house growing vp in office and authoritie till at length he was preferred to be sollicitour to the Cardinall There was also about the same tyme or not much different in the houshold of the sayd Cardinall Tho. More afterward knight and Chauncelour of England SteueÌ Gardiner Byshop after of Wint. and of the Kings CouÌsaile All these three were brought vp in one houshold and all of one standing almost together Whose ages as they were not greatly discrepant nor their wittes much vnequall so neither was their fortune and aduauncementes greatly diuers A comparison betwene Cromwell More and Gardiner albeit their dispositions and studies were most contrary And though peraduenture in More and in Gardiner there was more arte of letters and skill of learning yet notw tstanding there was in this maÌ a more heauenly light of minde more prompt perfect iudgement eloquence equall and as may be supposed in thys man more pregnant and finally in him was wrought a more heroicall and princely dispositioÌ borne to greater affayres in the common wealth and to the singular helpe of many It happened that in this meane season â Cromwell was placed in this office to be sollicitour to the Cardinall the said Cardinal had then in hand the building of certeine Colledges Small Monasteryes suppressed by the Cardinall namely his Colledge in Oxforde called then Frideswide now Christes Churche By reason whereof certayne small monasteries and priories in diuers places of the realme were by the saide Cardinall suppressed and the lands seased to the Cardinals haÌds The doing wherof was committed to the charge of Thomas Cromwell In the expedition whereof he shewed himselfe very forward Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to supâresse religious houses and industrious in such sort as in y e handling thereof he procured to himselfe much grudge with diuers of the superstitious sorte and with some also of noble calling about the King And thus was Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to suppresse religious houses Which was about the yeare of our Lord 1525. As this passed on it was not long but the Cardinall whiche had gotten vp so high began to come downe as fast first from the Chauncellorship in whiche roome was placed Sir Tho. More as is aforesayd then he fell into a Premunire So that his houshold being dissolued Tho. Cromwell amongst other laboured also to be reteyned into the Kings seruice Syr Christopher Hales helper of Cromwell to the king Cromwell commended to the king by Sir Christopher Hales M. of the Rolles Cromwell complayned of to the king There was at the same tyme one Syr Christopher Hales Knight Maister of the Rolles who notwithstanding was then a mightie Papist yet bare he suche fauour and good liking to Cromwell that he commended him to the King as a man most fitte for his purpose hauing then to do against the Pope But heere before is to be vnderstand that Cromwel had greatly bene complained of and diffamed by certeine of authority about the King for hys rude maner and homely dealing in defacing the Monkes houses in handling of their aultars c. Wherfore y e king hearing of the name of Cromwell began to detest y t mention of him neither lacked there some standers by who w t reuiling words ceased not to encrease and inflame y e kings hatred against him What their names were it shall not neede heere to recite Among other there present at the same hearing was the Lorde Russell Earle of Bedforde whose life Cromwell before had preserued at Bononye through politicke conueyance at what time the said Earle comming secretly in the kings affaires The Lord ãâã Earle of Bedforde through the âolicy of Cromwell escaped at Bononie The Lorde Russel commendeth Cromwell to the king was there espyed and therefore being in great daunger to be taken through the meanes and pollicie of Cromwell escaped This Lord Russell therefore not forgetting the olde benefites past with like grauitie willing againe to requite that he had receaued in a vehement boldnes stoode forth to take vpon him the defence of Thomas Cromwel vttering before the king many commendable words in the behalfe of him and declaring withall how by his singulare deuice and policie he had done for him at Bononie beyng there in the Kings affaires in extreame perill And for as much as now his Maiestie had to do with the Pope his great enemy there was he thought in all England none so apt for the kynges purpose which could say or do more in that matter then could Thomas Cromwell and partly gaue the kyng to vnderstand wherein The kyng hearyng this specially markyng the latter end of his talke was conteÌted and willyng to talke with him to heare and know what he could say This was not so priuily done but Cromwell had knowledge incontinent that the kyng would talke with him whereupon therfore prouidyng before hand for matter had in a readynesse the copie of the Byshops othe which they vse coÌmonly to make to the Pope at their consecration and so beyng called for was brought to the king in his garden at Westminster which was about the yeare of our Lord. 1530. Cromwell after most loyall obeysauÌce doyng his duetie to the kyng accordyng as he was demaunded Cromwell brought to talke with the king made his declaration in all pointes this especially making manifest vnto his highnes how his Princely authoritie was abused within his own Realme by the Pope his Clergy who beyng sworne vnto him were afterward dispensed from the same sworne a new vnto the Pope so that he was but as halfe kyng and they but halfe his subiectes in his owne land which sayd he was derogatorie to his crowne Cromwels wordes to the king concerning the premunire of the Clergy and vtterly preiudiciall to the common lawes of his Realme Declaryng therupoÌ how his Maiestie might accumulate to himselfe great riches so much as all y e Clergy in his Realme was worth if it so pleased him to take the occasion now offered The kyng geuyng good eare to this and likyng right well his aduice required if he could auouch that which he spake All this he could he sayd auouch to be certaine so well as that he had the copie of their owne othe to the Pope there present to shewe and that no lesse also he could manifestly proue if his highnesse would geue him leaue therewith shewed the Byshops othe vnto the kyng The kyng folowyng the veyne of his counsayle tooke his ryng of his finger first admittyng him into his seruice Cromwell sent by
Aidanus Ceadda king Ulferus Oswius Elfreda King Oswys daughter Kineburga Hilda Botulphus Edeldreda King Oswald Edgar Erkenewaldus Bishop Ethelwoldus Bishop of Winchester Osketellus Archbishop of Yorke Oswaldus Bishop of Worcester Leswinus Byshop of Dorcester Dunstane and diuers other The end and final cause why they were builded appeareth in stories to be The ende and cause of building religious houses pro remissione redemptione peccatorum pro remedio liberatione animae pro amore coelestis patriae in eleemosinam animae in remissionem criminum pro salute Regnorum pro salute requie animarum patrum matrum fratrum sororum nostrarum parentum omnium benefactorum in honorem gloriosae Virginis c. As may appeare in auncient histories in olde Charters and donations vnto religious houses and in the Chronicle of Ingulphus as also all other stories be full of the same So King Ethelstane for killing his brother Edwyne builded two Monasteries The damnable doctrine and institutions of religious sectes and orders Midleton and Michelneye for his soule page 152. Which doctrine and institution for so much as it tendeth and soundeth directly against the foundation of Christian religion against the TestameÌt of God the Gospel of Iesus Christ the freedome of our redemption and free iustification by fayth it is therfore to be condeÌned as execrable and horrible as euil or worse then the life of the persons and not only worthy to be suppressed to the foundation but to be maruelled rather that God woulde suffer it to stand so long Gods conâânual plaâââgaynst Moââsteryeâ Albeit Gods mighty vengeance and scourge hath not ceased from time to time to worke againste suche impious foundations from the time of theyr first setting vp For besides the inuasions of the Danes whiche may seeme to be stirred vp of God especially for the subuersion of Abbeyes let old hystories be searched what Monasterie almost in all this Realme was eyther leaft by the Danes or reedified agayne after the Danes but by some notorious casualty of fire sent by Gods hand it hath bene burnt vp First the Monasterie of Caunterbury called the house of S. Gregory was burnt an 1145. and afterward againe burnt an 1174. Ex hist. Geruasij The Abbey of Croyland also was twise burnt Ex hist. Ingulphi The Abbey of Peterborow twise set on fire an 1070. Ex Chron. Peterb The Abbey of S. Maries in Yorke burnt with the hospitall also The Abbey of Norwich burnt The Abbey of S. Edmunds Bury burnt and destroyed Ex Chron. S. Edmund The Abbey of Worcester burnt The Abbey of Glocester was also burnt The Abbey of Chichester burnt The Abbey of Glastenbury burnt The Abbey of S. Mary in Southwarke burnt The Church of the Abbey at Beuerley burnt The steeple of the Abbey of Euesham burnt These with many other monasteries mo Abbeyes burnt and ãâã within fire God brought downe to the ground so that few or none of all the Monasticall foundations in all England either before the Conquest escaped the hands of the Danes and Scottes or else after the Conquest escaped destruction of fire and that not without iusâââuse deserued The doctrin of the monkes worse then their liues for as the trade of their lyues was too too wretched and bestiall so the profession of theyr doctrine was intollerable fraught with all superstition full of much Idolatrie and vtterly contrary to the grace of the Gospell and doctrine of Christ. Furthermore the more these Abbeyes multiplyed and the longer they continued in time the more corruption still they drew vnto them And albeit we reade the name of Monkes to haue continued from the old auncient time yet notwithstanding the Monkes of those dayes were not like to the Monkes of our time nor their houses then like to our Abbeyes nowe So we reade of the Monkes of Bangor before the comming of Augustine but those Monkes got their liuing with toyle and labour of theyr hands and had no other lands nor lordships to liue vpoÌ 16. q. 1. Moââchus 16 q. 2. ãâã causâ ãâã Againe neither were they as Ministers then but as Laye men according as Hierome describeth the Monkes of his time sayeng Monachus non docentis sed plangentis habet officium And againe he sayeth Alia causa est Monachi alia Clerici Clerici oues pascunt Ego pascor That is A Monkes office is not to preache but to mourne The state of a Monke is one thing and the state of a Priest is another Priestes feede the flocke of Christ. I am fedde c. Also in the storie of Ingulphus Abbot of Croylande Ex ãâ¦ã thus I finde an 1075. In Croylandiam primum installatus inueni tunc in isto Monasterio Croylandési Monachos numero 62. Quorum quatuor laici fratres erant praeter aliorum Monasteriorum Monachos nostri capituli conprofessos c. That is Lay ãâ¦ã Being installed in the Abbey of Croyland I found there to the number of lxij Monkes Of which Monkes foure of them were laye breethren besides the Monkes of other Monasteries which were also professed to our Chapter c. The like matter also appeareth in the fourth Canon of the Councell of Chalcedon where it is prouided Ne Monachi se Ecclesiasticis negotijs immisceant c. Et Leo Epist. 62. Vetat Monachos laicos etsi scientiae nomine glorientur admitti ad officium docendi concionandi Whereof reade more page 154. Thus it appeareth about or before the time of Hierome that Monkes in the firste persecutions of the Primitiue Church were lay men and companies of Christians associating themselues together eyther for feare of persecution or for eschewing the company of heathen Gentiles Afterward in continuance of time when the Gentiles began to be called to Christianitie the monkes yet keeping theyr name growing in superstition woulde not ioyne with other Christians but keepe still their brotherhoodes diuiding themselues from other Christians and professing a kinde of life straunge and diuers from the common trade UpoÌ this diuersitie of life and profession folowed also like diuersitie of garments and attire differing from their other breethren After this moreouer came in the rule of S. Benedict enioyning to them a prescribed forme of goyng of wearing of watching sleeping rising praying of sileÌce sole life and diet and all thinges almost differing from the vulgar sort of common Christians Whereby men seeing theyr austerity beganne to haue them in great admiration Monkes diuers from other in apparell And thus growing vp in opinion of hoâânes of lay men and laborers they came at length to be Clergy men and greatest doers of all other in Christes religion In so muche that at last there was none reputed almost for a religious man or perfect christian vnles he were a monk neither almost was any aduauÌced to any dignity of the Church but either he was a monke or afterward he put on a
monkes weede According as in the stories of this Realme is to be seene howe in the tyme of Dunstane Archbishop of Canterbury Monke of lay in ãâã made Clergy men Pope Iohn 13. wrote to K. Edgar that one should be made Bishops but Monkes of Ethelwold Byshop of Worcester and of Oswald Bishop of Winchester Pope Iohn 13. writing to king Edgar willed him in hys letters to see in his Cathedrall Churches none to be promoted to be Bishops but such as were of the Monasticall religion and willed him moreouer to exclude the secular prebendaries at Winchester and to place in Monkes and that none of the secular Clerkes there should be chosen bishop but either taken out of the same Couent of that churche or of some other Abbey So was also king Henry the second commauÌded to do in the house of Waltham Secular Priestes put out and Monkes intruded into Churches where the secular Canons were remoued out and regular Canons intruded The same did Oswald Bishop with the Church of Worcester likewise in their Sees did Dunstane Archbishop of Canterbury Osketellus Archbishop of York Ethelwold Bishop of Worcester who in storye is reported to be Multorum fundator Monasteriorum Leswinus also Bishop of Dorcester with other Bishops moe about the time and raign of king Edgar âdo Archbishop of Caunterbury before Dunstane an 934. after his election refused to take that dignity vpon him before he had receiued the habite of a monk in the Abbey of Florence in Fraunce because as the story telleth if it be true Nullus ad id tempus nisi monachali schemate indutus Ex Guliel Malmesh in vita Odonis Ex Neaburgens lib 4. cap 33. Archiepiscopus fuisset c. That is Because all the Archbishops of Caunterbury before him had bene Monkes c. In like maner Baldwinus also an 1114. after he was elected Archb. of Canterbury tooke vpon him the habite and profession of Mereton Abbey And so did Reginaldus his next successor after him c. Monkes first lay men theÌ made regulars and votaryes at length made Churchmen Pope Boniface As concerning therfore the origene of Monks ye haue heard how first they began of lay meÌ onely leading a straiter life from the society of other persons who then folowing the rule of S Benet were called regulars votaries and yet all this while had nothing to do with any Ecclesiasticall ministery til the time of Pope Bonifacius y e fourth an 606. who then made a decree that monkes might vse the office of preaching of the christening of hearing confessions and assoyling theÌ of their sinnes differing from priestes onely in this Difference betweene Mânkes Priestes that they were called Regulares and priestes were called Seculares the monkes were votaries the priestes had free liberty to haue wiues til the time of Lanfranke and Anselme as is aforesayd Albeit Athanasius in his Epistle Ad Dracontium witnesseth also that he knewe Monkes in the olde time and Bishops which were marryed and had children Furthermore as ignorance superstition with time encreased so the number and swarme of monkes still more and more multiplied in such sort as not onely they thrust out secular Priestes froÌ their houses but also out of them were made Popes Cardinalles Archbishops and Bishops to gouerne Churches Of which nuÌber began Austen the first Archbishop of the See of Cant. and the most part of all other Archbishops after him vntill the time of the Conquest and after All this while the Friers were not yet come neyther the discipline of S. Dominike The comming in of the âryers nor the Testament of S. Fraunces nor the order of the Austen brothers nor of the Carmelites was yet heard of Which last of all came in w t theyr pageans and played theyr part likewise an 1220. being much more full of hipocrisy blindnesse Idolatry and superstition then were the monkes So that what with monkes of y e one side w t the friers of the other side while all thinges were ruled by the Rules of S. Benet by y e Canons of the Pope by the doctrine of S. Dominike and by the Testament of S. Fraunces Christes Testament was trode vnder foote the rule of Gods word neglected true Christian religion defaced fayth forgotten the right way of saluation abolished sound doctrine oppressed Christes seruants persecuted and the peoples soules vncomforted yea and the true Church of Christ almost cleane extirped had not almighty God who can not forgette his promise prouided remedy in time in raysing vp this Cromwel his seruaunt and other like champions to cut vppe from the roote of the houses of them which otherwise would vtterly haue rooted vp the house of the Lord had subuerted a great part already Wherefore whosoeuer findeth himselfe agreeued with Cromwels doinges in suppressing these Monasteryes of Monkes and Fryers let him wisely consider with hymselfe first the doctrine lawes and traditions of these men which he shall find rebelling to the religion of Christ The lyfe of Monkes and Fryers considered pernitious to our saluation derogatory to Christes glory full of much blasphemy and damnable idolatry Secondly let him likewise wel aduise the horrible and execrable liues of these Cloysterers or at y e least search out the rolles and registers of matters found out by inquisition in king Henry the eight his dayes agaynst them which here is not to be spoken of vnles we will speake as Mathew Paris speaketh of the Court of Rome Cuius foetor vsque ad nubes fumum teterrimum exhalabat That is Whose filthy stinch saith he did breath vp a most pestiferous fume euen vnto the cloudes of heauen c. All which thinges well considered The Lord Cromwell defended in suppressing Abbayes what maruell is it then if God of his iust iudgement did set vp the foresayde Lord Cromwell to destroy these sinfull houses whoÌ theyr owne corruptions could suffer no longer to stand And as touching the dissipation of theyr landes and possessions to the handes of such as they were bestowed vpon if it so pleased the king in bestowing those Abbey landes vpon his Nobles and Gentlemen Dissipation of Abbay landes in England expedient either to restore them againe vnto them from whence they came or els to gratifie hys nobility by that meanes of pollicye not to mislike his doings what is that to Cromwel But they might say you haue bene much better employed to other more fruitfull vses Briefely to aunswere thereunto what may be done presently in a common wealth is not enough to say but what may also folow must be considered If thys throwing downe of Abbeys had happened in such free and reformed cities or countryes as are amongest the Germanes where the state gouerned directed by lawes rather then by rulers remayneth alwayes alike and vnmutable who doubteth but such houses there standing still y e possessions might well be transposed to such vses abouesayd without any
feare or perill But in suche Realmes and Kingdomes as this wher Lawes and Parliamentes be not alwayes one but are subiect to the disposition of the prince neither is it certayne alwayes what Princes maye come y e surest way therfore to send Monkery Popery packing out of the realme is to doe with their houses and possessions as king Henry here did through y t motion of y e counsell of Cromwell For els who seeth not in Queene Maries time if either the houses of monkes had stand or their landes had bene otherwise disposed then into the handes of such as they were how many of them had bene restored replenished agayn w t monkes fryers in as ample wise as euer they were And if Dukes Barons and the Nobilities scarse were able to retayne the landes and possessions of Abbeyes distributed to them by king Henry from the deuotion of Queene Mary seeking to build agayne the walles of Hierico what then shoulde the meaner sorte haue done let other men coniecture Wherfore it is not vnlike but that Gods heauenly prouidence did well foresee and dispose these thinges before by this man The vtter ruine of Monasteryes was Gods worke in workyng the destruction of these Abbeyes whereupon as often as he sent out any men to suppresse any monasterie hee vsed commonly to send them with this charge that they shuld throw downe those houses euen to the foundation Which wordes although may seeme percase to some to be cruelly spoken of hym yet contrariwise doe I suppose the doing thereof not to be without Gods speciall prouidence and secret guiding Or els we might peraduenture haue had suche swarmes of fryers and monkes possessed in theyr nestes agayne before this day in England in so great a number that tenne Cromwels afterward vnneth should haue suffered to haue vnhoused them Wherfore if the plantation which the Lord God neuer planted be pluckt vp by the rootes Math. 15. let God alone wyth his working and let the monasteries goe Now that you haue seene what this Malleus Monachorum hath done in defacing the Sinagogue of the pope Malleus Monachorum Cromwelius let vs see how the sayd Cromwell againe did trauayle in setting vp Christes church and congregation After that the bishop of Romes power and authoritye was banished out of England the bishops of his sect neuer ceased to seeke all occasion how eyther to restore hys head agayne being broken and wounded Cromwell the Forte defence of the Church An assembly of learned men appoynted by the king or at the least to keepe vpright those thinges which yet remayned wherein although theyr labours were not altogether frustrate yet had they brought much more to passe if Cromwell as a mighty wall and defence of the church had not resisted continually theyr enterprises It happened that after the abolishing of the Pope certayne tumultes began to rise about religion WherupoÌ it seemed good vnto king Henry to appoynt an assemblye of learned men and Bishops Cromwel with Alex. Alesius resort to the assembly which should soberly modestly entreat and determine those thinges which perteyned vnto Religion Briefely at the kinges pleasure all the learned men but specially the Bishops assembled to whoÌ this matter seemed chiefely to belong Cromwell thought also to be present himselfe with the Byshoppes who by chaunce meeting with Alexander Alesius by the way a Scottish man brought him with him to the conuocation house where all the Bishoppes were assembled together Which was in the yeare .1537 The Bishops and Prelates attending vppon the comming of Cromwell as he was come in rose vp and did obeysaunce to him as to their vicar generall and he agayn saluted euery one in theyr degree and sate downe in the highest place at the table according to his degree and office and after him euery bishop in his order and Doctours First ouer agaynst him sate the Archb. of Canterbury then the Archbishop of Yorke the bishops of London Lincolne Salisbury Bath Ely Herford Chychester Norwich Rochester and Worcester c. There Cromwel in y e name of the king whose most deare and secret Counsellour at that present he was and Lorde priuy Seale and vicar generall of the realme spake these wordes in maner folowing RIght reuerend fathers in Christe The kinges maiesty geueth you high thankes that ye haue so diligently without any excuse Cromwells Oration to the byshops assembled hither according to his commauÌdement And ye be not ignoraunt that ye be called hither to determine certayne controuersies which at this time be moued concerning the christian Religion and fayth not onely in this Realme but also in all nations through the world For the king studyeth day and nyght to set a quietnesse in the Churche and he can not rest vntill all such controuersies be fully debated and ended through the determination of you of his whole Parliament For although his speciall desire is to set a stay for the vnlearned people whose coÌsciences are in doubt what they may beleue and he himselfe by his excellent learning knoweth these controuersies wel enough yet he will suffer no common alteration but by the consent of you and of his whole ParliameÌt By the which thing ye may perceiue both his high wisedome and also his great loue towarde you And he desireth you for Christes sake that all malice obstinacy and carnall respecte set apart ye will frendly and louinglye dispute among your selues of the controuersies moued in the Churche The kinges request to the Bishops and that ye will conclude all thinges by the woord of God without all brawling or scolding neither will his maiestye suffer the Scripture to be wrasted and defaced by any Gloses any papisticall Lawes or by any authority of Doctours or Counselles and muche lesse will he admitte any articles or doctrine not conteyned in the Scripture but approued onely by continuaunce of time and olde custome and by vnwritten verities as ye were wont to do Ye know wel enough that ye be bound to shew this seruice to Christ and to his Church and yet notwithstanding his maiestye will geue you high thankes if ye will sette and conclude a godly and a perfect vnity whereunto this is the onelye way and meane if ye wil determine all thinges by the Scripture as God commaundeth you in Deuteronomie whiche thing hys maiesty exhorteth and desireth you to do When Cromwel had ended this his Oration the Byshops rose vp altogether geuing thankes vnto the kings maiesty not for his great zeale toward the church of christ and also for his most godly exhortation worthy so Christian a prince Immediately they rose vp to disputation where as Stokesly Bishop of London first of all being the moste earnest champion maynteyner of the Romish Decrees whoÌ Cromwel a litle before had checked by name for defending vnwritten verities endeuoured himselfe with all his labour and industry out of the olde Schole Gloses to maynteyne the
cause Fishers wife of Harnesey D. Cockes Bishop Stokesley Holland his Sumner M. Garter king of Armes Thomas Frebarne and his Wife A story of one Frebarnes wyfe longing for a peece of meate in Lent IN the yeare of our Lord. 1538. Syr William FormaÌ being Maior of the citye of London three weekes before Easter the wyfe of one Tho. Frebarn dwelling in Pater noster row being w t childe loÌged after a morsell of a pigge and told her minde vnto a Mayde dwelling in Abchurch lane desiring her if it were possible to helpe her vnto a piece The mayd perceiuing her earnest desire shewed vnto her husbaÌd what his wife had sayd vnto her telling him that it might chaunce to cost her her life and the childe 's too whiche she went withall if she had it not Uppon this Thomas Frebarne her husbande spake to a butter wife which he knew y t dwelled at Harnsey named goodwife Fisher to helpe him vnto a pigge for his wife for she was with childe longed sore to eate of a pigge Unto whome the sayde goodwife Fisher promised that she would bring him one the Friday folowing and so she did being ready dressed and scalded before But when she had deliuered him the pigge A crafty part of a âalse ãâã she craftily conueyed one of the piggeâ feete caried it vnto Doctor Cockes at that time being Deane of Caunterbury dwelling in Iây lane who at that time of his dinner before certain gestes which he had bidden shewed his pigs foot declaring who had the body therof and after that they had talked theyr pleasure dinner was done one of his gestes being landlord vnto Frebarne aforesayd called M. Garter by his office king of Armes sent his man vnto the sayd Frebarne demaunding if there were no body sicke in his house Unto whom he aunswered that they were all in good health he gaue God thankes Then sayde he agayne it was tolde hys Mayster that some body was sicke or els they would not eate flesh in Lent Unto whom Frebarne made aunswere that his wife was with childe and longed for a piece of a pigge and if he could get some for her he would Then departed his Landlordes man home agayne And shortly after his Landlord sent for him But before that he sent for him he had sent for the bishop of Londons Sumner whose name was HolloÌd wheÌ this Frebarne was come he demaunded of him if he had not a pig in his house which he denyed not Then commaunded Mayster Garter the sayde Sumner called Hollond to take him and goe home to hys house and to take the Pygge and carry both him and the Pigge vnto Doctour Stokesley his Mayster being then Bishop of London so he did Then the Bishop being in his chamber with diuers other of the Clergy called this Frebarne before him and had him in examination for his pigge laying also vnto his charge that he had eaten in his house that lent poudred beefe and Calues heades Unto whom Frebarne answered My Lord if the heades were eaten in my house in whose houses were the bodyes eaten Also if there be eyther man or woman that can proue that either I or any in my house hath done as your Lordship sayth let me suffer death therfore You speake sayd he agaynst pilgrimages and will not take holy bread holy water nor yet goe on Procession on Palme Sonday Thou art no Christian man My Lord sayd Frebarne I trust I am a true Christen man haue done nothing neither agaynst Gods law nor my princes In the time of this his examination which was during the space of two hours diuers came vnto the bishop some to haue theyr childreÌ confirmed some for other causes Unto whom as they came hauing the pig before hym couered he would lift vp the cloth and shew it them saying How thinke you of such a felow as this is is not this good meate I pray you to be eaten in this blessed time of Lent yea and also poudred Beefe and Calues heades too beside this After this the Bishoppe called his Sumner vnto him and commaunded him to go and carry this Thomas Frebarne and the pig openly thorow the streâtes into the olde Bayly vnto Syr Roger Chomley for the Bishop sayd he had nothing to do to punish him for that belonged vnto y e ciuill magistrates and so was Frebarne caryed w t the pyg before him to sir Roger Chomleis house in the old Baily he being not at home at that time Frebarne was broght likewise back agayne vnto the bishops place with the pig and there lay in the porters lodge till it was 9. a clocke at night Then the bishop sent him vnto the Counter in the Poultry by the Sumner and other of his seruauntes The next day being Saterday he was brought before the Maior of London his brethren vnto Guild hall but before his comming they had the pig deliuered vnto them by the Bishops officer Then the Maior and the Benche layd vnto his charge as they were informed from the Bishop that he had eaten poudred beefe and Calues heades in his house the same Lent but no man was able to come in that would iustify it neither could any thing be found saue onely the Pig which as is before sayd was for the preseruation of his wiues life and that she went withall Notwithstanding the Maior of London sayde that the Monday next folowing he should stand on the Pillary in Cheapeside with the one halfe of the pig on the one shoulder and the other halfe on the other Then spake the Wyfe of the sayd Frebarne vnto the Maior and the Benche desiring that she myght stand there and not he for it was long of her and not of him After this they tooke a satten list tide it fast about the pigs neck and made Frebarne to cary it hanging on his shoulder vntill he came vnto the Counter of the Poultry from whence he came After this was done the Wyfe of this Prisoner tooke with her an honest woman the Wyfe of one Michaell Lobley whiche was well acquaynted with diuers in the Lord Cromwelles house vnto whom the sayde woman resorted for some helpe for this prisoner desiring them to speake vnto theyr Lord and Mayster for his deliueraunce out of trouble It happened that the same time came in Doctour Barnes and Mayster Barlowe ãâã Barlow sue ãâ¦ã Cromwell ãâã Thomas ãâã Lord ãâ¦ã to the ãâ¦ã who vnderstandyng the matter by Lobleys wife went vp to the Lord Cromwell and certified him thereof who vpon their request sent for the Maior of the City of London but what was sayd vnto the Lord Maior is vnknowne sauing that in the after noone of the same day âhe wife of the person aforesayd resorted agayne vnto the Lord Maior suyng to get her husband deliuered out of prison declaring how that she had 2. small children and had nothing to helpe
or not Which question rose vpon a certaine conteÌtion which had beene betwene them before For Barnes had affirmed that albeit God requireth of vs to forgeue our neighbour God forgeueth vs first before we forgeue our neighbour Rom. 15. to obtaine forgeuenesse of hym yet he sayd that God must forgeue vs first before we forgeue our neighboure For els to forgeue our neyghbour were sinne by the text that sayeth All that is not of faith is sinne c. Thus the matter being propounded Gardiner to proue the contrary came foorth wyth hys arguments two or three to the which argumentes sayeth Gardiner Barnes coulde not aunswere but desired to be spared that nyght Gardiners report Disputation betweene Barnes Gardiner and the next morning he would answer his arguments In the morning Gardiner wyth the hearers being againe assembled D. Barnes according to the appoyntment was present who then went about to assoil his arguments To his solutions Gardiner againe replied And thus continued they in thys altercation by y e space of two houres Steuen Gardiner in his preface to George Ioye In the ende of thys Cockfight Winchester thus coÌcludeth thys glorious tale and croweth vp the triumph declaring howe Barnes besought him to haue pitie of hym to forgeue hym and to take hym to be hys scholer whome then the sayd Winchester as he confesseth himself receiuing not as his scholer but as hys companion offred to hym a portion oute of his liuing to the summe of xl li a yere Steuen Gardiner offereth to Doct. Barnes 40. pounde a yeare Which if it be true as Steuen Gardiner himselfe reporteth why then doth this glorious Cackatrice crowe so much against Barnes afterward and cast him in the teeth bearing all the world in hand that Barnes was his scholler whereas he himselfe heere refuseth Barnes to be hys scholer but receiueth hym as hys companion fellowlyke But to the storie This done the king being aduertised of the conclusion of this matter betweene Barnes and Winchester was coÌtent that Barnes shoulde repaire to the Bishoppes house at London the moÌday folowing Which he did with a certaine other coÌpanion ioyned vnto him Who he was Winchester there doth not expresse only he saith y t it was neyther Hierome nor Garret In this next meeting betweene Barnes and the bishop vpon the foresaid monday the said bishop studying to instruct Barnes vttered to him certain articles or conclusions to the number of x. the effect wherof here followeth Winchesters Articles against Barnes THe effect of Christes passion hath a condition The fulfilling of the condition diminisheth nothing the effecte of Christes passion They that wil enioy the effect of Christes passion must fulfill the condition The fulfilling of the condition requireth firste knowledge of the coÌdition which knowledge we haue by faith Faith commeth of God and thys faith is a good gifte It is good and profitable to me it is profitable to me to do well and to exercise thys faith Ergo by the gifte of God I may do well before I am iustified Therfore I may do wel by the gift of God before I am iustified towardes the attainment of iustification There is euer as muche Charitie towardes God as faith And as faith encreaseth so doth charitie encrease To the attainment of iustification is required faith and charitie Euery thing is to be called freely done wherof the beginning is free and at liberty wythout any cause of prouocation Faith muste be to me the assuraunce of the promyses of God made in Christ if I fulfil the condition loue must accomplish the condition wherupon foloweth the attainment of the promise according to Gods truth A man being in deadly sinne maye haue grace to do the workes of penaunce whereby he may attaine to hys iustification These Articles for somuch as they be sufficiently aunswered and replyed vnto by George Ioy in his Ioynder Reioynder agaynst Winchester I shall not neede to cuÌber this work with any new adoe therewith but onely referre the reader to the bookes aforesayd where he may see matter enough to answere to these popish articles I told you before how the king was contented y e Barnes shuld resort to the house of the bishop of Winchester to be traded and directed by the bishop which Barnes then hearing the talk of y e people hauing also conference with certayne learned men within two dayes after his comming to y e bishops house waxed weary thereof so comming to the bish signified vnto him that if he would take him as one y t came to conferre he would come still but els he would come no more so cleane gaue ouer the bishop This beinge knowen vnto the king thorough sinister complaints of popish Sycophantes Barnes againe was sent for and coÌuented before the king who grieuously being incensed against him enioyned both him Hierom and Garret at the solemne Easter sermons at S. Mary spittle opeÌly in wryting to reuoke the doctrine whych they before had taught At which sermons Ste. Gardiner also himself was present to heare theyr recantation First Doctor Barnes according to hys promise made to the king solempnely and formally beganne to make his recantation whych done he wyth much circumstance and obtestation called vpon the Byshop as is aboue touched and asking of hym forgeuenes required hym in token of a graunt to holde vp hys hand to the entent that he there openly declaring his charitie before the worlde the Byshop also would declare his charitie in like maner Which when the bishoppe refused to doe at the first as he was required Barnes againe called for it desiring him to shew his charitie and to holde vp his hande Which when he had done w t much a do wagging his finger a litle then Barnes entring to his Sermon after his prayer made beginneth the processe of a matter preaching contrarye to that which before he had recanted In so much that the Maior wheÌ the Sermon was finished sittinge wyth the Bishop of Winchester asked him whether he should from the pulpit sende hym to warde to be forth comming for that his bold preaching contrary to hys recantation The like also did Hierome and Garret after hym The king had appointed before certain to make report of the sermons Besides them there was one who wryting to a frende of hys in the Court in the fauour of these preachers declared how gayly they had all handled the matter both to satisfie the recantation and also in the same Sermons to vtter out the truth that it might spread without let of the world Wherfore partly by these reporters partly by the negligent looking to this letter Barnes Garret and Hierome commaunded to the ãâã which came to the Lord Cromwels hands sayeth Gardiner Barnes wyth his other fellowes were apprehended and committed to the Tower Steuen Gardiner in his foresayde booke against George Ioye woulde needes cleare himselfe that he was in
in the streate looking diligently about them and perceyuing all thynges to be without feare maruelled at this soddayne outrage made signes and tokeÌs to them that were in the church to keepe themselues quyet crying to them that there was no daunger But for so much as no word could be heard by reason of the noyse that was within the Churche those signes made them much more afrayd then they were before interpreting the matter as though all had bene on fire without the Church and for the dropping of the lead and falling of other things they should rather tary still within y e church and not to venter out This trouble continued in this maner by the space of certayne houres The next day and also all the weeke following there was an incredible number of bils set vp vpon the Church dores to enquire for thinges that were lost in such variety and number as Domocritus might here agayne haue had iust cause to laugh If any man haue fouÌd a payre of shoes yesterday in S. Mary Church or knoweth any man that hath found them c. An other bill was set vp for a gowne that was lost An other intreateth to haue his cappe restored One lost his purse and gyrdle with certeyne mony an other his sword One enquireth for a ring and one for one thing an other for an other To be short there was few in this gaâboyle but that either through negligence lost or through obliuion left something behind him Thus haue you hitherto heard a tragicall story of a terrible fire which did no hurt The description whereof although it be not so perfectly expressed according to the worthines of the matter yet because it was not to be passed with silence we haue superficially set foorth some shadow therof wherby the wise discreet may sufficiently consider the rest if any thing els be lacking in setting forth the full narration therof As touching the heretick because he had not done his sufficient penaunce there by occasion of thys hurly burly therfore the next day folowing he was reclaimed into the Church of S. Frideswide where he supplied the rest that lacked of his plenary penaunce The 4. and 5. Mariage of K. Henry the 8. THe same yeare and month next folowing after the apprehension of the Lord Cromwell which was an 1541. the king immediately was diuorced from the Lady Anne of Cleue The cause of which seperation being whollye committed to the Clergy of the Conuocation Anno 1541. it was by them defined concluded and graunted that the kyng being freed froÌ that pretensed matrimony as they called it might mary wher he would August The Lady Anne of Cleue diuorced from the king The king permitted to mary after his diuorce The king maried to the Lady Katherine Haward his 5. wife so might she likewise whoÌ also consenting to the same diuorcement her selfe by her owne letters was after that taken no more for Queene but onely called Lady Anne of Cleue Whych thinges thus discussed by the Parliament and Conuocation house the king thesame moneth was marryed to his fifte Wyfe which was the Lady Katherine Haward Niece to the Duke of Northfolke and daughter to the Lord Edmund Haward the Dukes brother But this marryage likewise continued not long In the same moneth of August and the same yeare I finde moreouer in some records beside the xxiiij Chapter-house monks aboue recited whom Cope doth sanctify for holy martyrs for suffering in the Popes deuotion against the kinges suprâmacy other sixe which were also brought to Tiborne and there executed in the like case of rebellion Of whom the first was the Prior of Dancaster the second a monk of the Charterhouse of LoÌdoÌ called Giles Horne some call him William Horne 6. Popishe Monkes for denying the kinges supremacy executed the third one Tho. Epsam a Monke of Westminster who had his Monkes garment pluckt from his backe being the last monke in K. Henries dayes that did weare that monkish weede the fourth one Philpot the fifte one Carewe the sixt was a Fryer See what a difficulty it is to plucke vp blind superstition once rooted in mans hart by a litle custome Now as touching the late maryage betwene the king and the Lady Haward ye heard how this matrimony endured not long for in the yere next folowing 1542. the sayd Lady Katherine was accused to the king of incontinent liuing Anno 1542. not onely before her mariage with FrauÌces Direham but also of spousebreach sith her maryage with Tho. Culpeper For the which both the men aforesayd by acte of Parliament were atteinted and executed for high treason and also the sayd Lady Katherine late quene with the Lady Iane Rochford widow late Wyfe to George Boleyne Lord Rochford It is reported of some that this Lady Rochforde forged a false letter against her husband Queene Anne his sister by the which they wer both cast away Which if it be so the iudgement of God then is here to be marked The kinges minde inclining to reformaââon of religion brother to Queene Anne Boleyne were beheaded for theyr desertes within the Tower Ex Hallo alijs After the death and punishment of this Lady his fifth wife the king calling to remembraunce the wordes of the Lord Cromwell and missing now more and more his old Counsellor and partly also smelling somewhat the wayes of Winchester beganne a litle to set his foote agayne in the cause of Religion And although he euer bare a speciall fauor to Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury as you shall heare more hereafter God willing in the lyfe of Cranmer yet now the more he missed the Lord Cromwel the more he inclined to the Archbishop also to the right cause of Religion And therefore in the same yeare and in the month of October after the execution of this Queene the king vnderstanding some abuses yet to remayne vnreformed namely about pilgrimages and Idolatry and other thinges moe besides to be corrected within his dominions directed his letters vnto the foresaid Archbishop of Canterbury for the speedy redresse and reformation of the same The tenor of which letters hereafter fully ensueth in these wordes ¶ The kinges letters to the Archbishop for the abolishing of Idolatry The kings letters to the Archbyshop for reforming of Idolatry RIght reuerend father in God right trusty and welbeloued we greet you well letting you to wit that whereas hertofore vpon the zeale and remembraunce whiche we had to our bounden duety towardes almighty God perceiuing sundry superstitions and abuses to be vsed and embraced by our people wherby they grieuously offended him and his word we did not onely cause the Images and bones of such as they resorted and offered vnto with the ornamentes of the same and all such writinges and monumentes of fayned myracles wherewith they were illuded to be taken away in all places of our Realme but also by our Iniunctions commaunded that no
name that the Musitions in Windsore colledge thought hym a woorthye man to haue a roume among them Whereupon they informed D. Sampson beeyng then their Deane of him But for so much as some of the Canons at that tyme hadde heard of Testwood howe that he smelled of the newe learning as they called it it would not be consented vnto at the first Notwithstanding with often sute of the foresayd Musitions made to one Doctor Tare who beyng halfe a Musition himselfe bare a great stroke in such matters a roume beyng voyd Testwoode was sent for to bee heard And beyng there foure or fiue dayes among the quier men he was so well lyked both for hys voyce and cunnyng that he was admitted and after setled in Windsore wyth hys houshold and had in good estimation wyth the Deane and canons a great while But when they had perceyued him by hys often talke at theyr tables for he could not well dissemble his religion that he leaned to Luthers sect they began to mislike him And so passing forth amoÌg them it was his chaunce one day to bee at dinner with one of the Canons named D. Rawson At the which dinner amongst all other was one of Kyng Edwardes 4. Chauntrie priests named M. Ely an old Bacheler of Diuinitie Which Ely in his talke at the boord began to raile against lay men which took vpon them to mell with the Scriptures and to be better learned knowing no more but the English tongue then they which had bene students in the Uniuersities of Oxford and Cambridge all the dayes of their lyues M. Ely persecuter Then Testwood perceiuing he ment that by him could forbeare his railyng no longer but said M. Ely by your pacience I thinke it be no hurt for lay men as I am to read and to know the scriptures Which of you quoth Ely that be vnlearned knoweth them or vnderstandeth them S. Paul saith If thine enemy hunger feed him if he thirst geue hym drinke and in so doyng thou shalt heape coales of fire vppon hys head Now sir quoth Elye what meaneth Sainte Paule by these coales of fire Marry sir quoth Testwoode hee meaneth nothing els by them as I haue learned but burning charitie that with doyng good to our enemies wee shoulde therby win them A sirah quoth he you are an old scholer in deed After this they fell into further communication of the Pope whose supremacy was much spokeÌ of at that tyme but not knowen to be so farre in question in the parliameÌt house as it was And in their talk Ely demanded of Testwood whether the Pope ought to be head of the church or no. Agaynst the which Euery king in his owne realme and Church is head vnder Christ. Testwoode durst not saye hys full mynd but reasoned within his bouÌds a great while But when they were both well striken in an heate Testwoode forgetting himselfe chaunced to say that euery king in his own realme dominion ought to be the hed of the church vnder Christ At the which words Ely was so chafed that he rose vp from the table in a great fume calling him heretike and all that nought was and so went brawling chiding away to the great disquieting of al the company that weee there Then was Testwood very sory to see the olde man take it so greuously Wherupon after dinner he went and sought M. Ely and found him walking in the bodye of the church thinking to haue talked with him charitably so to haue bene at one againe but euer as Testwood preased towardes him the other shunned him and would not come niâ him but spit at him saieng to other that walked by beware of this fellow for he is the greatest heretike and schismatike that euer came in Windsore Now began the matter to brew For after that Elye had made his complaint to the Deanes deputie and other of the canons they were all against Testwood purposing surely at the Deanes comming home if all thynges had chaunced euen to haue put hym to hys trumpe But see the fortune It was not twelue dayes after âre that the kings supremacie passed in the Parliament house Whereupon the Deane D. Sampson came home sodainly in the night late The first newes of the kinges supremacye brought to Windsore and forthwithall sent his Uerger about to all the Canons and ministers of the colledge from the highest to the lowest commaunding them to be in the Chapter house by eight of the clocke in the mornyng Then Ely coÌsulted with the Canons ouer night as late as it was and thought on the next day to haue put Testwood to a great plunge But he that layeth a snare for another man sayth Salomon shall be taken in it himselfe And so was Elye For when the Deane and euery man were come and placed in the Chapter house and that the Deane had commended the ministers of the Church for their diligence in tendyng the Quire exhortyng them also to continue in the same he began contrary to euery mans expectation to inuey agaynst the Bishop of Romes supremacie and vsurped authoritie confoundyng the same by manifest Scriptures and probable reasons so earnestly that it was a woonder to heare and at length declared openly that by the whole consent of the Parliament house the Popes supremacie was vtterly abolished out of this Realme of England for euer and so commanded euery man there vpon his allegiance to call hym Pope no more but bishop of Rome whatsoeuer he were that would not so do or did from that day forth maintaine or fauour his cause by any manner of meanes he should not only loose the benefit of that house but be reputed as an vtter enemy to God and to the king The Canons hearing this were all striken in a dumpe Yet notwithstanding Elies hart was so great y t he would faine haue vttred his cankerd stomack agaynst Testwood M. Ely thinking to complayne of other was called foole for his labour but the Deane breaking his tale called him old foole and tooke him vp so sharply that he was fain to hold his peace Then the Deane commanded all the popes pardoÌs which hanged about the Church to be brought into the Chapter-house and cast into the chimney and burnt before all their faces and so departed Another cause of Testwoods trouble AS it chanced Testwood one day to walke in the church at after noone An other trouble of Testwood beheld the pilgrimes specially of Deuonshire Cornwal how they came in by plumpes with candles images of waxe in their hands to offer to good king Henry of Windsore as they called hym it pitied hys hart to see so great idolatry committed Idolatry to king Henry of Windsore how vainly the people had spent their goods in comming so farre to kisse a spur to haue an old hat set vpon their heds In so much that he could not refraine but seing a certaine company which had
done their offring stand gasing about y e church went vnto them with al gentlenes began to exhort them to leaue such fals worshipping of dombe creatures and to learne to worship the true liuing God aright putting theÌ in remembrance what those things were which they worshipped how God many times had plagued his people for running a whoring to such stocks stones so would plage them and their posteritie if they would not leaue it After this sort he admonished them so long till at the last his words as God would tooke such place in some of them Testwood exhorteth the people from Idolatry that they said they would neuer goe a pilgrimage more Then he went further found another sort licking kissing a white Lady made of Alabaster which Image was mortrest in a wall behind the hie altar and bordred about with a prety border which was made like branches with hanging apples floures And when he sawe them so superstitiously vse the Image as to wipe their handes vpon it then to stroke them ouer their hands faces as though there had ben great vertue in touching y e picture he vp with his hand in the which he had a key and smote a peece of the border about the image downe and with the glaunce of the stroke chanced to breake of the images nose Idolatry to an image of a white Lady made of Alabaster in windsore Lo good people quoth he ye see what it is nothyng but earth dust and cannot helpe it selfe how will you then haue it to helpe you For Gods sake brethren be no more deceyued and so he gate him home to his house for the rumor was so great that many came to see the Image how it was defaced And among all other came one WilliaÌ Symons a Lawyer who seyng the image so berayed and to lacke her nose Testwood defaceth the Image W. Simons a persecuter O blinde Popeây to seeke the neath of a liuing man for the nose of a dead stocke Magna Diâna Ephesiorum Act. 28. tooke the matter greuously looking down vpon the pauement he spied the images nose where it lay which he tooke vp and put in his purse saying it should be a deare nose to Testwood one day Now were many offended with Testwood the canons for speaking against their profit the waxe sellers for hyndring their market Symons for the Images nose And more then that there were of the canons men that threatned to kill him Whereupon Testwood kept his house and durst not come forth minding to haue sent the whole matter in writing by his wife to M. Cromwell the kings secretary who was his special frend The Canons hearyng that Testwood would send to Cromwel they send y e Uerger vnto him to will him to come to the church who sent them word agayne that he was in feare of his lyfe therfore would not come Then sent they two of y e eldest Peticanons to entreat him to assure him that no man should do him harme He made them a plaine answer that he had no such trust to their promises but would complain to his frendes The papistes of Windsore afraid of Cromwell Then wist they not what shift to make for of all men they feared Cromwel but sent in post hast for old M. Ward a iustice of peace dwelling 3. or 4. myles of who being come hearing the matter was very loth to meddle in it The Canons of Windsore glad to fall in agayne with Testwood But notwithstanding through their entreaty he weÌt to Testwood had much ado to perswade him but at the last he did so faithfully promise him by the oth he had made to God the king to defend him from all daungers and harmes that Testwood was content to go with him And when M. Ward and Testwood were come into the Church and were goyng toward the Chapter house where the Canons abode their commyng Testwood in daunger of hys lyfe one of the Canons men drew his dagger at Testwood and would haue bene vpon him but M. Ward with his men resisted and gat Testwood into the Chapter house causing the seruing men to be called in and sharply rebuked of their maisters who straitly commanded them vpon paine of loosing their seruice further displeasure not to touch him nor to geue him an euill worde Nowe Testwood being alone in the Chapter house with the Canons and M. Ward was geÌtly intreated the matter so pacified that Testwood might quietly come and go to the Church and do his duety as he had done before An other cause of Testwoods trouble An other cause of Testwoods trouble Tho Beckets Rachet made a Relique S. Georges dagger made a relique VPon a Relique sonday as they named it when euery Minister after their olde custome should haue borne a relique in his hand about a procession one was brought to Testwood Which relique as they said was a Ratchet of bishop Beckets And as the Sexten would haue put the Ratchet in Testwoods hands he pushed it from hym sayeng if he did geue it to him he would wipe his taile withall so the Ratchet was geuen to another Then came the Uerger down from the hie altar with S. Georges dagger in his hand demaÌding who lacked a relique Mary quoth Testwood geue it to M. Hake who stood next him for hee is a prety man of his hands so the dagger was geueÌ vnto him Now Testwood perceiuing the dagger in maister Hakes hand and being merily disposed as he was a mery conceited man stepped forth out of his place to D. Clifton standing directly before him in the midst of the quire with a glorious golden Cope vpon his backe hauing the Pixe in his hand and said Sir M. Hake hath Saint Georges dagger Now if he had his horse and S. Martins cloke and maister Iohn Shornes bootes with king Henries spurres and his hat he might ride when he would and so stepped into his place againe Whereat the other chaunged colour and wist not what to say Another cause of Testwoods trouble IN the dayes of M. Franklen who succeeded D. Sampson in the Deanry of Windsore M. Frankâlen ãâã of ãâã there was on a tyme set vp at the Quire dore a certaine foolishe printed paper in Meter all to the prayse and commendation of our Ladye ascribing vnto her our iustification our saluation Blasphemy and Idolatry to ãâã Lady our redemption the forgeuenes of sinnes c. to the great derogation of Christ. Which paper one of the Canons called M. Magnus as it was reported caused to be set vp in despite of Testwood and his sect When Testwood sawe this paper he pluckt it downe secretly The next day after was another set vp in the same place Then Testwood coÌming into the Church and seyng another paper set vp and also the Deane commyng a little way of made haste to be in
dydst thou not holde thee there and with that he flang away from the wyndow out of the Hall the poore man following him from place to place til he had brought him into a long gallery and being there y e bishop began on this wise A sirha quoth he the neast of you is brokeÌ I trow And vnfolding his roll which was about an elne long he said Behold here be your captains both Hobby and Haynes with all the whole pacte of thy secte about Windsore yet wilt thou vtter none of them Alas my lord quoth he how shuld I accuse them by whoÌ I know nothing Well quoth the bish if thou wilt needes cast away thy selfe who can let thee Marbeck charged for setting forth the Concordaunce What helpers haddest thou in setting forth thy booke Forsooth my lord quoth he none Now quoth the bishop how can that be It is not possible that thou shouldest do it without helpe Truly my L. quoth he I can not tel in what part your lordship doth take it but how soeuer it be I will not deny but I did it without the helpe of any man saue God alone Nay quoth the B. I do not discoÌmend thy dilligeÌce but what shuldest thou meddle with that thing which pertayned not to thee And in speaking these words one of his Chaplaynes called M. Medow came vp and stayd himselfe at a window to whoÌ the bishop sayd here is a marueilous thinge This fellow hath taken vppon him to set out the Concordance in english which book wheÌ it was set out in latyn was not done without the helpe and dilligence of a dosen learned men at the least and yet will he beare me in hand that he hath done it alone But say what thou wilt quoth the B. except God himselfe would come downe from heauen and tell me so I will not beleue it and so going forth to a window where two great Bibles lay vpon a cusshion the one in Latine and the other in English he called Marbecke vnto him and pointing his finger to a place in the Latin Bible sayd Canst thou English this sentence Nay my L. quoth he I trow I be not so cunning to geue it a perfect English but I can set out the English thereof in the English Bible Let see quoth the B. Then Marbecke turning the English Bible found out the place by and by and read it to the Bishop So he tried hym a three or foure tymes till one of his men came vp and tolde hym the Priest was ready to go to Masse And as the B. was goyng sayd the Gentleman whiche had examined Marbecke in the Marshalsey the day before M. Clawbacke commeth againe to Marbecke Shall this fellow write nothyng whyle your Lordship is at masse for he passeth not on it It maketh no matter quoth the Bishop for he will tell nothing and so went downe to heare Masse leauing Marbecke alone in y e gallery The B. was no sooner downe but the Gentleman came vp agayne with inke and paper Marbecke pressed againe to vtter his fellowes Come sirha quoth he my Lord will haue you occupied till Masse bee done perswadyng hym with fayre wordes that he shoulde bee soone dispatched out of trouble if he would vse truth and plainenes Alas sir quoth he what will my Lorde haue me to do for more then I wrote to his Lordship yesterday I can not Well well goe to quoth the Gentleman make speed and so went his way There was no remedie but Marbecke must nowe write some thyng wherefore he calling to God againe in his mind wrote a few words as nye as he could frame them to those he had written the day before When the B. was come from Masse and had looked on the writing he pusht it from him saying what shall this do It hath neither head nor foote There is a maruelous sect of them quoth the B. to hys men for the deuill cannot make one of them to bewray another Then was there nothyng among the Bishops Gentlemen as they were making him ready to go to the court but Crucisige vpon the poore man And when the bishops white ratchet was on him and all well Marbecke quoth he I am now going to the Court and was purposed if I had fouÌd thee tractable to haue spoken to the kings maiesty for thee and to haue geuen thee thy meat drinke lodging here in myne house but seyng thou art so wilful and so stubburne thou shalt go to the deuill for me Then was he caried downe by the B. men with many railing words Marbecke brought agayne from Winchesters house to the Marshalsey And comming through the great chamber there stood D. London with two mo of hys fellows waiting the bishops comming and passing by them into the Hall he was there receiued of his keper and caried to prison againe It was not halfe an houre after ere that the B. sent one of his Gentlemen to the vnder keeper called Stokes commanding him to put irons vpon Marbecke and to keepe him fast shut in a chamber alone and when he should bring him downe to dinner or supper to see that he spake to no man nor no man to him furthermore y t he should suffer no maner of person not his owne wife to come see him or minister any thing vnto him When the porter who was the cruellest man that might be to al such as were laid in for any matter of religion and yet as God would A cruell porter of the Marshelsey but yet good to Marbecke fauorable to this poore man had receyued this coÌmandement from the B. he clapt irons vpon him shutte him vp geuing warning to all the house y t no man should speake or talke to Marbecke whensoeuer he was brought downe and so he continued the space of iij. wekes more till his wife was suffered to come vnto him The sute of Marbeckes wife to the Bishop of Winchester MArbeckes wife at the tyme of her husbands appreheÌsion Marbeckes wife sueth to Winchester for her husband had a yong child of a quarter old sucking vppon her brest when her husband was taken from her had away to the Counsail not knowing what should be come of him she left the child and all and gate her vp to LondoÌ and hearing her husband to be in the Marshalsey goeth thether But when she came there she could in no wise bee suffred to see him which greatly augmented her sorrowe Then by counsaile of frends she gate her to the B. of Winchester for other helpe was there none to be had at y t time making great sute to haue his licence to go see her husband and to helpe him with such things as he lacked Nay quoth the B. thy husband is acquainted with all the heretikes that be in the Realme Marbeckes wife denyed a great whyle to goe to her husband both on this side the Sea and beyond
Thomas Cardine other of the priuy chamber how al the matter stode Wherupon Ockam was layde for and had by the backe as soone as he came to Oking and kepte from the byshop On the next morrowe very early Bennets wyfe sent her man to the Courte after Ockam to see howe he spedde with her husbandes letter And when hee came there hee founde sir Thomas Cardine walking wyth Ockam vppe and downe the greene before the Courte gate whereat he marueled to see Ockam with him so early mistrusting the matter whereuppon he kept himselfe out of sight till they had broken off theyr communication And assoone as he saw M. Cardine gone leauing Ockam behinde he went to Ockam and asked hym if hee had deliuered hys maisters letter to the Bishop No sayd Ockam the king remooueth thys day to Gilforde and I must goe thether and will deliuer it there Mary quoth hee and I will goe with you to see what aunswere you shall haue and to carie woord to my mistres and so they rode to Gilford together Where Bennets man being better acquainted in the towne then Ockam was gat a lodging for them both in a kinsmans house of hys That done he asked Ockam if he would goe and deliuer his mistres letter to the Byshop Bennets maÌ goeth with hys mistres letter to the Byshop of Winchester Nay sayde Ockam you shall go and deliuer it your selfe and tooke him the letter And as they were goynge in the streate togethers and comming by the Earle of Bedfordes lodging then Lorde priuie seale Ockam was pulled in by the sleeue no more seene of Bennets man till he sawe him in the Marshalsey Then went Bennets man to the bishops lodging and deliuered hys letter And when the Byshop had red the contentes thereof he called for the man that brought it Come Syrha quoth he you can tell me more by mouth then the letter specifieth had hym into a litle garden Now quoth the Bishop what say you to me Forsoth my Lorde quoth he I haue nothing to say vnto your Lordshippe for I did not bryng the letter to the Towne No quoth the Byshop where is he that brought it Forsoth my Lorde quoth he I left him busie at his lodging Then he wil come quoth the Byshop Bid him be wyth me betimes in the mornyng I wil quoth he Bennets maÌ ãâã for ãâã Oking Bennet discharged out of prison by good men of the priuy-chamber Certayne of the priuy chamber indited Syr Tho. Cardine and his wife Syr Phillip Hobby and his wife M. Edmund Hâââan do your lordships commandement and so he departed home to hys lodging And when hys kinsfolkes saw him come in alas cosin quoth they we are all vndon Why so quoth he what is the matter Oh sayde they heere hath bene since you went M. Padget the kings secretary with sir Tho. Cardine of the priuie chamber and searched all our house for one that should come to the towne w t Ockam therfore make shift for your selfe assoone as you caÌ Is that all the matter quoth hee then content your selfe for I wil neuer flee one foote happe what hap will And as they were thus reasoning together in came y e foresaid searchers againe when M. Cardine saw Bennets man he knewe him very well sayde was it thou that came to the towne w t Ockam Yea sir quoth he Now who the deuill quoth M. Cardine brought thee in company w t that false knaue Then he tolde them hys busines and the cause of his comming whych being knowen they were satisfied and so departed The nexte day had Bennets man a discharge for hys master procured by certaine of the priuie chamber and so went home Nowe was Ockam all this while at my Lorde priuie Seales where he was kept secret til certaine of the Counsaile had perused all his wrytings amonge the which they found certaine of the priuie Chamber indited w t other the kings Officers with their wiues that is to say Sir Tho. Cardine sir Phillip Hobby wyth both theyr Ladies M. Edmund Harman M. Thomas Weldone wyth Snow-ball and hys wife M. Thomas Weldone Snowbale and hys wife All thâse were indited for the 6. articles with a great number moe The king gaue his pardon to his gentlemen of his priuy chamber The king certified of the pityfull death of these Godly Martyrâ at windsore The kinges testimony of the Martyrs of Windsore All these they had indited by the force of the 6. Articles as aiders helpers and maintainers of Anthony Person And beside them they had indited of heresie some for one thing and some for an other a great nomber moe of the Kings true and faithfull subiects Whereof the kings Maiestie beynge certified hys grace of hys speciall goodnes without the sute of any man gaue to the foresayd Gentlemen of his priuie Chamber and other his seruants with theyr wiues hys gracious pardoÌ And as God wold haue the matter further knowen vnto hys maiestie as hee roade one day a huntinge in Gilforde Parke and sawe the Sheriffe wyth syr Humfrey Foster sitting on theyr horse backes together he called them vnto him asked of them how hys lawes was executed at Windsore Then they beseching hys grace of pardon tolde hym plainely that in all theyr liues they neuer sate on matter vnder his graces authoritie that went somuch against theyr consciences as the death of these men did and vp and told hys grace so pitiful a tale of the casting away of these poore men that the King turning hys horsehead to departe from them sayde Alasse poore Innocents After thys The Bishop of wynchester out of the kinges fauour D. London W. Simons and R. Ockam apprehended condemned of periury the king withdrew hys fauour from the B. of Winchester being more and more enformed of the conspiracie of doctor London and Symons he commaunded certaine of his counsaile to search out the ground thereof Whereupon Doctour London and Symons were apprehended and brought before the Counsail and examined vpon their othe of allegeaunce And for denying their mischeuous and traiterous purpose whiche was manifestlye proued to theyr faces they were both periured and in fine adiudged as periured persons to weare papers in Wyndsore and Ockam to stand vpon theÌ pillerie in the towne of Newbery where he was borne The iudgemeÌt of all these 3. was to ride about Windsore Reading and Newbery with papers on their heads The punishmeÌt of D. London W. Symons and of R. Ockam for false accusation and periury Ex testimonio Ioan. Marbeckâ and theyr faces turned to the horse tales so to stand vpon the Pillerye in euery of these Townes for false accusation of the forenamed Martyrs and for periurie And thus much touching the persecution of these good Saintes of Windsore according to the copie of their owne acts receiued and wrytten by Iohn Marbecke who is yet aliue both a present witnes and also was then a
without the gate for passage into Englande and being there perceiued by certayne Calyce menne namely William Steuens and Thomas Lancaster through conference of talke to bee a learned man and also well affected and moreouer howe that he being of late a zelous Papist was now returned to a more perfecte knowledge of true Religion was by them hartely entreated to stay at Calice a certayne space and to read there a day or two to the intent he might do some good there after his payneful trauell vnto the people To this request Adam gladly consented so as he might be licenced by such as were in authority so to do Whereupon the sayde Steuens at the opening of the gates brought him vnto the Lord Lisle the kinges Deputie of the towne and marches of Calice Adâm broâght to the âord Dâââty of ãâã vnto whome hee declared throughly what conference and talke had bene betweene Adam Damlip and him Which knowne the sayd Lord Deputie instauntly desired the sayd Damlip to stay there and to preach three or foure dayes or more at his pleasure saying that he should haue both his licence the CoÌmissaries also which then was sir Iohn Butler so to doe Where after he had preached three or fourt times hee was so well lyked both for his learning his vtteraunce and the truth of his doctrine that not onely the souldiours commoners but also the Lord Deputy and a great part of the Counsell gaue him maruelous great prayse and thankes for it and the sayd Lord Deputy offered vnto him a chamber in his owne house and to dyne and sup euery meale at his owne messe to haue a man or two of his to wayte vpon him to haue what soeuer it were that he lacked if it were to be had for mony yea what he would in his purse to buy bookes or otherwise so as he woulde tary there among them preach onely so long as it should seeme good to himselfe Who refusing his Lordships great offer most hartily thanked him for the same and besought him to be onely so good vnto him as to appoynt him some quiet honest place in the towne where he might not be disturbed nor molested but haue oportunitie to geue himselfe to hys booke and would dayly once in the forenoone and agayn by one a clocke at after noone by the grace of God preach among them according vnto the talent that God had lent him At which aunswere the Lorde Deputy greatly reioysed and therupon sent for the foresayd W. Steuens whom he earnestly required to receiue and lodge the sayde Damlip in his house promising what soeuer hee shoulde commaund to see it payd with the most and moreouer would send euery meale froÌ his owne messe a dish of the best vnto them and in deede so did albeit the sayde Damlip refused that offer shewing his Lordship that thinne dyet was most conuenient for Studentes Yet coulde not that restrayne him but that euery meale he sent it This godly man by the space of xx dayes or more once euery day at vij of the clocke preached very godly learnedly playnly the truth of the blessed sacrament of Christes body and bloud mightely enueying agaynst all Papistrye and coÌfuting the same but especially those two most pernitious errours or heresies trifling Transubstantiation and the pestilent propitiatorye Sacrifice of the Romishe Masse by true conference of the Scriptures and applying of the auncient Doctours earnestly therewith oftentimes exhorting the people to returne from theyr Popery declaring how Popish he himselfe had bene and how by the detestable wickednes that he did see vniuersally in Rome he was returned so farre homeward and now became an enemy through Gods grace to all papistry shewing therewith that if gayne or ambition could haue mooued him to the contrary he might haue bene enterteyned of Cardinall Poole as you haue heard before but for very conscience sake ioyned with true knowledge grounded on Gods most holy word he now vtterly abhorred all Papistry and willed them most earnestly to do the same And thus he continued a while reading in the Chapter house of the White Friers but the place beeyng not bigge enough he was desired to reade in the Pulpit and so proceeding in his Lectures wherein hee declared howe the world was deceaued by the Romaine Bishops which had set forth the damnable doctrine of Transubstantiation and the reall presence in the Sacrament The Idolatrous pageaÌt of the resurrection most ââmptuously ãâã out ãâã Calice as is aforesayde he came at length to speake against the Pageaunt or Picture set foorth of the Resurrection whiche was in Saint Nicholas Church declaring the same to be but meere Idolatrie and illusion of the Frenchmen before Calice was English Upon which Sermon or Lecture there came a Commission from the King to the Lord Deputie M. Grendfield CommyssioÌ ãâã from the king to sâââch our the false ââgling of this Idolatry at Calice sir Iohn Butler Commissary the Kinges Mason and Smith with others that they should searche whether there were as was put in writing and vnder Bull and Pardon three hostes lyeng vpon a Marble stone besprinkled with bloud and if they found it not so that immediatly it should be plucked downe and so it was For in searching therof as they brake vp a stone in a corner of the Tumbe they in stead of the three hostes founde souldered in the Crosse of Marble lyeng vnder the Sepulcher The false iuglinges of the Papistes espyed three playne white counters which they had paynted lyke vnto hostes and a bone that is in the typ of a sheepes tayle All which trumpery Damlip shewed vnto the people the next day folowing which was Sonday out of the Pulpit and after that they were sent by the Lord Deputie to the King 3. paynted counters instead of 3. hostes Notwithstanding the Deuill stirred vp a Doue hee might well be called a Cormorant the Priour of the white Friers Who with Syr Gregory Buttoll Chapleyne to the Lord Lisle began to barke agaynst him Yet after the sayde Adam had in three or foure Sermons confuted the sayd Friers erroneous doctrine of transubstantiation and of the propitiatorie Sacrifice of the Masse Iohn Doue Fryer peacher of Damlip the sayd Frier outwardly seemed to geue place ceasing openly to inuey and secretly practised to peach him by letters sent vnto the Clergie here in England so y t within viij or x. dayes after the said Damlip was sent for to appeare before the Bishop of Canterbury Damlip sent for to appeare before the Councell in England with whome was assistant Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester D. Sampson Byshop of Chichester and diuers other before whome he most constantly affirmed and defended the doctrine which hee had taught in such sort aunswering confuting soluting the obiections as his aduersaries yea euen among other the learned godly and blessed Martyr Cranmer then yet but a Lutheran
and his honorable Counsell and what frendship they of the Kings Counsell there coulde shew them All that good Friday euen till x. of the clocke at night those wicked and malicious persons occupyed their time in aunswering to diuers and sondry questions These things were not so secretly done but they were bewrayed and came to honest mens knowledge Whereupon such feare and distrust assaulted all men that neighbour mistrusted neighbour the maister the seruaunt the seruaunt the maister the husband the wife the wife the husband Great perturbation at Calice and almost euery one the other that lamentable it was to see how mourningly men and women went in the streetes hanging downe their heads shewing euident tokens of the anguish of their harts The second trouble of Thomas Brooke VPon Easter Monday one Hugh Councell an honest man seruaunt to the sayd Brooke was conuented before them and by the space of xiiij dayes not suffered to returne to his maisters house but kepte in custody and many times examined vpon Articles and Interrogatories in hope to haue found worthy matter either of heresie or treason against the sayde Brooke and the same daye that Brooke was committed to Warde the sayde Hugh Councell was discharged The Wednesday in the Easter weeke sundry Questes were charged by their othes to make inquisition for all maner of heresies erroneous opinions and seditions as a Quest of Aldermen an other of men at armes and an other of Constables and Uintners an other of common Souldiours and an other of Commoners And shortly after theyr presentments on good Friday there was conuented before the Commissioners and straighte were sente to close prison Xiij Calice men imprisoned for theyr fayth Anthony Pickering Gentleman Harry Tourney Gentleman Syr George Darby Priest Iohn Shepheard William Pellam William Keuerdale Iohn Whitwoode Iohn Boote Roberte Clodder Copen de Hane Mathew de Hound Upon whome ran sundry brutes Some said they should be hanged some said burnt some said hanged drawne and quartered some said nailed to the Pillery so that pitifull it was to see the lamentation that their wiues their children seruaunts and frendes made secretely where they durst for that they founde euery where words of discomfort and no where of comfort but still Inquisition was made The second trouble of William Steuens THe foresayd William Steuens after hys returne from London aboue meÌtioned besides many other Articles laid to him for religion to y e number of 40. or welnie was by y e Lord Deputie charged y t he had stayed the foresaid Adam Damlip hyred him to preache and gaue him meate drinke and lodging coÌming from the arrant traytor Cardinall Poole False crimes forged agaynst W. Steuens and suborned by him and that he had receyued money of him to the intent he should preach in Calice false erroneous doctrine wherby y e towne being deuided at contention within it selfe might easely be ouercome wonne by the Frenchmen Whereunto the sayde Steuens aunswered that whatsoeuer he had done vnto the sayd Adam Damlip he had done it at the earnest request commaundement of the sayd Lord Deputie Whereupon if it had bene treason in deede he must haue bene more faultie W. Steuens committed to the Tower Then the said William Steuens was againe the second time by the said Commissioners sent ouer into England clapt in the tower afterwarde to wit immediately after the said Commissioners repaire vnto the Kings highnes y e said Lord Deputy was sent for ouer L. Lislie deputy of Calice committed to the Tower likewise put into the Tower where he continued a long time And wheÌ the Kings Maiestie minded to haue bene gracious vnto him to haue let him come forth God tooke hym out of thys world whose body resteth in y e Tower his soule w t God I trust Example of Gods punishment vpon hys persecuters in heauen for he died very repentaunt But y e wicked Lady his wife immediately vpon his apprehensioÌ fell distraught of minde so coÌtinued many yeares after God for his mercy if she yet liue geue her his grace to repent The second Monday after Easter the foresayd Brooke was conuented before the Commissioners and committed to close prison in the Mayors Gayle Then the Counsell of Calice doubting lest there should not be any sedition or heresie proued against him did call one George Bradway before them who occupied y e Controllers office in the custome house This maÌ was kept in close prison so as neither his wife then great with childe nor any other his frends might repaire vnto him Where after y t he had often times beene borne in hande that there were diuers concealements come to light that were made by Brooke in the office of Custome and y t the said Bradway should be greeuously punished if he would acknowledge none of theÌ nor burden y e said Brooke with no kind of concealement the poore simple man hoping thereby to get release of his imprisonment accused the sayd Brooke that he had for a long time concealed foure grotes euery day for his Clarkes wages to that accusation they caused the simple man to set his owne hand before witnesses Wherevpon after a day or two the said Bradway greeued in his conscience for the same his most vntrue accusation did with a knife enterprise to cut his own throte False accusation punished by Gods hââd but God of his mercy so directed his wicked purpose that the backe of his knife was towarde his wesande Whereby though the wound were broad yet he escaped with lyfe Gods meâcy in punishing And as he gaue a grone with the sodaine paine that he felt the Gayler came vp and bereft him of the knife But thorough the giltines of the false accusation and shame of the world the maÌ lost his wits who then staring and dismaid was dismissed out of prison and a long time after went in piteous case so dismayed about the streete to the great impouerishing of him his poore wife and familie This kynde of handling of the said Brooke made all his frendes but specially his wife to be greatly afeard of the malice of his enemies the rather also for that all his goods and landes were ceised And his wife thrust into the meanest place of all his house with her children and family the keyes of al y e dores and chestes beside taken from her Who for y t she was rigorously entreated at sir Edward Ringleis hand Controller of the Towne an office of no small charge though he knew not a B from a battledore nor euer a letter of the booke sayeng vnto her that if she lyked not the roome he woulde thrust her quite out of the dores well Sir sayd she well the Kings slaughter house had wrong when you were made a Gentleman and with all speede she wrote a letter to the Lorde Cromwell Letters sent to the Lord Cromwell from Calice therein
a false Prophet So when mayster Doctour had ended his collation he sayde vnto Kerby Thou good man doest not thou beleue that the blessed sacrament of the aultar is the very flesh and bloud of Christ and no bread euen as he was borne of the virgine Mary Kerbyes confessioÌ of the Sacrament Kerby aunswering boldly sayd I do not so beleue How doest thou beleue sayd the Doctour Kerby sayd I do beleue that in the Sacrament that Iesus Christ instituted at his last supper on Maundye Thursdaye to his Disciples which ought of vs likewise to be done is the death and passion and his bloud shedding for the redemption of the world to be remembred and as I sayde before yet bread and more then bread for that it is coÌsecrated to a holy vse Then was mayster Doctor in his dumpes and spake not one word more to Kerby after Then sayd the vnder Shiriffe to Kerby hast thou any thing more to say Yea syr sayde he if you wyll geue me leaue Say on sayd the Shiriffe Then Kerby taking his night cappe from hys head put it vnder his arme as though it should haue done him seruice agayne but remembring him selfe The Lord WeÌtworth wept at Kerbyes burning he cast it from him and lifting vp his handes he sayd the Hymne Te Deum and the beliefe with other prayers in the English tongue The Lord Wentworth whilest Kerby was thus doing did shroude him selfe behinde one of the postes of the Gallery and wept and so did many other Then said Kerby I haue done you may execute your office good Maister Shiriffe ¶ The burning and Martyrdome of Kerby On the Gang Monday an 1546. about tenne of the clocke Roger Clarke of Mendelsham brought to the stake at Burye Roger Clarke of Mendelsham was brought out of prison and went on foote to the gate called Southgate in Bury and by the way the Procession mette with them but he went on and would not bow cap nor kne but with most vehement words rebuked that idolatry and superstition Roger Clarke geueth no reuerence to the procession the Officers being much offended And without the gate where as was the place of execution the stake beyng ready and the wood lying-by he came and kneeled down and sayd Magnificat in the English tongue making as it were a Paraphrase vppon the same Wherein he declared how that the blessed virgine Mary who might as well reioyce in purenes as any other yet humbled her selfe to her Sauiour Iohn 1. And what sayst thou Iohn Baptist sayd he the greatest of all mens children Behold the Lambe of God whiche taketh away the sinnes of the world And thus with loude voyce he cried vnto the people while he was in fastning to the stake then the fire was set to him wheras he suffered paines vnmercifully The painfull burning and Martyrdome of Roger Clarke of Mendelsham for the wood was greene and would not burne so that he was choked with smoke and moreouer being set in a pitch barrel with some pitch sticking stil by the sides was therwith sore payned till he had got hys feet out of the barrell And at length one standing by tooke a fagotte sticke and striking at the ring of yron about hys necke so pashed him and stroke him belike vpon the head that he shronk downe on the one side into the fire so was dissolued In the beginning of this story of Kerby and Roger mention was made of a certayne Bill put vpon the towne house doore and brought the nexte day to the Lord Wentworth the wordes of which Bill were these ¶ The Byll set vpon the Townehouse dore in Ipswich IVstè iudicate filij hominum yet when ye shall iudge minister your iustice with mercy The wordes of the bill set vp on the Townhouse doore A fearfull thing it is to fall into the hands of the liuing God be ye learned therfore in true knowledge ye y t iudge the earth least the Lord be agry with you The bloud of the righteous shall be required at your handes What though the veile hanged before Moses face yet at Christes death it fell downe The stones will speak if these should hold theyr peace therfore harden not your hartes agaynst the verity For fearefully shall the Lord appeare in the day of veÌgeance to the troubled in conscience No excuse shall there be of ignorance but euery fat shall stand on his owne bottome Therfore haue remorse to your conscience feare him that may kill both body and soule Beware of innocent bloud shedding take heed of iustice ignorantly ministred worke discreetly as the Scripture doth commaund looke to it that ye make not y e trueth to be forsaken We beseech God to saue our king king Henry the 8. that he be not lead into temptation So be it This yeare also it was ordeined decreed solemnly geuen out in Proclamation by the kings name authority and his Counsell that the english Procession should be vsed throughout al England according as it was set forth by his sayd counsell and none other to be vsed throughout the whole Realme About the latter end of this yeare .1545 in the Moneth of Nouember after that the king had subdued the Scots and afterward ioyning together with the Emperour The Scottes subdued had inuaded France and had got from them the town of Bollayn he summoned his high Court of Parliament In the which was graunted vnto him besides other subsidies of mony Bollayne wonne all Colledges ChauÌtries free chappels hospitals fraternities brotherhoodes guildes perpetuities of stipeÌdary priestes to be disposed at his wil pleasure Whervpon in the moneth of Decem. folowing Stat. an 37. Reg. Hen. 8. the king after the wonted maner came into the parliameÌt house to geue his roiall assent to such actes as were there passed where after an eloquent Oration made to him by the Speaker Colledges and Chauntreis geuen to the king he answering agayne vnto the same not by the L. Chancellour as the maner was but by himselfe vttred forth this oration word for word as it is reported and left in story A Parliament In the contentes of whiche Oration first eloquently and louingly he declared his gratefull hart to his louyng subiectes for theyr grauntes and subuentions offered vnto him In the second part with no lesse vehemency he exhorteth them to concord peace and vnity Whereunto if he had also ioyned the third part that is as in wordes he exhorted to vnity so had begon in deed first himselfe to take away the occasion of deuision disobedience disturbance froÌ his subiectes that is had remoued the stuÌbling blocke of the 6. articles out of the peoples way The Third partâ ãâ¦ã Oration ãâã the ãâã which set brother agaynst brother neighbour agaynst neighbor the superior agaynst subiect the wolues to deuour the poore flocke of Christ then had he not onely spoken but also done like a
worthy prince But of this more shal be sayd in the sequele hereof God willing * The kinges Oration in the Parliament house ALthough my Chauncellour for the time being The ãâã Oration made in ãâã Parlameât house hath before this time vsed very eloquently and substantially to make answere to such Orations as haue bene set forth in this high Court of Parliament yet is he not so able to opeÌ and set forth my mind and meaning and the secretes of my hart in so playne and ample maner as I my selfe am and can doe Wherefore I taking vpon me to aunswere your eloquent Oration Mayster Speaker say that where you in the name of our welbeloued Commons haue both praysed and extolled me for the notable îualities that ye haue conceiued to be in me I most hartely thanke you all that you haue put mee in remembraunce of my duety which is to endeuor my selfe to obteine and get such excellent qualityes and necessary vertues as a prince or gouernour should or ought to haue of whiche giftes I recognise my selfe both bare and barrayne But of such small qualities as God hath endued me withall I render to his goodnesse my most huÌble thankes entending with all my wit and diligence to gette and acquire to me such notable vertues and princely qualities as you haue alledged to be incorporate in my person The kingââ thankes to his ãâã These thankes for your louing admonition and good counsell first remembred I eftsoones thanke you agayne because that you considering our great charges not for our pleasure but for your defence not for our gayne but to our great cost which we haue lately susteined as well in defence of our your enemies as for the conquest of that Fortresse whiche was to this Realme most displeasaunt and noysome and shal be by Gods grace hereafter to our nation most profitable and pleasaunt haue freely of your owne minde graunted to vs a certayne subsidy here in an acte specified which verely we take in good part regarding more your kindnesse then the profite therof as he that setteth more by your louing harts then by your substance Beside this harty kindnesse I cannot a litle reioyce when I consider the perfect trust sure confidence which you haue put in me as men hauing vndoubted hope and vnfayned beliefe in my good doinges iust proceedings for that you without my desire or request haue coÌmitted to mine order and disposition all Chauntreys Colledges Hospitals and other places specified in a certayne acte firmelye trusting that I will order them to the glory of God the profite of the common wealth Surely The kingâ promises ãâã the well bestowing of Chauââtreis and Colledgeâ if I contrary to your expectation should suffer the Ministers of the Church to decay or learning which is so great a iewell to be minished or poore and miserable people to be vnrelieued you might say that I being put in so speciall a trust as I am in this case were no trusty frend to you nor charitable man to mine euen Christen neither a louer of the publique wealth nor yet one that feared God to whome account must be rendered of all our doinges Doubte not I pray you but your expectation shal be serued more godly goodly then you will wish or desire as hereafter you shall playnely perceiue Now sithens I finde such kindenesse on your part toward me I can not chuse but loue and fauor you affirming that no prince in the world more fauoureth his subiectes then I doe you nor no subiectes or commons more loue and obey theyr soueraigne Lord then I perceiue you doe me for whose defence my treasure shall not be hidden nor if necessitie require my person shall not be vnaduentured Yet although I with you and you with me be in this perfect loue and concord this frendly amity can not coÌtinue except both you my Lordes Temporall and you my Lords Spirituall and you my louing subiectes studye and take payne to amend one thing which is surely amisse and farre out of order to the which I most hartely require you which is that charity concord is not amongest you but discord and dissention beareth rule in euery place Saynt Paule sayth to the Corinthians in the xiij Chapiter Charity is gentle Charity is not enuious Charity is not proud and so forth in the sayde Chapter Beholde then what loue and * charitye is amongest you when the one calleth the other Heretique and Anabaptist and he calleth hym agayne Papist Hypocrite and Pharesey Be these tokens of charity amongest you Are these the signes of fraternall loue betweene you No no I assure you that this lacke of charitye amongest your selues wil be the hinderaunce and asswaging the feruent loue betwene vs as I sayd before except this wouÌd be ãâã and clearely made whole I must needes iudge the faulte and occasion of this discord * If ãâã religion ãâ¦ã had ãâ¦ã reproued to be partly by negligence of you the father and preachers of the Spiritualty For if I know a man which liueâh in adultery I must iudge him a lecherous a carnall person If I see a man boast and bragge himselfe I can not but deeme him a proud man I see and heare dayly that you of the Clergye preach one agaynst an other teach one contrary to an other inueigh one agaynst an other without charity or discretion Some be to stiffe in their olde Mumpsimus other be too busy and curious in their new Sumpsimus Thus all men almost be in variety and discord and few or none do preache truely and sincerely the word of GOD according as they ought to doe Shall I nowe iudge you charitable persons doing this No no I can not so do Alas how can the poore soules liue in concorde when you preachers sowe amongest them in your Sermons debate and discord Of you they looke for light and you bring them to darckenesse Amend these crimes I exhort you and set forth Gods * And ãâ¦ã word ãâã not his ãâ¦ã they which ãâã it forth are condemned therefore burned word both by true preaching and good example geuing or els I whom God hath appoynted his Vicare and high minister here will see these diuisions extincte and these enormities corrected accordyng to my very duety or els I am an vnprofitable seruant and vntrue officer Although as I say the Spirituall men be in some fault that charity is not kept amongest you yet you of the Temporalty bee not cleane and vnspotted of malice and enuye for you rayle on Byshops speake sclaunderously of Priestes and rebuke and taunt preachers both contrary to good order and Christian fraternitie If you know surely that a Bishop or preacher erreth or teacheth peruerse doctrine come and declare it to some of our Counsell or to vs to whom is committed by God the authority to reforme and order such causes and behauiors * This can touch none but onely the
None but Christ can say Hoc est corpus meum And he sayde it once for all they shall be forced to say as Saint Paule sayth the Lord Iesus sayde it and once for all which onely was the fulfiller of it For these wordes Hoc est corpus meum were spokeÌ of his natural presence which no man is able to deny because the acte was finished on the crosse as the story doth plainly manifest it to them that haue eyes Now this bloudy sacrifice is made an ende of the supper is finished forasmuch as Christ hath once suffered for sinnes 1. Pet. 3. the iust for the vniust to bring vs to God and was killed as pertainyng to the fleshe and hath entered in by hys owne bloud once for all into the holy place and found eternall redemption Heb. 9. Here now followeth the administration of the supper of the Lorde which I will take at Christes handes after the resurrection although other men will not bee ashamed to bryng the wicked Councels of foolish inuentions for them And it came to passe as Christ sate at meate with them he tooke bread Luke 24. blessed and brake it and gaue it to them and their eyes were opened and knewe hym and he vanished out of their sight And the Apostles did know him in breakyng of breade The right vse of the supper in the Apostles tyme Here also it seemeth to me the Apostles to follow their Maister Christ and to take the right vse of the Sacrament and also to teache it to those that were conuerted to Christ as mention is made in the Actes of the Apostles where as is sayd They continued in the Apostles ãâã and fellowship in breakyng of bread and prayer and they conâânued daylie with one accord in the temple Acteâ 2. and brake breâd ãâã euery house and did eate there with gladnesse and singlenesse oâ heart praysing God and had fauour with all the people And Saint Paule followyng the same doctrine doth plainely shew the duetie of the Minister and also of them that shal receiue it As oft as you shall eate this bread and drinke thâs cuppe ye shall shewe the Lordes death vntill he come 1. Cor. 11. Here I doe gather that the Minister hath no further power and authoritie How farre âhe ãâã of the ãâ¦ã âhe supper then to preach and pronounce the lordes death or els to say the Lord Iesus sayd it which did fulfill it on the crosse Furthermore I doe stedfastly beleeue that where the bread is broken according to the ordinaunce of Christ the blessed and immaculate Lambe is present to the eyes of our fayth and so we eate his flesh and drinke hys bloudâ which is to dwell with God and God with vs. âow the ââeshe of Christ is ãâã in Lordâs supper And in this we are sure we dwell with God in that he geueth vs his holy spirite euen as the forefathers that were before Christes commyng did presently see the Lordes death and did eate his body and drinke his bloud In this do I differ from the Popes Church that the priestes haue authoritie to make Christes naturall presence in the bread âopishe ãâ¦ã doe ãâ¦ã euer âhrist did for so doth he more then our Lorde and Sauiour did As the example is manifest in Iudas which at Christes handes receyued the same wyne and bread as the other Apostles did But the Pope and his adherents are euen they whom Daniel speaketh of saying He shall set men to vnhallow the sanctuary and to put downe the dailye offering and to set vp the abhominable desolation Yea he of Rome shall speake meruailous things against the God of heauen and God of all Gods wherin he shall prosper so long till the wrath be fulfilled for the conclusion is deuised already He shall not regard the God of heauen nor the God of his fathers yea in his place shall he worship the mighty Idoll and the God whome his fathers knew not which is the God Maozim For lacke of tyme I leaue the commemoration of the blessed supper of the Lord and the abhominable idoll the masse which is it that Daniel meaneth by the God Maozim Read the second and last chap. of Daniel the ij to the Thes. the 2. Epistle where as they recite the abhomination of desolation which Mathew sayth standeth in the holy place which is the consciences of men Marke sayeth where it ought not to stand which is a plaine denial of all the inuentions of men Further Luke sayth the tyme is at hand Paule sayth the mysterie of iniquitie worketh alredie yea and shall continue till the appearaunce of Christ which in my iudgement is at hand Now for the supper of the Lord I do protest to take it as reuerently as Christ left it and as his apostles did vse it according to the testimonies of the Prophets the Apostles and our blessed sauiour Christ which accordingly S. Paule to the Ephesians doth recite Now with quietnes I commit the whole world to their pastor and heardman Iesus Christ the onely Sauior and true Messias and I commend my soueraigne Lorde and Maister the Kings maiestie King Henry the 8. to God the father and to our Lord Iesus Christ the Queene and my Lord the Prince with this whole realme euer to the innocent and immaculate lambe that his bloud may wash and purifie their hartes and soules from all iniquitie and sinne to Gods glory and to the saluation of their soules I doe protest that the inward part of my hart doth gront for this and I doubt not but to enter into the holy tabernacle which is aboue yea and there to be with God for euer Farewell in Christ Iesu. Iohn Lacels seruaunt late to the king and now I trust to serue the euerlasting king with the testimony of my bloud in Smithfield ¶ Rogers Martyr burned in Northfolke LIke as Winchester and other Bishops did set on kyng Henry against Anne Askew and her fellow martyrs so D. Repse B. of Norwich did incite no lesse the old duke of Norfolke against one Rogers in the country of Northfolke who much about the same yere and time was there condemned and suffered Martyrdome for the vj. articles After which tyme it was not long but within halfe a yere both the kyng himselfe and the dukes house decayed albeit the Dukes house by Gods grace recouered againe afterward and he hymselfe conuerted to a more moderation in this kind of dealyng * The storie of Queene Katherine Parre late Queene and wife to King Henry 8 Wherein appeareth in what daunger she was for the Gospell by the meanes of Steuen Gardiner and other of his conspiracy and how graciously she was preserued by her kind and louing husband the king AFter these stormye stories aboue recited the course and order as well of the time as the matter of storie doeth require nowe somewhat to intreate likewise touching the troubles and afflictions of the vertuous
purpose of this Bishop of suche like bloudy aduersaries practising thus against the Queene proceeding of gods gospel as ye haue heard putteth me in remembraÌce of such an other like story of his wicked working in like manner a litle before but much more pernitious pestilent to the publick church of Iesus Christ then this was daungerous to the priuate estate of the Queene Whyche storie likewise I thought heere as in conuenient place to be adioyned notified to be knowen to all posteritie according as I haue it faithfully recorded and storied by hym which heard it of the Archbishop Cranmers own mouth declared in order and forme as foloweth * A discourse touching a certaine pollicie vsed by Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester in staying king Henrie the 8. from redressing of certaine abuses of ceremonies in the church being Ambassadour beyonde the seas Also the communication of king Henrye the 8 had wyth the ambassador of France at Hampton Court concerning the reformation of religion as wel in France as in Englande Anno 1546. Mens August IT chanced in the time of K. Henrie the 8. when his highnes did lastly not many yeres before his death conclude a league betwene the Emperor the French king and himselfe that the B. of Winchester SteueÌ Gardiner by name was sent in Ambassage beyonde the seas for that purpose In whose absence the Archbishop of CaÌterbury Thomas Cranmer attending vpon the kings Court sought occasion somwhat to further the reformation of the corrupt religion not yet fully restored vnto a perfection SteueÌ Gardiner Ambassadour For lyke as the sayd Archb. was alwaies diligent and forward to prefer and aduaunce the sincere doctrine of the Gospel so was that other byshop a contrary instrument coÌtinually spurning against the same in whatsoeuer coast of the worlde he remained For euen now he being beyond y e seas in y e temporal affaires of y e realme forgate not but fouÌd the meanes as a most valiant champion of the B. of Rome to stop and hinder aswel the good diligence of the sayd Archbishop Winchester a great hindârer of the course of the Gospell as the godly disposition of the kings Maiestie in that behalfe whych thus chaunced Whilest the sayde B. of Winchester was nowe remaining beyond the seas about the affaires aforsaide y e kings maiesty and the saide Archbishop hauing conference together for reformatioÌ of some superstitious enormities in the Church amongst other things the king determined forthwith to pull downe the Roodes in euery churche The kinges conference with D. Cranmer about reformation of the Ghurch Rood loftes Ringing on Alhallow night and to suppresse the accustomed ringing on Alhalow night wyth a few such like vaine ceremonies And therefore when the said Archb. taking his leaue of the king to go into Kent his dioces his highnes willed him to remember that he shuld cause 2. letters to be deuised for me quoth the King to be signed the one to be directed vnto you my Lorde and the other vnto the Archbishop of Yorke wherein I will commaund you both to send forth your precepts vnto all other Byshops wythin your prouinces Lettets of reformation to be sent by the king to see those enormities and Ceremonies reformed vndelaidly that we haue communed off So vppon this the kings pleasure knowen when the Archbishop of Canterburye was then come into Kent hee caused his Secretarye to conceiue and write these Letters according to the kings minde and being made in a readinesse sent them to the Courte to Syr Anthony Denie for hym to get them signed by the king when maister Denie had mooued the king thereunto the king made answere I am now otherwayes resolued for you shal send my Lorde of Canterburye worde that sithence I spake with hym about these matters I haue receiued letters from my Lord of Winchester nowe being on the other side of the Sea about the conclusion of a league betweene vs The kinges minde altered by Wint. the Emperor and the Frenche king he wryteth plainely vnto vs that the league wil not prosper nor go forward if we make any other innouation change or alteration either in Religion or ceremonies Reformation of Religion stopped by Steuen Gardiner then heretofore hath ben already commensed and done Wherefore my Lorde of Canterburye must take patience heerein and forbeare vntill we may espye a more apt and conuenient time for that purpose Which matter of reformation began to be reuiued again at what time the great Ambassador from the French king came to the kings Maiestie at Hampton Courte not long before his death Anno. 1546. Where then no Gentleman was permitted to waite vpon his Lord and maister This Ambassadour was admirall of Fraunce whose name was Mounsieur de Annebault he came to Hampton Court the 20. day of Aug. an 1546. The matter of reformation againe renued a little before the kinges death The kinges bancket for the French Ambassadour wythout a veluet coate and a chaine of golde And for that entertainment of the Ambassadour were builded in the parke there 3. very notable great and sumptuous banketting houses At the which it was purposed that the sayd Ambassadour should haue bene 3. sundry nightes very richly banketted But as it chaunced the French kings great affaires were then sodenly such that thys Ambassadoure was sent for home in post hast before he had receiued halfe the noble entertainement that was prepared for him so that he hadde but the fruition of the first banketting house Now what princelike order was there vsed in the furniture of y e banket as well in placing of the noble estates namely the kings Maiestie and the French Ambassadour w t the noble men both of England and Fraunce on the one parte and of the Queenes highnesse and the Ladye Anne of Cleeue with other noble women Ladyes of the other part as also touching the great sumptuous preparation of both costly and fine dishes there out of number spent it is not our purpose heere presently to entreate thereof but onely to consider the note of the conference and communication had the first night after the sayd baÌket was finished Secrete communicatioÌ betwene the king the French Ambassadour and the Archb. of Cant. betweene the kings Maiestie the sayde Ambassadour and the Archbishop of Canterburye the kings highnesse standing openly in the banketting house in the open face of all the people and leaning one arme vpon the shoulder of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other arme vppon the shoulder of the Ambassadour touching the establishing of godly religion betweene those two Princes in both theyr realmes As by the report of the sayd Arch. vnto hys secretarie vppon occasion of his seruice to be done in king Edwards visitation then being register in the same visitation The testimony and credite of the story relation was made on that behalfe in thys sorte When the sayd visitation was put
in a readines before the Commissioners should proceede in their viage the said Archb. sent for the sayde Register his man vnto Hampton Courte and willed him in any wise to make notes of certaine things in the sayde visitation whereof hee gaue vnto hym instruction The name of this Register was M. Morice secretarye sometymes to the Archb. Thomas Cranmer hauing then further talke with hym touching the good effect and successe of the sayde visitation Upon which occasion the Register sayde vnto hys maister the Archbyshop I doe remember that you not long agoe caused me to conceiue and write letters which king Henry the 8. shuld haue signed and directed vnto your grace and the Archbishoppe of Yorke for the reformation of certayne enormities in the churches as taking down of the roodes and forbidding of ringing on Alhalow night and such like vaine ceremonies Whiche letters your grace sent to the Courte to be signed by the kinges Maiestie but as yet I thinke that there was neuer any thing done therein Why quoth the Archbishop againe neuer hearde you how those letters were suppressed and stopped Wherunto the Archbyshops seruaunt aunswering againe as it was sayde hee my duetie to wryte those letters so was it not my part to be inquisitiue what became thereupon Marye quoth the Archbishop my Lord of Winchester then beyng beyond the seas about a coÌclusion of a league betwene the Emperour the Frenche king the king our maister and fearing y t some reformation should here passe in the realme touchinge Religion in hys absence againste hys appetite wrote to the kinges Maiestie bearing hym in hande Marke the mischeââââ fetches of this olde Foxe Wââchester that the league then towardes woulde not prosper nor go forwardes on his Maiesties behalfe if he made any other innouation or alteration in Religion or Ceremonies in the Church then was already done which hys aduertisement herein caused the king to staye the signing of those letters as Syr Anthonie Denie wrote to me by the Kinges commaundement Then said his seruaunt againe vnto hym Forasmuche as the kings good intent tooke no place then nowe youre grace may goe forward in those matters the oportunity of the time much better seruing thereunto then in king Henries daies Not so quoth the Archbyshop It was better to attempt such reformation in king Henry the viij his dayes then at thys time the King beinge in hys infancie For if the kings father had set foorth any thyng for the reformation of abuses who was he that durste gainesay it Marye we are now in doubt how men will take the change or alteration of abuses in the Church and therefore the Counsaile hath forborne specially to speake thereof and of other thyngs whych gladly they woulde haue reformed in thys visitation referring all those suche like matters vnto the discretions of the visitours But if King Henrye the viij had liued vnto this day w t the french king it had bene past my L. of Winchesters power to haue vâsured the kynges highnes as he did when he was about the same league I am sure you were at Hampton Courte quoth the Archb. when the French kings ambassador was entertained there at those solemne banketting houses not long beââre the kings death namely when after the bankette was done the first night the king leaning vpoÌ the Ambassador and vpon me if I should tel what communicatioÌ betwene the kings highnes and the said Ambassador was had concerning the establishing of sincere Religion then a manne would hardly haue beleued it Nor I my selfe had thought the kings highnes had ben so forward in those matters as then appeared I may tell you it passed the pulling downe of Roodes and suppressing the ringing of bels I take it y t few in England would haue beleued that the kings Maiestie and the French king had bene at thys poynt The purpoââ of K. Henââ and of the French king little before their ãâã not only within halfe a yeare after to haue chaunged the masse in both the realmes into a communion as we now vse it but also vtterly to haue extirped and banished the Byshop of Rome and his vsurped power out of both their realms and dominions Yea they were so throughly and firmely resolued in that behalfe that they ment also to exhort the Emperour to doe the like in Flanders and other his Countreis and Seniories or els to breake of from him And heerein the kyngs highnes willed mee quoth the Archbishop to pen a forme thereof to be sent to the Frenche king to consider of But the deepe most secrete prouidence of almighty God owing to this realme a sharpe scourge for our iniquities preuented for a time this theyr most godly deuise and intent by taking to his mercy both these Princes A briefe narration of the trouble of Syr George Blage. HEere woulde also something be sayde of Syr George Blage one of y e kings priuy chamber ãâã Georgâ Blage false ãâã who being falslye accused by syr Hugh Cauerley knighte and M. Littleton was sent for by Wrisley L. Chauncellour the sonday before Anne Askew suffered the next day was caried to Newgate from thence to Guild Hal ãâã Georgâ Bâage seat to Newgaââ ãâ¦ã cause ãâ¦ã where he was coÌdemned the same day appoynted to be burned the wensday folowing The words which his accusers laid vnto him were these What if a mouse should eat the bread then by my coÌsent they should hang vp the mouse Wheras in dede these words he neuer spake as to hys liues ende hee protested But y e truth as he sayd was this that they craftely to vndermine him walking w t him in Pauls church after a sermon of D. Crome asked if he were at the Sermon and he said yea I heard say saith M. Litleton that he sayd in his sermoÌ that the masse profiteth neither for the quick nor for the dead No saide M. Blage wherefore then belike for a gentleman when he rideth a hunting to kepe his horse froÌ stumbling so they departing immediately after he was apprehended as is shewed and condemned to be burned when this was heard among them of the priuye chamber the king hearing theÌ whispering together whych he could neuer abide commaunded them to tell hym the matter Whereupon the matter being opened and sute made to the king especially by the good Earle of Bedford then L. priuie Seale the king being sore offended with their doings that they would come so nere him euen into his priuie chamber without hys knowledge sent for Wrisley commaunding him eftsoones to draw out hys pardon himself M. Blage pardoned by ãâã âing and so was he set at libertye Who coÌming after to the kings presence ah my pig sayth the king to him for so he was wont to call him Yea sayd he if your maiestie had not bene better to me then your Bishops were The kinges ãâã almost ãâã .. your pig had bene rosted
to deathe and that by an Assise for violatinge as was alleaged the Acte of Parliament in reasoning and conferrynge vppon Scriptures for eating flesh vppon dayes forbidden for interrupting the holy frier in the pulpitte for dishonouryng of Images and blaspheming of the virgine Mary as they alleaged After sentence geuen theyr handes were bounde and the men cruelly entreated Which thing the woman beholding desired likewise to be bounde by the sergeantes with her husband for Christes sake There was great intercession made by the Towne in the meane season for the lifâ of these persones aforenamed to the Gouernour who of him self was willing so to haue done that they myght haue bene deliuered But the Gouernour was so subiect to the appetite of the cruel priestes that he could not do that which he would Yea they manaced to assist his ennemies and to depose him except he assisted their crueltie There were certaine priestes in the Citie who did eate and drinke before in these honest mens houses to whoÌ the priestes were much bounden These priestes were earnestly desired to entreate for their hostesse at the Cardinalles handes but they altogether refused desiring rather theyr death then preseruation So cruell are these beastes from the lowest to the highest Then after they were caried by a great band of armed men for they feared rebellion in the towne except they had theyr men of warre to the place of execution whych was common to all theeues that to make their cause appeare more odious to the people Robert Lambe at the gallowes foote made his exhortation to the people desiring them to feare God and leaue the leauen of Papisticall abominations The Marâtyrdome ãâã these ãâã manifestly there prophesyed of the ruine and plague whych came vpon the Cardinall thereafter So euerye one comforting an other and assuring them selues to sup together in the kingdome of heauen that night commended themselues to God and died constantly in the Lord. The woman desired earnestly to die with her husband but shee was not suffered yet folowing him to the place of execution shee gaue him comfort exhorting hym to perseueraunce and pacience for Christes sake and parting from him with a kisse sayd on this maner Husband reioyce for we haue liued together many ioyful dayes but this day in which we must die ought to be most ioyfull to vs both because we must haue ioy for euer Therefore I will not bid you good night for we shall sodainely meete with ioy in the kingdome of heauen The woman after was taken to a place to be drowned and albeit she had a child sucking on her brest yet this moued nothing the vnmercifull hearts of the enemies So after she had commended her children to the neighbors of the towne for Gods sake and the sucking barne was geuen to the nurse she sealed vp the truth by her death Ex Registris instrumentis à Scotia missis * The condemnation of M. George Wiseheart Gentleman who suffered Martyrdome for the faith of Christ Iesus at saint Andrewes in Scotland An. 1546. Marche 1. wyth the Articles obiected againste him and his answeares to the same WIth most tender affection and vnfained heart consider gentle Reader the vncharitable manner of y e accusation of M. George Wiseheart Anno 1546 made by y e bloudy enemies of Christs faith Note also the articles whereof he was accused by order digested and hys meeke answeares The exaââation of George ãâã so farre as he had leaue and leisure to speake Finally ponder with no dissembling spirite the furious rage and tragicall cruelnes of the malignant Church in persecuting of thys blessed man of God and of the contrary hys humble pacient and most godly answeres made to them sodainly without all feare not hauing respect to their glorious manasings and boysterous threats but charitably and wythout stop answearing not moouing his countenaunce nor changing his visage as in his accusation hereafter folowing manifestly shall appeare But before I enter into his Articles I thoughte it not impertinent somewhat to touche concerning the life and conuersation of this godlye man according as of late came to my handes certified in wryting by a certaine scholler of hys sometime named Emerey Tylney whose wordes of testimoniall as he wrote them to me here folow Aboute the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande fiue hundreth fortie and thre there was in the vniuersitie of Cambridge one maister George Wiseheart commonlye called maister George of Bennettes Colledge who was a man of talle stature polled headed and on the same a rounde Frenche cappe of the best Iudged of Melancholye complexion by his Phisiognomie blacke heared long âearded comelye of personnage well spoken after his countrey of ScotlaÌd courteous lowly louely glad to teach desirous to learn was wel traueled hauing on him for his habit or clothing neuer but a mantell friese gowne to the showes a blacke Millian fustian dowblet and plaine blacke hosen course newe canuesse for his Shirtes and whyte fallinge Bandes and Cuffes at the handes All the whych Apparell hee gaue to the poore some weekelye some monethly some quarterlye as hee liked sauing hys Frenche cappe whyche hee kepte the whole yeare of my being with hym Hee was a manne modest temperate fearinge God hatinge Couetousnesse For his Charitie had neuer ende nyghte noone nor daye hee forbare one meale in three one daye in foure for the moste parte except somethyng to comforte nature Hee lay harde vppon a pouffe of straw course newe canuesse Sheetes whyche when hee chaunged hee gaue awaye hee hadde commonly by his beddes side a tubbe of water In the whyche hys people being in hedde the candell puâte out and all quiet he vsed to bathe hymselfe as I being very yong being assured often heard him and in one light nighte descerned hym hee loued mee tenderly and I him for my age as effectually He taught wyth great modestie and grauitie so that some of his people thought hym seuere and woulde haue slaine hym but the Lorde was hys defence And hee after due correction for their malice by good exhortation amended them and he went hys way O that the Lord hadde left hym to me his poore boye that hee might haue finished that he hadde begonne For in his Religion he was as you see heere in the rest of hys life when he went into Scotland with diuers of the Nobilitie that came for a treatie to kinge Henry the eighte Hys learning no lesse sufficient then his desire alwayes prest and readye to doe good in that hee was able bothe in the house priuately and in the Schoole publikely professing and reading diners authours If I shoulde declare hys loue to mee and all menne hys Charitie to the poore in geuinge relieuinge caringe helpinge prouidinge yea infinitelye studyinge howe to doe good vnto all and hurte to none I shoulde sooner wante woordes then iuste cause to commende All thys I testifie wyth my whole heart and trueth of thys Godly manne
weauer Agnes Grebill of Tenterden wife of Iohn Grebill the elder and mother to Iohn and Christoph. Grebill who with her own husband accused hir to death being of threscore yeare of age Rob. Harrison of Halden of the age of lx yeares Iohn Browne of Ashford Edward Walker of Maidstone Cutler The Articles whereupon these fiue blessed Martyrs were accused and condemned by the foresayd Iudges and witnesses were these as follow FIrst Ex Râgist W. Warham for holdinge that the sacrament of the aulter was not the very true bodye oâ Christ but onely materiall bread in substaunce 2. That auricular confessioÌ was not to be made to a priest 3. That no power is geuen of God to Priestes of minystring sacramentes saying Masse or other Diuine seruice Their meaning was this that Priestes can claime no more vertue or hye estate by their orders then caâ a lay ãâã more then to lay men 4. That the solemnisation of Matrimony is not necessary to saluation of soule neyther was instituted of God for a Sacrament they meant 5. That the sacrament of extreme vnction is not auaileable nor necessary to soules health 6. That the Images of the crosse of the crucifixe of y e blessed virgin and other Saintes are not to be worshipped that they which worship them do commit Idolatry 7. That pilgrimages to holy places and holy Reliques be not necessary nor meritorious to soules health 8. That inuocation is not to be made to sayntes but onely to God and that he onely heareth theyr prayers 9. That holy bread and holy water haue no more vertue after their consecration then before 10. That they haue beleued taught holden all and euery of the same damnable opinions before as they did at that present 11. That where they nowe haue confessed theyr erroures they would not haue so done but onely for feare of manyfest proufes brought agaynst them eyther els but for feare to be conuicted by them they would neuer haue confessed y e same of theyr owne accord 12. That they haue commoned and talked of the sayd damnable errours heretofore with diuers other persons and haue had bookes concerning the same The order and fourme of processe vsed agaynst these fiue Martyrs aforesayd and first of William Carder Anno. 1511. WIlliam Carder being conueÌted before William WarrhaÌ Archbishop The processe of iudgement agaynst W. Carder Martyr and his Chancellour Cutbert Tonstal Doctour Siluester Doctor Welles Clement BroweÌ with other moe the Notaries being William Potkyng and Dauid Cooper the Articles and interrogatoryes a-aboue specified were layd vnto him Which articles he ther and then denied affirming that he neuer did nor doth hold any such opinions otherwise then becommeth that euerye Christen man shoulde doe ready to conforme hymselfe in all poyntes to their doctrine therfore to cleare himselfe y e better gaynst those Interrogatories obiected against them he stood in denyaâl of the same The like also did euerye of the other foure martyrs after hym All whiche notwithstanding The straight dealing of W. Warham Archbyshop of Canterbury the vncharitable Archbyshop seeking all aduauntage agaynst him that he might more then right law would geâe brought in agaynst hym such witnesses as before were abiured whom he knew for feare of relapse durst doe none other but disclose whatsoeuer they knew to wit Christopher Grebyll William Rich Agnes Iue Iohn Grebill Robert Hils Witnesses agaynst W. Carder Stephen Castelyn Whose depositions being taken and the sayd Carder being asked what he could lay for hymselfe hee had nothing he sayd to produce agaynst theyr attestations but submitted him vnto theyr mercye saying moreouer that if he had euer any misbeliefe of the sacrament of the Church contrary to the common holding of the Catholickes hee now was sory repented him therof Which being done y e archb this his submission notw tstanding notwithstanding that y e Register maketh no mention of any relapse coÌtrary to good law at least contrary to all Christen charity proceeded to the reading of his blinde sentence and so condemned him who neyther stoode stubbernely to that whiche he did hold neither yet did hold any thinge contrary to the mind of holy scripture to the execution of burning Then after him was called for Agnes Grebill and examined of the sayd xii articles aboue recited whiche she in like maner denyed as the other had done before puttyng her aduersaries to ther proof Then the archbishop calling for Iohn Grebyll her husband and Christopher and Ioh. Grebyll her two sonnes who before had bene abiured caused them vppon theyr othe to depose agaynst theyr owne naturall mother and so they did First Iohn Grebell the elder her husband examined by vertue of hys othe to say how Agnes his wife hath and doth beleue of the sacrament of the aultar of going in pilgrimage offeringes and worshipping of Sayntes Images c. and how long she hath so holdeÌ thus deposed that first about the end of king Edwardes dayes the fourth in his house by the teaching of Iohn Iue she was brought to that beliefe and so forth from thence dayly till this time of detection she hath continued And besides that sayd he when my children Christofer and Iohn being about seauen yeares of age were then taught of me in my house the said errour of the Sacrament of the aultar and by the sayd Agnes my wife diuers times she was alwayes of one mind in the said misbeliefe against the Sacrament of the aultar The Catholicke Clergie of the Papistes set the husband agaynst the wife that it was not Christes body flesh and bloud but only bread Furthermore being examined how he knew that she was stedfast in the sayd errour he sayd that she alwaies without contradiction affirmed this teaching and sayde the sayd opinion was good and was well contented that her children aforesaid The Catholicke Papistes set the Children to accuse their owne mother were of the same opinions againste the Sacramente of the aultar c. Ex verbis Registri The Byshop with his Catholicke Doctours not yet contented with this to set the husband agaynst the wyfe proceeding further in their Catholicke zeale caused her two children Christofer and Iohn to be produced Christopher Grebill and Iohn Grebill witnes agaynst Agnes Grebill theyr mother one of the age of xxij the other of xix against their owne naturall mother Who likewise being pressed with their othe witnessed and sayd that the foresaid Agnes their mother held beleeued taught and defended that the Sacrament of the aultar was but bread and not the very body of Christ fleshe and bloud That Baptisme was no better in the Fount then out of the Fount That confirmation was of no effect That the solemnisation of Matrimony was no sacrament That confession to God alone was sufficient Also that going in pilgrimage and worshipping of Saints and Images was of none effect c. Item that their father and the sayd Agnes
Illustrem super Validitate Inualiditate Matrimonij inter eosdem Reges contracti consummati rebusque alijs inactis causae causarum huiusmodi latius deductis dilecto filio Paulo Capissucho causaruÌ sacri palatij tunc decano propter ipsius Pauli absentiam venerabili fratri nostro Iacobo Simonetae Episcopo Pisauâien vnius ex dicti palatij causauruÌ Auditoribus locuÌ teneÌti audieÌdis instrueÌdis in Consistorio nostro Secreto referendis cómissis pereos nobis eiusdeÌ Cardinalibus Relatis maturè discussis coraÌ nobis peÌdeÌtibus matrimoniuÌ inter predictaÌ CatherinaÌ HeÌricuÌ Angliae Reges coÌtractuÌ inde secuta quaecuÌque fuisse esse validuÌ canonicuÌ validaque Canonica suosque debitos debuisse debere sortiri effectus proleÌque exinde susceptam suscipieÌdaÌ fuisse fore legitimaÌ praefatuÌ HeÌricum Angliae RegeÌ teneri obligatuÌ fuisse fore ad cohabitanduÌ cuÌ dictâ Catherina Regina eius legitima coÌiuge illaÌque maritali affectione Regio honore tractaÌduÌ euÌdeÌ HeÌricuÌ Angliae Regem ad praemissa omnia singula cuÌ effectu adimplenduÌ condeÌdanduÌ omnibusque iuris remedijs cogenduÌ coÌpellenduÌ fore prout condeÌnamus cogimus compellimus molestationesque denegationes per eundeÌ HenricuÌ RegeÌ eideÌ Catherinae Reginae super inualiditate ac foedere dicti matrimonij quomodo libet factas praestâtas fuisse esse illicitas iniustas eideÌ HeÌrico Regi super illis ac inualiditate matrimonij huiusmodi perpetuuÌ sileÌtium imponeÌduÌ fore imponimê° eundeÌque HenricuÌ Angliae RegeÌ in expensis in huiusmodi causa pro parte dictae Catherinae Reginae coram nobis dictis omnibus legitimè factis coÌdeÌnanduÌ fore condeÌnamus quaruÌ expensarum taxationem nobis imposteruÌ reseruamus Ita pronuntiamus I. Lata fuit Romae in Palatio Apostolico publice in Consistorio die .xxiii. Martij M.D.XXXIIII Blosius ¶ The effect in English THe effect of this Sentence is as much to meane in english That Pope Clement the vij with the consent of his other brethreÌ the Cardinals assembled together in his Consistory The Pope sitteth in the ãâã of iustice with the ãâã same fashioÌ ãâã did sit in the seate ãâ¦ã Antichrist ãâã the TeÌple of God And sayd neuer a word ãâã hauing no bribes ãâã in his handes nor ãâã the Emperour in ãâã ãâã not thys a gloryous ãâã that wil haue no beg ãâã his sonnes daughâââ Emperours Kinges ãâã And why then did you ãâ¦ã to England ãâã the same Matriââââ before as appeareth ãâã pag. 1â49 sitting there in the throne of A Iustice calling vpon the name B of Christ and hauing God onely before his C eyes doth pronounce define declare in the cause causes betwene his dere daughter Katherine Quene of England appealing to the sea Apostolicke his beloued D sonne Henry the eight king of England concerning y e validity inualidity of the Matrimony heretofore contracted betwene theÌ and yet depending in the Consistory court of the said pope Clement that the sayd Matrimony alwaies hath E and still doth stand firme Canonicall that the issue proceding or which shall proceed of the same standeth and shall stand lawfull and legitimate and that the foresayd Henry king of England is and shal be bouÌd and obstrict to the Matrimoniall society and cohabitatioÌ with the sayd Lady Katherine his lawfull wiâe Quene to hold and maynteine her with such loue and princely honor as becommeth a louing husbande and his kingly honor to do Also that the sayd Henry king of England if he shall refuse so to performe and accomplish all and singuler the premisses in all effectuall maner is to be condemned and compelled hereunto by all remedies of (F) (F) By his owne Canon law âe meaneth ãâã by the lawe of God the law enforced according as we do coÌdemne compell and enforce him so to do prouiding that al molestations and refusals whatsoeuer made by the sayde king Henry agaynst the sayde Queene Katherine vpon the inualidity of the sayd Mariage to haue bene and to be iudged vnlawful and vniust and the sayd king froÌ henceforth for euer to hold his peace and not to be heard in any Court hereafter (G) (G) Here thou mayst see good reader howe the Pope may doth ãâã lykâ a false Prophet For where he thought to put the king âo silence tâe saâe silence lighted vpon himselfe whereby the Pope is driuen himselfe to stand mute in EnglaÌd God graunt he may so stand for euer Amen to speake touching the inualidity of the sayd matrimony like as we also do here will and charge him to holde his peace and do put him to perpetuall silence herein Willing moreouer adiudging the sayd king henry to be condemned and presently here doe condemne him in the expenses on the sayde Quene Katherines behalfe here in our Court exposed employed in trauersing the foresaid cause the valuation of which expenses we reserue to our selues to be limited and taxed as we shall iudge meete hereafter We do so pronounce I. At Rome in our Apostolicall palace publickely in our Consistory 23. Mart. M.D.XXXIIII Blosius Now as you haue heard the presumptuous and arrogant Sentence of Pope Clement wherein he taketh vpon him contrary to the ordinaunce of God in his Leuiticall law as before is shewed pag. 1025. and contrary to y e best learned iudgementes of Christendome to commaund and compell the king agaynst his conscience to reteine in Matrimony his brothers wife here foloweth in like order to be inferred according to my promise an other like wicked blasphemous Pope Leo his Bull agaynst Luther and the Appellation of M. Luther from the Pope by way of an Appendix and sclauÌderous Bull of Pope Leo against Martin Luther with the iust Appellation also of the sayd Martin Luther from the Pope to a generall Counsell Wherein may appeare to all men the lying spirite of the pope both in teaching most heretical doctrine derogating from the bloud of Christ and also falsely deprauing peruerting the sound doctrine of Luther falsely and vntruely charging him with heresy when he is the greater heretick himselfe For what hereticke would euer say that the churche of Rome was consecrate and sanctified by the bloud of Peter but onely the Pope Or who would cal this heresy to referre al our saluation and sanctification onely and totally to the bloud of the sonne of God vnlesse he were an hereticke of all heretickes himselfe After the like dealing we read .3 Reg. 18. of wicked king Achab The Pope playeth with Luther as Achab played with Elias saying that he was the troubler of Israell when it was he himselfe and his fathers house that so did who being onely the disturber of Israel himselfe crieth out vpon Elias for troubling Israel So here in semblablewise
brought openly to the Cathedrall Church and so to the place of punishment where malefactours are executed and there should make open confession of their wickednes But euen at the same tyme chaunced a persecution against the Lutheranes which was the cause that this sentence albeit it was too gentle for so great offence was not put in execution For because the name of the Lutheranes was most odious they feared least the punishment of these men should not haue bene so much thought to be due for their offence The Fryers ââcaped and ãâã Lutheâââes puniâââd as done in reproch of the order and many thought that whatsoeuer should be done to them it would be to the Lutheranes a pleasant spectacle and cause them much to reioice This order of the Franciscanes was esteemed of the common people very holy so that what tyme they were carried out of Paris certayne women mooued wyth pitie followed them vnto the gate of the Uniuersitie wyth many teares and sighes After they came to Orleance and were bestowed in seuerall prisons they began to boast agayne of their liberties and priuiledges and at length after long imprisonment they were discharged and set at libertie without anye further punishmente Had not these persecutions before mentioned letted the matter the King had determined as it was certaynely reported to plucke downe their house and make it euen with the ground Ex Io. Sleid. lib. 9. But to leaue the memorye of thys Idolatrous generation not worthy any further to be named let vs occupy the tyme with some better matter ãâã the ãâ¦ã M. ãâã tyme. in remembring the story of a good and constant Martir of the Lorde before ouerpast whiche suffered in Kent for the worde of God before Luthers time about the second yeare of this kings raigne as heere in story followeth Iohn Browne a blessed Martyr of Christ Iesus burned at Ashford by Archbishop Warrham and Doct. Fisher Bish. of Rochester about the 2. yeare of king Henry the 8. An. 1511. Persecuters Martir The cause W. Warrh Archb. of Cant. Fisher byshop of Rochester A chauÌtry priest Walter More Gentleman William More hys brother Children of Wye Baily arraÌt Beare of Wilborough Two seruauntes of Wil. Warham I. Browne of Ashford At Asheford Ann. 1511. The first occasion of the trouble of this I. Brown the blessed seruaunt of God The story of Iohn Browne Martyr was by a certayne Prieste who passing downe to Graues end in the coÌmon Barge where the sayd Ioh. Brown was amongest diuers other passingers moe and disdayning y t hee so saucely shoulde sit so neare vnto him in the Barge who belyke seemed not muche to passe vppon the Priest began to swell in stomacke agaynst him At length bursting forth in his priestly voyce and disdaynefull countenaunce hee asked hym in this maner Doest y u know sayd he who I am thou sittest to neare me and fittest on my clothes No sir sayde the other I know not what you are I tell thee quoth hee I am a priest What sir are you a parson or vicar Talke betweeâ Iohn Browne a proud Priest ãâã in Graues end ãâã Barge or some ladies chapleine No quoth he agayne I am a soule Priest I sing for a soule Doe you so sir quoth the other that is well done I pray you sir sayd he where find you the soule when you go to Masse I cannot tel thee sayd the Priest I pray you where doe you leaue it sir when the Masse is done I cannot tell thee sayde the priest Neither can you tell where to find it when you goe to Masse nor where you leaue it when the Masse is done howe can you then saue the soule sayd he Go thy wayes said the priest I perceiue thou art an hereticke and I will be euen with thee So at the landing Walter More William More Chilten and Beare persecuters the priest taking with him Walter More and W. More two Gentlemen and brethren rode straightwayes to the archbishop who theÌ was Wil. Warham Wherupon the sayd Iohn Browne within 3. dayes after was seÌt for by the archbishop His bringers vp were Chilten of Wye baily arraunt and one Beare of Wilseborough with two of the bishops seruantes Who with certayn other being appoynted for the same came sodenly into his house vppon him Iohn Browne sodeinly taken and caryed away the same day when his wife was churched as hee was bringing in a messe of pottage to the bourd seruing his gestes and so laying hands vpon hym set him vpon his owne horse and binding his feete vnder the horses belly caryed him away to Canterbury neither he nor his wife nor any of his friendes knowing whether he went nor whether he should and there continuing the space of 40. dayes froÌ LowsoÌday till Friday before Whitsonday through the cruell handling of the sayd Archb. and y e B. of Rochest D. Fisher hee was so piteously intreated His bare ãâã set vpon the hote coales to make him deny the truth that his bare feete were set vpon the hote burning coales to make him deny his fayth whiche notwithstanding hee would not doe but paciently abiding y e payne continued in the Lordes quarrell vnremoueable At length after al this crueltie susteined his wife yet not knowing where he was become on Friday before Whitsonday he was sent to Ashford where he dwelt the next day there to be burned In the meane time Brown brought to Ashford to be burned as he was brought to the town ouer night there to be set in the stockes it happened as God would that a young mayde of his house comming by and seeing her mayster ran home and told her mistres Then she comming to him and finding him in y e stocks appoynted to be burned the next morow Browne set in the stockes at Ashford sat by him all the night long To whome then he declared the whole story or rather tragedy how he was haÌdled and how his feet were burned to the bones that he could not set them vppon the ground by the two Bishops aforesayde he thanked God therfore and all to make me sayd hee to deny my Lorde which I will neuer doe for if I should deny him sayde he in this world he would deny me hereafter And therfore I pray thee sayd he good Elizabeth continue as y u hast begon bring vp thy childreÌ vertuously in the feare of God And so the next day which was on Whitson euen thys godly martyr was burned where he standing at the stake sayd this prayer holding vp his handes as followeth The prayer of Browne at his death O Lord I yeeld me to thy grace Graunt me mercy for my trespace Let neuer the fiend my soule chace The prayer of Iohn Browne at his death Lord I will bow and thou shalt beate Let neuer my soule come in hell heate Into thy handes I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord of truth And so
extinguished in his fathers dayes by sharpe lawes seuere punishments here in England Briefly in all poynts and respectes K. Iosias and K. Edward onely differ in continuaÌce of raigne betwene him and this our godly king no oddes is to be fouÌd but onely in length of time and reign Who if he might haue reached by the sufferaunce of God to the continuance of Iosias reigne proceding in those beginnings which in his youth appeared no doubt but of his Actes doings some great perfection woulde haue ensued to thys Church and Realme But the manifold iniquities of EnglishmeÌ deserued another plague as after fel amongst vs as in sequele of the story hereafter God willing shal be declared In the meane time to proceed in the excellent vertues of this christian yong Iosias as we haue begon althogh neither do we know nor will laysure serue vs to staÌd vpoÌ a full descriptioÌ of all his Actes yet will we God willing gâue a litle taste of the noble nature and princely qualities of this king wherby the reader may esteme with himselfe what is to be thought of y e rest of his doinges though they be not here all expressed And first to begin with that whiche is the chiefest property of al other externe things in a prince to be coÌsidered that is K Edward beloued of his subiectes to be loued of his subiectes such were the hartes of all English people towarde this King inclined and so toward him still coÌtinued as neuer came prince in this realme more highly esteemed more amply magnified or more dearely tenderly beloued of all his subiects but especially of the good the learned sort yet not so much beloued as also admirable by reason of his rare towardnes hope both of vertue learning which in him appeared aboue y e capacity of his yeares And as he was intirely of his subiects beloued The meeke nature of K. Edw. so with no lesse good wil he loued theÌ again of nature disposition meek and much enclined to ciemeÌcy He alwayes spared and fauored the life of man as in a certayne dissertation of his once appeared had with Maister Cheke in fauoring y e life of heretickes in so much that when Ioane Butcher should be burned all the Councell could not moue him to put to his hand but were fayne to get Doct. Cranmer to perswade with him and yet neither could he with much labor induce the king so to do sayyng what my Lord will ye haue me to send her quicke to the deuill in her error so that D. Cranmer himself coÌfessed that he had neuer so much to do in all his life as to cause y e king to put to his hand saying that he woulde laye all the charge therof vpon Cranmer before God There wanted in him no promptnes of wit grauity of sentence rypenesse of iudgement Fauor and loue of religion was in him froÌ his childhood Such an organe geueÌ of God to the Church of England he was as England had neuer better Ouer and besides these notable excellencies K Edward well âilled in the tongues and other great vertues in him adde moreouer skill knowledge of tongues other sciences whereunto hee seemed rather borne then brought vp Moreouer there wanted not in him to this felicitye of wit and dexterity of nature like happines of institution of good instructors Neither did there lacke agayne in him any diligence to receiue that The readines of K. Edward to his booke which they would teach him in so much that in the middest of all his play and recreatioÌ he would alwayes obserue keep his houre appoynted to his study vsing the same with much intentioÌ till time called him agayne from his booke to pastime In this his study keeping of his houres he did so profit that D. Cranmer the Archbishop then of Canterbury beholding his towardnes his readines in both tongues in translating froÌ Greek to Latine from Latine to Greek agayne in declaming w t his scholefellowes without helpe of his teachers and that ex tempore D. Cox king Edwardes schoolemaster would weepe for ioy declaring to D. Coxe his scholemaister that he would neuer haue thought that to haue bene in him except he had sene it himselfe To recite here his witty sentences his graue reasonâ which many times did proceed froÌ him and how he would sometimes in a matter discoursed by his couÌsell adde theâ vnto of his owne moe reasons causes touching the ãâã matter then they themselues had or could deuise it was ãâã most incredible in y â age to see tedious here to prosecute This in him may seme notorious and admirable that he in these immature yeres could tell recite all the poâââ hauens and crekes not within his owne realme only but also in Scotland and likewise in FrauÌce what commyng in there was how the tide serued in euery hauen or creke moreouer what burdeÌ what winde serued the comming into the hauen Also of all his iustices maiestrates gentlemeÌ that bare any authority within his realme he knew the names K. ãâã knew ãâã nameâ ãâã religion all his ãâã their housekeping their religioÌ and conuersation what it was Few sermons or none in his court especially in the Lord Protectors time but he would be at them Agayne neuer was he present at any commonly but he would excerp theÌ or note them with his owne hand Besides and aboue al other notes and examples of his commendatioÌ as touching the chiefest poynt which ought most to touch all men for mainteining promoting preferring embracing zealing and defending the true cause and quarell of Christes holy gospell what was his study hys zealous feruency his admirable constancy therin by thys one example folowing amongest many other may notably appeare In the dayes of this K. Edward the sixt Carolus the Emperor made request to the sayd king and his counsel to permit Lady Mary who after succeeded in the crowne to haue Masse in her house without preiudice of the law The ãâ¦ã of ãâã Edward in ãâ¦ã religion And the counsell on a time sitting vpon matters of pollicy hauing that in question sent Cranmer then Archbishoppe of Canterbury and Ridley then bishop of LondoÌ to intreat the king for the same who comming to his grace alledged theyr reasons and persuasions for the accomplishing therof So y e king hearing what they could say replied his answere again out of the Scriptures so groundedly grantly and fully that they were enforced to geue place to his replication and graunt the same to be true Then they after long debating in this maner with his maiesty labored politickely in an other sort and alledged what daungers the denying therof might bring to his grace what breach of amity of the Emperors part what troubles what vnkindnes what occasions sondry wayes it would enforce c. Unto whom the king aunswered wylling them to conteÌt themselues for he would
neither yet in any bodily labor otherwise then in y e time of haruest to saue the fruites of the earth if necessity so required and that no curate should admit vnto the receiuing of the holy coÌmunion Diligent preparation to be had before the comming to the Communion any person who had maliciously and opeÌly conteÌded with his neighbors vnlesse the same did first also openlye reconcile himselfe agayne and remit all rancor and malice whatsoeuer Moreouer it was ordeined that euery Dean A godly charge geuen to euery beneficed minister to preach personally twise at least in the yeare and what to preach Archdeacon master of Collegiat Churches or Hospitals and Prebendaries being Priest should himselfe personally preach twise euery yeare at the least in some such place where hee had iurisdiction and liuing and that they and all other curates should teach y e people that as no man of any priuate affection ought maliciously to violate any ceremony in the Church then not abrogated by y e kings authority so likewise they ought not on the other side to vse them superstitiously or idolatrously All monuments of Idolatry to be taken away out of Churches houses windowes in attributing to them remission of sinnes driuing away of euill spirits other such like dreames faÌtasies of men or els in putting any confidence of saluation or health in theÌ And farther that they should vtterly take away and destroy all Shrines and MonumeÌts of fayned Miracles Pilgrimages and other Idolatrous superstition as well in theyr Churches as wythin theyr priuate houses Also that they should see prouided within their churches a strong and fit chest for the safe keping of y e peoples beneuolence geuen towards the reliefe of the poore A chest to be prouided vpon publicke chargâ to receaue the almes of the poore the Curates to call vpon their parishioners to geue to the same chest and that the sayd Curates should earnestly exhort and moue theyr Parishioners especially at the making of theyr Testaments that as they had bene thertofore willing to bestow much of theyr substance vpon vayne superstitious blind deuotioÌs contrary to gods word so now they would be much more readier to geue som portion therof vnto theyr poore nedy brethren knowing the same to be not only commauÌded in y e word of God but also promised to be rewarded And for the better reliefe of the poore it was also appoynted that all mony profits rising vpon Fraternities guildes stocks of Churches or geuen to the finding of Idolatrous lights should be coÌuerted for that present vnto the same vse Last of all for the want of learned Curates other good preachers it was enioyned that y e Curates hauing no sermoÌ should euery soÌday read vnto the people in their churches one of the homilies which should be shortly set forth for y e same purpose by the kinges authority Homelies to be read euery sonday when there is no sermon that wheÌ any homily or sermoÌ should be preached or read then the Prime and Houres should be omitted There were also diuers other articles in the same IniunctioÌs appoynted for comelines due order in the churches as for repayring of Chauncels and Priestes houses for keeping of a Register booke of weddinges christenings and burials for reading of these Iniunctions euery quarter for due paying of tithes for forbidding of any other alteration of seruice in the Church or fasting dayes for making of comely Pulpits for the preachers for auoyding of simony in buying and selling of benefices of the charitable vsing of Priestes for praying onely vpon the English and Latine primmers set forth by K. Henry the eight for y e teaching of his grammer in the common scholes Read the former edition of the booke of Actes and Monumentes pag. 684. At last that the Chauntry Priestes should teach yong children eyther to write and read or els some other good and profitable exercises as it doth more fully and amply apeare in the same Iniunctions at large set forth in the 684. page of the fyrste booke of the Actes and Monuments of the church heretofore imprinted Besides these generall Iniunctions for the whole estate of the Realme there were also certayne others particularly appoynted for the Bishops onely which being deliuered vnto the Commissioners were likewise by theyr visitations committed vnto the sayd byshops with charge to be inuiolably obserued and kept vpon payne of the kinges Maiesties displeasure the effect whereof is as in maner foloweth First that they should to the vttermost of theyr wit and vnderstanding Anno 1547. see cause al and euery singuler the kings Iniunctions theretofore geuen or after to bee geuen from time to time in and through our Dioces duely faythfully and truely to be kept abserued and accomplished and that they should personally preach within theyr Dioces Iniunctions geuen to the Bishops euery quarter of a yeare once at y e least that is to say once in theyr Cathedrall Churches and thrise in other seueral places of theyr Diocesses wheras they should see it most conuenieÌt and necessary except they had a reasonable excuse to the coÌtrary Likewise that they should not reteine into their seruice or houshold any chaplein but such as were learned or able to preach the word of God and those they should also cause to exercise the same Moreouer that they should not geue orders to any person but such as were learned in holy Scripture neyther should deny theÌ that were learned in the same being of honest conuersatioÌ and liuing And last that they should not at any time or place preach or set forth vnto the people any doctrine contrary or repugnant to the effect and entent coÌteined and set forth in the kings highnes homelies neither yet should admitte or geue licence to preach to any within theyr diocesses but to such as they should know or at the least assuredly trust would do the same And if at any time by hearing or by report proued they should perceiue y e coÌtrary they should then incontinent not onely inhibite that person so offending but also punish him and reuoke theyr licence Nowe during the time that the Commissioners were occupied abroad in theyr circuits about the spedy and diligent execution of these godly zelous orders and decrees of the king and his counsell his maiesty with the aduise of the same yet still desiring a farther reformation as well in this case of religioÌ as also in some others of his Ciuill gouernment appointed a parliameÌt of the three estates of his Realme to be summoned agaynst the 4. day of NoueÌber in the first yeare of his raigne and the yeare of our Lorde 1547. which continued vnto the 24. day of December then next folowing A Parliament called in the first yeare of king Edward In the which Session for as much as hys highnes minded the gouernaunce and order of his people to be in perfect
In the which hys assault he was so hotely saluted by the kinges shippes and the Island that by the confession of them that sawe it and by the report wrytten vnto the Lord Protector the French men at least lost a thousand men theyr ships and galleis so spoiled as being forced to return home they were not able then to set out againe Ex literis D. Protectoris Furthermore out of Fraunce creadible woorde was broughte to the Lorde Protectoure whyche yet in letters appeareth that into one towne in one vessel were brought at least three score Gentlemen to be buried and also an ââhibition special geuen out by the king not to speake of ãâã successe in that iourney Thys was about the beginning of August 1549. The like also might be noted of the losses of the sayde French king at Bullenburgh the eight day of August the same yeare as by the Lord Clintons letters may well appeare but for spending of time I passe it ouer What the meaning of the French king was in these voiages The ãâ¦ã King Edward or how he intended further to procede I haue not herein to deale This is certain and euident that the mighty arme of God mercifully fought for king Edwarde his seruant to defend and deliuer him from so many harde dangers so daÌgerous and sundrye commotions stirred vp in so many quarters within this Realme and also without the Realme and all wythin the compasse of one yeare and yet the Lorde aboue fighting for his true seruant dispatched them all as in storie heere ye haue heard declared and is no lesse worthye of all posteritie to be noted Matter concerning Edmund Boner Bishop of London with declaration of the Actes and processe entred against him in king Edwardes time ANd thus muche hetherto hauing discoursed touching the manifolde troubles and tumults raised vp on euery side against king Edward by his vnkinde and vnnatural subiects and yet notwithstaÌding the gratious goodnesse of the Lorde euer geuing him the victorie nowe lette vs returne againe to Boner Byshop of London where we leaft hym before that is in hys owne house where he was by the Counsaile commaunded to remaine as is aboue signified And nowe for so much as we haue to enter into the storie of the sayd Boner for the better vnderstandinge of the whole order therof it shal be requisite to rip vp the matter wyth the circumstaunces and occasions thereof from the first beginning of kinge Edwardes time Where is to be vnderstanded Sitting oâ the kingâ Commiâââonerâ in Paules Church that king Edwarde in the first yeare of hys raigne an 1547. the first day of September for the order of hys Uisitation directed out certaine Commissioners as sir Anthony Cooke sir Iohn Godsaule Knightes Maister Iohn Godsaule Christopher Neuinson Doctours of the Lawe and Iohn Madew Doctour of Diuinitie Who sitting in Paules church vpon their commission the day and yeare aforesaide there being presente at the same time Edmund Bishop of London Iohn Royston Polidore Uirgil Peter Uan and others of the saide cathedrall Churche An ãâã ââânystred tâ Boner to ãâã âhe Popâ after the sermone made and the Commission being reade ministred an othe vnto the said B. of London to renounce and deny the bishop of Rome with his vsurped authority and to sweare obedience vnto the king according to the effect and forme of the statute made in the 31. yeare of kinge Henry the eight also that he should present and redresse all and singular such things as were needeful within the sayd Church to be reformed Wherupon the said Bishop humbly and instantly desired them that he might see their commissioÌ only for this purpose intent as he sayd that he might the better fulfill put in execution the things wherein he was charged by them in their commission Unto whom the commissioners answearing said they wold deliberat more vpon the matter so they called the other ministers of the saide Church before them and ministred the like oth vnto them as they did to the bishop before Annâ 1549 To whom moreouer there then certaine interrogatories and articles of inquisition were read by Peter Lillye the publike Notarie Which done after their othes taken the sayde Commissioners deliuered vnto the Bishop aforesaid certaine Iniunctions as wel in printe as wrytten and Homilies set foorth by the king All which things the sayde Bishop receiued vnder the wordes of thys protestation as followeth I Do receiue these Iniunctions and Homilies with this protestation that I will obserue them if they be not contrarye and repugnaunt to Gods lawe and the statutes and ordinaunce of the Church and immediately added with an othe that he neuer reade the sayde Homilies and Iniunctions The whyche Protestation being made in manner and fourme aforesaid the said Edmund Bishop of London instantly desired and required Peter Lilly the register aforesaide there and then to register and enact the same And so the sayd Commissioners deliuering the Iniunctions and Homilies to Maister Bellasiere Archdeacon of Colchester and to Gilberte Bourne Archedeacon of London Essex and Middlesexe and enioyning them in moste effectuous manner vnder paines therein contained to put the same in speedy execution and also reseruing other new iniunctions to be ministred afterward as wel to the bishop as to the Archdeacons aforesayd according as they should see cause c. did so continue the visitation til 3. of the clocke the same day in the afternoone At the whiche houre and place assigned the Commissioners being set and the Canons and Priestes of the sayd Church appearing before them and being examined vpon vertue of theyr othe for their doctrine and conuersation of life first one Iohn Painter one of the Canons of the said Cathedrall church there and then openly confessed that he viciously and carnally had often the company of a certaine married mans wyfe ãâã the ââârupt life of these ãâã Priestes Popish ãâã whose name he denied to declare In the which crime diuers other Canons and Priestes of the said church confessed in like maner could not deny them selues to be culpable And then after the Commissioners aforesayde had deliuered to Maister Royston Prebendary and to the proctour of the Deane and of the Chapter of the sayde Cathedrall Churche of Sainte Paule the kinges Iniunctions and the booke of Homelies enioyninge them to see the execution thereof vnder paine therein specified they proroged theyr sayde visitation vntill seuen of the clocke the next day following By this visitation aboue specified it appeareth gentle Reader first howe Boner made his Protestation after the receiuing of the kings Iniunctions and also how he after required the same to be put in publike recorde Thinges in this visitation to be noted Furthermore thou hast to note the vnchast life and conuersation of these popish votaries and priestes of Paules Nowe what followed after this protestation of the Bishop made remayneth further in
the sequele of the storye to be declared wherin first thou shalt vnderstand y t the said B. shortly after his Protestation whether for feare or for conscience repenting himselfe went vnto the King where hee submitting himselfe and recantinge his former protestation Boner repenteth his euil demeanour in his protestatioÌ craued pardon of the king for his inordinate demeanor toward his graces Commissioners in the former visitation Whych pardone notwithstanding it was graunted vnto hym by the Kynge for the acknowledging of hys fault yet for the euill example of the facte Boner sent to the Fleete it was thoughte good that hee should be committed to the Fleete as by the tenoure of the Counsailes letter sente to the Commissioners maye appeare whych together wyth the fourme also of the Bishoppes protestation and of hys recantation heere vnder followeth To our very louing frendes Syr Anthony Cooke Knight and the rest of the Commissioners for the visitation at London The kinges letter to the Commissioners concerning the recantation and pardoning of Boner in haste AFter our heartie commendations This shal be to signifie vnto you that we haue receiued your letters and in the same enclosed the copie of the protestation made by the Bishop of London in the time of your visitation at Paules your wise proceedings wherein and aduertisements from you wee take in verye thankefull part towardes vs. And because the sayd Bishop which being heere before vs hath acknowledged his indiscrete demeanour did at that time at Paules require the Register of your visitation to make recorde and enter of his protestation Boner recaÌteth his protestatioÌ Boner ãâã his recantation ãâ¦ã and nowe vppon better coÌsideration of his duetie maketh meanes to haue the same reuoked as shall appeare vnto you by the true copie of his wrytinge inclosed the originall whereof remaining wyth vs he hath subscribed wee pray you to cause the Register to make enter of this his reuocation accordinge vnto the tenour of thys his said wryting Further signifyinge vnto you that in respecte of his offence and the euill ensample that might thereupon ensue we haue thought meete to sende him to the prisone of the Fleete The Copy of Boners recantation whether hee hathe bene conueyed by maister Vicechamberlaine And whereas sundry thinges for the kinges Maiesties seruice doe nowe occurre heere whyche require the present attendaunce of you Sir Iohn Godsaule as well for your office of the Signet as of the Protonoriship we pray you that leauing the execution of the visitation to the rest of your colleages you make your repaire hither with conuenient diligence Thus fare you right hartily well From Hampton Court the 12 of Septemb. 1547. Your assured louing frendes Tho Canterbury William S. Iohn Iohn Russel Tho. Semer. William Paget Anthony Browne William Peter Anthony Denny Edward North. The forme of Boners recantation WHere as I Edmunde Bishop of London at suche time as I receiued the kings maiesties Iniunctions and Homilies of my most dreade soueraigne Lorde at the handes of his highnesse visitours did vnaduisedly make such protestation as nowe vpon better consideration of my duetie of obedience and of the euill ensample that might ensue vnto others thereof appeareth to mee neither reasonable nor suche as might well stande with the duetie of an humble subiecte for so much as the same protestation at my request was then by the Register of that visitation enacted putte in Recorde I haue thoughte it my duetie not onely to declare before your Lordshippes that I doe now vppon better consideration of my duetie renounce and reuoke my sayde protestation but also most humbly beseeche your Lordships that thys my reuocation of the same may be in likewise putte in the same recordes for a perpetuall memorie of the truth moste humbly beseeching your good Lordshippes both to take order that it maye take effect and also that my former and vnaduised doings may be by your good mediations pardoned of the kings maiestie Edmund London The Registers of these affaires of Boners Ex registro Petri Lilij remaineth in the handes of Peter Lillie then beinge Register to the foresayd Commissioners Thus farre thou haste heard louing Reader firste the popish protestation of Boner The order of Boners doinges in the beginning of king Edward then how he calling himselfe home againe solemnely recanted the same requiringe further the sayde his reuocation to be committed to publyke Record for a perpetual remembraunce Also how he vpon his humble submission receiued his pardoÌ of the king and yet for examples sake was commanded to the Flete Where he neuertheles did not long continue but accordinge to the effect of the kings pardon afore grauÌted was restored both to house and liuing againe Which was in the first yeare of the king An. 1547. After this yee haue heard also in the story aboue in the second yeare and a great part of the thirde yere of the king howe he demeaned hymselfe although not most forwardâ in aduauncing the Kinges proceedings yet in suche sorte as no great aduantage by any law could be taken againste him both in swearing his obedience to the king and in receiuing hys Iniunctions also in professing hys assent and consent touchinge the state of Religion then and furthermore in directinge out hys letters accordynge to the Arch-Bishop of Canterburyes Preceptes to Cloney his Sumner to the Bishop of Westminster and other Bishoppes for abolishing of Images for abrogation of the Masse for Bibles to be set vpp and for ministring in both kindes with such other matters of reformation like till at length he hearing of the death of the Lorde Admirall the Lorde Protectours brother Boner beginneth to slacke in his diligence and after that of the sturring and rising of the kinges subiectes in sundrye tumultes agaynst the king beganne somewhat as hee durst to drawe backe and slacke his pastoral dilligence so that in many places of his Dioces and in London the people not only were negligent in resorting to deuine seruice but also did frequent and haunt forreine rites of masses and other orders then in this Realme appoynted Anno 1549. and hee also himselfe contrary to his wonted maner vpon principal feastes refused in his owne person to execute Whereupon he being suspected and complayned of and conuented before y e kinges Counsaile as ye heard before after sharpe admonitions and reproofes had certayne priuate Iniunctions to hym enioyned 1. First that hee shoulde personally preache within three weekes after at Paules crosse Matters put to Boner to redresse 2. That according as his predecessours were wont to celebrate Masse he at such wonted tymes shoulde execute and administer the Communion 3. That he shoulde call before him and correcte more dilligently such transgressours as absented them selues from the order of seruice and ministration of the Lordes boorde appoynted then in Churches by the kinges ordinaunce 4. That he shoulde see more carefully and vigilantly to the punishment of
and Iohn Hoper preachers who before that time had put vp the bill of complaint vnto the King against him Upon whome when the Byshop had earnestly looked and well beheld them he said as for this Marchant Latimer I know him very wel and haue borne with him winked at his euill doings a great while but I haue more to say to him hereafter But as touching this other Marchaunt Hooper I haue not seene him before howbeit I haue heard much of his naughty preaching and then turning himselfe againe to the Archbyshop of purpose most like to make his frends thinke that he was not called thether to aunswere his contemptuous disobedience Boner ãâã slateth his cause to thâ matter of the Sacrament but for matters of Religion sayd vnto him Ah my Lord now I see that the cause of my trouble is not for the matter that you pretend against me but it is for that I did preach and set foorth in my late Sermon the true presence of the most blessed body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to be in the Sacrament of the aulter For Boner maketh exception of his accusers as for these my accusers as they be euil infamed and notorious criminous persons so are they manifest and notable heretickes and seducers of the people especially touching the Sacrament of the aultar and most of all this Hooper For where in my late Sermon at Paules crosse I preached that in the blessed Sacrament of the aultar Boners groââe opinion of the Sacrament of the Aulâtar after the words of consecration there is the true body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ the selfesame in substaunce that was hanged and shed vppon the Crosse he the same day at after noone hauing a great rablement with hym of his damnable sect openly in the Pulpit within my Dioces did preache erroneously to the people against it Anno 1549. and maliciously inueying against my Sermon denied the veritie and presence of Christes true body and bloud to be in the same Sacrament and also falsely and vntruely interpreted and expounded my words And specially Boner rayleth agaynââ M. Hoopeâ where I preached and affirmed the very true body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to be in the sayd Sacramente the selfesame in substance that was hanged and shed vpon the Crosse he like an Asse as he is an Asse in deede falsely chaunged and turned the word that into as like an Asse saying that I had sayd as it hanged and as it was shed vpon the Crosse. The Archbyshop heereupon perceauing the Byshops drifte and hearing hym talke so muche of the presence of Christes body and bloud in the Sacramente Talke betweene thâ Archb. ãâã Boner about the Sacramenâ sayde vnto him My Lord of London ye speake much of a presence in the Sacrament what presence is there and of what presence do you meane Wherewith the Byshop being somewhat sturred and moued in mind as appeared by his collericke countenaunce spake againe to the Archbishop very earnestly and sayd What presence my Lord I say and beleeue that there is the very true presence of the body and bloud of Christ. What beleeue you and how do you beleue my Lord Upon which words the Archbishop A questiââ to Boner because he saw his aunswere darke and subtill and minding somewhat to nip the grosse absurditie of the Papists asked him farther whether he were there face nose mouth eyes armes and lips with other liniamentes of his bodye Whereat the Byshop shaking his head sayd Oh I am right sory to heare your grace speake these wordes and therewith boldly vrged the Archbyshop to shew his mind therein Who wisely waying the fond presumption of the partie with the place and occasion of their assembly refused then so to do saying that their being there at that time was not to dispute of those matters but to prosecute theyr Commission committed to them by their Prince and therfore willed him to aunswere them vnto such thinges as were obiected against him Whereupon vnder his Protestation he requested to haue a copy both of the Commission ãâ¦ã Boner to aunswere for himselfe and also of the denounciation geuen vnto him with time to aunswere thereunto Which the Commissioners willingly graunted assigning him there to appeare agayne before them vpon Friday at eight of the clocke before noone then next following and then to aunswere the tenour of the denounciation And so for that day he complayning somewhat of the shortnes of his time to aunswere they all departed ¶ The second appearaunce of Boner in the Chappell of Lambeth before the Archbyshop and other four Commissioners the Byshop of Rochester Secretary Peter Secretary Smyth and the Deane of Paules VPon Friday the xiij of September aforenamed foure Commissioners associated then also with Sir Thomas Smith Knight the other of the Kings two principal Secretaries The second appearance ãâã Boner before the kings Commissioners Boners answere to the Archb. of CaÌterbury A precise point of the lawe whether any new Commissioner may sit afterward which satte not at the beginning and ioynt Commissioners with them sate iudicially in the Archbyshops Chappell within his house at Lambeth Before whome according to their former assignement there and then appeared the Byshop of London To whome the Archbyshop in the name of the rest first sayd My Lord of London the last time you were before vs we layde certayne Articles and matter to youre charge touching your disobedience to the Kings Maiesty and you haue this day to make your aunswere thereunto wherefore now shew vs what you haue to say for youre defence Whereunto the Byshop first asking the Archbyshop if he had all sayd and done and he againe saying yea made this answere My Lord the last day that I appeared before you I remember there sate in the Kings Maiesties commission your Grace you my Lord of Rochester you M. Secretary Peter and you M. Deane of Paules but now I perceiue there sitteth also M. Secretary Smyth Who because he sate not at the beginning nor tooke there the Commission vpon him ought not so to do for by the law they which begin must continue the commission Whereupon the Archbishop first aunswered that he was no lawyer and therefore could not certeinely shew what the law willeth in that case but saith he if the law be so in deede surely I take it to be an vnreasonable law Well said the Byshop there be heere that knoweth the law and yet I say not this to the intent to stand or sticke much in this point with you but to tell it you as it were by the way for I haue heere mine aunswere ready Then sayde Maister Secretary Peter to the Byshop my Lord in good sooth I must say vnto you that although I haue professed the law yet by discontinuance and disuse thereof The words of Secretary Peter to Boner and hauing bene occupied a long time in other matters
Subiectes To the sixte which beginneth whether ye will c. And ending the opinion or no. I do aunswere and saye that not knowing certaynely of which Rebelles the Articles meaneth To the article To the article ne yet what theyr opinioÌ is in deed I ought not to be driuen to make aunswere hereunto ne yet can make good and perfect aunswere therin though I would To the seuenth Article being thus Item that ye know c. And ending thus The Kinges Maiesties booke I doe answere and say that albeit I haue by the space of these 5. weekes last past and more bene in maner continually in businesse and trouble aswell in prouiding for my said Sermon as otherwise specially by reason of my family much vexed with sicknesse to my great disquietnesse and charge and also by reason that I haue bene so much troubled and combred by informations and complayntes vniustly and vncharitably made agaynst me ouer besides the hauing of diuers and sondry persons which dayly resort and come vnto me for theyr suites and businesse both in matters of Iustice otherwise yet I haue not omitted to send forth to my Archdeacons and other my Offcers to enquire and search diligently in this behalfe and to certify me accordingly and yet I can not heare certaynely of any that haue heard bene at or celebrate Masses or Euensong in the Latine tongue after the olde rite and maner except it be in the house of my Lady Maryes Grace or in the houses of the Ambassadours ne yet there nor in any of them but by flying not assured report w tout knowing the names persoÌs that so haue heard bene at or celebrate the same and in this behalfe how farre I can and ought to proceed and after what sort Annâ 154â I do referre me vnto the statute late made in that behalfe To the seuenth Article beginning thus Item that ye haue c. And ending thus punishment vnto them I do aunswere and say that this Article doth depend of the next Article going before and so consequently answer is already therunto made To the ninthe Article beginning thus Item that ye know c. And ending thus nor see them punished I do aunswere and say that touching such as eyther hath bene denounced or detected for suche crimynous and culpable persons to me or my office there hath bene processe already made before my sayd offices as it appeareth in my Register and the Actes of my Courte and moreouer I haue geuen expresse Commaundement to my sayd Officers to enquyre and search for more suche Offenders and to cerâây me thereof that I maye procâede agaynst them accordingly To the tenth Article beginning thus Item ye were c. And ending thus The kinges Maiestyes authority in his minority âo the 1â ãâã I doe aunswere and say that as touching the tyme mentioned in the Article and the declaration to be made by Doctour Coxe I doe not well remember neither the sayd tyme nor yet the speciall poyntes substaunce of the sayd Doctour Coxes declaration trueth it is I was at a Sermon made at Paules Crosse by the sayd Doctour Coxe wherein he inuayed against my Lord of Winchester and as farre as I can now call to my remeÌbraunce it was touching disobedience wherewith my Lord of Winchester by the sayd Doctour Coxe seemed to be charged and for a Sermon also that my Lord of Winchester was seemed to haue made before the kinges Maiesty in the Court of Westminster To the eleuenth Article beyng by it selfe deliuered vnto me the 14. of this present September 1549. in the night at my house at London beginning thus âo the 11. ââticle Item that the rites c. and ending thus The misuses thereof I doe aunswere and say that I haue already geuen commaundemeÌt to mine officers to make diligent search and inquiry herein and to certify accordingly to the intent I may proceede therein as apperteineth and woulde before this time my selfe haue also enquyred and proceeded had I not bene so of al sides opprest and postred with multitude of other necessary busines as I haue bene to my great disquietnesse trouble When he had ended the reading of these answeres the Commissioners sayd vnto him that he had in the same very obscurely aunswered vnto the 5. Article ministred the 13 of SepteÌber The 5. article insuââââiently answered oâ Boner wherfore they willed him there expressely to aunswere by mouth whether he had according to the Iniunctions deliuered vnto him declared the Article beginning thus You shall also set forth in your SermoÌ that our authority c. Whereunto he agayne answered that he had already made a full and sufficient aunswere in writing as he was bound to make by law Boners ãâã and ãâ¦ã The Iudges then replied that the aunsweres already made in that part were obscure and insufficieÌt so that it appeared not certaynely whether he had preached in deed according to the same Iniunction or not and therefore they eftsoones willed him as before directly to aunswere whether he had so accordingly preached or no the Byshop still yet aunswering as before The Iudges agayne demaunded of him whether hee would otherwise aunswere or no. Boners ãâ¦ã To the which he sayde no vnlesse the law did compell him Then they asked hym whether he thought the law did compell him to aunswere more fully or no He aunswered no adding farther that he was not bound to make aunswere to such positions The Commissioners then seeing his froward contumacy told him playnly that if he persisted thus in his frowardnes and would not otherwise answere they would according to law take him pro confesso and ex abundanti receiue witnesse agaynst him therewithall did agayne recite vnto him 6. of the first and principall articles demauÌding his final answere therunto Who said as before that he had already fully answered them by writing but where they requested to haue his notes which he sayde he hadde made of his sermon they should haue theÌ if they would seÌd for theÌ And whereas in his aunswere to the 6. Article he doubted what the opinion of the rebels was the Iudges declared vnto him that theyr opinion was That the kinges majesty before his grace came to the age of 21. yeares had not so full authority to make lawes and statutes as when he came to farther yeares and that his subiectes were not bound to obey the lawes and statutes made in his young age Whereunto the byshop aunswered that he was not of the opinion of the Rebels mentioned in that Article as did well appeare by his aunsweres aswell vnto the denunciation as also vnto the 5. Article obiected agaynst him Which ended they perceiuing his scornefull carelesnes presently did admitte for witnes vpon the Articles obiected agaynst him Mayster Iohn Cheke Henry MarkehaÌ Witnesses against Boner Iohn Ioseph Iohn Dowglas and Richard Chambers whome also they onerated with a corporall othe
as it appeareth manifestly by the three Euangelistes And Saint Paule calleth the comming to the holy Communion the comminge vnto the Lordes Supper And also it is not read that any of the Apostles or the Primitiue Church did euer vse any altare in the ministration of the holy Communion Wherefore seeing the forme of a Table is more agreeable with Christes institution and with the vsage of the Apostles and of the Primitiue Churche then the forme of an Aultar therefore the forme of a Table is rather to be vsed then the forme of an Aultare in the administration of the holy Communion The sixt reason Finally The six reason it is said in the preface of the booke of common prayer that if any doubt doe arise in the vse and practising of the same booke to appease all suche diuersitie the matter shall be referred vnto the Bishop of the dioces who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting and appeasinge of the same so that the same order be not contrarye vnto any thing contained in that booke After these letters and reasones receyued the forenamed Nicholas Ridley Byshop of London consequently vppon the same did hold his visitation wherein amongst other his Iniunctions the sayde Bishoppe exhorted those Churches in his Diocesse where the Aultars then did remaine to confourme them selues vnto those other Churches whych had taken them downe and had sette vp in the steade of the multitude of their Aultares one decent Table in euery Church Uppon the occasion whereof there arose a greate diuersitie aboute the fourme of the Lordes boorde some vsing it after the fourme of a Table and some of an aultare Wherein when the saide Bishop was required to saye and determine what was moste meete Anno 1550. he declared he could doe no lesse of his bounden duetie for the appeasing of such diuersitie to procure one godly vniformitie but to exhorte all his Diocesse vnto that which he thought did best agree with Scripture with the vsage of the Apostles and wyth the Primitiue Churche and to that which is not onely not contrary vnto any thinge contained in the booke of Common prayer as is before prooued but also mighte highly further the kings most godly procedings in abolishing of diuers vaine superstitious opinions of the popish masse out of the hearts of the simple and to bring them to y e right vse taught by holy Scripture ãâã wall ãâã the high ãâã side in ãâ¦ã Nicholas ãâã of the Lordes Supper and so appoynted he the fourme of a right Table to be vsed in his Dioces and in the Church of Paules brake down the wall standing then by the high Aultars side Now we will enter God willing into those matters which happened betweene kinge Edwarde and hys sister Mary as by their letters here folowing are to be seene To my Lorde Protectour and the rest of the kings Maiesties Counsaile MY Lorde I perceiue by the letters whyche I late receiued from you and other of the kinges Maiesties Counsaile that yee be all sorie to finde so litle conformitie in me touching the obseruation of his Maiesties lawes ãâ¦ã letters ãâã the Lords ãâã the CouÌââyle who am well assured I haue offended no law vnles it be a late lawe of your owne making for the altering of matters of Religion whiche in my conscience is not worthy to haue the name of a Lawe both for the kings honors sake the wealth of the Realme and geuing an occasion of an euill brâite through all Christendome besides the parcialitie vsed in the same and as my sayde conscience is very well perswaded the offending of God which passeth al the rest but I am well assured that the king hys fathers Lawes were allowed and consented to with out compulsion by the whole Realme both Spirituall and Temporall and all ye executours sworne vppon a Booke to fulfil the same so that it was an authorised Lawe and that I haue obeyed and will doe with the grace of God till the Kinges Maiestie my brother shall haue sufficient yeares to bee a Iudge in these matters hym selfe Wherein my Lorde I was plaine wyth you at my laste beynge in the Courte declaringe vnto you at that time whereunto I woulde stande and nowe doe assure you all that the only occasion of my stay from altering mine opinion is for two causes One principally for my conscience sake the other that the king my brother shal not hereafter charge me to be one of those that were agreeable to suche alterations in hys tender yeares And what fruites dailye growe by suche chaunges since the death of the King my Father to euery indifferent person it wel appeareth both to the displeasure of God and vnquietnesse of the realme Notwythstanding I assure you all I woulde be as âothe to see his highnesse take hurt or that any euill should come to this his Realme as the best of you all and none of you haue the like cause considering howe I am compelled by nature beinge his Maiesties poore and humble Sister moste tenderly to loue and pray for him and vnto this his realme being borne within the same wishe all wealth and prosperitie to Gods honour And if any iudge mee the contrarye for mine opinions sake as I truste none doth I doubte not in the ende wyth Gods helpe to prooue my selfe as true a natural and humble sister as they of the contrary opinion with all their deuises and altering of lawes shall prooue them selues true subiectes praying you my Lorde and the rest of the Counsail no more to vnquier and trouble me with matters touching my conscience wherein I am at a full poynte wyth Gods helpe what soeuer shall happen to mee intendinge with his grace to trouble you litle with any worldly sutes but to bestowe the short time I thinke to liue in quietnes and pray for the kinges Maiestie and all you heartily wishing that your proceedings may be to Gods honour the safegard of the kings persone and quietnesse to the whole Realme Moreouer where your desire is that I woulde sende my Controller and Doctour Hopton vnto you by whom you woulde signifie your mindes more amplie to my contentation honour it is not vnknowen to you al that the chiefe charge of my house âeâteth onely vppon the trauails of my sayde Controller Who hath not bene absent from my ãâã three whoâe dayes since the settinge vp of the same vnlesse it were for my letters Patentes so that if it werâ ãâã for his continual diligence I thinke my litle portion would not haue stretched so farre And my Chaplaine by occasion of sickenesse hath bene long absent and yet not able to ride Therefore like as I can not forbeare my Controller and my Prieste is not able to iourney So shall I desire you my Lorde and the rest of the Counsaile that hauinge any thing to be declared vnto me except matters of Religion yee will either wryte your mindes or sende some
then they by learning shal prooue shee shall not be mooued And so farre it is thought reason wil compell her grace In the ende yee shall say The good willes and mindes of the Lorde Protectour and the Counsaile is so muche toward her grace that how soeuer shee would her selfe in honor be esteemed how soeuer in conscience quieted yea how soeuer benefited sauing their dueties to God and the king they woulde as muche and in theyr doings if it please her to prooue it will be nothing inferiours assuring her grace that they be moste sorie shee is thus disquieted and if necessitie of the cause the honour and suretie of the king and the iudgement of theyr owne conscience mooued them not thus farre they woulde not haue attempted But their trust is her grace wil alow them the more when she shal perceiue the cause and thinke no lesse coulde be done by them where shee prouoked them so farre Note Doctor Hoptons allowance of the communion in those dayes ¶ These and other of like credite more amply committed to you in speache you shal declare to her grace and further declare your conscience for the allowing of the manner of the Communion as yee haue plainely professed it before vs. At Richmund 14. Iune 1549. The Lady Mary to the Lorde Protectour and the rest of the Counsaile 27. Iune 1549. MY Lorde I perceiue by letters directed from you and other of the kinges maiesties Counsaile to my Controller my Chaplaine and master Englefelde my seruaunt that ye will them vppon their allegeaunce to repaire immediately to you wherin you geue me euident cause to chaunge mine accustomed opinion of you all that is to say to thinke you careful of my quietnesse and wel doings considering how earnestly I wryte to you for the stay of two of them and that not without very iust cause And as for maister Englefeld assoone as he could haue prepared himselfe hauing his horsses so farre off although yee hadde not sent at this present would haue perfourmed your request But in deede I am much deceiued For I supposed ye would haue waied and takeÌ my letters in better part if yee haue receiued them if not to haue taried mine answere and I not to haue found so litle frendship not to haue bene vsed so vngently at your hands in sending for him vpon whose trauail doth rest the only charge of my whole house as I wryt to you lately whose absence therefore shall be to me my sayde house no little displeasure especially being so farre off And besides all this I doe greatly maruaile to see your wrytinge for him and the other two with suche extreeme wordes of pearill to ensue towardes them in case they did not come and specially for my Controller whose charge is so great that he canne not sodainly be meete to take a iourney which woordes in mine opinion needed not vnlesse it were in some verye iust and necessarye cause to any of mine who taketh my selfe subiect to none of you all not doubting but if the kinges maiestie my brother were of sufficient yeares to perceiue this matter and knewe what lacke and in commoditie the absence of my said officer should be to my house his grace woulde haue beene so good Lorde to mee as to haue suffered him to remaine where his charge is Notwithstanding I haue willed him at this time to repaire to you commaunding him to returne foorthwith for my very necessities sake and I haue geuen the like leaue to my poore sicke prieste also whose life I thinke vndoubtedly shall be putte in hasard by the wet and colde painefull trauaile of this iourney But for my parte I assure you all that since the king my father your late maister and verye good Lorde died I neuer tooke you for other then my frendes but in this it appeareth coÌtrary And sauing I thought verily that my former letters shoulde haue discharged this matter I woulde not haue troubled my selfe with wryting the same not doubting but you doe consider that none of you all would haue bene contented to haue bene thus vsed at your inferiours handes I meane to haue hadde your officer or any of your seruaunts sent for by a force as yee make it knowing no iust cause why Wherefore I doe not a little maruaile that yee had not this remembraunce towardes mee who alwayes hath willed and wished you as well to doe as my selfe and both haue and will praye for you all as heartily as for mine owne soule to almightye God whome I humblye beseeche to illumine you all with his holy spirite to whose mercy also I am at a full poynt to commit my selfe what soeuer shall become of my body And thus with my commendations I bid you all fare well From my house at Kenninghal the 27. of Iune Youre frende to my power though you geue mee contrary cause Mary A copie of the kinges Maiesties letter to the Ladie Marie 24. Ian. 1550. RIght deare c. We haue seene by letters of our Counsaile sent to you of late and by your aunsweare thereunto touching the cause of certaine your Chaplaines hauing offended our lawes in saying of Masse their good and conuenient aduises and your frutelesse and indirect mistaking of the same which thing mooueth vs to wryte at this time that where good counsell from oure Counsaile hathe not preuailed yet the like from our selfe maye haue due regarde The whole matter we perceiue resteth in thys that you being oure next sister in whome aboue all other oure subiectes nature shoulde place the moste estimation of vs would wittingly and purposely not onely breake our lawes your selfe but also haue others maintained to doe the same Truely howe soeuer the matter may haue other termes other sense it hath not and although by your letter it seemeth you chalenge a promise made that so you myghte do yet surely we know the promise had no such meaning neither to maintaine ne to continue your fault You muste knowe this sister you were at the first time when the law was made borne with all not because you shoulde disobey the lawe but y t by our lenitie and loue shewed you might learne to obey it Wee made a difference of you from our other subiectes not for that all other should folow our lawes you only against and them but that you might be brought as far forward by loue as others were by duety The error wherein you would rest is double euery part so great that neither for the loue of God we can wel suffer it vnredressed neither for the loue of you we can but wish it ameÌded First you retaine a fashion in honoring of God who in dede therby is dishonored therin erre you in zeal for lacke of science hauing science offered you you refuse it not because it is science we trust for then should we dispaire of you but because you thinke it is none And surely in this we can best reprehende you learning
humbly desire your highnes to examine the truth therof indifferently and either will your maiesties ambassadour nowe being with the Emperor to enquire of the same if it be your pleasure to haue him moue it or els to cause it to be demanded of the Emperors ambassador here although he were not within this realme at that time And thereby it shall appeare that in this poynt I haue not offended your maiestie if it may please you so to accepte it And albeit your maiestie GOD be praised hath at these yeres as much vnderstanding and more then is commonly seene in that age yet considering you do hear but one part your highnes not offended I would be a suter to the same that till ye were groÌwen to more perfect yeres it might stand with your pleasure to stay in matters touching the soule So vndoubtedly shuld your Maiestie knowe more and heare others and neuerthelesse be at your liberty and do your wil and pleasure And whatsoeuer your maiestie hath conceiued of me either by letters to your couÌsaile or by their report I trust in the ende to proue my selfe as true to you as any subiect within your realm wil by no meanes stand in argument with your maiestie but in most humble wise beseche you euen for Gods sake to suffer me as your highnesse hath done hitherto It is for no worldly respecte I desire it God is my iudge but rather then to offend my conscience I woulde desire of God to lose all that I haue and also my life and neuerthelesse liue and die your humble sister and true subiect Thus after pardon craued of your maiestie for my rude and bold writing I beseche almighty God to preserue the same in honor with as long continuance of health and life as euer had noble king From Beauliene the 3. of Februarie Your Maiesties most humble and vnworthy sister Marie The Ladie Marie to the Lordes of the Counsaile 4. December 1550. MY Lords your letters dated the second of this present were deliuered vnto mee the thirde of the same And where you wryte that two of my Chaplaines Doctor Mallet and Barkley be indicted for certaine things committed by them contrary to the kings Maiesties lawes and processe for them also awarded forth and deliuered to the Sheriffe of Essex I can not bur maruell they should be so vsed coÌsidering it is done as I take it for saying masse wythin my house and although I haue bene of my selfe mineded alwayes and yet am to haue Masse within my house yet I haue bene aduertised that the Emperours Maiestie hath bene promimised that I shoulde neuer be vnquieted nor troubled for my so doing as some of you my Lordes can witnesse Furthermore besides the declaration of the saide promise made to me by the Emperors ambassador that dead is from his Maiesty to put my chaplaines more out of feare when I was the last yeare with the kings maiestie my brother that question was then mooued and coulde not bee denyed but affirmed by some of you before his Maiestie to bee true beinge not so muche vnquieted for the trouble of my sayde Chaplaines as I am to thinke how this matter may be taken the promise to such a person being no better regarded And for mine owne part thought full little to haue receiued suche vngentlenes at your haÌds hauing alwaies God is my iudge wished vnto the whole nuÌber of you as to my self haue refused to troble you or to craue any thing at your haÌds but your good wil freÌdship which very slenderly appeareth in this matter NotwithstaÌding to be plain with you how soeuer you shal vse me or mine with Gods helpe I will neuer varie from mine opinion touching my faith And if yee or any of you beare me the lesse good wil for that matter or faint in your frendship towardes me onely for the same I must and will be contented trusting that God will in the ende shew his mercy vpon me assuring you I would rather refuse the frendship of all the world whereunto I trust I shall neuer be driuen then forsake any poynte of my faith I am not without some hope that yee will stay this matter not enforcing the rigor of the law against my chaplaines The one of them was not in my house these 4. moneths D. Mallet hauing my licence is eyther at Windsor or at his benefice who as I haue hearde was indicted for saying of Masse out of my house whiche was not true But in deede the day before my remoouing from Woodham water my whole housholde in effecte was gone to Newhall he sayde Masse there by mine appoyntment I see and heare of diuers that doe not obey your statutes and proclamations and neuerthelesse escape without punishmeÌt Be ye Iudges if I be well vsed to haue mine punished by rigour of a lawe besides all the false bruits that ye haue suffered to be spoken of me Moreouer my Chaplaine D. Mallet besides mine owne commandement was not ignorant of the promise made to the Emperour which did putte him oute of feare I doubt not therfore but ye wil consider it as by that occasion no peace of friendship be taken away nor I to haue cause but to beare you my good will as I haue done heeretofore for albeit I coulde do you little pleasure yet of my friendship ye were sure as if it had lien in my power yee shoulde haue well knowen Thus with my hearty commendations to you all I pray almighty God to send you as muche of his grace as I woulde wish to mine owne soule From Beulien the 4. of Decemb. Your assured frend to my power Mary The Counsaile to the Ladie Marie the 25. of December AFter our due commendations to your grace By your letters to vs as an answeare to ours touching certain processe against two of your Chaplaines for saying Masse against the law and statute of the realme we perceiue both the offence of your chaplains is otherwise excused then the matter may beare and also our good willes otherwise misconstrued then we looked for And for the first parte where your greatest reason for to excuse the offence of a lawe is a promise made to the Emperours Maiestie whereof you wryte that first some of vs be witnesses next that the Ambassadour for the Emperour declared the same vnto you and lastly that the same promise was affirmed to you before y e kings maiestie at your last being with him We haue thought conuenient to repeate the matter from the beginning as it hath hitherto proceeded whereupon it shal appeare howe euidently your Chaplaines hath offended the lawe and you also mistaken the promise The promise is but one in it selfe but by times thrise as you say repealed Of whiche times the firste is chiefly to be considered for vppon that doe the other two depende It is very true the Emperour made request to the kinges Maiestie that you might haue libertye to vse the Masse in your house
t your grace whom we should otherwise honour for the kinges maiesties sake by your owne deedes shoulde prouoke vs to offend you we do perceaue great discommoditie to the realm by your graces singularitie if it may be so named in opinion in one respect as you are sister to our soueraigne Lord maister we most huÌbly beseeche your grace to shew your affection coÌtinually towardes him as becoÌmeth a sister And as your grace is a subiect and we counsellors to his Maiesties estate we let you know the exaÌple of your graces opinion hindreth the good weale of thys realm which thing we think is not vnknowne vnto you if it be we let your grace knowe it is to true For Gods sake we beseech your grace let nature set before your eyes the yong age of the king your brother Let reason tell you y e losenes of the people how then can you without a wayling hart thinke that ye should be y e cause of disturbance if your grace see the king being y e ordinary ruler vnder God not onely of all others in the realme but of you also call his people by ordinary lawes one way with what hart can your grace stay your selfe without following muche worse to stay other y t would follow their soueraigne Lord Can it be a loue in you to forsake him his rule and lawe take a priuate way by your selfe If it be not loue it is much lesse obedience If your grace thinke the kings maiestie to be ouer his people as the head in a mans bodye is ouer the rest not onely in place but in dignitie and science how can you being a principall meÌber in y e same body keep y e nourishment from y e head we pray your grace most earnestly think this thing so much greueth vs as for our priuate affectioÌ good willes vnto you though we shuld dissemble yet for our publicke office we cannot but plainely enforme your grace not doubting but that your wisedome can iudge what your office is if it were not your owne cause we know your grace by wisedome could charge vs if we suffered y e like in any other Truely euery one of vs a part honoreth your grace for our maisters sake but when we ioyn together in publick seruice as in this writing we do We iudge it not tollerable to know disorder to see the cause leaue it vnameÌded For though we would be negligeÌt y e world would iudge vs. And therfore we do altogether eftsoones require your grace in the kinges maiesties name y t if any of your 2. chaplains Mallet or Barcklet be returned or as soone as any of them shall returne to your graces house y e same may be by your graces commaundement or order sent or deliuered to the sheriff of Essex who hath commandement from the kings maiestie by order of the law of his crowne to attache them or if that conditioÌ shall not like your grace yet y t then he may be warned froÌ your graces house yet not kept there to be as it were defended froÌ the power of the law Which thing we think surely neither your grace will meane nor any of your counsell assent thereto And so to make an end of our letter being long for the matter and hitherto differred for our great busines we trust your grace first seeth how y e vsage of your Chaplaines differeth from the maner of our licence and what good entent moued vs to write vnto you in former letters lastly that the thinges whereunto the king and the whole realme hath consented be not onely lawful and iust by the pollicie of the Realme but also iust and godly by the lawes of God So that if we which haue charge vnder the King should willingly consent to the open breach of them we could neyther discharge our selues to the king for our dueties neyther to God for our conscience The consideration of which things we pray almighty God by his holye spirit to lay in the bottome of your hart and thereupon to build such a profession in you as both God may haue his true honor the king his dewe obedience the Realme concord and we most comfort For all the which we do hartely pray therwith for the coÌtinuance of your graces helth to your harts desire FroÌ Westminster y e xxv of December * The Lady Mary to the Lordes of the Counsell xx May. 1551. MY Lordes after my harty commendations to you although both I haue bene and also am loth to trouble you with my letters yet neuerthelesse the newes which I haue lately hard touching my Chaplayne Doctor Mallet forceth me thereunto at this present for I heare by credible report that you haue committed him to the tower which newes seeme to me very strange notwithstanding I thought it good by these to desire you to aduertise me what is the cause of his imprisonment assuring you I would be sory that any of mine should deserue the like punishment and there is no creature within the Kings maiesties Realme would more lament that any belonging to them should giue iust cause so to be vsed then I would do who would haue thought much frendship in you if you had geuen me knowledge wherein my sayd Chaplein had offended before you had ministred suche punishment vnto him eftsoones requiring you to let me knowe by this bearer the truth of the matter And thus thanking you for the short dispatch of the poore Marchaunt of Portingall I wish to you all no worse then to my selfe and so bid you farewell From Beaulien the 2. of May. Your frend to my power Mary * The Counsell to the Lady Mary 6. of Maye 1551. AFter our humble coÌmendatioÌs to your grace we haue receiued your letters of the second of this moneth by the which your grace seemeth to take it straungely that Doctor Mallet is committed to prison whereof we haue the more maruell seeing it hath bene heeretofore signified vnto you that he hath offended the kings maiesties lawes and thereof condemned your grace hath bene by our letters earnestly desired that he might be deliuered to the Sheriffe of Essex according to the iust processe of the lawe to the which all maner persons of this Realme be subiect whereof howsoeuer it seemeth straunge at this tyme to your grace that he is imprisoned it may seme more strange to other that he hath escaped it thus long and if the place being the Tower moue your grace not to impute his imprisonment to his former offense then we pray your grace to vnderstand that in deede it is for the very same and the place of the imprisonment to be at the Kings Maiesties pleasure from whome besides the charge of his lawes we haue expresse commaundement to doe that we doe And so we beseech your grace to thinke of vs that neither in thys case nor in any other we meane to do any other then minister and see as much as in our
charge him they did in the end vpon his second promise leaue him at libertie onely willing him to remaine at his house at London because they thought it most meete to sequester him from his Dioces for a time and beeing come to hys house he began afreshe to ruffle and meddle in matters wherein he had neither Commission nor authority parte whereof touched the Kings Maiestie whereof being yet once againe admonished by his grace and their Lordships he did not only promise to conforme himselfe in all things like a good subiect but also because he vnderstoode that he was diuersly reported of many were also offended with him he offered to declare to the world his conformitie and promised in an open Sermon so to open his minde in sondry articles agreed vpon Wynchester âââmiseth ãâã shew his âââformitie ãâã in ãâã y t such as had ben offended shuld haue no more cause to be offended but well satisfied in all things declaring further that as his own conscience was well satisfied and liked well the Kings procedings within this Realme so would he vtter his coÌscience abroade to the satisfaction good quiet of others and yet all this notwithstanding at the daye appoynted he did not only most arrogantly and disobedieÌtly and that in the presence of his Maiestie their grace and Lordships and of such an audience as the like wherof hath not lightly ben sene speake of certaine matters contrary to an expresse commandement geuen to him on his Maiesties behalfe both by mouth and by letters Wynchester ãâã his sermoÌ warâeth ââom his âwne promise the ãâã comâandemeÌt but also in the rest of the articles whereunto hee had agreed before vsed such a maner of vtteraunce as was very like euen there presently to haue sturred a greate tumult and in certaine great matters touching the policie of the Realme handled himselfe so colourably as therein hee shewed himselfe an open great offender a very sedicious maÌ for as much as these his procedings were of such sort as being suffred to escape vnpunished might breede innumerable incoÌueniences that the clemency shewed to him afore by their grace Lordships did worke in him no good effect but rather a pride and boldnes to demeane himselfe more and more disobediently against his Maiestie and his graces proceedings it was determined by their grace and Lordships that he should be committed to the Tower and be conueyed thether by Sir Anthony Wingfield âynchester ãâã his sediââous disoâedience ãâã to the ãâã and that at the time of his Commission Sir Rafe Sadler and William Hunnings Clerke of the Counsaile should seale vp the dores of such places in his house as they should thinke meeâe all which was done accordingly By this euidence aboue mentioned first heere is of the reader to be noted how âewdly and disobediently the sayd Sir Gardiner misused himselfe in the Kings generall visitation in denying to receiue such orders and iniunctioÌs as for the which he iustly deserued much more seueare punishment Albeit the King with his Uncle the Lord Protectour more gently proceding with him were contented only to make him taste the Fleete In the which house as his durance was not long so his entreating and ordering was very easie Out of the whiche Fleete diuers and sondry letters he wrote to the Lord Protectour and other of the Counsaile certayne also to the Archbishop of Canterbury and some to M. Ridley Bishop of London the particulars were too loÌg here to rehearse coÌsidering how this booke is so ouercharged as ye see already ãâã the letââs of winââester read the booke ãâã Actes âââuments the first ãâã pag. ãâã and especially seeing the same be notified in our first edition sufficiently as is aforesayd Wherfore omitting the rehearsall of the said letters and referring the reader to the booke aforesayde I will onely repeate one letter of the said Byshop with the aunsweres of the Lord Protectour vnto the same the contents whereof be these as followeth ¶ A Letter of Winchester to Mayster Vaughan MAister Vaughan after my right hartye commendations In my last letters to my Lord Protectour signifying according to the generall commaundemet by letters geuen to all Iustices of peace the state of this Shire I declared as I supposed true the Shire to be in good order quiet conformity for I had not then herd of any alteratioÌ in this Shire which the said letters of coÌmaÌdement did forbid Now of late within these two dayes I haue heard of a great and detestable if it be true that is tolde me innouation in the towne of Portesmouth Images plucked downe at Portesmouth where the Images of Christ and his sayntes haue bene most contemptuously pulled downe and spitefully handled Herein I thought good both to write to you and the Mayor the kinges maiesties chiefe ministers as well to know the trueth as to consult with you for the reformation of it to the intent I may be seene to discharge my duety and discharging it in deede both to God and the kinges maiesty vnder whome I am here appoynted to haue cure and care to relieue suche as be by any wayes fallen and preserue the rest that stand from like daunger Ye are a Gentleman with whom I haue had acquayntance and whom I know to be wise esteeme to haue more knowledge wisedome and discretion then to allow any such enormities and therefore do the more willingly consult with you herein with request freÌdly to know of you the very truth in the matter who be the doers and the circumstances of it whether ye thinke the matter so farre gone with the multitude whether the reproofe and disprouing of the deed might without a further daunger be enterprised in the Pulpit or not minding if it may so be to send one thether for that purpose vpon Sonday next comming I would vse preaching as it shoulde not be occasion of anye further folly where a folly is begun and to a multitude perswaded in that opinion of destruction of Images I would neuer preach Then were the old fathers and bishops in the primitiue Church with Epiphanius and Carolus Magnus and all the Councell of Franckford hogs and dogs For as scripture willeth vs we should cast no precious stones before Hogs Such as be infected with that opinion they be Hogs and worse then Hogs if there be any grosser beastes then hogs be and haue bene euer so taken and in England they are called Lollards who denying images thought therewithall the craftes of paynting grauing to be generally superfluous and nought and agaynst Gods lawes In Germany suche as maintained that opinion of destroying of Images were accompted the dregges cast out by Luther after he had tunned all his brewinges in Christes religion and so taken as Hogges meate For the reproufe of whom Luther wrote a booke specially and I haue with myne eyes seene the Images standing in all Churches where Luther
et Zelo. Sorcerers and Coniurers with such a wrong fayth ioyned to dumme creatures may and do with lyke reason call vp deuils as holy-water may driue them away cum fide zelo after which sort if our holy water were vsed I doubt not but there be many Marcellus and many Elizeus and many at whose prayer God forgeueth sinne if such as will enioy y e prayer haue faith and zeale as Equitius and were as desirous to driue the deuil out of the temple of their body and soule as Equitius out of the temple of Iupiter So as if holy vse were coupled with holy water there should be more plentie of holynesse then there is but as men be prophane in their liuyng so they cannot bide to haue any thing effectually holy not so much as bread and water fearing lest they should take away sinne from vs which we loue so well Solus Christus peccata diluit who sprinckleth hys bloud by hys ministers as he hath taught hys spouse the Church in which those ministers be ordered wherein many wayes maketh not many sauiours as ignorants do iest whereof I neede not speake further vnto you no more I neded not in the rest in respect of you but me thought ye coniured all men in your sermon to say what they thought to you id quod hanc mihi expressit Epistolam quam boni consules Et Vale. Your louyng friend Ste. Winchester AS I haue set foorth here gentle Reader the cauillyng letter of Winchester agaynst M. Ridleys Sermon so am I right sory that I haue not likewyse the aunswer of the sayd Ridley agayne to ioyne withall For so I vnderstand that not onely M. Ridley but also M. Barlow B. of S. Dauids for Winchester wrote agaynst them both had written and sent immediately their aunsweres to the same refutyng the friuolous and vnsauory reasons of this popish prelate as may well appeare by a parcell additionall of a letter sent by the L. Protector to the sayd Byshop in these wordes And because we haue begun to write to you we are put in remembraunce of a certayne letter or booke which you wrote vnto vs agaynst the bishop of S. Dauids sermon and D. Ridleys to the whiche aunswer beyng immediately made was by negligence of vs forgotteÌ to be sent Now we both send you that and also the aunswer which the B. of s. Dauids wrote to the same booke of yours ¶ Articles and positions ministred and obiected eche of them ioyntly and seuerally to the B. of Winchester as foloweth The 1. Article IN primis that the kings Maiesty iustly and rightfully is and by the lawes of God ought to be the supreme head in earth of the Church of England and also of Ireland Articles layd agaynst Winchester and so is by the Clergy of this realme in theyr conuocation and by acte of Parliament iustly and accordyng to the lawes of God recognised Winchester This first article the B. granteth Winchester graunteth to the kings supremacy The 2. Article Item that hys Maiestie as supreme hed of the sayd Churches hath full power and authoritie to make and set forth lawes Iniunctions and ordinances for and concerning religion orders in the sayd churches for the encrease of vertue and repressing of all errours heresies and other enormities and abuses Winchester gruÌnteth to the full authority of the king ãâã setting forth his lawes Winchester To this second article he answereth affirmatiuely The 3. Article Item that all and euery his graces subiects are bound by the lawe of God to obey all hys Maiesties sayd lawes Iniunctions procedings concerning religion and orders in the sayd church Winchester To the third article the laid B. answereth affirmatiuely and granteth it The 4. Article Item that you Steuen B. of Winchester haue sworne obedience to his maiestie as supreme head of this Church of England and also of Ireland Wynchester hath sworne obedience to the kinges supremacye Winchester To the fourth article the sayd B. aunswereth affirmatiuely and granteth it The 5. Article Item that all and euery his graces subiectes that disobey any his sayd maiesties lawes Iniunctions ordinaunces and proceedings already set forth and published or hereafter to be set forth and published ought worthily to be punished according to hys Ecclesiasticall law vsed within this his realme Winchester To this fift article the sayd B. answereth affirmatiuely and granteth it The 6. Article Item that you the sayd Bishop as well in the Kings Maiesties late visitation within your dioces Wynchester complayned of as at sondry tymes haue bene coÌplained vpoÌ sondry informatioÌs made against you for your doyngs sayings and preachings agaynst sundry Iniunctions orders and other proceedings of hys maiesty set foorth for reformation of errors superstitions and other abuses of religion Winchester This article toucheth other mens actes who or how they are complayned or enformed I cannot throughly tel For at the tyme of the kings Maiesties visitation I was in the Fleete and the morrow after twelfe day I was deliuered at Hampton court my L. of Somerset and my L. of Caunterbury then being in counsaile with many other counsailors was deliuered by these words The kings maiesty hath granted a generall pardon and by the benefit thereof I was discharged Wherunto I answered that I was learned neuer to refuse the kings maiesties pardon Winchester released out of the Fleete by the kinges generall pardon The article of Iustification put to Winchester Winchester prisoner in his own house Winchester denyeth to subscribe to the article of Iustification M. Cicill sent to Winchester Winchester agayne set free and in strength as that was and I would did humbly thanke his maiesty therfore and then they began with me in an article of learnyng touching iustification whereunto they willed me to say my mynd adding therwith that because other learned men had agreed to a forme deliuered vnto me that I should not thinke I could alter it which I receiued of them and promised the Thursday after to repayre to my L. of Somersets house at Sheene with my mynd written which I did and that day seuennight followyng appearing before hym and other of the counsaile was committed to my house for prisoner because I refused to subscribe to the forme of words senteÌces that other had agreed vnto as they said In which tyme of imprisonment in my house the Bish. of Rochester then being as sent to me and after M. Smith then M. Cecil to which M. Cecil when I had by learnyng resolued my mynde in the matter I deliuered it and he deliuering it to my lords Grace wrote me in hys name thanks for it and then it was within the tyme of Lent ere I was discharged of y e trouble and so went to Winchester as a man clearely out of all trauell of busines And within 14. daies after that or there abouts began other trauell with me vpon a request made by my Lord of
to serue for furniture of aunswer to this and that Article for other then I haue before written I remember not to haue done or suffred by the higher powers in all my whole life til my comming into the tower without that I haue had any by admonitions as a maÌ faulty or negligent at any time that I remember for the obseruatioÌ of any thyng alredy made or set forth by y e kings maiesty that now is but haue kept caused to be kept in my power the kings maiesties arts statutes iniunctions and proclamations inuiolably hauing for that purpose such a Chancellor as in orders ordinances hath bene alwayes himselfe diligent and precise for that tyme I might haue knowledge of his doings The 8. Article Item that after the premisses for that those former admonitioÌs comandements notwithstandyng you did yet stil sheâ your selfe not conformable for that also others by your example were much animated Wânchester ãâã by ãâã âinges âouncell to ââeach the ãâã of ãâ¦ã thereby occasion of much vnquietnesse ministred amongest the people you were called before the kings maiesties counsaile in the month of Iune in the 2. yeare of his maiesties raigne and by them on his maiesties behalfe commanded to preach a Sermon before his maiestie and therein to declare the âustnesse and godlynesse of his maiesties father in his proceedings vpon certayne matters partly mentioned in certain articles to you deliuered in writyng and partly otherwise declared vnto you The effect wherof was touchyng the vsurped power and authoritie of the B. of Rome that the same was iustly and godly taken away in this realme and other the kings maiesties dominions touchyng the iust suppressing and taking away of monasteries and religious houses of Pilgrimages Reliques Shrines Images The superstitious goyng about of S. Nicholas bishop S. Edmund S. Katherine Certayne poyntes inââyned to Wynâhester to preach vpon S. Clement and such lyke and iust takyng away of Chaunteries Abbies and Colledges hallowyng of caÌdels water ashes Palme holy bread beades creeping to the crosse such lyke Also touching the settyng forth of the kinges maiesties authoritie in his yong yeares to be as great as if his highnesse were of many more yeares That auricular confession is indifferent and of no necessitie by the law of God and touching the procession and Common prayer in English Winchester This Article beeyng of so many partes as it is some true some otherwise must be answered by deuision of it in to diuers members to deuide the one from the other graÌting that is true denieng that is otherwise opening that is ambiguous auoyding y t is captious so as according to my oth I may open directly plainly the truth with sinceritie of conscience The motion of preaching was made vnto me in mine owne house by M. Cecill vpon the duke of Somersets behalfe after I had bene before y e counsaile as I haue before sayd M. Cicill from which Counsaile I departed as before is rehersed as no offender therfore when M. Cicil spake to me of preaching before the kings Maiestie with request to write my sermon before I denied that maner of preaching because I said it was to preach like an offender and I was none but departed from the Counsaile otherwise as I haue before shewed And the sayde M. Cicil did not say to me that I was mooued to preach because I was not conformable for I had at that tyme no maner of variance with the Counsaile but was in all conformity with them for any thyng that I know as I will aunswer afore God As for euil example to any man I could none geue for I neuer offeÌded law statute or proclamatioÌ in this realm âe did euer any act to the empairing of due obedience to y e kings maiestie in all my whole lyfe but by obseruation of them and letting innouations done as much as in me lay to maintaine obedience After M. Cecill had spoken to me of preaching deliuered two papers conteining the matters whereupon I should entreat Wynchester ãâã to preach by ãâã mens ãâã and ãâ¦ã yet he ãâã ââould ãâã other ãâ¦ã because I refused to geue my sermoÌ in writing which was to me like an offeÌder or to read those papers of another maÌs deuise as the conception and sincere maner of vttering of mine own coÌscieÌce which me thoght then and since yet a meruailous vnreasonable mater touching both my conscience and honesty I was then fer to the duke of Somersets graces chamber and came in at a backe dore to himself alone sauing he tooke to him as witnes he said the L. now of Wiltshire then great maister after many words shewed me certaine articles subscribed by Lawyers what a B. might command what the king might command and what payne to the disobeyer To whom I said plainly truly how those Lawyers subscription could not serue in this case to commaund one to vtter to the people for myne own deuise in words âânchesters ââswere to âhe Duke of ãâã that is not in deed so and if I might speake with these lawyers I sayd his grace should soone perceiue them to agree with me My L. sayd I should speake with no man and I should do as I was hidden or do worse and bade mee aduise me till dinner was done And then was I conueyed by the L. great Maister to hys chamber and there left alone to dyne as was in deede honourably prepared But I tooke my selfe to be in the nature of a prisoner and a restrayned man And about two of the clocke at after noone came vnto me M. Thomas Smith then Secretary Syr Tho. Smith Secretary vnto whome I complained of the vnreasonablenes of the matter shewed him certaine particularities who sayd it was not ment so precisely but to speake of the matters To whoÌ I sayd I was content to speake of the matters and theÌ if I speak not accordyng to the truth of them there should be enough to beare witnesse to my condemnation and if I spake the truth then they had their desire And I sayde further I thought I might with my conscience say so as men ought and should be content satisfied And further if I thought that in my maner of the vtteryng of those matters I shold offend the Counsaile I had rather deny to speake of the thing and begin the contention secretly with them then to begin with pulpit and so bring my selfe in further trouble then needed and therfore if they would haue me preach I would preach as of my selfe and of these matters so as I thought they should be content Wherupon I was brought vp to my L. of Somersets chamber and there the matter ended thus that my L. of Somerset sayde he would require no writyng of me but remit it to me so I spake of y e matters in the papers deliuered me by M. Cicill I told hym I would speake of theÌ sauing for
wherby I haue not onely incurred the kings maiesties indignation but also diuers of his highnes subiectes haue by mine example taken incouragement as his graces counsaile is certainly enformed to repine at his maiesties moste godly proceedings I am right sorie therefore and acknowledge my selfe condingly to haue ben punished and do most heartily thanke his maiestie that of his great clemencie it hath pleased his highnesse to deale with me not according to rigour but mercye And to the entent it may appeare to the world how little I do repine at his highnes doings whych be in religion moste godly and to the common wealth most profitable I doe affirm and say freely of mine owne will without any compulsion as ensueth The kinges supremacy 1 First that by the lawe of God and the authoritie of scriptures the kings maiestie and his successors are the supreme heades of the churches of England and also of Ireland 2 Item that the apoynting of holy daies or fasting daies as Lent imber daies or any suche like or to dispence therewith is in the kings maiesties authoritie and power and his highnes as supreme head of the sayde Churches of Englande and Irelande The kinges authoritye in dispensing with holydayes and fasting dayes or in appointing the same and gouernour thereof may appoynt the maner and time of the holy dayes and fasting dayes or dispence therewith as to his wisedome shall seeme most conuenient for the honour of God and the wealth of thys realme 3 Item that the kings maiestie hath moste Christianly and godly set foorth by and with the consent of the whole parliament a deuout and christian booke of seruice of the church to be frequented by the church The kings booke of proceedinges which booke is to be accepted and allowed of all bishops pastours curates and all ministers Ecclesiastical of the realme of England and so of him to be declared and commended in all places where he shal fortune to preach or speake to the people of it that it is a godly and christian booke and order and to be allowed accepted and obserued of all the kings maiesties true subiectes 4 I do acknowledge the kings maiestie that nowe is whose life God long preserue to be my soueraâgne Lord and supreme head vnder Christ to me as a Bishop of this realme The kinges full authoritye in his tender age and naturall subiect to his maiestie and nowe in this his yonge and tender age to be my full and entire kinge and that I and all other his highnesse subiectes are bounde to obey all his maiesties proclamations statutes lawes and commaundements made promulgate and sette foorth in this his highnesse yong age as well as thoughe his highnes were at this present 30 or 40. yeâes olde Abrogation of the 6. articles 5 Item I confesse and acknowledge that the statute commonlye called the statute of sixe articles for iust causes and grounds is by authoritie of parliament repealed and disanulled 6 Item that his maiestie and his successours haue authoritie in the said churches of England and also of Ireland to alter The kinges iurisdictioÌ to alter and correct abuses ecclesiasticall reforme correct and amend al errours abuses and all rites and ceremonies ecclesiastical as shall seeme froÌ time to time to his highnesse and his successors most conuenient for the edification of his people so that the same alteration be not contrary or repugnante to the scripture and lawe of God Subscription of Winchester to the articles afore sayd Subscribed by Steuen Winchester with the testimoniall handes of the counsaile to the same To these articles afore specified althoughe Winchester with his owne hand did subscribe graunting and consenting to the supremacie of the King as well then beyng as of hys successours to come Winchester denieth to subscribe to the first beginning of these Articles yet because hee stucke so muche in the first poynt touching his submission and would in no case subscribe to the same but onely made hys aunswere in the margent as is aboue noted it was therefore thoughte good to the king that the Maister of the horse and maister Secretarie Peter should repaire vnto him again with the same request of submission exhortinge hym to looke better vppon it and in case the woords seemed too sore then to referre it vnto him selfe in what sort and with what wordes he should deuise to submit hym that vpon y e acknowledge of his fault the kings highnes might exteÌd his mercy and liberality towards him as it was determined Which was the 11. day of Iune the yeare abouesaid When the maister of the horse and secretarie Peter had bene with him in the tower according to their Commission returning from him again they declared vnto the king and his Counsaile how precisely the sayd Bishop stoode in iustification of him selfe that hee hadde neuer offended the kings Maiestie wherefore he vtterly refused to make any submission at all For the more suretie of which deniall it was agreed that a newe booke of Articles should be deuised wherwith the said maister of the horse and master Secretarie Peter should repaire vnto him againe and for the more autentike proceeding w t him they to haue wyth theÌ a Diuine and a temporall Lawyer whiche were the Bishop of London and maister Goodricke The copie of the last ArticIes sent to the Bishop of Winchester WHere as I Steuen Bishop of Winchester haue bene suspected as one that did not approoue or allowe the kings Maiesties procedings in alteration of certaine rites in Religion Wynchesâââ againe reâquired ãâã submit himâselfe and was conuented before the kings highnes Counsaile and admonished thereof and hauing certayne things appoynted for me to doe and preach for my declaration haue not done therein as I ought to doe whereby I haue deserued hys maiesties displeasure I am righte soâe therfore And to the intent it may appear to the world how litle I doe repine at his highnes doings which be in religion most godly and to the common wealth most profitable I doe affirme as followeth 1 First that the late king of moste famous memorie kyng Henrie the eight our late soueraigne Lorde iustly and of good reason and ground hath taken away and caused to be suppressed and defaced Good ãâã and ãâã in supprââsing ãâã of religiââ all monasteries and religious houses and all conuenticles and conuents of Monks Friers Nonnes Chanons Bonhoms other persons called religious and that the same being so dissolued the persones therein bound and professed to obedience to a person place habit and other superstitious rites and ceremonies vpon that dissolution and order appoynted by y e kings maiesties authority as supreme head of the church are clearely released and acquited of those vowes and professions at their full libertye as thoughe those vnwittye and superstitious vowes had neuer bene made Mariageâ permitteâ by Godâ law ãâã good ãâã the ãâã Popes ââââpensatioâ
y e sayd Byshop as wel in the kings maiesties late visitation w tin your Diocesse as at sondry other times haue ben complained vpon sundry informations made against you for your doings sayings preachings against sundry Iniunctions orders and other procedings of his maiestie set foorth for reformation of errors superstitions and other abuses in religion 7 Item that after and vppon the occasion of those other many complaints and informations you haue ben sundry times admonished commanded and enioyned to conforme your selfe as to your duetie appertaineth 8 Item that after the premisses and for that those former admonitions commaundements notwythstanding you did yet still shewe your selfe not conformable The manifold transgressions of Wint. worthy of punishment for that also by your example the people were much animated therby occasion of muche vnquietnesse ministred you were called before the kings maiesties counsell in the moneth of Iune the 2. yeare of his maiesties raigne by them on his highnes behalfe commaunded to preache a Sermon before hys maiestie and therin to declare the iustnes and godlines of his Maiesties father and his proceedings vppon certaine matters partly mentioned in certaine articles to you deliuered in wryting and partly otherwise declared vnto you The effecte whereof was touching the vsurped authoritye of the B. of Rome and that his pretensed authoritie was iustly godly taken away in this realm other the kings maiesties dominions Touching the first suppression and taking away of Monasteries Religious houses Pilgrimages Reliques Shrines and Images the superstitious going about of S. Nicholas bishop S. Edmund S. Katherin S. Clement and such like for taking away of ChaÌtreis Obites and Colleges touching hallowing of Candels water ashes palme holy breade beades creeping to the crosse and suche like touching the setting foorthe of the kings maiesties authoritie in his yoÌg yeres to be as great as if his highnesse were of many more yeres touching auricular confession touching the procession common praier in Englishe and that things done in generall Councels against the woorde of God may be iustly reuoked in particular Councels Winchesters coÌtemptuous disobedience to the king 9 Item that you receiuing the same and promising to declare them in a sermone by you made before his Maiestie for that purpose on the feast of S. Peter in the sayd second yere of his highnesse raigne did then and there contemptuously and disobediently omit to declare and set foorth many of the sayd matters to the great contempt of his Maiestie and daungerous example of others 10 Item that you being also commanded and on his maiesties behalf for the auoyding of tumult for other great considerations inhibited to treate of any matter in controuersie concerning the Masse or the communion then commonly called the Sacrament of the aultar did contrary to the sayd commandement inhibition declare diuers your iudgements opinions in the same in manifest contempt of hys Maiesties sayd inhibition Winchester stubbernely refused to conforme himselfe to the booke of the kinges proceedinges to the great offence of the hearers and disturbaunce of the common quiet and vnity of the realme 11 Item that after the premisses videlicet in the moneths of May or Iune or one of them in the thirde yeare of hys highnesse raigne his Maiestye sent eftsoones vnto you to know your conformity towards his said reformation and specially touching the booke of Common praier then lately set foorth by hys maiestie whereunto you at the same time refused to shewe your selfe conformable 12 Item that after that videlicet the 9. day of Iuly in the fourth yeare of his Maiesties raigne his highnes sent vnto you hys graces letters wyth a certaine submission and articles wherunto hys grace willed and commanded you to subscribe to the whyche submission you contemptuously refused to subscribe 13 Item that you hauing eftsoones certaine of the kyngs most honorable Councell sent vnto you the 12. of Iulye Wynchesâââ standeth in iustificatioâ of himselfe in the sayd fourth yeare with the same submission and beyng in his maiestyes behalfe required and commanded to consider agayne better the sayd submission and to subscribe the same stoode in iustification of your selfe and woulde in no wise subscribe thereunto 14 Item that after all thys the 14. daye of Iulye in the sayde fourth yeare the sayd kings Maiestie sent yet againe vnto you certaine of his maiesties most honorable councel with an other submissioÌ and diuers other articles willing and commaunding you to subscribe your name thereunto whych to do you vtterly refused 15 Item that after all thys videlicet the 19. of Iulye in the sayde fourth yeare you being personally called before the whole counsaile Fantasticaââ consideraâââons of wyââchester and hauing the sayde submission and articles openly and distinctly read vnto you and required to subscribe the same refused for vniust and fantasticall considerations by you alledged to subscribe the same 16 Item that for your sundry and manifolde contemptes and disobediences in this behalfe vsed the fruites of your benefice were then by speciall commission of hys Maiestie iustly and lawfully sequestred 17 Item that after this you had intimation and peremptorie monition with communication that you shuld within 3. monethes next following the sayde intimation reconcile and submit your selfe vpon paine of depriuation 18 Item that the saide 3. moneths are nowe fully expired and runne 19 Item that you haue not hetherto Wyncheââââ sworne ãâã aunswereâ truely according to the sayd intimation and monition submitted reconciled nor reformed your self but contemptuously yet still remaine in your disobedience Whereupon they required the B. of Winchester then and there personally present to be sworne faithfully and truely to make answere After these articles were exhibited vnto him and he hauing leaue to say for himself wherin he vsed al the cautels shiftes and remedies of the law to his most aduantage by way of protesting recusing and excepting against the commission and requiring also the copies as well of the Articles as of his protestation of the Actuaries which wer W. Say and Tho. Argall time and respite was assigned vnto hym to aunswer to the sayd Articles in wryting But he so cauilled and dalied from day to day to answer directly Time ãâã to Wincâââster to aââswere by wryting For the ãâã positions ãâã these and ââther witnesses against ãâã read in thâ first editiââ of Actes ãâã MonumeÌââ pag. 816. although he was sufficiently laboured and perswaded to the same by sondry callinges and Actes and also aboundantly conuicted by depositions and witnesses especially by matter induced by the L. Paget and Andrewe Beynton M. Chalenor pag. 816. all which I referre to my first booke that at the last he appealed from them reputing them not to be competent and indifferent iudges to heare and determine his cause vnto the kings royal person notwithstanding by protestation alwaies reseruing to himselfe the benefite of his appellation And so
hys hearyng A subtile pollecy of such torments as were in preparyng for heretikes or for what other cause God knoweth y t he sought to rid himselfe out of this life by wounding himselfe wyth a knife and afterward was contented to say as they willed him wherupon he was discharged but after that hee neuer rested till he had drowned himselfe in a riuer halfe a myle from his house in Kent Of whom more is to be seen when you come to his story During the time of this parliament the Clergie lykewyse after their woonted maner A conuocation begonne had a Conuocation with a disputation also appoynted by the Queenes commaundement at Paules Churche in London the same tyme which was about the 18. of October In the which Conuocation first M. Iohn Harpesfield Bacheler of Diuinitie made a sermon ad Clerum the 16. of October After the sermon done it was assigned by the bishops that they of the Clergye house for auoyding confusion of woordes should chuse them a Prolocutor To the which roome and office by common assent was named Doc. Weston Deane of Westminster and presented to the Bishops with an Oration of M. Pie Deane of Chichester Orations of M. Pye and M. Wimsley of Doct. Wesâon of B. Boner in the conuocation house and also of Maister Wymbisley Archdeacon of London Which D. Weston beyng chosen and brought vnto the bishops made his gratulatory Oration to the house with the answer agayne of B. Boner After these things thus sped in the conuocation house they proceeded next to the Disputation appoynted as is abouesayd by the Queenes Commaundement about the matter of the sacrament Which disputation continued sixe dayes Wherein D. Weston was chiefe on the Popes part who behaued himselfe outragiously in tauntyng and checking In conclusion such as disputed on the contrary part were driuen some to flee some to deny some to die thogh to the most mens iudgements that heard the disputation they had the vpper hand as here may appeare by y e report of the sayd disputation the copy whereof we thought here to annexe as followeth The true report of the disputation had and begun in the Conuocation house at London the 18 of October Anno. 1553. WHere as dyuers and vncertayne rumoures bee spread abroad of the Disputation had in the Conuocation house A disputation of Religion in Paules Church in London the 18. of October to the entent that all men may know the certaintie of all things therein done and sayd as much as the memory of him that was present thereat can beare away hee hath thought good at request throughly to describe what was sayd therein on both parties of the matters argued and had in question and of the enteraunce thereof ¶ Acte of the first day FIrst vpon Wednesday beyng the 18. of October October 18. at after noone M. Weston the Prolocutor certified the house that it was the Queenes pleasure D. Weston Prolocutor agaynst the booke of Catechisme set forth in king Edwardes time that the company of the same house beyng learned men assembled should debate of matters of Religion and constitute lawes therof which her grace and the Parliament would ratifie And for that sayd he there is a booke of late set forth called the Catechisme which he shewed forth bearing the name of this honorable Synode yet put forth without your consents as I haue learned beyng a booke very pestiferous and ful of heresies and likewyse a booke of Common prayer very abominable as it pleased hym to terme it I thought it therfore best first to beginne with the articles of the Catechisme concernyng the sacrament of the aultar to confirm the naturall presence of Christ in the same and also transubstantiation Wherfore sayd he it shall be lawfull on Friday next ensuyng for all men freely to speake their conscience in these matters that all doubts may be remooued and they fully satisfied therein ¶ Acte of the second day The Friday commyng beyng the 20. of October wheÌ men had thought they should haue entred Disputation of the questions proposed October 20. Two billes exhibited in the Conuocation house by the prolocutor the Prolocutor exhibited two seueral bils vnto the house the one for the naturall presence of Christ in the sacrament of the aultar the other concernyng the Catechisme that it was not of that houses agrement set forth and that they did not agree therunto requiryng all them to subscribe to the same as he hymselfe had done Wherunto the whole house did immediately assent except sixe which were the Deane of Rochester M Phillips M. Haddon M. Philpot. M. Cheyney M. Elmar and one other refused to subscribe to the billes the Deane of Exceter the Archdeacon of Winchester the Archdeacon of Hertford the Archdeacon of Stow and one other And while the rest were about to subscribe these two articles Iohn Philpot stood vp and spake first concernyng the Article of the Catechisme that he thought they were deceiued in the title of the Catechisme in that it beareth the tytle of the Synode of London last before this although many of them which then were present were neuer made priuye thereof in settyng it forth The booke of the Catechisme defended by M. Iohn Philpot. for that this house had granted the authoritie to make ecclesiasticall lawes vnto certayne persons to be appoynted by the kings maiestie what so euer ecclesiasticall lawes they or the most part of them dyd set forth according to a statute in that behalfe prouided it might be well sayd to bee done in the Synode of London although such as be of this house now had no notice therof before the promulgation And in this poynt he thought the setter foorth therof nothyng to haue slaundered y e house as they by their subscription went about to perswade the world since they had our Synodall authoritie vnto them committed to make such spirituall lawes as they thought conuenient and necessary And moreouer he sayd as concernyng the article of the naturall presence in the sacrameÌt that it was against reason and order of learnyng and also very preiudiciall to the truth that men should be mooued to subscribe before the matte were throughly examined and discussed But when he saw that allegation might take no place Agaynst the article of naturall presence being as a maÌ astonied at the multitude of so many learned men as there were of purpose gathered together to maintayne olde traditions more then the truth of Gods holy word he made his request vnto the Prolocutor that where as there were so many auncient learned men present on that side M. Philpots request to the Prolocutor as in y e realme the like againe were not to be found in such number that on the other side of them that had not subscribed were not past v. or vj. both in age and learnyng far inferior vnto them therfore that equalitie might bee had in this
to the Star Chamber which was accused of these words that he should say that Wyat was constrained by the Counsell to accuse the Lady Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney Which fellow when he was come to the starre Chamber the aforesaid Gardiner letting passe other matters that were in hand began to declare to the whole multitude how myraculously almighty God had brought the Queenes Maiesty to the Crowne y e whole Realme in a maner being against her that he had brought this to passe for this singular intent and purpose Ste. Gardââners tale ãâã the starrâ chamber ââgaynst thâ Lady Eliâââbeth that this Realme being ouerwhelmed with heresies shee might reduce againe the same vnto the true Catholicke faith And where she tooke the Lady Elizabeth into her fauour and loued her so tenderly and also the Lord Courtney who of long time had bene deteined in prison and by her was set at libertie and receiued great benefites at her hands and notwithstanding all this they had conspired most vnnaturally and traiterously against her with that haynous Traytour Wiate and by the confession of Wyate sayde he and the letters sent to and fro may playnely appeare Yet there was some in the City of London whiche reported that Wyat was constrained by the Counsell to accuse the Lady Elizabeth and the L. Courtney yet you my L. Maior quoth he haue not seene the same punished The party is heere sayd the Lord Maior Take hym with you said Gardiner and punish him according to his desert said further My Lord take heede to your charge the Citie of London is a whirlepoole and sincke of all euill rumours there they be bread and from thence spread into all partes of this Realme There stood by the same time the Lord Shandoys The Lorâ Shandoyâ false repoââ in the ãâã chamber ââgaynst Laââ Elizabeth and Lord Courtneâ who being then Lieutenaunt of the Tower and now hearing the Byshop thus speake to sooth his tale came in wyth these words as followeth My Lordes quoth he this is a trueth that I shall tell you I being Lieutenant of the Tower when Wiat suffred he desired me to bring him to the Lorde Courtney whych when I had done he fell down vpon his knees before him in my presence and desired him to confesse the truth of hym selfe as he had done before and to submit himselfe vnto the Queenes Maiesties mercy And thus much I thought of this matter to declare to the entent that the Reader perceiuing the proceedings of the bishop in the premisses and comparing the same with the true testimony of Wyat himselfe with the testimony oâ the Sheriffes whiche were present the same time when Syr Thomas Wiat asked the Lord Courtney forgeuenes may the better iudge of the whole case and matter for the whiche the Lady Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were so long in trouble Of which her Graces trouble hereafter God willing more shall be said in the story of her life In the meane time to let this matter stay let vs now passe further in our history NOt longe after this Queene Mary partly fearing the Londiners by occasion of Wiats coÌspiracy partly perceiuing most part of the City for religions sake not greatly to fauour her proceedings to theyr displeasure and hinderaunce sommoned a Parliament to be holdeÌ at Oxford as it were to gratify that Citty where both the Uniuersity Towne and Country had shewed themselues very obedient and forward especially in restoring popish religion For this purpose great prouision was made as wel by the Queenes officers and by the townes men and inhabitantes of Oxford and the Country about But the Queenes minde in short space chaunged and the same Parliament was holden at Westminster in aprill folowing Then the Queene beside other thinges proposed concerning her mariage to king Philip and restoring of the Popes supremacy As touching her maryage it was agreed vpon but the other request could not as then be obteyned The same time when this ParliameÌt was sommoned she also sommoned a conuocation of bishops of the Clergy writing vnto Boner whom she had made UicegereÌt in the stead of Cranmer being in the Tower after y e tenor and forme of a new stile differing from the olde stile of K. Henry and K. Edward as foloweth * The stile of Q. Mary altered writing to Boner for the summoning of a Conuocation MAria Dei gratia Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Regina fidei defensor Reuerendo in Christo patri Edmondo London Epis. Salutem Licet nuper quibusdam arduis vrgentibus negotijs nos securitatem defensionem Ecclesiae Anglicanae ac pacem tranquilitatem c. Where note good Reader concerning the altering and chaunging the Queenes stile the latter part thereof to bee left out of her title which is Ecclesiae Anglicanae Hiberniae supremum caput because in this present Parliament the supremacy being geuen away from the crowne of Englande to the Pope therupon this parcell of the title was also taken away Likewise the sayd Boner geuing his certificate vpon the same leaueth out autoritate illustrissimae c. legitime suffultus which parcel also in the same Parliament was repriued and taken away the same time ¶ The dignity of Priestes extolled by Byshop Boner IN this foresayd conuocation Bonor B. of LondoÌ being Uicegerent and President as is said made a certayne exhortation or oration to the Clergy whether it was in this conuocatioÌ or much about the sayd time wherin he semeth to shew a great piece of his profound and deep learning in setting forth the most incomparable superangelical order of Priesthood ãâã speaâââh for the âânour of âriesthood as may appeare by this parcell or fragment of his foresayd Oration Being collected and gathered by some that stoode by whiche as it came to our handes so I thought to impart it to the Reader both for that the Author of so worthy a worke should not passe vnknown and partly also for that y e estimatioÌ of this blessed order should losâ nothing of his preeminence but might be knowne in most ample perfection so as it standeth aboue Angels and kinges if it be true that Boner sayth ¶ A piece or fragment of the exhortation made by Boner Bishop of London to them of the Conuocation house copyed out by them that stood by and heard him Boners Oration in prayse of Priesthood WHerefore it is to be knowne that Priestes Elders be worthy of all meÌ to be worshipped for the dignity sake which they haue of God as in Mat. 16. Whatsoeuer ye shall lose vpon earth c. And whatsoeuer you shall binde c. For a priest by some meanes is like Mary the Uirgin and is shewed by three poyntes As the blessed Uirgine by fiue wordes did conceiue Christ as it is sayd Luke 1. Fiat mihi secundum verbuÌ tuum that is to say Be it vnto me according to thy
of D. Tresham who supplying the roome of y e Subdeane in Christes Church A Popish exhortatiââ of Doct. Tresham after he had called all the Studentes of the Colledge together with great Eloquence art persuasory began to commend the dignity of the masse vnto them declaring that there was stuffe in Scripture enough to proue the masse good Then to allure them to the catholick seruice of the Church he vsed these reasons declaring that there were a goodly coÌpany of Copes The great reasons oâ D. Treshââ that were appoynted to Windsore but he had fouÌd the Queene so gracious vnto him that they should come to Christes church Now if they like honest men would come to Church they should weare them on holydayes And besides all this he would get them the Lady Bell of Bampton that should make the sweetest ring in all England And as for an holy watersprinckle he had already the fayrest that was within the realme Wherfore he thought that no man would be so mad to forgo these commodityes c. Which thinges I rehearse that it may appeare what want of descretion is in the fathers of popery into what idle follies such men do fall Whome I beseech the Lord if it be his pleasure to reduce to a better truth to opeÌ theyr eyes to see theyr owne blindnes To proceed now further in the course race of our story where as we left being before in the moneth of NoueÌber it foloweth more that in the * Where note that the Prince of Queen Maryes Statutes doth erre his suppââtation which saith that this Parlââment begââ the 11. of this monâââ which daâ was then Sonday xij day of the same month of Nouember being Monday beganne the Parliament holden at Westminster to the beginning whereof both the king and Queene rode in theyr Parliament robes hauing 2. swords borne before them The Earle of Penbroke bare his sword the Earle of Westmerland bare the Queenes They had ij cappes of maynteinaunce borne before them whereof the Earle of Arundell bare one and the Earle oâ Shrewsbury the other Cardinall Poole landed at Douer vpon the Wednesday being the xxi day of Nouember on which day one Act passed in the parliameÌt for his restitution in bloud vtterly repealing as false most slaunderous that Act made against him in king Henry the eightes tyme and on the next day being Thursday and the xxij of Nouember the King and the Queene both came to the Parliament house to geue theyr royall assent to establish this Act agaynst his comming Cardinal Poole arââueth in England Ex Statuââ an 1. ãâã Regis Pââlip ãâã cap. 8. Nouembââ 28. Upon the Saterday being the xxiiij of Nouember the sayd Cardinal came by water to London so to Lambeth house which was ready prepared agaynst his comming Upon the Wednesday folowing being the 28. of Nouember there was generall procession in Paules for ioy y t the Quene was conceiued and quick with child as it was declared in a letter sent from the counsell to the Byshop of London The same day at this procession was present ten Bishops with al the Prebendaries of Paules and also the Lord Maior with the Aldermen and a greate number of Commons of the City in theyr best aray The Copy of the CouÌcels letter here foloweth ad perpetuam rei memoriam * A Copy of a letter sent from the Counsell vnto Edmund Boner Byshop of London concerning Queene Mary conceiued with Childe AFter our harty commendations vnto your good Lordshippe whereas it hath pleased almighty God amongest other his infinite benefites of late most graciouslye poured vpon vs and thys whole Realme to extend his benediction vpon the Queenes maiesty in such sort as she is conceiued and quicke of childe Wherby her maiesty being our natural liege Lady queene vndoubted inheritor of this imperiall crowne good hope of certayn succession in the crowne is geuen vnto vs consequeÌtly the great calamities which for want of such succession might otherwise haue fallen vpon vs our posterity shall by Gods grace be well auoyded if we thankefully acknowledge this benefite of almighty God endeuoring our selues with earnest repentance to thanke honor and serue him as we be most bounden These be not onely to aduertise you of these good newes to be by you published in all places within your Dioces but also to pray and require you that both your selfe do geue God thankes with vs for this his especial grace and also geue order that thankes may be openly geuen by singing of Te Deum in all the churches within your sayde Dioces and that likewise all priestes and other Ecclesiasticall ministers in theyr Masses and other diuine seruices may continually pray to almighty God so to extend his holy hand ouer his maiesty the kinges highnes and this whole Realme as this thing being by his omnipotent power graciously thus begon may by the same be well continued and brought to good effect to the glory of his name Whereunto albeit we doubt not ye woulde of your selfe haue had special regard without these our letters yet for the earnest desire we haue to haue this thing done out of hand diligently continued we haue also written these our letters to put you in remembraunce and so bid your Lordshippe most hartily well to fare From Westminster the 27. of Nouember 1554. Your assured louing frendes S. Winton Chancel Arundell F. Shrewesbury Edward Darby Henry Sussex Iohn Bathon R Rich. Thomas Warthom Iohn Huddilstone R. Southwell Also the same day in the afternoone Cardinall Poole came to the Parliament house Cardinall Poole commeth to the Parlament which at that present was kept in the great Chamber of the Court at Whitehall for that the Queene was then sicke and could not go abroad where as the King and Queenes Maiesties sittyng vnder y e cloth of Estate the Cardinall sitting on theyr right hand with all the other Estates of the Parliament being present the Byshop of Winchester being Lord Chauncellor began in this maner ¶ The wordes of Winchester for receiuing of the Cardinall MY Lordes of the vpper house you my Maisters of the nether house here is present the right reuerend father in God my Lord Cardinall Poole come froÌ the apostolicke Sea of Rome ãâã words ãâã Cardââall Poole As Ambassador to the king and Queenes Maiesties vpon one of the weightiest causes that euer happened in this Realme whiche perteineth to the glory of God and your vniuersall benefite The which Ambassage theyr Maiesties pleasure is to be signified vnto you all by his owne mouth trusting that you will receiue and accept it in as beneuolent and thankefull wise as their highnesses haue done and that you will geue an attent and inclinable eare vnto him When the Lord Chauncellor had thus ended his talke the Cardinall taking the time then offered began hys Oration wherin he declared the causes of
iustice nor vnwoonted to thy mercy It is well knowen vnto vs how maruelously thou diddest worke in Sara of the age of xc yeares and in Elizabeth the barren and also far striken in age for thy counsel is not in the power of men Thou Lord that art y e searcher of harts thoughts thou knowest that thy seruaÌt neuer lusted after man neuer gaue her selfe to wanton coÌpany nor made her selfe pertaker w t them that walk in lightnes but she consented to take an husband with thy feare not with her lust Thou knowest that thy seruaunt tooke an husband not for carnal pleasure but only for the desire loue of posteritie wherein thy name might be blessed for euer and euer Geue therfore vnto thy seruaunts Phillip our king and Mary our Queene a male issue which may sit in the seat of thy kingdome Geue vnto our Queene thy seruant a little infant in fashion and body comely beautifull in pregnant wit notable and excellent Graunt the same to be in obedience like * It is not best such one to be graunted vnto you ãâã being lyke Abrahamâ Ioseph Moses and Salomon hâ may chauÌââ to smel oâ your corrupt doctrine and detest yoâ bloudy tyranny c. Abraham in hospitalitie like Loth in chastitie and brotherly loue lyke Ioseph in meekenes myldnes like Moses in strength valiantnes like Sampson Let him be found faythful as Dauid after thy hart Let him be wise among kings as the most wise Salomon Let him be like Iob a simple and an vpright man fearing God eschewyng euill Let hym finally be garnished with the comelynes of all vertuous coÌditions and in the same let him waxe old and lyue that he may see his childrens children to the third fourth generation And geue vnto our soueraigne Lord and Lady K. Phillip and Queene Mary thy blessing and long life vpoÌ earth And graunt that of theÌ may come kings Queenes which may stedfastly continue in faith loue and holynesse And blessed be their seed of our God that all nations may know thou art only God in all the earth which art blessed for euer and euer Amen ¶ Another prayer for Queene Mary and her conceiued chyld O Almighty father which diddest sanctifie the blessed Virgine and mother of Mary in her conception and in the byrth of Christ our sauiour thy onely sonne also by thy omnipotent power didst safely deliuer the prophet Ionas out of the Whales belly Defend O Lord we beseech thee An other prayer for the same thy seruaunt Mary our Queene with child conceyued and so visite her in and with thy godly gift of health that not onely the child thy creature within her conteined may ioyfully come from her into this worlde and receyue the blessed Sacraments of Baptisme and Confirmation enioying therwith dayly encrease of all princely and gracious gifts both of body soule but that also she the mother thorowe thy speciall grace and mercy may in tyme of her trauaile auoyde all excessiue dolour and payne and abide perfect and sure from all perill and danger of death with long and prosperous life thorough Christ our Lord Amen It followeth now further in processe of the story that vpon the Tuesday being the x. of Ianuary xix of the lower house of the Parliament with the Speaker Ianuary 1â came to the White Hall to the kyng and there offred him the gouernment of the realme and of the Issue if the Queene should faile which was confirmed by act of Parliament within ten dayes after Upon Wednesday folowing Ianuary ââ beyng the xxvi of Ianuary the Parliament was cleane dissolued In this Parliament among other things the bishop of Rome was established and all such lawes as were made against hym since the xx yeare of K. Henry the 8. were repealed also cardinall Poole bish Pates The Pope supremacy establisheâ by Parlament Matters coÌâcluded in the Parlaâment Lilly other were restored to their bloud Also there was an acte made for speakyng of words that whosoeuer should speake any thyng agaynst the king or Queene or that might mooue any sedition or rebellion at the first tyme to haue one of his eares cut of or to forfeit an C. markes and at the second tyme to haue both his eares cut off or els to forfeit an C. pounds who so euer should write cipher or print any of the premisses to haue their right hand cut off Three statutes agaynst heretickes reâuiued Also in this Parliament three statutes were reuiued for triall of heresie one made in the fift yere of Richard the 2. an other in the 2. yeare of Henry the 4. and the third in the 2. yeare of Henry the 5. Also the doyng of M. Rose and the other that were with him was communed of in this Parliament and vpon that occasion an acte was made that certaine euill prayers should be treason agaynst the Queenes highnes The prayers of these men were thus God turne the hart of Queene Mary from Idolatrie or els shorten her dayes Wherof read the statute Ann. 1. 2. Reg. Phil. Mariae Cap. 9. As touching the taking of M. Rose his felows word was brought therof to M. Hooper being theÌ in the Fleete Whereupon the said M. Hooper sendeth aunswer againe with a letter also of consolation sent to the sayd prisoners the copie wherof I thought here not to ouerpasse ¶ The aunswer of M. Hooper to a letter sent vnto him concerning certaine prisoners taken in Bowe churchyard ãâã aunââre to a ãâ¦ã sent ãâã him THe grace of God be with you Amen I perceiue by your letter how that vpon Newyeres day at night there were taken a godly company of Christians whilest they were praying I doe reioyce in that men can be so well occupied in this perilous time and flee vnto God for remedy by prayer as well for theyr owne lackes and necessities as also charitably to pray for them that persecute them So doth the worde of God commaund all men to pray charitably for them that hate them and not to reuile any Magistrate with wordes or to meane him euill by force or violence They also may reioyce that in well doyng they were taken to the prison Wherfore I haue thought it good to send them this little writing of consolation praying God to send them pacience charitie constancie in the truth of his most holy word Thus fare you well and pray God to send his true word into this Realme againe amongest vs which the vngodly Bishops haue now banished Ianua 4. ann 1555. ¶ A letter of consolation sent from M. Hooper to the godly brethren taken in Bow churchyard in prayer and layd in the Counter in Breadstreat THe grace fauor consolation and ayd of the holy ghost be with you now and euer So be it Dearely beloued in the Lord euer sithens your imprisonment A letter of ãâã Hooper ãâã of most âeauenly âonsolatioÌ I haue
broughte in the Bishop of Rome and sette him in his olde authoritie beginneth to set vp abbeis againe hath made the mariage of priestes vnlawfull hath tourned the English seruice into Latine againe hath set vp the Masse againe w t like baggage and pulled downe the holy Communion and all this is done by consente of Parliament If the Acts of Parliament made in king Henries time in K. Edwards had theyr foundatioÌ vpon Gods word where vpon all positiue lawe ought to be grounded then these which are stablished in the Quenes time being cleane contrary to the others as they are not warranted by gods woorde so are they wicked and therfore to be both spoken and wrytten against of all menne as well of priuate as of publique persons If your Actes my Lord Chancellour which you haâe lately coyned I call them yours because ye only beare the swinge deuise and decree what yee list all other men are forced to followe be good and according to Gods woord then the former Actes were naught whych thing ye seeme to say in vtterly taking of them away and setting vp of the contrary if the former were nought why then did ye consent vnto them and confirme them to be good by your voluntarie and aduised wryting as it appeareth and will to the worldes ende in your Booke de vera Obedientia where you prooue the Queene a Bastard and the bishop of Rome to be an vsurper and to haue no authoritie in the Realme of Englande Yee must needes confesse that the moste parte of your Actes of Parliament in these latter dayes haue bene according to the fantasies of a fewe King Henry in his time established by Parliament in a manner what he listed and many thinges that might well haue bene amended In Kinge Edwardes dayes the Duke of Somersette and Northumberlande bare a great stroke in thyngs and did not all things syncerely Euen so since the Quene that nowe is came to the gouernement of the realme al things are ordered by your deuise and head and the whole Parliament house is ledde as you list by reason whereof they are compelled to condescende to thinges both contrarye to Gods manifest woorde and also contrary to theyr owne consciences so great is your crueltie For to bryng youre wicked purposes to passe and to establish your Antichristian kingdome whych I truste the Lorde wyth the breathe of hys mouthe will spedely blowe ouer yee haue called three Parliamentes in one yeare and an halfe that what you coulde not compasse by subtill perswasion ye might bring to passe by tyrannical threatning for if yee hadde not vsed cruell force in your doinges yee had neuer broughte to passe suche thinges as this daye yee haue to the vtter defacing and abolishing of Gods true religion and to the casting away and destruction of your naturall Countrey so much as in you lieth And as it is moste true that Actes of Parliament haue in these latter dayes bene ruled by the fantasies of a fewe and the whole Parliament house contrary to their minds was compelled to consent to such things as a few had conceiued So it muste needes be graunted that the Papistes at all times were moste readie to apply them selues to the present worlde and like menne pleasers to follow the fantasies of suche as were in authoritie and turne with the estate which way so euer it tourned Yea if the estate should chaunge ten times in one yeare they woulde euer be ready at hande to chaunge with it and so folowe the crie and rather vtterly to forsake God and be of no religion then that they would forgoe lust or liuing for God or for religion King Henrie by Parliamente accordinge to Goddes woorde putte downe the Pope the Clergie consented and all men openly by othe refused this vsurped supremacie knowing by Gods worde Christ to be head of the churchâ and euery Kinge in hys Realme to haue vnder and nexte vnto Christe the chiefe Soueraigntie King Edward also by Parliament according to Gods woorde sette the marriage of Priestes at libertie abolished the Popish and idolatrous masse chaunged the Latin seruice and sette vp the holy Communion the whole Cleargie consented heereunto many of them set it foorth by then preaching and all they by practising confirmed the same Notwythstanding now when the state is altered and the lawes chaunged the Papisticall cleargie wyth other like worldlinges as menne neither fearing God neyther flying worldly shame neither yet regardinge their consciences othes or honestie like wauering weather Cockes tourn rouÌd about putting on harlots foreheades sing a newe song and crie wyth an impudent mouth Come a-againe come againe to the catholicke churche meaning the Antichristian church of Rome which is the Synagogue of Sathan and the very sincke of all superstition heresie and Idolatrie Of what force I pray you may a man think these Parliamentes to be which scantly can stand a yere in strength Or what credite is to be geuen to these law makers which are not ashamed to establish contrary lawes and to condempne that for euill which before the thing in it selfe and the circumstances remaining al one they affirmed and decreed to be good Truelye yee are so readye contrarye to all ryghte to chaunge and turne for the pleasure of manne that at the lengthe I feare GOD wyll vse you lyke chaungelings Anno 1554. Aprill and both tourne you foorth of his kingdom and out of your owne countrey Yee charge the Gospell preachers with the vndoyng of thys realme nay it is the turning papists whych haue not onely sette a sale theyr Countrey like Traitours but also troubled the simple people so that they canne not tell what they may beleeue For that which they affirmed and preached to be newe doctrine in King Edwardes dayes nowe they crie against it as it were moste abhominable heresye This fault I trust yee shall neuer finde at our hands Therefore to conclude that whiche I purposed for somuche as the Actes of Parliament of these latter times are one contrary to an other and those which yee nowe haue stablished in your time are contrary to Gods most manifest woorde as is the vsurped supremacie of the Byshoppe of Rome the Idolatrous Masse the Latine Seruice the prohibiting of lawfull marriage which Sainte Paul calleth the Doctrine of Deuilles wyth many suche other I say it is not onely lawfull for any priuate man which bringeth Gods woorde for hym and the authoritie of the primatiue and best Churche to speake and wryte against such vnlawfull lawes but it is hys duetie and he is bounde in very conscience to doe it Which thyng I haue prooued by diuers examples before and nowe will adde too but one other which is wrytten in the fifth of the Actes where it appeareth that the high Priestes the Elders Scribes and Pharisies decreed in their Councell and gaue the same coÌmaundement to the Apostles that they should not preache in the name of Christe as yee haue also forbidden
great matter worthy to be known yet to this intent that the reader may see in these two brethren so ioyned in nature and so deuided in religioÌ y e word of the Lord verified truely saying brother shal be agaynst brother Math. 10. c. as by the contentes of these two letters folowing may appeare ¶ A letter of Iustice Saunders to his brother Laurence â letter of ãâ¦ã to ââurence ââunders ãâã bâother AFter my most harty commendations these bene to a certaine you that I haue spoken with M. Basset who hath shewed me that 4. pound all deductions being allowed is the whole that hath come to his handes of the profite of the PrebeÌdary at York the which you shall haue although as he thinketh it was not due vnto you by the reason of your depriuation before it was due As concerning your conscience in Religion I beseech God it maye be lightened by the holy Ghost and that you may also haue the grace of the holy Ghost to follow the counsell of Sainct Paule to Timothe 2. Recte tractare verbum veritatis That is To handle rightly the word of truth Wherein you ar dissenting from many holy and Catholicke men especielly in the SacrameÌt maketh me in my conscience to condemne yours For althoughe I haue not hitherto fancied to read Peter Martir other such c. Iustice sayth Audi Alteram partem yet haue I had great desire to see Theophilact and diuers others of his sort and opinion both notable and holy Fathers if any credit be geuen to the writinges of our auncient fathers before vs and surely the sentences and iudgementes of two or three of them hath more confirmed my conscience then 300. of the Zuinglians or as many of the Lutherians can or should doe Thus in haste willing to reliefe you to the end you might conuert if you shall need towardes your finding if you shall require it of me you shall vnfaynedly finde my mony ready as knoweth our Lord who send vs al thinges good for vs. Scribled this Thursday by your brother and petitioner to God Ed. Saunders ¶ An other letter of Iustice Saunders to his brother wherein he seeketh to winne him to Popery AS nature and Brotherly loue with godly charity requireth Greeting with protestation I send you by these letters quantum licet most harty coÌmendation being sory for your fault and your disobedient handlyng of your selfe towardes my Lord Chauncellour who I assure you mindeth your good and preseruation if you can so consider and take it I would be glad to know whether you haue not had with you of late some learned men to talk with you by my Lord ChauÌcellours appoyntment and howe you can frame your selfe to reforme your errour in the opinion of the moste blessed and our most comfortable Sacrament of the aultar Wherein I assure you I was neuer in all my life more better affected then I am at thys present vsing to my great comforte hearing of Masse He meaneth peraduenture when the Sanctus is singing for then the Organs pipe merely and that may giue some Comfort The meditatioÌs of S. Bernard sent by Iustice Saunders to his brother and somewhat before the sacring time the meditation of S. Barnard sette forth in the third leafe of this present booke The accustomable vsing whereof I am fullye professed vnto during my life and to geue more fayth vnto that confessioÌ of holy Barnarde theÌ to Luther c. or Latimer c. for that the antiquity the vniuersality of the open church and the consent of all holy Saynts and Doctors do confirme the same acertayning you that I haue bene earnestly moued in mine owne coÌscience these ten or twelue daies past and also betweene God and my selfe to mooue you to the same most earnestly desiring you and as you tender my naturall godly or frendly loue towardes you that you would read ouer thys booke this holy time at my request although you haue alreadye seene it and let me know wherein you cannot satisfy your owne conscience Thus fare you well for this time By yours from Seriantes Inne Ed. Saunders ¶ The Life and Martyrdome of Mayster IOHN HOOPER Byshop of Worcester and Glocester burnt for the defence of the Gospell at Glocester Anno. 1555. February 9. IOHN HOOPER Student and graduate in the vniuersity of Oxford after the study of other scieÌces The story life Martyrdome of M. Iohn Hooper Martyr wherin he had aboundantly profited and proceeded through Gods secret vocation was styrred with ferueÌt desire to the loue knowledge of the Scriptures In the reading seaching whereof as there lacked in him no diligence ioyned with earnest prayer so neyther wanted vnto him the grace of the holy Ghost to satisfy his desire and to opeÌ vnto him the light of true Diuinity Thus Mayster Hooper growing more and more by Gods grace in ripenes of spirituall vnderstanding and shewing withall some sparckles of his feruent spirite being then about the beginning of the 6. Articles in the time of king Henry the 8. fell eftsoones into displeasure hatred of certaine Rabbines in Oxford who by and by began to styr coales agaynst him wherby and especially by the procurement of Doctour Smith he was compelled to voyde the Uniuersity and so remouing from thence was retayned in the house of Syr Thomas Arundell and there was his Steward till the time that Syr Thomas Arundell hauing intelligence of his opinions religion which he in no case did fauor and yet exceedingly fauouryng the person conditions of the man M. Hooper sent to the Bishop of Winchester found the meanes to send him in a message to the Bishop of Winchester writing his letter priuily to the bishop by conference of learning to do some good vpon him but in any case requiring him to send home his seruaunt to him agayne Winchester after long conference with M. Hooper 4. or 5. dayes together when he at length perceiued that neither he could do that good which he thought to him nor that he would take any good at his hand according to M. Arundels request he sent home his seruaunt agayne right well commending his learning and wit but yet bearing in his brest a grudging stomacke agaynst Mayster Hooper still It followed not long after this as malice is alwayes working mischiefe that intelligence was geuen to master Hooper to prouide for himselfe M. Hooper forced to auoyd the house of Syr Thomas Arundel M. Hooper flyeth agayne out of England for daunger that was working agaynst him Whereupon M. Hooper leauing M. Arundels house and borowing an horse of a certayne friend whose life he had saued a little before from the gallowes tooke his iourney to the Sea side to goe to Fraunce sending backe the horse agayne by one which in deede did not deliuer him to the owner M. Hoper being at Paris taried there not long but in short time returned into England agayne
was made conditionally to be putte into the handes of Sir Thomas Ioanes Knighte for safe custodie for the kings Clearkes behoofe after the fourteene dayes to be executed at the hands of the sayde Defendaunt if he failed to shewe Wythin whyche time the sayde Defendaunt did shewe an olde auncient recorde declaring the full righte of Patronage on the sayde Defendauntes behalfe and so that Institution and Induction was neuer by the sayde Defendaunt putte in execution Neuerthelesse the sayde Dauid Ieinkin contrary to hys promesse and othe geuing thereuppon his righte hande to the sayde Syr Thomas Ioanes Knight tooke aduauntage by the sayde wryting wythout knowledge of the sayde Defendaunt After whych time the Lord Chauncellour by hys letters wrytten to the sayde Defendaunt aduertised hym to admitte one Iohn Appowell clearke presented by vertue of a vowson which the L. Chancellor iudged to be good and so to be admitted notwythstanding his former presentation whereby he would not abarre the other mannes right And so thys Defendaunt made one Collation two Institutions and three Mandates doyng no wrong thereby to hys knowledge And further he sayeth that there was no businesse nor vnquietnesse aboute the possession of the sayde Uicarage but this Defendaunt geuing place was content to loose hys right for that time To the seuenth he sayth that as he nowe remembreth hee neuer decreed anye Caueates to be made in benefices neither did institute nor cause to be inducted any into benefices being knowne to hym litigious To the eight he sayeth that because the Archdeacons be absent from theyr Offices and haue not had faithfull diligent Officials he hathe directed his Mandates to them or their Officials or to other lawfull persons in that behalfe so farre as he knoweth To the ninthe and tenthe Articles he denieth as verye vntrue To the xi he sayth that whereas Syr Thomas Ioans Knighte aduertised hym that Thomas Pricharde had celebrated Matrimonie in a priuate house betwixte a certaine Priest and a woman whose sister hadde refused the same the sayde Pricharde leauing his owne cure vnserued on that Sonday this defendant did put the same Thomas Prychard to penance for so doing marying them without banes And wheras he made the said Thomas Aprichard who is a Bachelor of law his Commissary it was for the respect of learning in the law thereby faythfully to execute his office according to Iustice. And the sayde Defendaunt dyd neuer fauour nor beare with any man wittinglye in his wrong doinges He confesseth that the Matrimonye was solemnized in a priuate church and that the cure was that day vnserued To the 12. he sayth that it is slaunderous and vtterlye vntrue And that one syr Iohn Hughs Priest made Sage Hughs daughter to his Steppemother an harlot at 11. yeares of age and after maryed openly to an other man being Minister thereof himselfe After whiche doyng he tooke her away from her Husband agayne and kept her alledging a former contract And when the sayde Iohn Hughs was lawfully conuicted before the sayde Byshop in open Court at Carmarthen of that his abhominable adultery clayming the kinges pardon thereof yet the sayde Sage confessed that he had to do with her the night before that day of appearaunce Whiche latter crime he denyed Neuerthelesse she proued with childe affirming both before the byrth and after the childe to be his the Midwife and other being witnesses thereof Yet notwithstandinge George Constantine as a wicked Bolsterer of the sayde Priest in hys naughtye doinges with the helpe of the aforesayd Chaunter fyrst vttered that Meredith Thomas was Father of the sayd childe which matter was ordered in the Ecclesiasticall Court according to Iustice without any parciall affection of the sayd Bishop or of any other to his knowledge To the 13. hee sayth it is vtterly false so farre as he knoweth To the 14. he sayth that by lawfull sequestration in the Kinges Maiesties name he committed the custody of the fruites of Langatnok and Lanuihangell to two houost men for the behoufe of the Kynges first fruites and tenthes and of the next incumbent and further he did not meddle nor minister any cause of vnquietnesse in that behalfe To the 15. he sayth that he made a collation lawfull as he supposeth of the prebend of Lanbister to Stephen Greene his Chapleine without any couenaunt or colour and further he did not meddle in that behalfe To the 16. he sayth all is vntrue as farre as he knoweth To the 17. he sayth it is all vntrue for his owne part for his officers as farre as he knoweth To the 18. he sayth it is vntrue as farre as he knoweth and that he did certify the recusants iustly as he thinketh because they refused wilfully to paye the Kynges whole Subsidye of theyr whole diuidenesse as it standeth in the Kinges booke perteyning to the Canons resident To the 19. he sayth that after trauayle of fourtene Miles beyng not able fastyng to Celebrate Communion in a Chappell within the house of Syr Thomas Ioanes Knyght one of the Kinges Maiesties honourable Counsayle of the Marches of Wales this Defendaunte celebrated Matrimony without the receyuing the Communion for the causes abouesayd betwixt Mayster Griffith Ryce and the Daughter of the sayde Syr Thomas Ioanes accordynge to the kinges ordinaunces And Thomas Upricharde Prieste administred the holy Communion there without any superstition to this defendauntes knowledge and the maryed persons not disposed to receiue the holy Communion he coulde not compell them agaynst theyr consciences and sayeth that hee didde not dispense with them as it is contayned in the article ¶ To the slaunderous and vntrue title of mayntenance of superstition c. he sayeth that he did not maynteyne any superstition contrary to the kinges ordinaunces and iniunctions but abhorring in his hart all superstition hath trauelled and doth trauell to abolish the same by true doctrine and doyng as much as he can with the kinges peace amongst his people there TO the 20. he sayth that George Constantine in the third yeare of the kinges Maiestyes reigne not regarding the daungerous time of rebellion in other places rashly caused to be pulled downe without any authoritye knowne to this defendaunt the communion altar in Carmarthen Church by his owne presumptuous mynde appointing the vse thereof in another place of the church not without grudge of the people Wherefore the Bishop fearing tumult coÌmaunded the vicar to set vp the communioÌ table for the time nere to the place where it was before To the 21. he sayth that he hath bene diuers tymes in the quere of Carmarthen and hath taried there in the communion time not communicating himselfe and that in euery Church where he commeth on the holy day to preach or to pray he kneeleth in the quere bareheaded as well at Matines before the Communion as at Euensong after without any superstition he thinketh it not necessary for the Communions sake to leaue kneeling to Christ. But he hath diligently taught the people
not to kneele nor knocke to the visible shew or externall shewe of the Sacrament And the queres of Carmarthen and other places there are not close at the sides so that the people may come in and forth at theyr pleasure Moreouer the Kinges ordinaunces doth not authorise him to rebuke the people for knocking on theyr brests in token of repentaunce of theyr sinnes nor for kneeling in token of submission to God for mercye in Christ. To the 22. he sayth that in time of rebellion in Deuon and Cornewall threatening to come into Wales he teaching the people the true fourme of prayer accordinge to Gods holy word and declaring the prayer vpon beades to be vayne and superstitious yet durste not for feare of tumulte forceably take from any man his beades without authority And touching the not reproouing of suche as hee shoulde meete wearing beades hee remembreth not that he hath so done vnlesse it were in the rebellion tyme at whiche time he durste not rebuke suche Offenders To the 23. he sayth that he beyng in the Pulpitte hys face towardes the people did not see the lightes if anye were set vp about the corpes behinde his backe till after that he came downe from the Pulpitte But he with George Constantine and the aforesayde Chauntour sittyng in the Church in Carmarthen to heare causes and seeing the Uicare with other Priestes with song and lights bringyng a corpes vppe to the Church called forthwyth the Uicare and Priestes and rebuked them in open court as cormorantes and Rauens flying about the dead carcase for lucre sake To the 24. he sayeth that he caused the one childe beyng borne with great perill of death to the Mother and it selfe lying for dead a certayne space after to be christened on the workyng day the other childe was Christened on the working day because both Father and Mother and al other people there were in perill of death by reason of the sodayne sweat which all men feared at that time And touching the rest of the accusatioÌ which is that by that example it is vsed after the olde accustomed fashion he knoweth no such thing ¶ To the tytle of Couetousnesse he sayth that hys doynges prooue the contrarye as his neighbours knoweth And to the 25. Article he vtterly denyeth To the 26. he sayth that his Hall at Aberguilly being ruinous he vseth for his Hall a greate Chamber adioyning for his selfe and his seruauntes and all manner of straungers and besides twenty persons in house daylye What other hospitality he keepeth honest neighbours can testify To the 27. he sayth that his talke is accordyng to his hearers that is to say reuerently and truely of fayth loue and honest lyfe according to the Scriptures to like Auditours and to other vnreuerent and rash Turmoylers of Scriptures and holye doctrine he doeth talke of honest worldly thinges with Godly intent and that he doeth not moste commonlye talke of suche thinges as are expressed in this Article but when hee hath honest occation so to doe The 28. he sayth is vntrue and that hee hath warned no manne out of theyr landes but where he is destitute of necessary prouision and woulde haue part of his owne demayne from certayne free holdes hauing it onelye from yeare to yeare of pleasure hee cannot obteyne it without brawlyng Wherefore he suffereth them to keepe it euen yet still agaynst right reason And touching the rest that he had rather the Crowes should eat it c. he neuer spake any such word To the 29. he sayth that whereas hys Predecessour Byshop Barloe did let to farme the Isle of Ramsay to one William Browne after whose handes this Defendaunt receiued it into his owne possession the Uicars of Saynt Dauids being dispossessed of it long before he letted it ouer to Stephen Greene for 40. shillings the grouÌd as it was before and three poundes more for seales connies and foules there he knoweth of no right y e Uicars Chorall had therein who did refuse when this defendant did diligently vpon reasonable conditions offer the same vnto them and this defendant made no promise vnto theÌ as is conteined in the Article To the 30. he sayth he knoweth not but that he aduertised his Bayliffe to warne the freeholdes and other hauing his demayne to rent during pleasure to leaue it at a lawfull day to this Defendantes necessary vse and dyd not cause the Curate to do as is conteined in the Article to his remembraunce To the 31. he sayth that he knoweth not what y e priest bad in the Churche nor howe many plowes there came vndesired of this Defendaunt But he knoweth certeinly that he desired no mans labour but for his mony To the 32. he sayth that he knoweth not any such appoyntment of Schooles and reuenewes there but he fouÌd there after the departyng of Byshop Barloe a Schoolemayster an Ussher being a Priest and 20. Scholers which he hath hitherto maynteined better then he founde it to his knowledge he did neuer conuert anye pennye therof to his owne vse albeit he might lawfully haue done the same The 33. he sayeth is all vntrue so farre as hee knoweth To the 34. Article he sayth he neuer purchased more then three percels whereof one was 2. shillinges 8. pence by yeare the second three shillinges foure pence and the third 26. shillinges 8. pence or there about by yeare the rest he denyeth To the 35. he sayeth that he neuer bought of Lewes Iohn Thomas his land good cheape but after forty yeres purchase not knowing at that time any suche thinge as is contayned in the article agaynst the sayd Lewes Iohn Neither badde he the Somner to lette him alone but as soone as he hearde any thing of it commaunded the Somner to cyte him and so he was cyted in this Defendantes house occasionyng him to breake his bargayne to the which Lewes this Defendaunt sayde these wordes If you would geue me your land with an house full of golde I cannot nor will not suffer you to keepe a Lemman Then the sayde Lewes affirming the latter woman to bee his wife and the firste vnknowne to this Defendaunt hee caused the sayde Lewes to bee called to the consistorye for tryall where it hangeth yet And also by lawfull processe excommunicated the firste Woman for that shee would not by any meanes appeare in the Court to claime or to confesse marryage with the sayde Lewes and so she standeth this day at the poynt of significauit To the 56. he sayth that whereas the Chauntour and R. M. with other Chanons there would not obey the Kynges Godlye Iniunctions concerning the fyndyng a Schoole for poore mennes Chyldren a Lectur of Diuinitye Sermons on the Sondayes repayring of their Church and Mansion houses decent order and ministration there but stubbornely counted themselues with the Chauntour to be a bodye politicke without regarde of the Byshoppe and his lawefull monitions beyng hymselfe named in theyr Shyre Statutes Decanus quasi Decanus
together After that by reason of a visitation and certaine Iniunctions geuen in the same time by the authoritie of king Henry the eight he forsooke the same house and casting froÌ him the sayd Monkes habite and religion aforesayde tooke vpon him and vsed the habite of a secular priest and returned to Snowhill where hee was borne and there hee did celebrate and sing Masse and taught childreÌ their Primer and Accidence about halfe a yeare together Then he went from thence to Ludgate in Suffolke there serued as a seculare priest about a quarter of a yeare and from thence he then went to Stonyland where he taried and serued as a secular priest also vntill the comming out of the sixe Articles and then hee departed from thence and went into Gloucester shiere where after he had made his aboade in the countrey a while at lengthe in Tewkesbury according to Gods holy ordinance he maried a wife with whom he euer after faithfully and honestly coÌtinued and after his marriage he taried in Tewkesbury about 2. yeares together W. Flower âaryeth a âyfe and then from thence he went vnto Brosâey where he taried three quarters of a yere and practised Phisicke and Surgerie and from thence hee remooued to Northampton shier where vnder a Gentleman he taught children their primers and to wryte and read a good space And so departing from those parties hee came to London and there remained for a certain space After that being desirous to see his countrey he returned to Snowhil where hee was borne W. Flower âommeth âo Lambeth from thence to Branckstrey in Essex then to Coxal where he taught children a space and so came to Lambeth beside London where he hired a house and placed his wife where he and his wife did euer since dwell together till this time howbeit for the most part he was alwayes abroade and very seldome at home except once or twise in a moneth to visite and see his wife where hee being at home vpon Easter day about 10. and a 11. a clocke in the fore noone of the same daye came ouer the water from Lambeth into Sainte Margaretes Churche at Westminster W. Flower ââriketh a Popish Priest at the aultar in Westminster where he finding seeing a Prieste called Iohn Cheltam ministring and geuing the sacrament of the aultare to the people and therewith being greatly offended in his coÌscience with the Prieste for the same his doing for that hee iudged hym not to be a Catholike Minister neyther hys act to be catholike and laudable according to Gods word did strike and wounde him vpon the head and also vppon the arme and hande with his woodknife the Priest hauing the same time in his hande a Chalice with certaine consetrated hostes therin which were sprinkeled with the bloud of the sayde priest W. Flower repenteth his acte in striking W. Flower constant in his fayth In the whych so doing as in deede he did not well or Euangelically so afterward being examined before bishop Boner did no lesse confesse his not well doing in the same submitting therefore hym selfe wellingly to punishmente when it should come Howbeit touching his beliefe in the sacrament and the popish ministration he neither woulde nor did submit him selfe W. Flower layd in the Gate house ãâã Westminster Wherupon the foresaid Wil. Flower being first apprehended laid in the Gate house at Westminster where hee had geuen two groates y e same day a litle before to the prisoners saying he would shortly after come to them wyth as many yrons as he could beare afterward was conuented before Boner his Ordinarie April 19. anno 1555. where the B. after he had sworne hym vpon a booke according to his ordinarye maner ministred articles interrogatories to him W. Flower brought before B. âoner But before I speake of the articles firste we haue here to set forth what coÌmunication passed betwixt him Rob. Smith being then also there prisoner w t hym in newgate concerning his facte done at Westminster the tenor effect of which communication here foloweth A communication or debating betweene Robert Smith prisoner in Newgate and W. Flower concerning his striking of the priest at Westminster Robert Smith The talke betweene Robert âmyth and W. Flower FRend for as much as I do vnderstand that you do professe the Gospell and also haue so done a long season I am bolde to come vnto you and in the way of communication to demaunde and learne a truth at your owne mouth of certaine thyngs by you committed to the astonishynge not onely of mee but of diuers other that also professe the veritie Flower I praise God for hys great goodnesse in shewing me the light of hys holy woorde and I geue you heartie thankes for your visitation intending by Gods grace to declare all the truth that ye shal demaunde lawfully of me in all things Smith Then I desire you to shewe me the truthe of your deede committed on Iohn Cheltam priest in the Church as nere as you can that I may heare of your owne mouth howe it was Flo. I came from my house at Lambeth ouer the water and entring into saint Margaretes Church so called and there seeing the people falling down before a most shamefull and detestable Idoll The zeale of W. Flower in seeing the Lordes honour defaced being moued with extreeme zeale for my God whome I saw before my face dishonoured I drewe foorth my Hanger and strake the priest which ministred the same vnto them whereupon I was immediately apprehended and this is most true as the acte is manifest Smith Did ye not know the person that ye strake or were ye not zelous vpon him for any euil wil or hatred betwene you at any time Flo. No verily I neuer to my knowledge sawe the person before that present neither ought him or any man aliue euil wil or malice for if he had not had it an other shoulde if I hadde any time come where the like occasion had bene ministred if God had permitted me to doe it Smith Doe ye thinke that thing to be well done and after the rule of the Gospell Flo I do confesse all flesh to be subiect to the power of almighty God Extraordinary zeales are no generall rules to be followed whom he maketh his ministers to do his wil and pleasure as in example Moses Aaron Phinees Iosua Zimrie Ihehie Iudith Mathathiah wyth many other not only chaunging degrees but also planting zeales to hys honour against all order and respect of flesh and bloude For as sayeth S. Paule Hys workes are past fineding out by whose spirite I haue also geuen my fleshe at thys present vnto suche order as it shall please the good will of God to appoynt in death which before the act committed I looked for Smith Thinke you it conuenient for me or any other to do the like by your example Flo. No verily neither do I know
promise to returne agayne that night to go into London without any keeper to visite one that was sicke lying by the Stilyard Neither did he fayle his promise but returned vnto his prison againe rather preuenting his houre then breaking his fidelitie so constant was he in word in deede Of personage he was somewhat tall and sleÌder spare of body of a faint sanguine colour w t an Awburne beard He slept not commonly aboue foure houres in the night in his bedde till sleep came his booke went not out of his hand His chief recreation was in no gaming or other pastime but onely in honest company comely talke wherin he would spend a little time after dinner at the bourde and so to prayer and his booke agayne He counted that houre not well spent wherin he did not some good Bradford visited the theeues pickpurses c. either with his pen study or in exhorting of others c. He was no niggard of his purse but would liberally participate y t he had to hys fellowe prisoners And commonly once a weeke he visited the theeues pickpurses and such others that were with him in the prison where he lay on the other side vnto whoÌ he would geue godly exhortation to learne the amendment of their liues by their troubles and after that so done distribute among them some portion of money to theyr comfort By the way this I thought not to conceale While he was in the kinges Bench The meeting conference betwene Laurence Saunders and Iohn Bradford and Mayster Saunders in the Marshalsey both prisoners on the backside of those two prisons they mette many times and conferred together when they would so mercifully did the Lorde worke for them euen in the middest of theyr troubles and the sayde Bradford was so trusted with his keeper Bradford refusing to escape out of prison though be mighte and had such libertie in the backeside that there was no day but that he might haue easily escaped away if he would but that the Lord had an other worke to doe for him In the sommer tyme while he was in the sayd Kinges Benche he had libertie of his keeper to ryde into Oxfordshyre to a Marchauntes house of his acquayntaunce and horse and all thinges prepared for him for that iourney and the partie in a readines that should ride with him but God preuented him by sicknes that he went not at all One of his old friends and acquaintaunce came vnto him whilest he was prisoner and asked hym if he sited to get hym out what then he would do or whether he would go Unto whom he made answer as not caring whether he went out or no but if he did he said hee would marry Bradford would not flye out of England though he mighte and abyde still in England secretly teaching the people as the tyme would suffer him and occupy himselfe that way He was had in so great reuerence and admiration wyth all good men that a multitude which neuer knew him but by fame greatly lamented his death yea Bradford beleued and a number also of the Papistes themselues wished hartily hys lyfe There were fewe dayes in which he was thought not to spend some tears before he went to bed Bradfordes teares neyther was there euer any prisoner with hym but by his company he greatly profited as all they will yet witnes and haue confessed of hym no lesse to the glory of God whose societie he frequented as among many one speciall thyng I thought to note which is this Bishop Farrer beyng in the kynges Bench prisoner as before you haue hard was trauailed withall of the Papists in the end of Lent to receiue the sacrament at Easter in one kind who after much perswading yelded to them Byshop Farrat confirmed in the truth by Iohn Bradford and promised so to do Then so it happened by gods prouidence the Easter euen the day before hee should haue done it was Bradford brought to the Kings Benche prisoner where the Lord making him his instrument Bradford only was the meane that the said B. Farrer reuoked his promise and word and would neuer after yeeld to bee spotted with that papisticall pitch so effectually the Lord wrought by this worthy seruaunt of his Such an instrument was he in gods church that few or none there were that knew him but estemed him as a precious iewell and Gods true messenger Bradford dreameth of his burning according as it came to passe The night before he was had to Newgate which was the saterday night he was sore troubled diuers tymes in his sleepe by dreams how the chaine for his burning was brought to the Counter gate and how the next day beyng Sonday he should be had to Newgate and on the Monday after burned in Smithfield as in deed it came to passe accordingly which hereafter shal be shewed Now he beyng vexed so often tymes in this sort with these dreames about 3. of the clocke in the morning hee waked hym that lay with hym and told him his vnquiet sleepe what he was troubled withall Then after a little talke Maister Bradford rose out of the bed and gaue hymselfe to his olde exercise of readyng and prayer as alwayes he had vsed before and at dinner according to his accustomed maner he did eat his meat and was very mery no body being with hym from mornyng till night but he that lay with hym with whom he had many tymes on that day communication of death of the kingdome of heauen and of the ripenes of sinne in that tyme. In the after noone they two walking together in the keepers chamber sodainly the keepers wife came vp as one halfe amazed Bradford hath word of his burning seeming much troubled beyng almost wyndles said Oh M. Bradford I come to bring you heauy newes What is that said he Marry quoth she to morow you must be burned your chaine is now a buying soone you must go to Newgate With that M. Bradford put of his cap and lifting vp his eyes to heauen sayd I thanke God for it I haue looked for the same a long time and therfore it commeth not now to me sodainly but as a thing waited for euery day and houre the Lord make me worthy therof so thanking her for her gentlenes departed vp into his chamber and called his friend with hym who when he came thither he went secretly himselfe alone a long tyme and prayed Which done he came agayne to him that was in his chamber and tooke him diuers writings and papers shewed him his mind in those things what he would haue done and after they had spent the after noone till night in many and sundry such things at last came to him halfe a dosen of his friends more with whom all the euening he spent the tyme in prayer and other good exercises so wonderfully that it was meruailous to heare and see his doyngs A
it was aunswered hym by the vndermarshals officers of the Kinges Benche that there was none such hee entred into the house and tooke acquayntance of Iohn Bradford saying Thomas Hussey commeth to Bradford that he would coÌmon and speake with him the nexte morning for olde acquayntance The next morning about 7. of the clocke this gentleman came into the chamber wherein Iohn Bradford dyd lye and being with him hee began a long Oration how that of loue olde acquayntaÌce he came vnto him to speak that whiche he woulde further vtter Counsell of M. Hussey geuen to Bradford You did sayd he so wonderfully behaue your selfe before the Lord Chauncellour and other Bishops yesterday that euen the veriest enemyes you haue did see that they haue no matter agaynst you therefore I aduise you speaking as though it came of his owne good will without making any other man priuy or any other procuring hym as he sayd this day for anone you shall be called before them again to desire a time and men to conferre withal so shall all men thinke a wonderfull wisedom grauity and godlines in you and by this meanes you shall escape present dauÌger which els is nearer then you beware of To this Iohn Bradford aunswered Bradford refuseth to require respite I neither can nor will make any such request For theÌ shall I geue occasion to the people to all other to thinke that I doubt of the Doctrine which I confesse the whiche thing I do not for therof I am most assured and therefore I will geue no such offence As they were thus talking the chamber doore was vnlocked and Doctour Seton came in who when hee sawe Mayster Hussey D. Seton commeth to Mayster Bradford what Syr quoth he are you come before me O Lord sayd Bradforde in his hart to God goeth the matter thus This man tolde me no man knew of his comming Lorde geue me grace to remember thy Lesson Cauete ab hominibus illis Hussey taken with a lye Beware of those men c. Caste not your pearles before dogges for I see these menne be come to hunt for matter that the one may beare witnes with the other Seton Counsell of D. Seton geuen to M. Bradford Doctour Seton after some by talke of Bradfordes age of his country such like began a gay and long sermoÌ of my Lord of Canterbury M. Latimer and M. Ridley and howe they at Oxforde were not able to aunswere any thing at all and that therefore my Lord of Canterbury desired to confer with the Bishop of Duresme and others al which talke tended to this end that Iohn Bradford should make the like sute being in nothing to be coÌpared in learning to my Lord of Canterbury Brad. To this Iohn Bradford briefly answered as he did before to Mayster Hussey Seton With this aunswere neither the Doctour nor Gentleman being coÌtented after many perswasions M. Doctour sayd I haue heard much good talke of you The flatteâring commendatioâ of D. Setoâ to Maysteâ Bradford and euen yesternight a Gentleman made report of you at the Lorde ChauÌcellors table that ye were able to perswade as much as any that he knewe And I though I neuer hearde you preach to my knowledge neuer did I see you before yesterday yet me thought your modesty was such your behauior and talke so without malice and impacience that I would be sory ye should do worse then my selfe And I tell you further I do perceiue my Lorde Chauncellour hath a fantasy towardes you wherfore be not so obstinate but desire respite and some learned man to conferre withall c. Brad. But Iohn Bradforde kept still one aunswere I can not nor I will not so offende the people I doubt not M. Bradford refuseth to askâ respite to conferre vpon his doctrine but am most certayne of the doctrine I haue taught Seton Here Mayster Doctoure waxed hoate and called Bradford arrogant proud vayneglorious and spake like a Prelate Brad. But Bradforde aunsweared beware of iudgyng least ye condemne your selfe But styll Mayster Doctour Seton vrged him shewing hym how mercifull my Lorde Chauncellour was and how charitably they enterteyned hym Brad. I neuer sawe any iustice muche lesse loue Litle iustiâââ lesse loue appeareth in the Bishop of winchester I speake for my part quoth Bradford in my Lorde Chauncellor Long haue I bene vniustly imprisoned and handled in the same vncharitably now my Lord hath no iust matter agaynst me This talke serued not the Doctors purpose wherefore he went froÌ matter to matter froÌ this point to that poynt Bradford still gaue him the hearing and aunswered not for he perceiued that they both did come but to fish for som such thinges as might make a shew that my Lord ChauÌcellor had iustly kept him in prison When all theyr talke took no such effect as they would or looked for Mayster Hussey asked Bradford M. Bradford refuseth to admit conference but vpon conditions will ye not admit conference if my Lord Chauncellour should offer it publickely Brad. Conference if it had bene offered before the law had bene made or if it were offered so that I might be at liberty to conferre and as sure as he with whom I should conferre then it were something but els I see not to what other purpose conference should be offered but to defer that which will come at the length and the lingering may geue more offeÌce then do good Howbeit if my Lord shall make such an offer of his owne motion I will not refuse to conferre with whom so euer he shall appoynt Mayster Doctour hearing this called Bradford arrogant proud and whatsoeuer pleased him D. Seton âayleth agaynst M. Bradford Then Bradford perceiuing by them that he shoulde shortly be called for besought them both to geue him leaue to talke with God and to beg wisedome and grace of him for quoth he otherwise I am helpelesse and so they with much add departed Then Bradford went to God made his prayers whiche the Lorde of his goodnesse dyd graciously accept in his need praised therfore be his holy name Shortly after they were gone Bradforde was lead to the foresayd church and there taryed vncalled for till eleuen of the clocke that is till Mayster Saunders was excommunicated * The effect and summe of the last examination of Iohn Bradford in the Church of S. Mary Oueryes AFter the excommunication of Laurence Saunders Iohn Bradford was called in The last examination of M. Bradford beyng brought in before the Lord Chauncellour and other the Bishops there sitting the Lord Chauncellour began to speake thus in effect that Bradford being now eftsoones come before them would answere with modesty and humility The effect of Winchesters talke with M. Bradford and conforme himselfe to the Catholicke Churche with them and so yet he might finde mercy because they would be loth to vse extremity Therefore he concluded
vsed in the church of England The vse and Sacrifice of the Latin Masse denyed he beleueth that there is no sacrifice in the sayde Masse and that there is in it no saluation for a christian man except it should be said in the mother toung that he might vnderstand it and coÌcerning the ceremonies of the Church he sayth and beleeueth that they be not profitable to a Christian man Item Auricular confession and absolution of the Priest reiected being examined concerning auriculare confession he answeareth that he hath and doth beleeue that it is necessary to goe to a good Priest for good counsaile but the absolution of the Priest laying his hand vppon any mans head as is nowe vsed is nothing profitable to a Christian mans saluation And further he sayth that he hath not ben confessed nor receiued the sacrament of the aulter since the coronation of the Queene that now is Item concerning the faith religion now taught setfoorth beleeued in the church of England he answeareth and beleueth that the faith and doctrine nowe taught setfoorth and vsed in the sayd Church of Englande is not agreable to Gods word And furthermore he sayth The fayth of the Church of England in Quene Maryes tyme reproued that bishop Hooper Cardmaker Rogers other of their opinion which were of late burned were good christian men did preach the true doctrine of Christ as he beleeueth and sayth that they did shed theyr bloude in the same doctrine which was by the power of God as he sayth beleeueth And further being examined saith y t since the Quenes coronation he hath had the Bible and Psalter in English red in his house at Brighthamsted diuers times and likewise since hys comming into Newgate but the Keeper hearing thereof did take them awaye and sayeth also that about a twelue moneth now past he had the English procession sayd in his house with other English praiers Iueson Launder and Veisâe imprisoned for hearing the Gospell And further sayeth that Thomas Iueson Iohn Launder and William Ueisey being prisoners with hym in Newgate were taken with this examinat in his house at BrighthaÌsted as they were hearing of the gospel then read in English a litle before Alhollowne day last past and brought to the Court and being examined thereuppon by the Counsaile were committed by them to prison in Newgate The confession of Iohn Launder before Boner bishop of London IOhn Launder husbandman of the Parish of Godstone in the Countie of Surrey of the age of xxv yeres Iohn Launder his confession borne at Godstone aforesayde being examined doth confesse and say that about two dayes next before Allhollonâide nowe last past this Examinate and one Diricke Caruer Thomas Iueson William Ueisie with diuers other persons to the number of twelue being all together in their prayers and saying the seruice in English set foorth in the time of King Edwarde the sixte in the house of the sayde Diricke situate at Brighthamsted in Sussex were apprehended by one maister Edwarde Gage and by him sent vppe hether to London to the Kinge and Queenes Counsaile and by them vpon his examination committed to Newgate where he with his said other felowes hath euer since remained in prison And further being examined he doeth confesse and say that the occasion of his comming to the sayde Brighthamsted The cause of the apprehensioÌ of Iohn Launder was vpon certaine busines there to be sped for his father and so being there and hearing that the saide Diricke was a man that did much fauour the Gospel this Examinate did resorte to his house and companye whome before that time hee did neuer see or know and by reason of that hys resorte hee was apprehended as before And further doth confesse and beleeue that there is heere in earth one whole and vniuersall Catholicke Churche whereof the members he dispersed through the world and doth beleue also that the same Church doeth set foorth and teache onely two Sacraments videlicet the Sacrament of Baptisme Two Sacramentes onely and the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord. And who soeuer doth teach or vse any more Sacraments or yet any ceremonies he doth not beleeue that they be of the Catholicke Churche but doth abhorre them from the bottome of his heart And doth further say and beleue that all the seruice Ceremonyes abhorred sacrifices and ceremonies now vsed in thys Realme of England yea in all other partes of the world whych ben vsed after the same maner be erroneous and naught contrary to Christes institution and the determination of Christes Catholicke church whereof he beleeueth that he him selfe is a member Also hee doeth confesse and beleeue that in the Sacrament The reall presence of Christs body vnder the formes of bread and wine denyed nowe called the sacrament of the aultar there is not really and truly contained vnder the formes of bread and wine the very naturall body and bloude of Christe in substaunce but his beliefe and faith therein is as followeth Videlicet that when he doth receiue the material bread and wine he doeth receiue the same in a remembrance of Christes death and passion and so receiuing it he doth eate and drinke Christes body and bloude by faith and none other wayes as he beleeueth And moreouer he doth confesse say and beleue that the Masse now vsed in the Realme of Englande The Masse abhominable or els where in all Christendome is nought and abhominable and directly against Gods worde and his Catholicke Churche and that there is nothing sayd or vsed in it good or profitable For he saith that albeit the gloria in excelsis the Creede Sanctus Pater noster Agnus and other partes of the Masse bene of themselues good and profitable yet the same being vsed amongest other things that be naught and superfluous in the Masse the same good things do become nought also as he beleeueth Auricular confession not necessary Also he doth beleeue and confesse that Auriculare confession is not necessary to be made to any Priest or to anye other creature but euery persone oughte to acknowledge confesse hys sinnes onely to God and also that no person hath any authority to absolue any man froÌ his sinnes and also beleeueth that the right and true way according to the Scripture after a man hathe fallen from grace to sinne to arise to Christe againe is to be sorie for his offences to doe the same or the like no more and not to make any auricular confession of them to the priest either to take absolution for them at the Priests handes All whyche hys sayde opinions hee hathe beleeued by the space of these seuen or eight yeares past and in that time hath diuers and many times openly argued and defendeth the same as hee sayeth c. Articles obiected by Boner Bishop of London against Diricke Caruer and Iohn Launder 1. FIrste I doe obiect against
adulterers and fornicators 5. That he in the meane while shoulde be resident within his owne house Boner inioyned to preach at Paules Crosse. during the time while he should make his sermon at Paules aboue mentioned whiche was an 1549. In the whiche sermon certayne speciall poyntes were prefixed vnto him whereupon he should intreate whiche here in order follow and are these Speciall poyntes and articles to be intreated of of Boner Bishop of London in his Sermon 2. THat all such as rebell against their prince get vnto theÌ damnation and those y t resist the higher power resist the ordinaunces of God and he that dieth therfore in rebellion by the woorde of God is vtterly damned and so looseth bothe bodye and soule And therefore those Rebelles in Deuonshire and Cornewall in Northfolke or els where who taking vpon them to assemble a power force against their king and Prince against y e lawes and statutes of the Realme and goe about to subuerte the state and order of the commoÌ wealth not onely do deserue therfore death as traytors rebels but do accumulate to them selues eternal damnation euen to be in the burning fire of hell with Lucifer the father and first authour of pride disobedience and rebellion what pretence so euer they haue and what Masses or holye water so euer they pretende or goe about to make among themselues as Chore Dathan and Abiron for rebellion against Moses were swalowed downe aliue into hell although they pretended to sacrifice vnto God What thinges be necessary to be ioyned in all Gods seruice 2 Likewise in the order of the Churche and externe rites and ceremonies of diuine seruice for so muche as God requireth humility of heart innocencie of liuing knowledge of him charity and loue to our neighbours and obedience to hys woorde and to his Ministers and superioure powers these we must bring to all our prayers to all our seruice Externe rites ceremonyes how farre they serue this is the sacrifice that Christe requireth and these be those that make all thynges pleasaunt vnto God The externe rites and ceremonies be but exercises of our religion appointable by superior powers in chosing wherof we must obey the magistrates the whyche thinges also we do see euer hath bene and shal be as the time and place is diuers Ceremonyes made naught by disobedience and yet al hath pleased God so long as these before spoken inwarde things be there If any man shall vse the olde rites and thereby disobey the superior power the deuotion of his ceremonies is made nought by his disobedience so that which els so longe as y e lawe did so stand myghte be good by pride and disobedience nowe is made noughte as Saules sacrifice Chore Dathan and Abiron and Aarons 2. children were But who that ioyneth to deuotion obedience hee winneth the garland For else it is a zeale sed non secundum scientiam a wil desire zeale and deuotion Foolish deuotion but not after wisedome that is a foolishe deuotion which can require no thankes or praise And yet agayne where ye obey yee must haue deuotion for God requireth the heart more then the outward doings and therfore who that taketh the Communion or sayth or heareth the seruice appoynted by the kings maiestie The hart maketh true deuotion must bring deuotion and inward prayer with hym or els his praiers are but vaine lacking that whyche God requireth that is the heart and minde to pray to him 3 Further yee shal for example on sonday come seuenth night after the aforesayd date celebrate the Communion at Paules Church 4 Ye shal also set foorth in your sermon that our authoritie of royal power is as of truth it is of no lesse authoritie and force in this our yoÌg age then is or was of any of our predecessors though the same were much elder as may appeare by example of Iosias and other yong kings in scripture and therfore all our subiectes to be no lesse bound to the obedience of our preceptes lawes and statutes then if we were of 30. or 40. yeares of age The deliuery of these Iniunctions articles vnto the Byshop with the time of hys appoynted preaching was soone after knowen abroad amongst the citizens and other the CoÌmons within the citie of London Boners preaching much looked for of the people so that euery man expecteth y e time therof wishing to heare the same Whych being once come the B. according to the tenour of the IniunctioÌs publikely preached at the Crosse of Paules the 1. day of September Howbeit as hipocrisie neuer lurketh so secretely in the hearts of the wicked but that at one time or other God in hys moste righteous iudgemente maketh it open vnto the world so at this present was the long colored peruerse obstinacie and infestred hatred of this double faced dissembler against the kings godly procedings most plainely manifested by hys disobedient demeanor in thys his sermon The disobedient stubbernes of Boner in his Sermon at Paules Crosse. For where as he was only commanded to entreat vpon such speciall poynts as were mentioned in his articles he yet both besides the counsailes commaundement to the withdrawing of the mindes of the common people in as much as in him lay from the right and true vnderstaÌding of the holy Sacrament ministred in the holy Communion then set foorth by the authoritye of the kinges maiestie according to the true sence of the holy scripture did speÌd most part of his sermon about the grosse carnall and papisticall presence of Christes body and bloud in the sacrament of the aultar and also contrary therunto did not onely slenderly touch the rest of his articles but of a rebellious and wilful carelesnes did vtterly leaue oute vnspoken the whole laste article concerning the as effectuall and as lawful authority of the kings highnes during his yong age as if he were 30. or 40. yeares old notwithstanding the same because it was the traiterous opinion of the popishe rebels was by special commaundement chiefly appoynted hym to entreat vppon This contemptuous disobedient dealing as it greatly offended most of the kings faithfull and louing subiects there present so did it muche mislike the mindes W. Latiâââ and Iohn Hoopeâ against Boner and was farre from the good expectation as well of that faithful and godly preacher master Iohn Hooper afterwards bishop of Worcester Glocester and lastly a moste constant martyr for the Gospell of Christe as also of M. William Latimer Bacheler of Diuinitie and therefore they well weying the fulnes of the fact and their bounden alegeances vnto their Prince did therupon exhibite vnto the kings highnes vnder both their names a bill of complaint or denunciation against the sayd bishop in forme folowing The denuntiation of Iohn Hooper and William Latimer against Boner to the kings maiestie for leauing vndone the poyntes afore mentioned which he was charged to preache