that he had stollen out of S. Oswalds shrine certain Jewels and what he could elsewhere lay his hands on and given them to Women in the Town That one Reginald Bray what he was I know not but he is called Dominus should have a due proportion of Diet for number of Dishes That the Monks haunted a Tavern near the Monastery and gave themselves to singing and dancing in the Dormitory till 10 or 11 a Clock at Night to the trouble of the rest That at the Celebration of the Funeral of the late William Abbot of the Monastery there was withholden from every Priest 6 s. 8 d. and from every Monk 3 s. 4 d. which was used to be given at such times This Robert Kirton had great contention with his Tenants in Peterburgh about Pasturage in the Fenn called Burgh a little Fenn adjoyning to the Monastery which as the Inhabitants alledged the Abbot had overcharged with 1500 Sheep in two flocks complaining also to the King then Hen. 8. that he had suffered thirty Tenements in the street called Boongate-street to fall to utter decay and then emparked the same ground and made it a place The Park for his own Deer But notwithstanding these contests Abbot Robert forgat not to enlarge and beautifie the buildings of his Monastery for he built that goodly building at the East end of the Church now commonly known by the name of The New Building New buildings wherein he placed three Altars opposite to three pair of Stairs descending from the back of the great Altar The places of those Altars are yet discernable though their use be not known He built a Chamber in his dwelling House calling it Heaven-gate-Chamber which is extant and retaineth its name to this day Heaven-gate Chamber He made in his great Hall that goodly Bow window overlooking the Cloyster the memory whereof is fresh to this present age He set up in the Church the Crucifixerium or Rood-loft now standing at the entrance into the Quire though placed something lower than it was at its first erection He set up the Gate leading to the Deanry which is yet standing and retaineth the memory of the Builder in his Hieroglyphick of a Crosier with the letter R and a Church or Kirk placed upon a Tun which must be construed with the allusion thus Abbot Robert Kirk-Tun and so Kirton He beautified the Chappel of S. Mary or The Ladies Chappel with pictures and gilded work much of which was lately extant He maintained a long suit in Law against Margaret Countess of Richmond and Darby about Knights-service for Lands in Torpell Thorpe Watervile and Achirch wherein at last he prevailed I know not whether I have done well or ill in declaring the acts of this Robert but this must be according to the capacity of the Reader for I find Abbot Robert thus pleading for himself Legitur in historia scholastica quod Antipater Idumaeus M. Herodis pater in quodam praelio in servitio Imperatoris multis vulneribus confossus est qui tandem accusatus rejectis vestibus dixit Ego nolo me Domine Imperator excusare apud te sed ista vulnera quae suscepi pro te loquantur pro me si ego diligo te Sic ista parva praedicta loquantur pro me si aliqua feci digna Deo laude Si interrogaretur utrum haec manifestari vel celari debent nec carnalibus incredulis sunt revelanda nec devotis prudentibus vere fidelibus sunt abscondenda And when he had been Abbot about thirty two years he was buried in the said Chappel His Monument was in the year 1651. levelled with the ground above which it was erected some four foot and placed upon an hollow Arch where his body lay and at the head thereof was a fair Stone lying even with the pavement which covered a pair of stairs going down into the Sepulchre There let him rest if I may say he rested till we pass to his Successor the last of all the Abbots 45. JOHN CHAMBERS Was born in Peterburgh but what he was or upon what score made Abbot Records are wanting to inform us His advancement to the Abbatical Chair was Anno 1528. which might be the 19 or 20. of King Henry 8. In his first year Cardinal Wolsey came to Peterburgh where he kept his Easter upon Palm-Sunday he carried his Palm going with the Monks in procession and the Thursday following he kept his Maundy washing and kissing the feet of fifty nine poor people and having dried them he gave to every one of them 12d and three Ells of Canvass for a shirt he gave also to each of them a pair of shoes and a portion of red herrings On Easter-day he went in procession in his Cardinals Vestments and sang the High-Mass himself after a solemn manner which he concluded with his benediction and remission upon all the hearers In the seventh year of this John Katherine the first wife of King Hen. 8. and Mother of Queen Mary died at Kimbolton Castle in the County of Huntingdon Jan. 8. 1535. and was buried in this Church betwixt two pillars on the Northside of the Quire near to the great Altar her Hearse being covered with a black Velvet Pall crossed with white Cloth of silver which how it came to degenerate into one of meaner value is unknown to us yet this changeling was also taken away Anno 1643. with her Spanish Scutcheons affixed thereunto Some write that for her sake the Church of Peterburgh fared Lord Herbert in King Hen. 2 Kings 23. 18. the better at the dissolution of Abbys and was turned into a Cathedral as if King Hen. like King Josiah who favoured the grave of the Prophet should favour his Wifes grave in this place Be it so or no the goodly structure of the place convenient situation for a new erection with accommodations thereunto might make a fair plea for a reprieve from the stroke of that Ax which cut others down I have not as yet seen any Record showing how John Chambers demeaned himself towards King Henry or complied with him in that great dissolution of Abbys that the King should continue him in his place and not put him to death as he did some or depose him as he did others But probable it is that Abbot John loved to sleep in a whole skin and desired to die in his nest wherein he had lived so long and perhaps might use such means as might preserve if not his means to his Church yet his Church to posterity And now that we are come to those times wherein that great alteration in the Church and alienation of her Revenues hapned for our more orderly proceeding in the declaration thereof we shall first present the Reader with an Inventory of the Church-Utensils and of the Abbots domestick goods and then take him abroad to view the Mannors and Lands that he may understand what was taken from and what continued to the Church
the hand and balance of justice amongst us by her gracious government So shall we both now and ever rest under thy faithfulness and truth as under our shield and buckler and bless thy Name and magnifie thy mercy which livest and reignest one Most Gracious God for ever and ever Amen The Queens assent and attention to this prayer were withdrawn to her own private Devotions which she performed after the custom of her Religion out of her own Portuary with her Beads and Crucifix sometimes in the Latin and sometimes in the English tongue which being ended the two Executioners with her women began to disrobe her whereat she said with a smiling countenance that she was never served by such grooms before nor was she wont to put off her cloathes before such a company Her women with a Corpus Christi cloth wrapped up three corner-wise covered her head and face which done they departed and the Queen was left alone to close up the Tragedy of her life by her own self which she did with her wonted courage and devotion kneeling down upon the Cushion and saying in Latin In te Domine speravi ne confundar in aeternum Then she groaped for the block whereon she laid down her head crying out In manus tuas Domine c. and then the Executioner at two stroaks separated her head from her body saving a sinew which a third stroke parted also the Executioner took up the head and shewed it to the assembly and Dean Fletcher cried So perish all the Queens enemies which was seconded by the Earl of Kent Her head coming clear out of her dressing appeared very gray as if she had been much elder than she was it was polled very short which made her as hath been said to wear borrowed hair The Executioner that went about to pluck off her Stockins found her little Dog crept under her Coat which being put from thence went and laid himself down betwixt her head and body and being besmeared with her bloud was caused to be washed as were other things whereon any bloud was The Executioners were dismissed with Fees not having any thing that was hers Her body with the head was conveyed into the great Chamber by the Sheriff where it was by Chirurgeons Embalmed until its Interment The Castle of Fotheringhay was at that time by Lease from Queen Elizabeth in the hands of Sir William Fitz-Williams of Milton in the same County who was one of the Queens Pensioners who by reason of his relation to the place was sent to by the Commissioners that he should come and guard them in his Castle this was required of him the first time that the Commissioners came in October before for the Queens Examination and Trial but Sir William Fitz-Williams refusing because he was not summoned by order from the Queen the Commissioners procured such order and by vertue thereof summoned him again which he obeyed This gave him opportunities of visiting sometimes the Queen of Scots and conversing with her wherein he deported himself with such respective civility and courtesie that the Queen a little before her death gave him many thanks and told him she had nothing to requite his kind usage withal but if he pleased to accept of her Sons picture hanging at her Beds-head he should take it which he did and his Successors do still enjoy it Thus died Mary the unfortunate Queen of Scots a woman for her parts fit to be a Queen in the six and fortieth year of her age and the eighteenth of her continuance in England in a fair possibility of spinning the thread of her life to a greater length had fate been as propitious to her as nature We shall follow the remainder of this great Personage her body to the Earth and so leave her The Manner of the Solemnity of the Scotish Queens Funeral being the first of August 1587. when she was buried in the Cathedral Church of Peterburgh Upon Tuesday being the first of August were the Funerals appointed to be celebrated for the Scotish Queen in the Cathedral Church of Peterburgh and accordingly there were sent thither from the Court the Queens houshold Officers to make preparation for the Diet Mr. Dorrel and Mr. Cox for the Funeral Offices Mr. Fortescue Master of the great Wardrobe The Heralds came down three or four days before and appointed together with the Bishop and the Dean the place for the body to be Interred which was devised over against the lying of Queen Katherine near to the Tomb of John last Abbot and first Bishop of that Church There was a rich Hearse erected above the first step of the Quire near to the place of the burial and the whole Quire and Church were hanged with black Upon Sunday at night the thirtieth of July the body was brought by Torch-light from the Castle of Fotheringhay where it had lain since the time of Execution being the eighth of February before by Garter King at Arms and other Heralds with some number of Horse in a Chariot made of purpose covered with black Velvet and adorned with her Ensigns accordingly between one and two of the Clock in the night where attended for it before the Church the Bishop of Peterburgh and the Dean of the Cathredral Church the Master of the Ward-robe Clarentius King at Arms and divers as well of her Majesties Servants as other persons There came with the body six of the Scotish Train as Melvin the Master of her Houshold and Physician and others the body with the closures weighed nine hundred weight which being carried and attended orderly by the said persons was committed to the ground in the Vault appointed and immediately the Vault was covered saving a small hâ—â—e left open for the Staves to be broken into There was at that time 〈…〉 Offices of the Church-service done the Bishop 〈…〉 have executed therein but it was by all that were 〈…〉 Scotish as others thought good and agreed 〈…〉 be done at the day and time of solemnity Upon 〈…〉 in the afternoon came to Peterburgh all the Lords and Ladâ—â—â— and other Assistants appointed and at the Bishops Palace was prepared a great Supper for them where all at one Table supped in the great Chamber being hanged with Black where was a State set on the right side thereof of purple Velvet Upon Tuesday morning the chief Mourners Lords and Ladies and other Assistants being ready about ten of the clock they marched from the Hall of the Bishops Palace as followeth The Countess of Bedford Chief Mourner The Earl of Rutland The Earl of Lincoln The Countess of Rutland The Countess of Lincoln The Bishop of Peterburgh The Bishop of Lincoln L. Dudley L. Chamberlain L. S. John of Basing L. Stew. L. Willoughby of Parham L. Compton L. Mordaunt The Dean of Peterburgh Lady Mordaunt Lady Talbot Lady Dudley Lady S. John of Basing Lady S. John of Bletshoe Lady Mary Savel Lady Cecil Lady Mountague Lady Nowel Lady Mannors Mrs. Allington as a
of it But seeing what a great business this restauration was like to prove he returned to Winchester to make preparation for so great a design And first he made his address to God by fervent prayers to encline the hearts of King Edgar and his Queen and Nobles that he might have them so propitious as to contribute their assistances to this work And being one time at his prayers the Queen had secretly gotten behind the door to listen what it was that Athelwold prayed and suddenly she came forth upon him telling him that God and her self had heard his prayers and from thenceforth she began to solicite the King for the reparation of this Monastery to which the King assenting applied himself thereunto until he had finished the same which was in the year 970. The Monastery thus re-edified King Edgar desirous to see it went thither with Dunstane then Archbishop of Canterbury and Oswald Archbishop of York attended also with most of the Nobility and Clergy of England who all approved and applauded both the place and work But when King Edgar heard that some Charters and Writings which some Monks had secured from the fury of the Danes were found he desired to see them and having read the priviledges of this place that he had a second Rome within his own Kingdom he wept for joy And in the presence of that Assembly he confirmed their former priviledges and possessions the King Nobles and Clergy offering large oblations some of lands some of gold and silver At this glorious assembly the name of the place was changed from Medeshamsted to Burgh and by reason of the fair building pleasant situation large priviledges rich possessions plenty of gold and silver which this Monastery was endowed withal there was an addition to the name as to be called Gildenburgh though in reference to the dedication it hath ever since been known by the name of Peterburgh Malmsbury would have the nomination of the place Burgh to be from Abbot De gestis Pont. lib. 4. Kenulphus his enclosing the Monastery with a Wall as shall be noted hereafter but our Peterburgh Writers are not of his mind but place it here Writers say that in those days this Monastery was of so high account that what person soever came thither to pray whether King Lord Bishop or Abbot he put off his shoes at the gate of the Monastery and entred barefoot And the Covent there was very much had in esteem that if any of them travelled into any of the neighbouring parts they were received with the greatest respect and reverence that could be The Monastery thus restored King Edgar was mindful of the government also by Abbots as it had anciently been and there was appointed 8. ADVLPHVS He being Chancellor to King Edgar changed his Court life for a Monastical in this place the reason of which change was this He had one only Son whom he and his Wife dearly loved and they used to have him lie in bed betwixt them but the Parents having over night drunk more wine than was convenient their Son betwixt them was smothered to death Adulphus the father being sadly affected with this horrid mischance was resolved to visit S. Peter at Rome after the manner of a penitentiary for absolution imparting his intent to Bishop Athelwoldus who disswaded him from it telling him it would be better if he would labour in the restauration of S. Peters Church in this place and here visit him Adulphus approving this advice came with King Edgar to Burgh where in the presence of the King and the rest of that Convention he offered all his wealth put off his Courtly Robes and put on the habit of a Monk and ascended to the degree of Abbot in the year 972. In those days the whole Nasee or Country adjoyning and which is now known by the name of Burgh-soke was all a woody and solitary place until this Abbot Adulphus cut down woods built Mannors and Granges and let the Lands to farm for certain Rents so that the people increasing and as yet no Churches built amongst them they came to Peterburgh to receive the Sacraments and to pay their Church-duties which continued for many years after And although in the days of Turoldus Abbot Churches and Chappels began to be built the said Turoldus distributing the Lands of the Monastery to those Knights who desired to serve God at home yet still the Church of Peterburgh received the whole revenue until the time of Abbot Ernulfus Anno 1112. when there were assigned to the respective Ministers of Churches and Chappels certain revenues for their maintenance as due to their service saving to the Church of Burgh two parts of the predial Tythes of those Knights and saving the burial of See in Ernulphus the said Knights their wives and children in the Church of Burgh and also a certain portion of the Knights estates for the maintenance of their wives and children Saving also to the Church of Burgh from the Churches so built certain pensions which being imposed upon them in their first endowments or collations by this Church many of them have continued unto and been paid in these our days to the Bishop or Dean and Chapter as they were assigned by King Henry the Eighth as shall be declared hereafter Adulphus was present at the dedication of the Church of Ramsey in the year 974. After that this Abbot Adulphus had happily governed this Monastery about the space of twenty years Henry of Pightly saith Codex Ramis in manu H. Cromwell Armig. fol. 58. thirty one he was translated to the Archbishoprick of York there to succeed Oswaldus then deceased Some say he was translated to the Bishop of Worcester And in the place of Adulphus there came 9. KENVLPHVS Who was made Abbot in the year of our Lord 992. and was highly honoured far and near for his wisdom and piety many coming to him from several parts Bishops Abbots Priests and Monks as to another Solomon to hear his wisdom And by reason of his great fame for his learning he is supposed to have been a Writer and is therefore by Pitseus inserted into his Catalogue of English Writers though what he wrote is not extant or evident by his or any other testimony that I have met with This Abbot Kenulphus enclosed the Monastery of Burgh with a Wall a great part whereof is yet standing Having continued B. Godwyn Abbot here about thirteen years he was translated to the Bishoprick of Winchester Anno 1006. for the procurement whereof he is charged with Simony His successor in this Monastery was 10. ELSINVS Or Elsius Of whom I find no glorious Character recorded by Writers save this if it may be so accounted that he was very inquisitive after Reliques with which he was very industrious to inrich his Monastery And because Swapham and Wittlesey the compleatest Historians of this place have punctually set down a bedrole of his Reliques the Reader I hope will
them but the shrine of their Saint and Patrone at length they sold him also all but his head which they still reserved to themselves Elsinus having bought the body sent it to Peterburgh whither the Monks of that Abbey in Normandy did often repair to do their devotions to their Saint But whilst Elsinus was careful abroad for profitable reliques his Abbey at home sustained loss in more real endowments for Hoveden in Yorkshire with many other lands were wrested from the Monastery of Peterburgh Yet Elsinus added something of his own purchasing a fourth part of Wittleseymere and giving it to his Monastery which had a part thereof before purchased by Adelwoldus Bishop of Winchester in the time of King Edgar Wittlesey In those days was the Monastery of Ramsey accused to the King who threatned the dissolution thereof but by the mediation of this Elsinus it was reprieved upon condition that Elsinus should undertake the charge of it which Elsinus afterwards remitted to the Ramisians About this time Leofricus who was Secretary of Burgh translated the bodies of S. Kyneburga and Kyneswitha from their Church of Castre and the body of S. Tibba from Rihale to Peterburgh Others place this translation in the Harpsfield from Capgra pag. 85. time of King Henry the first and that they had a yearly memorial celebrated here In the time of this Abbot Elsinus Anno 1051. Elfricus Archbishop of York died at Southwell and was buried at Peterburgh where he had been a Monk of whom more hereafter Elsinus having been Abbot here the space of fifty years died Anno 1055. and there succeeded 11. ARWINVS or ERNWINVS Ingulphus He was made Abbot by Election which deservedly passed upon him being a man of great holiness and simplicity but he liking better a private and solitary life freely surrendred his government after eight years continuance therein In his time Anno 1059. or as some say 1060. died Kinsius Archbishop of York who formerly had been Chaplain to King Edward the Confessor and was buried in the Church of Peterburgh where he had been a Monk Radulphus de Diceto calls him Kinsigius and commends him highly for his austere way of living his humility and other vertues Of whom again hereafter About this time S. Wulstan formerly Monk of Peterburgh was made Bishop of Worcester Bishop Godwyn Anno 1062. 12. LEOFRICVS or LEVRICVS Vid. appendiam Chartarum Having by his birth relation to the Royal bloud was first made a Monk of Burgh and afterwards Abbot upon the retirement of Arwinus He being dear to King Edward and Edgith his wife held by extraordinary benevolence five Abbeys in his hand at once viz. Burton Coventry Croyland Thorney and Peterburgh He redeemed of King Edward certain lands belonging to his Monastery as Fiskerton for twenty marks Fleton for eight marks and Burleigh for eight marks which being demised by lease to Elfgarus the Queens Chaplain for the term of his life he being dead the Queen would have taken it from the Church of Peterburgh had it not been for Abbot Leofricus In the third year of this Abbot Anno 1066. William Duke of Normandy entred England with an army and subdued it to his Norman power Of which I find these old Monkish Verses in some of our Writers Anno Milleno Sexageno quoque seno Agenito verbo Duce jam regnante superbo Anglorum metae crinem sensêre cometae Belli transacti sunt hic anni numerati Quod fuit hic factum quod est nunc usque vocatum Dilecti Christi fuerant tunc festa Calixti Abbot Leofricus was then in the English army where sickning he returned to his Monastery of Peterburgh and died the night after All-Saints day Deeping Bank In the time of this Abbot Leofricus one Egelricus a Monk of Burgh was made Archbishop of York but the Canons there envying that a Monk should be set over them though but lately it had been so refused to receive him wherefore he was made Bishop of Durham where he was received with general approbation Whilst he was Bishop there he gathered great store of wealth yet not to himself but that he might be rich in good works amongst which there is one that continues his memory to this very day the bank from Deeping to Spalding for in those days the passage being very difficult by reason of Woods and deep Marishes he raised that Causey for the benefit of Travellers which for many years after was called by his name Egelric Rode though now it be known only by the name of Deeping Bank But some affirm that Egelricus found his wealth for intending to build a Church at Coneester now Chester upon the street in laying the foundation thereof he chanced to light upon a great mass of treasure wherewith he finished that work and many others Such a new found treasure might be an additional to what he had before which surely was not small else he would scarce have undertaken to build Churches When Egelricus had held his Bishoprick of Durham long enough to weary himself with publick employments he returned to his Monastery of Peterburgh having resigned his Bishoprick to his brother Egelwinus But it hapned that these two brethren were accused to King William the Conqueror who laid up Egelricus in Chains at Westminster during his life and when he was near his end he refused to have his Fetters taken off and desired that he might be buried with them and so was he buried in S. Nicolas Porch in Westminster the other Brother Egelwinus was deposed from his Bishoprick by King William and sent to Abendone where he died The Writers of Peterburgh Swapham and Wittlesey say That in the time of Abbot Leofricus his sickness this Egelricus being at his accustomed Evening devotions the Devil appeared to him in the shape of a boy of terrible countenance and told him that ere long he should triumph over the chiefest of them which perhaps was in the death of Leofricus Abbot and that three several times he would revenge himself upon the Monks and Monastery telling him also the manner First that he would cause all the Monks to be expelled and the goods of the Monastery to be taken away Secondly he would cause the Monastery to be set on fire Thirdly he would set the Monks so at strife that they should cut one anothers throats But Egelricus replying The Lord rebuke thee Satan the Devil vanished and left a horrible stink behind him 13. BRANDO Having been Coadjutor to Leofricus was thought the fittest to succeed him and being elected he made his address to Edgar Atheling for his confirmation supposing him to be lawful heir to the Crown of England notwithstanding the late Conquest by K. William but William hearing thereof was much incensed against Abbot Brando that he was forced to give him forty marks for his favour to confirm him in his Monastery and the Lands to his Church Whilst he was a Monk
Wine for which he assigned ten pounds yearly to be paid from his own Chamber out of the Lands of his Mannor of Polebrook He gave also a great Bell to the Church whereon was written Jon de Caux Abbas Oswaldo consecrat hoc vas In his time Anno 1250. the Pope then Innocent the fourth Vid. Privileg in App. granted leave to the Monks that in consideration of the coldness of Winter in these parts the Monks should perform their service in the Church with their Hoods on their heads Abbot John having held the government of this Church the space of thirteen years died at London Anno 1262. the 46 of King Henry the third and was brought to his Church at Peterburgh and buried in the Isle on the South side of the Quire The King after his death challenged his Palfrey and his Cup but upon what grounds I know not unless it was because John had been his Officer the Cup he had after some urgent demands but the Palfrey he had not Some write that this Abbot John was also made Lord Treasurer Mr. Filpot by the Barons in the 44. year of King Henry the third and according to this account he held that Office to his death which was two years after His Secular employments might take off his mind from Books and plead for the poorness of his Library Flores Evangeliorum Tractatus de Theologia Concilium Lateranense Templum Domini Testamentum 12 Patriarcharum This was his stock of Books as I find in an ancient Manuscript 31. ROBERTVS de Sutton So called from the place of his birth being a little Village in the Parish of Castre He was a Monk of Peterburgh Deputy to his Predecessor and upon his death chosen Abbot in April 1262. He received benediction from Richard Bishop of Lincoln and gave him his Cope which some demanded as a fee the Archdeacon of Northampton demanding also his Palfrey as his vale Abbot Robert made him go without it The Earl Marshal received five Marks for his Palfrey when he took the Oath of Allegiance to the King But it was not long ere Abbot Robert falsified his Oath for in the Wars of those times the Town of Northampton being fortified against the King Robert Abbot of Peterburgh took part with them in defence of that Town The King coming thither to assault the Town espied amongst his enemies Ensigns on the wall the Ensign of the Abby of Peterburgh whereat he was so angry that he vowed to destroy the nest of such ill birds But the Town of Northampton being reduced Abbot Robert by mediation of friends to the King saved both himself and Church but was forced to pay for his delinquency To the King 300 Marks to the Queen 20 pounds to Prince Edward 60 pounds to the Lord Souch 6l 13s 4d After this hapned the Battel of Lewes wherein King Henry with Prince Edward was taken Prisoner then did the other side fleece the Abbot of Peterburgh for his contribution to the King the General and several Barons and Commanders forcing the Abbot to composition by several sums of mony Afterwards at the Battle of Evesham Prince Edward overthrew the Earl of Leicester with his whole Army and the King having recovered himself called a Parliament at Winchester wherein he required large benevolence from the Church Particularly the Abbot of Peterburgh because he had held with the Barons was again constrained to purchase his peace at these rates The King had of him 333l 6s 8d The Queen 33l 6s 8d The Prince Prince Edward 200l He paid also to the Earl of Gloucester 133l 6s 8d Earl Warren had of Abbot Robert for his Mannors of Castre Tinwell and Thirlby 100l Warin Lord of Bassingburn 42l The Commander of Fotheringay Castle 100l 6s 8d Lord Thomas Typtot for the Mannors of Fiskerton and Scotter 65l 13s 4d The Lord of Fanecourt for the Mannor of Collingham 12l Lord Robert Picot for several Mannors 14l 6s 8d Thomas of Bulton 6l 13s 4d All which summs of mony he carried to Winchester and there paid them These and other payments which he made at other times exhausted from him amounted to the summ of 4323l 18s 5d Having paid thus dear for his disloyalty he became more obedient to his right Master and when King Henry sent to him for aid against the Castle of Kenilworth Abbot Robert did what the King required for that siege Vid. Chartam in App. In these times Prince Edward having occasion for mony he borrowed a great summ of certain Merchants for which the Abbot of Peterburgh and his Convent became Sureties And the Prince granted unto them his Mannor of Graham until he should repay that mony unto them Edward was no sooner King but in the first year of his Reign he came to Peterburgh where he was entertained by this Abbot Robert And from hence he dated a Charter which he granted to the Church of Ely as the close Ms Eliens in manu Geo. Glapthorn Armig. pag. 135. thereof testifieth Teste meipso apud Burgum Sancti Petri 13 die Aprilis Anno regni nostri primo This was in the year of our Lord 1273. And perhaps this is that entertainment which Wittlesey makes mention of the Queen being then with the King and Abbot Robert expended in the entertainment the summ of six hundred pounds In the 11 Year of his Government he was called to the Council of Lions Gregory 10 being then Pope which Council being ended in his return homewards he sickned and died and was buried in a Monastery near Bononia the Abbot of Croyland celebrating his Funeral rites His heart was brought in a Cup to his Monastery of Peterburgh and there buried before the Altar of S. Oswald Anno 1274. being the second year of King Edward the first In his Library were these Books Psalterium glossatum Summa Raimundi cum apparatu Summa fratris R. de Fissacre super Sententias in 4 voluminibus Summa Qui bene praesunt Templum domini cum tractatu de professione in 1 volumine Summa M. J. de Cantia cum aliis rebus Secunda pars Hugucionis super Decreta Summa Gaufridi Liber naturalium Aristot Raimundus abbreviatus cum meditationibus Bernardi Manuale Liber de miseria humanae conditionis Psalterium B. Virginis Vita S. Thomae S. Oswaldi versifics. Psalterium parvum In his time Anno 1270. lived Elias Trickingham a Monk of Peterburgh who wrote certain Annals from the year of our Lord 626 to 1270. Pitseus 32. RICHARDVS de London Steeple Born there in the Parish of S. Pancratius He having run through many Offices in this Monastery at length arrived at the Abbot's when he was aged sixty years And so being of much experience he governed his Monastery carefully and happily He contended in Law with Gilbert Earl of Clare for the Mannor of Biggins near Oundle wherein he had good success through the wisdom and diligence of William Woodford one of his Monks who being a
man of great judgment and good elocution when he came to plead at Northampton before the Judge of Assize when his time was to speak he craved his Abbots blessing and spake so to the purpose that the Earl went as Wittleseys phrase is Sine die without the day and although the Earl brought the business to the Kings hearing yet there William Woodford worsted him also When this Richard was Sacrist he erected the great Steeple wherein the Bells hang but which I cannot say there being two such Steeples and gave two Bells which were called Les Londres Ladies Chappel In the time of Abbot Richard there was one William Parys Prior who built that goodly Chappel commonly called the Ladies Chappel which in the late times of violence was levelled with the ground William Parys himself laid the first stone and under it many sentences of Scripture written but whether in Brass or Lead Wittlesey tells not And he not only laid the foundation but perfected the whole work and adorned it with windows and paintings on the walls and settled five pound per annum upon it for service therein Afterwards dying he was buried in the North part of the Church near unto the said Chappel and the Inscription upon his Grave-stone is yet to be seen Hic jacet Willielmus Parys quondam Prior Burgi cujus animae misereatur Deus Amen Pater noster Ave Maria. The Books in Abbot Richards Library I find thus recorded Quatuor Evangelia Glos Psalterium Regula Sancti Augustini cum speculo caritatis edita à Beato Bernardo Nova Logica in 2. Vol. Priscianus de constructione cum aliis rebus Boëtius de Consolatione libellus diversarum rerum in uno Vol. Parabola Salomonis Ecclesiastes Processionarium cum hympnario Psalterium cum Gradale in choro Richard having been Abbot here the space of twenty two years and an half died Anno 1295. being the twenty third of King Edward the first and was buried in the South side of the Church near the Quire the Abbot of Croyland performing the Funeral service which being ended the company consisting of many Nobles and Abbots went to the Abbots house where they dined And dinner being ended there came one in the Kings name and seized on the whole Abby taking homage of the Tenants as had formerly been accustomed Afterwards two of the Monks went to the King to procure Licence for the election of an Abbot and the person elected was 33. WILLIHELMVS de Woodford Who for two years before had been Coadjutor with Abbot Richard in the time of his infirmity Writers commend him for a man of excellent parts and diligence in his government Being but Sacristary he purchased the Mannor of Southorp which when Southorp Mannor he came to be Abbot he assigned to the Monks He settled a daily proportion of bread upon some inferiour Officers added much to the buildings of his Monastery and was careful that dependant Eleemosynaries might receive their dues particularly he inquired into the Hospital of S. Leonard now commonly called by the name of The Spittle the original of which I must let alone till I can be informed and content my self with the allowance which The Spittle it received from the Abbot viz. Per annum quadraginta ulnas panni de panno Eleemosynae sicut Prebendarii Item ad festum Sancti Martini 1 petram uncti 1 petram sepi Item 3. bacon viz. 1 ad festum Natalis Domini 1 ad capiend quadrag 1 ad pasch de carnibus supersanatis Item totum ex .... porcorum fr. sanatorum Item 4 tuniatas servis viz. 1 tuniatam ad natal Domini aliam ad capiend quadrag tertiam ad pasch quartam ad festum Apostolorum Petri Pauli de Celario Abbatis Item quolibet mense 1 esk sol cujus summa per annum est 1 quar 5 esk Item servens dictorum infirmorum comedit cum familia Abbatis quater per annum viz. ad natal Domini ad Pasch ad festum S. Petri ad festum omnium Sanctorum The Monks having the Mannors of Alwalton and Fletton assigned them as hath been said they customarily paid out of them unto the Abbot 16s 6d yearly which Abbot William remitted unto them He died in the fourth year of his government and lieth buried in the South Isle of the Church near the Quire In his Library were these Books Instituta apparitata Decreta apparitata Apparatus Decret alium cum casibus Summa de vitiis Summa de virtutibus Summa Reynfridi Psalterium cum exequiis majorum Statuta Westmonasterii Statuta Capituli General Constitutiones extravagantes Regula Sanctor Basil Bened. Cartae Regum cum libertatibus Liber de arte praedicandi Processionarium Missale in duobus Voluminibus Duo Gradalia Breviarium 34. GODEFRIDVS de Croyland Was a Monk and the Celerarius of this Monastery and upon the death of William elected Abbot Anno 1299. which was the 27 of K. Edw. 1. It seems this Godfrey was much in King Edwards favour for at his entrance into his Abbatical government the King sent him a fair silver Cup gilt And when the Treasurer Walter de Langton demanded of Godfrey a thousand Marks for his Confirmation the King remitted it and would not suffer any more than his Exchequer fees to be taken In the first year it hapned that certain persons were fled for sanctuary into the Chappel of Thomas Becket whither they were pursued and against the priviledge of the place haled out from thence and some bloud was shed so that the Chappel for some time stood suspended and no service therein to be performed The Bishop of Lincoln passing that censure upon it until the persons so taken away should again be restored to the liberty of the place At length the Bishop sends his absolution appointing that the Abbot and some others with him should with the sprinkling of holy water and singing of the Penitential Psalms purge the said Chappel and so it should return to its former use The same year being 1300. A marriage being intended betwixt the heirs of Vfford and Southorp King Edward supposing himself to be concerned therein appointed Inquisition to be made whether the disposal of that marriage belonged to him or the Abbot of Peterburgh his Letters bearing date February 23. and the twenty ninth of his Reign And it being upon the Inquisition certified that those heirs and their progenitors held their Lands of the Abby of Peterburgh the right of disposal of those heirs did therefore belong to the Abbot which the King understanding desisted I find this Abbot Godfrey famous for worthy actions that there was scarce his like either before him or after In his third year saith Wittlesey who recounts the actions of every year but I shall name only the principal he entertained King Edward with his Queen and their several retinues Not long after came Prince Edward with his favourite Peter Gaveston to
  Navesford   Tinwell 16 6 9   Eston 35 10 1 ob q. Collingham 34 4 5 ob  Fiskerton 69 1 2   Scotter 37 6 0   Walcot 9 19 2   Thurlby 7 1 8   Stanford 2 0 0   In all 621 l. 16 s. 3 d. ob  Yet was not this the whole Demesnes of the Abbot in those times for there were many other Mannors and many Rents and Lands in and about Peterburgh and in several Counties but these are all which Wittlesey hath recorded and I have no leisure to examine why there were no more returned Godfrey being dead Anno 1321. 12. Cal. September being the 15 year of King Edw. 2. the person thought fittest to succeed him was 35. ADAM de Boothbie Born there and was made a Monk in Peterburgh where he also had the Office of Subcelerarius Being chosen Abbot he repaired to the King then in the Isle of Tanet for his confirmation which he obtained And having also Episcopal confirmation he repaired the second time to the King for his Temporalities which were likewise confirmed unto him paying the Fees and other demands at that time due His acts in the several years of his government are more punctually related by Wittlesey than I intend to transcribe In his first year Thomas Earl of Lancaster making War against the King to wit King Edw. 2. Adam aided the King with the summ of 133 l. 6 s. 8 d. and towards the Kings expedition into Scotland with 200 l. more In his fourth year the Mannor of Torpel and Vpton came to the possession of Edmund surnamed Woodstock half brother to King Edward the second now reigning and there arising great troubles betwixt the Earls Officers and the Abbots Tenants all was quieted by the Abbots becoming a Tenant to those Lands paying the yearly rent of 106 l. 13 s. 4 d. In his seventh year which was the first of King Edward the third there arose a great contention betwixt him and John Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex about the Son of Galfridus de la Marc which Galfridus Lord of Northburgh died Anno 1327. holding three Knights-fees of the Abby of Peterburgh and was buried at Peterburgh in S. Maries Chappel amongst his Predecessors And the said Galfridus held also of the said Earl of Essex Lands in the County of Essex by Knights-service He had three Wives and his last Wife by name Margaret he put away when she was great with Child at Peterburgh where the Child being born and baptized was called by the name of his Father Galfridus this young Galfridus had two Sisters by his Fathers side who charged him with being illegitimate saying that Margaret his Mother was not their Fathers Wife but his Concubine so that he had no hereditary right to his Fathers Lands Abbot Adam as guardian to the Child defended the Cause three years in the Consistory at Lincoln and in the Arches constraining the Sisters to desist But afterwards Queen Philipp Wife to King Edward the third Daughter of William Earl of Henault whom Roger of Northburgh Bishop of Chester so called by Wittlesey though I cannot find any such man elsewhere the Kings Proxie had beyond Sea espoused for the King coming to Peterburgh on New-years-day and the said Earl of Essex attending on her towards York where King Edward then was expecting her coming for the solemnization of Marriage which was performed the 24 day of the said Month of January 1327 the said Earl demanded young Galfridus of the Abbot and by threatnings and violence gat possession of him Whereupon the Abbot pursued the Earl at the Law the Earl on the other side accused the Abbot and his Covent of certain outrages upon his Mannor of Plaisic in Essex but this matter was composed by the Abbots giving the Earl 100l and yet the Earl was still possessed of Galfridus keeping him at Kimbauton in the County of Huntingdon Registrum Adae in manu D. H. The King sent his Breve to the Sheriff to seize upon him and to bring him to York there to appear before the Judge and to be awarded to his right Guardian But at length the Earl Wittlesey without more ado being conscious of his ill act freely restored the Child to the Abbot and moreover languishing upon his Bed of sickness and drawing towards his end he commanded his Executors to restore the 100l to the Monastery of Peterburgh And the Abbot married young Galfridus to the Daughter of Galfridus Scroope then one of the Kings Chief Justices Regist Adae About this time the Sheriff of Northampton required assistance and contribution from the Abbot of Peterburgh and his Tenants towards the Wall of Northampton Park which was quieted by the Kings writing to the Sheriff from York his Letters bearing date February 12. the second of his Reign wherein he certified the Sheriff that by ancient Charters of Kings his Predecessors the Abbot and Convent of Peterburgh with all their Lands and Dominions should be free from all works of Castles Parks Bridges and Inclosures Regist Adae The same day there was Inquisition made concerning the Bridge leading into Peterburgh which being gone to decay the question was Who should repair it for this there was a Jury empannelled six of Northampton-shire and six of Huntingdon-shire who upon examination returned an Ignoramus after this manner that there was none of right bound to repair or sustain the Bridge seeing none had done it in former time for there was no Bridge there until Godfrey Abbot of Burgh of his own good will in the fourth year of King Edward Father to King Edward that now is erected the said Bridge and himself kept it in repair so long as he lived But the King and Queen coming to Peterburgh the present Abbot Adam repaired the said Bridge for their passage although he was not bound thereunto to this the Jurors set their several Seals At this entertainment of the King Queen and John of Eltham the Kings Brother besides diet of meat and drink the King and Q. at Peterburgh Abbot in gifts Jewels Jocalibus and presents expended in ready mony the summ of 487 l. 6 s. 5 d. And for his Confirmation 50 l. 13 s. 4 d. more At other times also Abbot Adam was very free of his Purse giving the King towards an expendition into Scotland 100 l. and to the Queen 20 l. Attending upon the King at Oundle and Stanford he expended 34l 7s 4d with many other summs when the King or Queen came near his Monastery to Walmisford Bourn or Croyland And the second time giving entertainment King and Q. at Peterburgh to the King and Queen at his Monastery of Peterburgh besides other things he expended 327 l. 15 s. And after this Prince Edward the Kings eldest Son with his two Sisters and their Servants came and staied at Peterburgh eight weeks which cost not the Abbot nothing Wittlesey
In the time of this Abbot there was an Indictment at Northampton against a stoppage of the Water at Vpwell so that the River of Nen could not have its course towards Lynn whereby the Counties of Northampton Lincoln Bedford Huntingdon and Cambridge were much endamaged The Abbot of Peterburgh laboured hard to get the drain scowred and at length procured a Decree from Galfridus Scroop the Kings Chief Justice for clearing the passage the Abbots of Ramsey Thorney and Croyland joyning with him this cost the Abbot of Peterburgh 63 l. 11 s. 1 d. In Abbot Adams time there happened a fray in the Chappel at Registr Adae fol. 41. Oxney and blood being shed therein the Chappel was polluted and stood suspended from its priviledge of Divine Service The Bishop of Lincoln being then otherwise employed could not attend to reconcile it but gave his consent that any other Bishop might whereupon Abbot Adam wrote to the Bishop of Carlile intreating him that as he returned from the Parliament towards his Mannor of Horncastle he would come and reconcile the said Chappel And as Abbot Adam had been free towards the King so was the King to him confirming his Possessions and Priviledges particularly by Charter the tenth of his huntings Tenth of huntings throughout Northamptonshire that whosoever hunted any game throughout this County for the Kings use or by his authority was responsible to the Abbot of Peterburgh for the tenth thereof which were granted and confirmed long before by his Predecessors King Richard 1. and W. Rufus And King Henry 3. and King Edward 1. did both of them command by their express Warrant to the Forester that the Abbot of Peterburgh should have five Bucks in acknowledgment thereof What this Abbot was for Learning and Ability in his Function let the Reader conjecture by his Library which Wittlesey sets down Decretales Sermones Johannis de Abbevile Mediapars Missal Breviarium Manuale Liber Chartarum Actus Apostolorum Epistolae Canonicae Apocalypsis Gerardus super Psalterium Summa summarum Diurnale Dicta Senecae cum 36 tractatibus content is in eodem volumine These were his Books set down by Wittlesey which agrees with another ancient Catalogue that I have by me Adam in the beginning of his eighteenth year died being the year of our Lord 1338. and the 12 of King Edward 3. On the fourth day of December following he was honourably interred the Abbot of Ramsey performing his funeral service and making a Sermon He was buried betwixt the Quire and the great Altar a fair Marble Stone being laid over him with some Brass upon it which was taken away in the late demolition of Monuments The Epitaph written about it was this Claustri praelatus hujus cubat hic vocitatus Adam qui natus erat a Boothby nece stratus Vir castus justus omni virtute robustus M semel x trina ter sex i quoque bina Pars donetur ei celestis nunc requiei Presently after his death was the Seal of the Monastery broken and care was taken for the Kings consent to a new election But before we name the Successor we shall present the Reader with a bill of Adams funeral expences which I shall give in Latine as I find it in Wittlesey If the Reader be but a good Deipnosophist he may construe the meaning of some words better than I can In cera 250li De frumento pro distributionibus pauperum 45 quarters De allecibus pro eisdem 1000. culibet 6. In pane pro die sepulturae frumenti 20 quarters Brasii pro cervisia 40 quarters In vino 1 dolium 1 pipam In allecibus pro die sepulturae 8500 De Lupis aquaticis grossis 100 De Cod-lingis 12 Sem. De Haddok 1 Sem. De Spar-lingis 1 Sem. De Salmon 24 De Milvellis 120 De Dogdrout 100 De Plais 10 Sem. De Congris 1 De Wilkis 5 Sek De grossis anguillis 5 estik De minutis anguillis 70 estik De Sturgeon 1 Barrel De Lintea tela pro nappis mensarum pro naperouns 200 Vlnae De Platellis diversis garnitis 1400 De Trowes 12 Bollis 4 De ciphis de ligno pro vino cervisia  In ollis luteis pro vino cervisia 300 De Corbellis 5 Abbot Adam being interred and the turmoil of his funeral past the thoughts of the Monks returned to continue the succession in 36. HENRICVS de Morcot A wise and discreet man Being elected Abbot he was according to the custome though this be the first mention that I find thereof carried on shoulders with a Te Deum to the great Altar and from thence to the Pulpit where the Prior published his Election Then Henry took his journey towards London but the King being then at Antwerp Henry's Election was confirmed by those whom he left in Authority with whom Abbot Henry compounded for his Mannors and Lands for the summ of 200 l. the Queens mony excepted and the reservation to the King of the Knights-fees and the advowsons of the livings of the Monastery during the vacany And so Henry returned towards Peterburgh and although he might have returned to some of his own Mannors yet with the Abbot of Thorneys leave he stayed at Stanground the space of three weeks In the mean time Simon of Islepe Vicar general to the Bishop of Lincoln the Bishop being then out of the Kingdom published in the Church of Peterburgh that if any persons could object any thing against Henry or the form of his Election they should appear such a day in the Church of S. James in Thrapstone and signify the same where because none appeared the said Simon ratified the Election and granted his Letter to any Bishop to confer his benediction upon this new Elect at any place within or without the Diocess of Lincoln which was performed by the Bishop of Ely the Lord Chancellor in his Chappel at his house in Holbourn Then did the Chancellor direct his Letters to the Convent and Tenants of the Church of Peterburgh for their obedience to this their Abbot and also to William Trussell the Kings Eschaetor beyond Trent not to meddle with any Lands belonging to the Church of Peterburgh Abbot Henry being returned staid a while at his Mannor of Eye and shortly after came to Peterburgh and was installed the seventh of the Ides of Feb. Anno 1338. which was the twelfth year of K. Edward 3. Here Walter of Wittlesey leaves me who hitherto hath been a good guide to our story wherein further our progress must be assisted by such other Records and Rolls as we light of When Abbot Henry had governed this Church about 15. years he died Anno 1353 which was the 27 of King Edward 3. His Library consisted of these Books viz. Parva Biblia Decreta Decretale Apparatus sexti Libri Decretalium Liber qui vocatur Innocentius Hostiensis in summa Breviarium Antiphonarium cum Psalterio Processionarium Item Decretale Catholicon He had a sharp
say January 16. being the year of our Lord 1560. What he was for Learning and integrity of Religion in the now reformed Church of England wherein he was a Bishop may appear by these Doctrinal Articles which in his first Episcopal Visitation he prescribed to the Dean and Prebendaries of his Church requiring their subscription thereunto For as yet the general Articles of the Church of England were not formed until about two years after Jan. 29. 1562. B. Scamblers Articles were these 1 Sacra Scriptura in se continet omnem doctrinam pietatis ex qua sufficienter error convinci possit veritas stabiliri 2 Symbolum Nicaenum Athanasii quod communiter Apostolorum dicitur continent brevissime articulos fidei nostrae sparsim in Scripturis ostensos qui istis non crediderint inter veros Catholicos non sunt recipiendi 3 Ecclesia Christi est in qua purum Dei verbum praedicatur sacramenta juxta Christi ordinationem administrantur in qua clavium autoritas retinetur 4 Quaevis Ecclesia particularis autoritatem habet instituendi mutandi abrogandi caeremonias ritus Ecclesiasticos modo ad decorem ordinem aedificationem fiat 5 Christus tantum duo sacramenta expresse nobis commendat Baptisma Eucharistiam quae conferunt gratiam rite sumentibus etiamsi malus sit Minister non prosunt indigne sumentibus quamvis bonus sit Minister 6 Laudandus est Ecclesiae mos baptizandi parvulos retinendus 7 Coena Dominica non est tantum Symbolum benevolentiae Christianorum interse sed magis Symbolum est nostrae redemptionis per Christi mortem nostrae conjunctionis cum Christo ubi fidelibus vere datur exhibetur Communio corporis sanguinis Domini 8 Sacramentum Eucharistiae ex usu Primitivae Ecclesiae neque servabatur vel elevabatur vel adorabatur 9 Missa quae consuevit a sacerdotibus dici non erat a Christo constituta sed a multis Romanis Pontificibus confirmata nec est Eucharistia ex se sacrificium propitiatorium sed recordatio sacrificii semel peracti 10 Scholastica transubstantiatio panis vini in corpus sanguinem Christi probari non potest ex sacris literis 11 Non omne peccatum mortale seu voluntariò perpetratum post baptismum est irremissibile peccatum in Spiritum Sanctum 12 Post acceptum Spiritum potest homo peccare ac denuo resipiscere neque sine peccato vivit quamvis regeneratio in Christo imputetur 13 Justificatio ex sola fide est certissima doctrina Christianorum 14 Elizabetha Regina Angliae est unicus supremus gubernator hujus regni omnium dominiorum regionum suarum quarumcunque in rebus causis Ecclesiasticis quam temporalibus 15 Verbum Dei non prohibet foeminarum regimen cui obediendum est juxta ordinationem Dei 16 Romanus Pontifex nullam habet jurisdictionem in hoc regno Angliae nec alia quaecunque potestas extranea 17 Leges civiles possunt Christianos propter flagitia morte punire 18 Christianis licet ex jussu Principis bella gerere ex justa causa propria possidere 19 Doctrina scholasticorum de Purgatorio invocatione Divinorum nullum habet fundamentum ex verbo Dei 20 Praeceptum Dei est ut quae leguntur in Ecclesia illa lingua proferantur quae ab Ecclesia intelligatur 21 Absque externa legitima vocatione non licet cuiquam sese ingerere in aliquod ministerium Ecclesiasticum vel seculare 22 Matrimonium inter Christianos legitime juxta verbum Dei initum contractum est indissolubile nec per traditiones hominum unquam vellendum 23 Coelibatus nulli hominum statui praecipitur neque injungitur ministris Ecclesiae ex verbo Dei Haec omnia vera esse publice docenda profiteor eaque juxta datam mihi facultatem eruditionem tuebor docebo Hancque meam confessionem manus meae subscriptione testificor contrariamque doctrinam abolendam esse judico detestor By these Articles it may appear that Bishop Scambler was no friend to the Church of Rome nor they to him and whether it was for these Articles or some other Book which he published I find him recorded in the Roman Index of Books prohibited and branded with the Title of Pseudoëpiscopus But his name and memory are the more honourable by that name of Infamy which the Papists might cast upon the Worthies of our English Church Scambler having been Bishop here the space of twenty three years was translated to Norwich whither he that would know the residue of his life end burial or Epitaph must follow him it being without the Climate of our story But whilst he was at Peterburgh he empaired the honour priviledges and revenues of his Bishoprick passing quite away the Hundred of Nassaburgh with the whole Liberties thereof The Goal The Mannor of Thirlby The Mannor of Southorpe c. to the Queen from whom the Earls of Exeter enjoy them to this day As if King Henry had not taken away enough the Bishop himself would pass away more Scambler being translated to Norwich there succeeded 48 RICHARD HOWLAND Who was Master of S. John's Colledge in Cambridge and made Bishop here March 16. 1584. being the 27 year of Queen Elizabeth We have not much to say of him his parts or actions but shall enlarge this Paragraph of his being Bishop here with the story of Mary Queen of Scotts her death at Fotheringhay Castle and burial in the Cathedral Church of Peterburgh The whole progress of her life and actions from her first arrival in England May 16. 1568. to her coming to Fotheringhay with her several places of removal and several keepers is so largely related by Mr. Vdal Mr. Saunderson and others who have wrote her story that I shall remit the Reader to them and content my self with her death and burial Upon the seventh day of February 1586. eighteen years from her first arrival The Commissioners for her execution came to Fotheringhay the Earls of Shrewsbury Kent c. and Thomas The Earl of Shrewsbury was George Talbot and E. Marshal of England The Earl of Kent was Henry Grey Andrews of Sheriff of Northamptonshire for that year By these the Queen of Scotts understanding that the Lease of her life was not long to last only one day longer she seemed not dismayed with the Message but told the Commissioners she did not think that Queen Elizabeth would have consented to her death but since it was so she would most gladly embrace it and in order thereunto desired of the Commissioners the benefit of her Clergy that her Confessor might come to her which the Commissioners denying propounded the Bishop or Dean of Peterburgh which the Queen of Scotts refused The Commissioners being departed she gave order for her Supper at the time whereof she drank to her servants and comforted them because she saw them much
Lady 8. Scotish Gentlewomen Sr. Tho Cecil Sr. Tho. Mannors Sr. Edw. Mountague Sr. George Hastings Sr. Richard Knightly Sr. Andrew Nowell Sr. George Savel Sr. James Harrington Mr. John Mannors as a Knight 18. Scotish Gentlemen Divers Esquires with Gent. 2 Kings at Arms Garter Clarentius 5. Heralds at Arms. An hundred poor women The solemnity being setled the Prebends and the Quire which received them at the Church door sung an Antheme the Scotish all saving Mr. Melvin departed and would not tarry at Sermon or Ceremonies The Bishop of Lincoln preached Wickham out of that 39. Psalm 5 6 7 ver Lord let me know mine end c. Who shall gather them c. In the Prayer when he gave thanks for such as were translated out of this vale of misery he used these words Let us give thanks for the happy dissolution of the High and Mighty Princess Mary late Queen of Scotland and Dowager of France of whose life and death at this time I have not much to say because I was not acquainted with the one neither was I present at the other I will not enter into judgment further but because it hath been signified unto me that she trusted to be saved by the bloud of Christ we must hope well of her Salvation For as Father Luther was wont to say many one that liveth a Papist dieth a Protestant In the discourse of his Text he only dealt with general doctrine of the vanity of all flesh The Sermon ended the offering of the Chief Mourner and hatchments were received by the Bishop of Peterburgh and the offerings of the rest by the Dean which ended the mourners departed The Ceremony of burial was done by the Dean the Officers breaking their Staves and casting them into the vault upon the Coffin And so they departed to the Bishops house where was a great Feast appointed accordingly The concourse of people was of many thousands and after dinner the Nobles departed away every one towards his own home The Master of the Wardrobe paid to the Church for the breaking of the ground in the Quire and making the grave 10l And for the blacks of the Quire and Church 20l. When Cardinal Barbarini afterwards Pope Vrban 8. wrote his Poem upon this Queens death wherein he hath this Regalique tuum funus honore caret c. either he was ignorant of this her manner of interment or else he undervalued it as not suitable to her quality This relation was attested in a Church Register by Dean Fletcher himself subscribing his name thereunto to which especially that of the Sermon we may give more credit than to Martin Mar-Prelate who to slander the Bishops of England with Popery in a railing Pamphlet which he entituled an Epistle charged the Bishop of Lincoln with praying at this solemnity That his Soul and the Souls of all the rest there present might be with the Soul of that unrepentant Papist departed Though the Bishop as became a charitable Christian might hope well of her Salvation yet who but Martin again would accuse him of being so credulous as to bind up his own Salvation in so confident an assurance of hers Shortly after this interment there was a table hanged up against the wall which contained this Inscription Maria Scotorum Regina Regis filia Regis Gallorum Vidua Reginae Angliae Agnata Haeres proxima Virtutibus Regiis animo Regio ornata jure Regio Frustra saepius implorato barbara tyrannica Crudelitate ornamentum nostri seculi lumen Vere Regium extinguitur Eodem nefario judicio Et Maria Scotorum Regina morte naturali omnes Superstites Reges plebeii facti morte civili mulctantur Novum inauditum tumuli genus in quo cum vivis Mortui includuntur hic extat Cum sacris enim Divae Mariae cineribus omnium Regum atque Principum vio latam atque prostratam Majestatem hic jacere scito Et quia tacitum Regale satis superque Reges sui Officii monet plura non addo Viator Which in English may be rendred thus Mary Queen of Scots daughter of a King Widow of the King of France Cousin and next heir to the Queen of England adorned with Royal vertues and a Royal mind the right of Princes being oftentimes in vain implored by barbarous and Tyrannical cruelty the ornament of our age and truly Royal light is extinguished By the same unrighteous judgment both Mary Queen of Scots with natural death and all surviving Kings now made common persons are punished with civil death A strange and unusual kind of monument this is wherein the living are included with the dead For with the sacred ashes of this blessed Mary know that the Majesty of all Kings and Princes lieth here violated and prostrate And because Regal secrecy doth enough and more admonish Kings of their duty Traveller I say no more This Table continued not long but was taken away and cast aside by whose hand or order I know not yet the Royal Ensigns of an Helmet Sword and Scutcheon remained to the year 1643. hanging high over the place of her burial yet did not their height secure them from the storms which then fell upon this Church and Monuments After that the body of this Queen had rested in this place the space of 25 years her Son King James being minded to remove it to Westminster wrote to the Church of Peterburgh as followeth JAMES R. Rich. Neile TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well for that we think it appertains to the duty we owe to our dearest Mother that like honour should be done to her Body and like Monument be extant of Her as to others Hers and our Progenitors have been used to be done and our selves have already performed to our dear Sister the late Queen Elizabeth we have commanded a memorial of her to be made in our Church of Westminster the place where the Kings and Queens of this Realm are usually interred And for that we think it inconvenient that the Monument and Her body should be in several places we have ordered that her said Body remaining now interred in that our Cathedral Church of Peterburgh shall be removed to Westminster to her said monument And have committed the care and charge of the said translation of her body from Peterburgh to Westminster to the Reverend Father in God our right trusty and well-beloved servant the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield bearer hereof to whom we require you or to such as he shall assign to deliver the Corps of our said dearest Mother the same being taken up in as decent and respectful manner as is fitting And for that there is a Pall now upon the Hearse over Her Grave which will be requisite to be used to cover Her said Body in the removing thereof which may perhaps be deemed as a Fee that should belong to the Church we have appointed the said Reverend Father to pay you a reasonable redemption
the House of Lords which Protestation so heightned the displeasure against them that those twelve Bishops were charged with High-Treason and committed to the Tower Only Bishop Morton and B. Hall to the Black Rod. Of those twelve Bishops The other 11 were Williams Archbishop of York Morton B. of Duresme-Wright B. of Coventry and Lichfield Owen B. of Asaph Peirse B. of Bath and Wells Cooke B. of Hereford Skinner B. of Oxf. Wren B. of Ely Owen B. of Landaffe Goodman B. of Glocester Hall B. of Norwich John Towers Bishop of Peterburgh was one continuing under restraint some 4 or 5 months and being enlarged returned to his bare Palace of Peterburgh where although his revenues were taken away yet he enjoyed but little quiet or security being continually alarm'd by threatnings and molestations which caused him to flie to Oxford then the Kings Garrison under which shelter he continued until it was surrendred to Sir Thomas Fairfax and then on June 29. 1646. Bishop Towers came again to his own dwelling at Peterburgh But then did other troubles draw nearer to him sicknesses and diseases which prevailed upon him until they had brought him to his dissolution which happened January 10. 1648. twenty dayes before his great Master King Charles and he was buried the day following in the Grave of Abbot Henricus de Morcot as hath been said before His eminency in his Bishoprick was more illustrious by his being passive than active in the dispensation of his Office the times not digesting such zeal in the way of conformity to the Church of England as he was endowed withal yet did he Preach as oft as occasion required wherein he was so excellently qualified as that he had but few equals and fewer superiours in his time He was earnest in his zeal to the house of God a testimony whereof he gave long before he had relation to the Church of Peterburgh which I have heard from his own mouth and it was this King James using to visit Castle-Ashby the Seat and Mansion of the Earls of Northampton where Dr. Towers was Parson It was the custom of those houshold Officers which belonged to the Wardrobe to use the Chancel of the Parish-Church for a Wardrobe King James not knowing any thing thereof Dr. Towers being to Preach before the King in his Sermon spake something in signification thereof which King James apprehending and laying up he questioned Dr. Towers presently after Sermon about it D. Towers acquainting him with the abuse and that he thought himself bound in conscience to say what he had said The King was so far from being displeased that he thanked him for his honest boldness and gave order for the remedying of that abuse Presently after the death of Bishop Towers the purchasers of his Episcopal Palace began to demolish it and the first place they laid their hands on was the Chappel Jan. 29. John Towers being dead the Church of Peterburgh continued under an Inter-Episcopate for the space of a dozen years although the Bishop was made but a Cypher some years before until it pleased the Sun of Divine mercy to dispel that black cloud which had so long Eclipsed the glory both of Church and State by the happy and never to be forgotten restauration of His Sacred Majesty King Charles the Second to his just Rights who out of His pious care for this Church appointed 54 BENJAMIN LANY Dr. in Divinity Dean of Rochester and Master of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge whose election was November 20. 1660. and Installation Decemb. 21. His Presidency here was not long nor his Hand short in expressing its benevolence towards the repairing of the Cathedral Church His removal was to the Bishoprick of Lincoln 1662. And his Successor 55. JOSEPH HENSHAW Dr. in Divinity and Dean of Chichester was elected April 15. 1663. and Installed May 28. being Ascension day Thus having set down the Succession of the Abbots and Bishops of this Cathedral Church we shall now apply our selves to the other Ecclesiastick Government viz. The Dean and Chapter which K. Henry founded at the dissolution of Abbyes This he constituted of a Dean and six Prebendaries to be exempt from the Bishop of Lincoln and his Jurisdiction and also distinct from the Bishop of Peterburgh and to be an entire Ecclesiastical Corporation of themselves Their temporal jurisdiction in such Mannors Lands and Rents as were assigned to them was like that of the Abbots formerly as their Successors therein To the Dean and Prebends all other Officers and Members were subordinate and this was the Original Constitution and foundation of the whole The Dean l. s. d. Six Prebendaries Priests l. s. d. Eight Petty Canons l. s. d. These were afterwards taken away the King releasing them for Stanwigge and Polebrook Four Students in Divinity l. s. d. Eight Clerks or singing-men l. s. d. An Epistoler l. s. d. A Ghospeller l. s. d. Two Sextons l. s. d. Eight Choristers l. s. d. A Master of Choristers l. s. d. Twenty Scholars at the Grammar School l. s. d. Six Alms-men or Beads-men l. s. d. The Head-Master of the Grammar-School l. s. d. The Usher l. s. d. A Yearly distribution in Almes l. s. d. For the Yearly reparation of the Cathedral l. s. d. This was taken off in time of K Edw. 6. For making and mending of High-ways l. s. d. A Steward of the Lands l. s. d. Auditor of the Accompts l. s. d. Two Porters l. s. d. Principal Cook l. s. d. Under-Cook l. s. d. Butler l. s. d. Purveyor l. s. d. Receiver of the Rents l. s. d. For extraordinary expences Yearly l. s. d. Organist l. s. d. Sub-Dean l. s. d. Sub-Treasurer l. s. d. Chantor l. s. d. Two Councellors in Law l. s. d. Solicitor l. s. d. Register l. s. d. Principal Steward l. s. d. Keeper of the Cloak l. s. d. These were the Officers and dependents of this Church amongst which the Revenues were to be distributed But I have not yet met with any Authentick Copy for all these save only the Dean and six Prebendaries The rest I find in several Transcripts which varie one from another that whether they were all fixed by authority or some left to the discretion of the Governors of the Church to be changed as occasion served I cannot justly say The Lands and Rents assigned to this foundation were first the whole site or bounds of the Monastery excepting such as were allotted to the Bishop wherein were many dwelling houses assigned to several places as to the Dean Prebendaries and Church-men such as performed daily service in the Church which were set forth by the Kings Commission bearing date July 20. 1541. The Revenues for the Dean and Chapter with such offices and places as were subordinate were these In Northampton-shire  l. s. d.  Mannor of Peterburgh rated Yearly at 127 07 00 ob Mannor of Longthorp 41 16 11 q. Mannor of Castre 51 10 07 q. Mannor of Sutton 17
00 4  Mannor of Glinton and Peikirk 63 15 00  Mannor of Maxey 19 04 00  Mannor of Northburgh 07 08 01  Mannor of Stamford S. Martins 18 11 03 ob Mannor of Irtlingburgh 33 05 11 ob Mannor of Stanwigge 25 08 00 ob Mannor of Polebrook 40 08 01 ob q. Leicestershire  l. s. d.  Mannor of Eston and Bringhurst 92 06 01 q. Lincolnshire  l. s. d.  Mannor of Fiskerton 68 15 03 ob Mannor of Repham Scothern Sudbrook 40 09 10  Mannor of Scotter 49 04 06  Mannor of Walcot 06 18 01  Mannor of Grantham 00 12 08  Stamford beyond the Bridge 00 07 00  Boston 00 10 00  Mannor of Careby 00 07 00  Liberty or Hundred of Scotter 03 08 04  Nottingham-shire  l. s. d.  Mannor of North-Collingham and South-Coll 85 19 5  Huntingtonshire   l. s. d.  Mannor of Botolphbridge and Overton 07 12 00  Mannor of Alwalton  39 10 05   Sum. total 811 16 01 q. Out-Rents in other places not comprehended in the former values Fishing in Wittlesmere 03 13 04 Fishing in Woland 01 13 04 Fishing in the Water of Vpwell Com. Norf. 00 02 04 Fishing in the River Nene 07 00 00 Advowsons and Presentations of Churches belonging to the Dean and Chapter Peikirk Northburgh Stanwigge Alwalton Fiskerton Irtlingburgh All-Saints Vicaridges of Maxey North-Collingham Bringhurst Stanwigge Parsonage was afterwards taken away with the Mannor Portions or Pensions from several Churches Castre 05 00 00 Peikirk 01 18 00 Northburgh 00 10 00 Bernack 05 10 00 Irtlingburgh 01 13 04 Stanwigge 01 16 08 South-Collingham 01 00 00 Polebrook 01 00 00 Fiskerton 00 15 00 Scotter 02 00 00 Careby 00 07 00 Thornhaw 00 03 00 Vfford 00 16 08 Woodford and Stoke Doile 02 08 08 Churches Appropriate Maxey Eston North-Collingham In these Lands the Dean and Chapter of Peterburgh injoyed such priviledges as commonly Lords of Mannors used to do Yet was there one special priviledge which the Abbots from ancient times injoyed and executed and by the Grant of King Henry and also by Queen Elizabeth January 29. and third of her Reign confirmed unto the Dean and Chapter a Priviledge known of late days by the name of Non molestandum that is a freedom from payment of Tolls and Customes in all Fairs Markets passages of Bridges Ways Ports in and without the Realm of England This the Dean and Chapter of Peterburgh had power to grant to their Tenants and there are some living who reap benefit by this Non molestandum at this very day this priviledge having been granted unto them when the Dean and Chapter were in power so to do And whosoever should act contrary to this Priviledge was to incur the penalty of ten pounds And by her general Inspeximus bearing date July 9. in the ninth year of her Reign Anno 1567. she confirmed all the Lands and Priviledges of this Church What Religious care the late King Charles had for the augmentation of the Dean and Prebendaries with other Stipendiaries belonging to this Church shall be seen in the close of our Appendix The Succession of this Ecclesiastical body from the first Constitution thereof by King Henry was thus the first in each being particularly nominated in King Henry's Charter DEANS 1 Francis Abree Prior of Northampton Bachelor in Divinity was made Dean 1541. 2 Gerard Carlton Bachelor in Divinity 1543. 3 James Curtop Master of Arts. 4 John Boxhall Doctor of Law 5 William Latimer Doctor in Divinity 1560. In his time the Cathedral was by a great Peer begged of Queen Elizabeth to build him an House upon Information to the Queen that it was ruinous and no Prayers said therein but Dean Latimer recovered it by the Queens favour upon better Information 6 Richard Fletcher Doctor in Divinity 1585. translated hence to the Bishoprick of Bristol thence to Worcester thence to London 7 Thomas Nevil Doctor in Divinity 1590. first Master of Magdalen-Colledge and after of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge where he built that stately back Court commonly known by his Name 8 John Palmer Doctor in Divinity 1598. was Master of Magdalen-Colledge in Cambridge 9 Richard Cleyton Doctor in Divinity 1608. first Master of Magdalen-Colledge in Cambridge then of S. Johns 10 George Meriton Doctor in Divinity 1612. 11 Henry Beamount Doctor in Divinity 1616. 12 Guil. Pierse Dr. in Divinity Canon of Christ-Church in Oxford made Dean 1622. translated to the Bishoprick of Peterburgh afterwards to Bath and Wells 13 John Towers Doctor in Divinity 1630. translated to the Bishoprick of this Church 14 Thomas Jackson Doctor in Divinity 1638. President of Corpus-Christi Colledge in Oxford He liveth and will live in his learned Works to the Worlds end 15 John Cozin Doctor in Divinity 1640. Master of S. Peters Colledge in Cambridge preferred to the Bishoprick of Durham 16 Edward Rainbow Doctor in Divinity and Master of Magdalen-Colledge in Cambridge installed Dean of this Church Jan. 5. 1660. Advanced to the Bishoprick of Carlile to which he was consecrated July 10. 1664. 17 James Duport Doctor in Divinity of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge Installed July 27. following The Succession of the Prebendaries was as followeth In the first PREBEND Matthew Whittall D. D. A secular Priest Howeton Peter Anthony Burton M. A. Robert Rodes B. D. William Bayly B. D. William Smith B. D. Tobias Bland B. D. Sub-Almoner to Q. Eliz. and Parson of Abbot Rippon Com. Hunt John Bridgeman D. D. removed to the Bishoprick of Chester John Williams D. D. removed to the Bishoprick of Lincoln October 11. 1621. He wrote himself John Lincoln elect C. Sigilli whilst he was Prebendary here Thomas Swift B. D. Parson of Waddington Com. Lincoln Simon Gunton M. A. Cambr. In the second PREBEND William Judd B. D. A Monk of the place Edwin Sands D. D. William Binsley L. D. Edwin Sands restored being ejected by Q. Mary or withdrawing himself as others did in her days Nicolas Shepheard D. D. William Hill M. A. Edward Lively Robert Williamson D. D. Parson of Tichmarsh Com. Northampton Robert Williamson D. D. Fellow of Magd. Coll. Oxon. John Howorth B. D. President of Magd. Coll. Cantabr afterwards D. D. and Mr. of the same Colledge William Henchman M. A. Parson of Barton Com. Northampton Cambr. In the third PREBEND Robert Pierson T. B. A Monk of the place Christopher Hodgson B. A. Edward Baker Cler. James Howland M. A. William Bayly B. D. Edward Marshal T. B. Parson of Wimple Com. Cantab. Warner Marshall M. A. Parson of Castor Sebastian Smith M. A. Oxon. Abraham Jackson M. A. William Louch M. A. Oxon. In the fourth PREBEND John Barlow M. A. Nicolas Murrey L. B. Miles Johnson James Ellis L. D. Richard Cleyton D. D. Richard Cleyburne D. D. John Pocklyngton D. D. William Towers B. D. Oxon. Thomas Greaves D. D. In the fifth PREBEND John Cheyney Prior Pollard B. D.
Monument of John Aungier Dr. of Law and Prebendary of this Church but this Pillar could not support the Monument longer then 1643. Near adjoyning to this Pillar was the Chappel of S. James Now we are in the North Cross Isle where W. Parys who as hath been said built the Ladies Chappel and Bishop Dove are interred At the North end of this Isle was a Monument of wood affixed to the Wall letting survivers know that it was in remembrance of Richard Worm whose quality and condition may appear by the copious Inscriptions thereon Richardus Worme Armiger natus in hac urbe Petriburgensi primo bonis literis artibus liberalioribus instructus In Accademia Cantabrigiensi Magister Artium evasit legibus deinde civilibus municipalibus dans operam earum professione patriam amicos seipsum juvit ornavit plurimum Qui post decursum 59 annorum Domino animam tradidit 13. Maii 1589. Quod cernis parvo tumulo consurgere saxum Hospes nunc Wormi contegit ossa mei Jure fuit studiisque valens subsellia legum Saepe patrociniis personuere suis Sed non immunem fati fecêre Camaenae Quique aliis cavit non cavet ipse sibi Et didicit binas qui leges calluit ante Tertia jam fati jura subire sui Quod potuit fecit vivus promptusque petenti Quae potuit patriae commoda ferre tulit Et miseris mitis succurrit donec egenis Qui dare consueverat vermibus esca fuit Et vermes pascit meritò qui vermis ipse Natura factus nomine dictus erat Interea vivit superas subvectus ad auras Et fruitur Christo spiritus ipse suo Sic mortuus hic vivus pendet ab illo Pendens qui pro illo de cruce membr a dedit Allusio ad nomen Worme Vermis edat vermem Credas cum vermibus ecce est Vermis sic Vermis vermibus esca manet Vermis edat Vermem haud credas non vermibus ipse est Vermis nec Vermis vermibus esca manet Sic est sic non est verum est hunc esse beatum Vermibus absque suis vermibus absque suis Allusio ad dictionem suam Veritati adhaereto Worm quasi verum sicque sonat sic nomen omen Worm verum verè dictio vera dedit Dictio non dispar vix est ubi littera dispar Worme bene sic verum qui posuit posuit Haesit Worm vero parilis conjunctio veri est Worm haesit verum dictio parque pari est Fuit Worm Qui fuit est erit ut fuerat Divina voluntas Cum voluit fieri sic voluit fieri In the same Isle upon the Pavement are these two Memorials written upon their Grave-stones Christus Rogeri Clyff dignetur misereri In Burgo natique Prioris hic tumulati The other Hic William natus Pightesle quiescit humatus Facta prioratus claustro rexit monachatus Sit prece salvatus Petri coeloque locatus At the South end of this North Isle near the Quire is a Vault descending into the ground by stairs of Stone and at the bottom a low arched passage going under the Church wherein any might go some five or six yards and there find the way stopped with the fall of the Earth over head but how far further this Vault went or to what end it was first made I could never learn Haply it might lead to some penitential Purgatorian place or like Mortimors hole at Nottingham be a subterraneous passage to some other buildings which are now perished Step we now over the Quire to the South cross Isle and there we shall see on the North end of it next the Quire the Chappel of the Trinity and three little Chappels on the East side the first of S. Oswald where the Heart of Abbot Robert Sutton was buried the second of S. Benedict the other of S. Kyneburga who probably was here buried upon her removal from her Church of Castor The pavement presents but one Monumental Stone of William Exton Prior the Plate of Brass accompained his fellows in the Monumental year of this Churches Monuments The Inscription was this Hic Wilihelmus erat Prior Exton philosophator Nobilis ex genere generis quoque nobilitator Ingulphus makes mention of Radinus the great Earl of Hereford who married Godda sister to King Edward that he was buried at Burgh but in what place of the Church is not known On the West side of this Isle stands the Chapter house where the Church Records were kept and slept securely until 1643. when they were roughly awakned or rather cast into a deeper sleep of oblivion most of them being torn and the rest dispersed to the great prejudice of the knowledge of this Churches ancient affairs and particularly of this our Story Anciently this place was the Chappel of the Ostrie As for the old Chapter-house that was in the Eastern Cloister a goodly building founded by King Peada but now demolished In it were buried three of the Abbots but no Inscriptions to inform us which they were their Marble stones with their Pourtraitures or Statues exquisitely carved on them are now to be seen removed into the South Isle not far off in this Isle is to be read towards the Cloyster door Hic jacet Georgius Fraunceys Monachus natus in Burgo Sancti Petri quondam Sub-prior hujus Monasterii cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen If the Reader be not weary with the recital of these trifling antiquities let him but go along with me into the Cloyster and there we will part The dimensions of this Cloyster hath been remembred in the Inventory The Windows were all compleat and fair adorned with glass of excellent painting In the South Cloyster was the History of the Old Testament In the East Cloyster of the New In the North Cloister the Figures of the successive Kings from King Peada In the West Cloyster was the History from the first foundation of the Monastery of King Peada to the restoring of it by King Edgar Every window had at the bottom the explanation of the History thus in Verse THE FIRST WINDOW Col. 1. King Penda a Paynim as Writing seyth Gate yese five Children of Christen feyth Col. 2. The noble King Peada by Gods grace Was the first founder of this place Col. 3. By Queen Ermenyld had King Wulfere These twey sons that ye see here Col. 4. Wulfade rideth as he was wont Into the Forest the Hart to hunt THE SECOND WINDOW Col. 1. Fro all his men Wulfade is gone And suyth himself the Hart alone Col. 2. The Hart brought Wulfade to a Well That was beside Seynt Chaddys Cell Col. 3. Wulfade askyd of Seynt Chad Where is the Hart that me hath lad Col. 4. The Hart that hither thee hath brought Is sent by Christ that thee hath bought THE THIRD WINDOW Col. 1. Wulfade prayd Chad that ghostly Leech The Faith of Christ him for to teach Col. 2. Seynt Chad
of which I shall transcribe nothing but only note a few things wherein these two Writers agree and wherein they differ or which are omitted by the one but related by the other Leland's Author saith that Werbord was tanquam secundarius in Regno prime Minister of State as we now speak And so sayes the other Writer but explains it thus he was Secretary to Wlfere having been a Privy Counsellor to his Father Penda who esteemed him as David did Achitophel and let him govern the whole Kingdom under him as Haman did under Ahasuerus Which puffed him up so much that they both say he aspired to the honour of marrying the Kings Daughter Werburg only Leland's Author sayes that he Courting her for his Wife was despised by the Virgin by the counsel of her Mother Ermenild the other Writer sayes he askt her of the King for his Wife when she was but a little Child and the King consented But the Queen denyed it and the two Brothers were so incensed at the mans insolence especially because he was a Pagan that they opposed his Petition to his face From which time Werbord meditated revenge and contrived their ruin which followed in such manner as is related by Mr. G. Wolfere sayes the Writer now mentioned being like his Father Penda naturally fierce and prone to anger and when the fit was upon him more furious than any wild Beast They both say that upon their being Baptized both the Brothers perswaded St. Chad to remove his Cell nearer to their Fathers Court at Wlfercestre in Staffordshire to give them the advantage of more frequent conversation with him and that upon their being slain by their cruel Fathers own hand he retreated to his old Oratory again But Leland's Author sayes they suffered upon the tenth Kaland Augusti the other upon the ninth They both agree that Werbord ran mad as one possessed with a Devil and the latter of them saith he tore his own flesh from his arms with his own teeth and so died distracted They agree also that the Queen buried both her Martyr'd Sons in uno saxeo Sarcophago in one Stone Coffin and that in process of time she built a fair Church of Stone in that place for a multitude of people coming there to pray were wont to bring Stones along with them for the building which gave the place the name of Stanes And the King when he had in cool blood considered of the fact was pricked in Conscience or rather miserably tormented in mind like a man upon the rack and was thereupon admonished to seek for ease by confessing his Sin to St. Chad and doing whatsoever he enjoyned Who commanded him instantly to destroy all Idolatry and the Temples of Demons to build Churches found Monasteries get Clergy men Ordained cause the Laws of Christ to be observed c. which he did and among other things illud nobile Coenobium in Medeshamstede praediis possessionibus ditavit c. quod hodie Petresburch i. e. Civitas Sancti Petri nominatur saith the last named Author By which passage it appears that he lived after the Restauration of the Monastery by King Edgar and that what follows in Leland concerning the Procurator of the Colledge at Stanes which Wolfere also founded for Canons Regular going to Rome to get the two Martyrs Wulfade and Rufinus put into the Catalogue of the Saints was done also if the story be true long after their death They both say he carried the head of Wulfade with him though much against the will saith the latter Writer of almost all the Brethren For he hoped thereby the more easily to obtain his Petition And to prove their Sanctity though the Records of the Miracles done by them were destroyed by the fury of the Pagans he voluntarily offered to pass through a great fire made by a pile of Wood with the head of Wulfade which he said he had brought with him for that very end But the Pope answered as Christ did the Devil Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God For the Sacred Canons did not appoint such trials by fire or water nor decisions by single combate but they were invented by superstitious men Yet taking compassion upon the great pains he had taken in so long a journey he granted the request and commanded their names to be put into the Martyrology of the Saints The Procurator and his Companions returning home with great joy left the head of St. Wulfade at Viterbium in the Church of St. Laurence as Leland concludes the story Which the other Author explains thus that in their journey they lay one night in the City Biterinum as he calls it and for greater security committed the head to be kept for that night in the Church of St. Laurence the Martyr but in the morning when they came to take it again they could not with all their might remove it from the place where they had laid it And so with shame and confusion of face came to their own Country with the loss of that Treasure it being apparent that their carrying it from Kingdom to Kingdom through various places and perhaps for gain or honour or favour was not a thing pleasing to God and the Holy Martyr Wulfade But what truth there is in all this is hard to say Cedda or Chad being gone from those parts as far as York before Wulfere's Charter to this Church which by the story must be supposed to have been granted immediately upon his going to St. Chad who in his Penance injoyned him sayes the last Author sub omni celeritate with all speed to cause Monasteries to be founded c. For it bears date DCLXIIII and Cedda sayes the Chronicon Litchfeldense MS. in Sir John Cotton's Library was consecrated Bishop of York DCLXIII Where having governed three year he retired to his Monastery of Lestingay where he had been Abbot because Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury was not satisfied that he had been duly consecrated It may be supposed indeed that before he went to York all those things hapned between the years DLVI. and DLXIII But then here is the mischief of it that Jarmannus one of those who subscribes Wulfere's Charter was not then Bishop of the Mercians i. e. of Litchfield for he was made so the same year Cedda went to York DLXIII and yet the story sayes that when Wulfere was troubled in mind his Queen wisht him to be advised by the holy Bishops Jermannum Ceddam Which supposes this to have been after Cedda was come back to his old Cell or Monastery that is after the year DLXVI or in that year For Jarmannus having governed four years saith the Chronicon Litchfeldense died and Theodore made Cedda Bishop of Litchfield Anno DLXVII And there is still one difficulty more that Cedda sayes the story commanded Wulfere immediately to destroy all Idolatry throughout his whole Kingdom and yet that was not done if we may believe the Chronicle of our Church per Johannem Abbatem
Lusgerg Ethelhuniglond Barchanig Which were places not very far from Medeshamstede it appears by several Charters which still remain upon Record in the Book called Swapham Where I find fol. CXXX XXXI that in the time of this Cutbald the glorious King of the Mercians Ethelredus or Adilredus for he is called by both names came to visit the servants of God in this Monastery of Medeshamstede and to obtain their prayers for the relief of his Soul and out of a desire of Eternal life as the words of his Charter are gave to the Friers there all that land called Leugtricdun triginta manentes habentem Not long after which one of the Friers coming to this King upon a certain occasion he took a glebe from the forementioned Land and put it super codicem Evangeliorum upon the Book of the Gospels in confirmation and for a testimony of the aforesaid donation Unto which these witnesses were present Sexulfus Episcopus Merciorum Wecca and Berhthun Monachi Hostryga ipsius Regis Regina Henfric Eadfric principes Regis Adilredi that none might dare to attempt any thing against this donation of the King qui sibi divinam donationem adesse optaret in futura vita Amen Which Leugtricdun I have reason to think was an Appendix to one of the above named places The first of which Bredun was given to this Church of Medeshamstede by Friduricus one of King Adilred's Noble Men by a Charter bearing this Title Fridurici principis de Bredun ad Medeshamstede ' In which he saith that the number of Christians increasing and multiplying he had given to the family of St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles inhabiting the Monastery of Medeshamstede terram cui vocabulum est Bredun viginti manentium cum omnibus ad eam pertinentibus Which was done in the presence and with the consent of Saxulph ejusdem gentis Episc and of the above-named King Adilredus For this end and purpose that they should found Oratorium in eadem praefata terra and there constitute a Priest for the teaching and Baptizing of the people Which upon due deliberation they undertook and chose one of their own number whose name was Hedda a man endued with admirable Wisdom and all manner of Virtues whom they made Abbot of Bredun with this condition that he should acknowledge himself to be a member of the Fraternity of Medeshamstede So it runs in the Charter whose words are these Et unum ex semetipsis nomine Hedda Presbyterum mirabili sapientia in omni virtutum genere praeditum summo libramine eligerunt eumque in loco praefato Abbatem constituerunt ea tamen conditione interposita ut se unum de eorum Fraternitatis membris esse noverit ' And the same Religious Prince Friduricus finding that this Venerable Abbot Hedda most diligently fed the people committed to his charge with the food of divine Preaching added another benefaction in a distinct Charter whose title is de Repinges ad Medeshamstede Wherein he gives to the aforesaid Abbot Hedda XXXI manentium terram quae vulgo vocitatur Hrepingas which is another of those places above mentioned This he did in the presence of King Adilredus and of Saxulph the Bishop of that Country who joyning their hands with his cespitunculam communiter praedictae terrae Sacrosanctae evangeliorum codici simul omnis coram multitudine populi imposuerunt and so subscribed this Deed with their own hands And afterward this Honourable Abbot Hedda as the Book calls him fol. CXXXIII and the Prior of the Monastery of Bredun obtained from King Adilred other Land which had quindecim Manentes 15 Tenents or Housekeepers as we now speak called by the name of Cedenanhac another of the places depending on Medeshamstede for fifty Shillings that is for Bedding and other Goods of that value which are thus specified in the Deed. Id est duodecim lectorum stramenta utpote culcita plumacia ornata capitalia simul cum sindonibus lenis quemadmodum in Britannia habere mos est nec non servum cum ancilla fibulam auream cum quatuor ex auro massiunculis arte aurificis compositis duos caballos cum cannis duabus pro praefata terra pretium dedit I have not room to examine the meaning of every word in this Deed some of which I no where meet withal but here which concludes as the former did that this price being paid the King in his Bedchamber at his own Town called Tomtun took a little clod of earth from the aforesaid Land with his own hands and laid it upon the Sacred Volume of the Gospels his Queen and Saxalph joyning their hands with his that none might dare to violate this grant The same Hedda if I mistake not was Abbot also of other two places before mentioned called Wermundshey and Wokinges for I find a Bull of Pope Constantine's about the Episcopal Jurisdiction over these places fol. LXXXVI directed unto him which I have not room to set down at large but only note that they are both said there to be found in nomine beati Petri Apostoli in the name of St. Peter Which makes it probable they were those belonging to this Church under the Government of this great man Hedda Whom I take to have been the Author of the Relation above named concerning the first plantation of Christianity in these parts of England and the next Bishop that succeeded Sexulf in the See of Litchfield who built that Church as I have already said and dyed DCCXXI When Cutbaldus dyed I am not able to affirm certainly but it was between the year DCCIX and DCCXVI For he was alive in the former of those years I gather from hence that Hugo saith Wilfrid dyed in his time at his Mannor of Owndle c. his words are In hujus Abbatis id est Cuthbaldi tempore Sanctus Wilfridus Episcopus in possessione ipsius Monasterii ad Vndalum transivit ad Dominum Ministeriis fratrum deportatus est ad suum proprium Monasterium in Rypun Now Wilfrid the first of that name who was Archbishop of York dyed An. DCCIX as I find in the Chron. Johannis Abbatis With whom agrees Tho. Stubbs Chron. Eccles Eborac whose words are to be corrected out of our Hugo commonly called Swapham for he speaking of the death of Wilfrid sayes Defunctus est in Monasterio suo apud Vndalum quod est juxta Stamford inde Ministerio fratrum delegatus in Monasterio suo apud Riponum est sepultus An. Domini DCCIX Where he calls Owndle Wilfrid's Monastery which it appears by all our Records was as Hugo only calls it part of the possession of the Monastery of Medeshamstede But as Cuthbald was then alive so it is certain he was dead before the year DCCXVI when as Mr. G. observes out of Ingulphus the Charter of King Ethelbald for the founding of Croyland Abbey was signed by Egbaldus Abbot of Medeshamstede EGBALDVS Concerning whom and the three next Abbots
had been founded and indowed by his Uncle of the same name So Hugo relates speaking of the King and Queen who out of love to him gave to him and St. Peter other Abbeys viz. Birtune Coventre quam Comes Leuricus avunculus ipsius construxerat nimis in auro argento ditaverat c. Yet he did not give all he could to this Church for in an antient explanation of Lands as it is called Swaph fol. CXXXIII I find that he gave a forfeited Estate to his Brother Leowinus The words are these Reteford occidit quendam Ylkytelum pro hac forisfactura terra silva sua Franewude pervenit in manus Abbatis de Burch Sed Leofricus praepositus Sancti Petri permisit eam suo fratri Leowino He was Abbot of Burton before he was Abbot of Burgh unless there was another of that name for the Annals of that Church say An. MLI Annalis Monast Burton venit Levericus Abbas The account indeed they give of this Levericus his death is so widely different from what Hugo saith of Leofricus his that it inclines me to think it was another person For they say MLXXXV obiit Levericus Abbas whereas ours dyed as I have said almost twenty year before In his time there were three great Benefactors to this place Egelricus Kinsinus and Wulstanus Of the first of which Mr. G. hath given some account but to make his History more compleat I must let the Reader know how he came to rise to the dignity he held in the Church Which Symeon Dunelmensis relates in this manner L. 3. Hist Eccl. Dunelm C. 6. Eadmundus being chosen Bishop of Durham would first be made a Monk before he was consecrated by Wulstan Archbishop of York who was then at Worcester From whence returning home he diverted into the Monastery of Burch where being mightly pleased he requested the Abbot to bestow a Monk upon him skilful in Ecclesiastical Offices and in regular discipline to be his constant companion and teach him the way of the Monastical life Accordingly the Abbot appointed this Monk Elgericus or Algericus for he is called by all these names to wait upon him who as Hugo writes was vir Sanctissimus a most holy man and thought fit for the Archbishoprick of York to which he saith he was consecrated But being there rejected as Mr. G. out of him relates factus est Episcopus Dunhelmiae he was made Bishop of Durham and there received with love of all both Laicks and Monks This was in the year 1042 as John Brompton informs us where he continued twelve years saith Hugo but it should be fourteen for both the Chron. of Mailros and the Chron. of John Abbot of Burgh say he resigned in the year 1056. the words of the last named are these MLVI quinta feria Kal. Augusti Monachus factus est Dunelmensis Episcopus Egelricus Episcopatu sponte relicto ad Monasterium suum de Burgo ubi quondam Monachus erat remeavit Agelwino fratre suo Monacho ejusdem Monasterii in locum suum consecrato John Brompton places this resignation in the year 1057. the very year Leofricus was made Abbot which agrees with Symeon Dunelmensis who should best know who saith after he had been Bishop fifteen year he returned to his Monastery whither he had sent his Gold and Silver and other Goods of the Church of Durham before The Gold and Silver he acknowledges was found as he was digging very deep to lay the foundation of a Church of Stone in honour of St. Cutberd which before was of Wood but he saith it had been formerly hidden there by the Church of Durham because of the Covetousness and Tyranny of Sephelmus And therefore though he did good Works with this money which he immediately sent away to Burgh intending to follow it himself making Highways with Wood and Stone in the fenny Countries building Churches and other things yet in the Reign of the Conqueror he was accused for carrying away this Treasure which he would not restore and being brought up to London and committed to custody there he died in captione Regis as Symeon of Durham tells the story L. III. Histor Dunel Eccles C. 9. It was in the year 1072. when death delivered him out of Custody and he was buried in the Chappel of St. Nicolas in the Abby of Westminster but constantly commemorated here at Burgh on the 15th of October over against which day I find in the Kalander these words Depositio Domini Eylrici Episcopi Memoria Benefactorum Which no doubt was this Egelricus or Elgericus for so names are wont to be contracted as the Abbot of Rieval Adilredus or Ethelredus is not only called Aluredus but Ailredus also and Eilredus But besides this Hugo Or Swapham as commonly called p. 11. expresly calls him Eilricus and the rode he made in the Fenns for Travellers was called Elrich-rode Whence Bishop Godwin hath it that he was accused of Treason by the Conqueror I cannot yet find Perhaps he was thought to be confederate with his Brother Agelwinus whom he left his Successor in Durham Who as the forenamed Symeon Dunelmensis relates not long after the Conquest viz. An. 1070 L. de gestis Regum Angliae being weary of the troubles of England took Ship at Weremuth with many other great persons and went into Scotland But returned the next year with Hereward de Wake and the rest to the Isle of Eli. Where they were all in a manner taken except Hereward and a few others and Agelwinus being sent prisoner to Abbandon there in the Winter ended his days 1071. one year before his Brother The second of these great men viz. Kinsinus who had been Chaplain to King Edward the Confessor as was said before and succeeded Aluricus as Radulphus de Diceto calls Elfricus in the Archbishoprick of York 1051. after he had sate there nine years dyed at Burg if we may believe John Abbot's Chronicle in the year MLX. where his words are Kynsinus Archiepiscopus apud Burgum obiit jacet tumulatus in scrinio juxta magnum Altare in parte Boreali And there the Scrinium still remains just above that of Elfricus who lies at his feet with these words on the side Hic posita sunt Ossa Kynsini Archiepiscopi Eborac 1059 which by the Characters appear to be a late Inscription and hath mistaken the year For all agree it was 1060. though none but he mention his dying at Burgh but all suppose he dyed at York Particularly Roger Hoveden who saith he was brought from York to this Monastery of Burch to be buried honorifice tumulatus est They agree also that he dyed on the XIth of the Kalands of January and accordingly I find in the Kalander of the Church Decemb. 20. Depositio Kynsini Archiepiscopi Radulphi Comitis It is possible that Chronicle may mean another Burgh which was in the North and belonged afterwards to the Church of York For Tho. Stubbs saith
Girardus obtained of King William the second six Churches Five of which he gave to St. Peters Church of York i. e. de Dyrfeld de Kyllum de Pokelymon de Pykerynga de Burgh where perhaps Kynsinus dyed The same Thomas Stubbs Actus Pontif. Eborac saith the vulgar opinion of him was that he was not born but cut out of his Mothers Womb. He gave to this Church the Village of Linewelle as Hugo tells us with the textum Evangelii excellently wrought with Gold and so many Ornaments that they were apprised at three hundred pound which with his Body were all brought hither But Queen Edgit he adds took them all away The Character he gives of him is this that he always lived like a Monk most abstemiously and Holily So that when his Clergy and Family had a splendid Table he contented himself with coarse and Barly Bread and with the viler sort of meat and drink And walking on foot from Town to Town Preaching and giving Alms he often went bare-foot and commonly travelled in the nights that he might avoid vain-glory Which makes him call him Sanctus Kinsinus The last Wulstanus was also Archbishop of of York and Successor to Adulphus holding the Bishoprick of Worcester together with the See of York as he and St. Oswald before him had done Who if we may believe Hugo gave himself and all that he had to this place but going to visit the places where other Saints lay buried and coming to Eli there he fell sick and dyed and was buried in the year MXXIII V. Kal. Junii 3. feria as Thomas Stubbs relates after he had been Archbishop twenty year He and Radulphus de Diceto differ from Hugo in the place of his sickning and dying for they make him to have been brought to Eli to be buried according to his own prediction as the latter of them affirms upon a time when he came thither for devotion sake The mention of him puts me in mind of another of that name who was bred in this Monastery and therefore ought not to be here omitted For though he dyed a good while after this time yet he was advanced to the See of Worcester in the days of Leofricus viz. MLXII So John Abbot Venerabilis vir Wlstanus Burgi Monachus Wigorn. fit Episcopus Roger Hoveden also who saith that literis Ecclesiasticis Officiis imbutus in Nobili Monasterio quod Burch nominatur The very same hath Symeon Dunelmensis John Brompton But the largest account I find of him is in his Life written in Three Books MS. in Sir J. C's Library by Bravonius a Monk of Worcester 1170. who relates at large all that he did both before and after the Conquest He was born at Jceritune in Warwickshire his Father Athelstanus his Mother Wifgena who put him to School at Evesham where he received the first Elements of learning and then sent him hither to be perfected in it so his words are perfectiori mox apud Burch which I shewed before was famous for learning scientia teneras informavit medullas Here he gave great indications of his future Vertue when he had scarce taken the first step out of his Childhood He had a Master called Eruentus who could Write admirably and Draw any thing in Colours Who made Wlstan when he was but a Boy Write two Books Sacramentarium Psalterium and Flourish the Principal Letters in Pictures with Gold The former of which his Master presented to King Cnute the Psalter to Queen Emma After this he went from Burch to his Parents who putting themselves into Religious Houses at Worcester he also became Monk And in a short time was made Master of the Boyes then Chanter and then Sacrist and afterward Praepositus ut tunc Prior ut nunc dicitur Monachorum constitutus and at last made Bishop of Worcester though against his will upon the preferment of Alredus to York Who presuming upon the simplicity of Wlstan committed great rapine at Worcester and kept from him a considerable part of the Possessions of that Church which he could not recover as long as Alred lived but though William the Conqueror seised them at his Death yet Wlstan never left till the cause had a fair hearing and his Church had all restored to it which its first Founders had left unto it The story is told at large by John Bromton Chron. Williel primi p. 976. c. who sayes Lanfranc would have deposed him for insufficiency but by a Miracle was moved to restore him his Staff and his Ring which he had resigned And indeed he was not so ignorant as many imagined but knew all that was necessary for him to be acquainted withal only was not learned in the Fables of the Poets and in the perplexities of Syllogisms which perhaps he did not vouchsafe to know as not worthy his notice So Henry de Knyghton in these remarkable words L. 2. de Eventibus Angliae C. 6. Sed ille magis virtute quam literis fretus res Ecclesiae defensabat Quanquam non it a hebes in literis fuerit ut put abatur quippe qui caetera necessaria sciret praeter fabulas poetarum tortiles syllogismos quae forsan nec nosse dignabatur He pulled down the old Church of Worcester built by St. Oswald and made the new one we now see Weeping as Malmsbury saith when they began the Work For which he gave this reason when he was told he ought rather to rejoyce at the erection of a more magnificent Structure Alas said he we miserable sinners destroy the Works of the Saints that we may get glory to our selves That age of happy men did not understand how to build pompous Temples but under any kind of Roof offered up themselves to God and attracted their Subjects by their examples We on the contrary neglecting the Cure of Souls heap up Stones and raise goodly Piles c. He lived till he was almost 90 years old dying in the year MXCV where John Abbot writes Sanctus Wlstanus obiit BRANDO While he was only a Monk in this Church he was not only a Coadjutor to Leofricus in all the good things that he did as Hugo his words are but also a great Benefactor to the Monastery out of his own Patrimony and that of his Brethren For he and his two Brethren Askatillus and Syricus purchased Walcote de proprio patrimonio and gave it to the Church in perpetual inheritance together with Scotere Scotune and other places mentioned by Mr. G. This was in the time of Edward the Confessor who confirmed this Grant by his Charter rogatus ab Abbate Lefrico Monacho ipsius nomine Brand Hugo or Swap pag. 5. f. 2. Another writing mentions a third Brother named Siworthus in these words Brand Abbas Burgensis Askilus Sericus Sivortus fratres dederunt has terras Deo Sancto Petro fratribus in Burgh sc Muscham ex alia parte Trentae Scotere c. Which is related something more distinctly
deal of Riches besides Which is the more wonderful since he was so very charitable and frequently gave Presents and Jewels of Gold and Silver to King Henry and Eleanor his Queen and Prince Edward their Son and to the Nobles and great Men of England besides what Mr. G. mentions and all for the peace and tranquillity and defence of the Liberties of the Church He dyed in the latter end of the year as the MS. Chron. of Johan Abbatis P. 690. N. 30. saith Matth. Paris saith 1245. 29 Hen. 3. obiit Walterus Abbas de Burgo 2. Kaland. Januarii Which doth not perfectly agree with the Kalender of the Church where is placed on the 26. Decemb. Depositio Domini Walteri Abbatis Here Swapham's History ends WILLIAM de HOTOT The controversie that had been between this Church and Croyland in the time of Akarius was now revived between this Abbot and Richard Bardenay Abbot of Croyland contrary to the agreements made before between their Predecessors as the words are in the Continuator of the History of Croyland Lately Printed at Oxon. p. 478. Who lays the blame upon this Abbot because he hindred the Abbot of Croyland in their Fair time from taking Toll or making Attachments upon Crowland Bridge c. This he saith was in the year 1240. Which cannot be for then Walter was Abbot it should be therefore 1246. in the very beginning of William's time Who the next year made a composition about this matter 1247. as I find in our Records at the end of Swapham Fol. CLXX where there is an agreement between Richard Abbot of Croyland and Robert Abbot of Burgh about the Fen between Singleshould and Croyland and this agreement made in the Kings Court at Northampton before the King Justices between these two Abbots Richard and William de villa de Croyland ponte tempore Nundinarum which is too long to be inserted It is called finalis concordia but the quarrel was renewed in the time of William of Ramsey In the same year 1247. Robert de Taterhille Physician made his last Will and Testament and thereby gave to the Church of St. Peter his Body with his Palfrey to the Fabrick of St. John's Church V. Shillings and to the Church of St. Mary de Oxney two Shilling c. and four Acre of Arable Land apud Rumpele to find two Wax-Candles before the Altar of the blessed Virgin in Ecclesia majori de Burgo as long as the said Robert lived And if his Wife Ailice out-lived him she was to enojoy that Land and the house he also gave c. for her life if she remained a Widow and to find four Wax-Candles After both their deaths all to go to the Custos luminaris beatae Virginis to find so many lights before her Altar as that Land House and Meadow would furnish In the same year likewise An. 2. Will. 2di Abbatis as the words of the Record are there was a Subsidy given to Pope Innocent according to an Estimation that had been made of the Estate of the Abbey in the time of Stephen Nuncio to Pope Gregory of which subsidy the Obedientiaries as several officers in the Church were called paid the fourth part being taxed seven Pence for every pound of yearly Rent as followeth Estimatio Cellerariae 121 l.  Contributio 70 s. 7 d. Estimatio utriusque Sacristiae 106 l. 10 s. Contributio 72 s.  Estimatio Eleemosynariae 63 l. 6 s. Contributio 36 s. 2 d. Estimatio Pitanciariae  115 s. Contributio  40 d. Estimatio Infirmariae 7 l.  Contributio 3 s. 10 d. Estimatio Precentoriae  36 s. Contributio  12 d. Estimatio Refectoriae  20 s. Contributio  7 d. Estimatio Camerae praeter portionem Abbatis 4 l.  Contributio  28 d. Estimatio auxilii de Pylesgate 100 sol Contributio  35 d. Notandum quod Dominus Willielmus Abbas solus fecit hanc taxationem One half of which was paid at the Feast of St. Martins the other half at the Purification Here a fit occasion offers it self to mention the several donations bestowed upon the forenamed Offices of the Monastery which they called Obedientias and the Names of their benefactors which were very many especially to the Sacristy and to the Altars Sanctae Mariae and Sanctae Crucis in particular but it would prolong this work too much and swell it beyond the designed proportion Fol. CVII This William in the year 1248. obliged himself and Successors to several things very profitable for the Convent For instance that no composition should be made for the future about their possessions and liberties no Wards granted no Woods sold without the consent of the Convent no nor any thing of weight attempted without their advice And moreover that one or two Monks should without intermission be Custodes of the Mannors of the Abbot and two receivers of all the profits of them one of them a Monk residing in the house and one of the Chaplains of the Abbot And lest in process of time the condition of the Convent should be worsted he granted and promised that neither he nor his Successors would diminish their allowances nor procure them to be diminished And that the Parents and acquaintance of the Monks should be competently and sufficiently provided with better bread and beer than ordinary out of the Celerary of the Abbot c. To which he set his Seal and the Chapter theirs In the same year he granted out of his mere liberality to the Celerary of the Church his Mannor of Gosdkirk with all the appurtenances and all the Tenement called Belasise with the appurtenances for the eight pound Sterling in which he and his Predecessors stood bound at the four quarters of the year for the celebration of the principal Feasts and for the forty Shillings which Walter his Predecessor gave for celebrating the Feast of the Dedication of the Church Yet so that he and his Successors should pay the increment of Wheat and Malt for the augmentation of the VIII Monks throughout the whole year without substraction every week out of their own Granary Then follows the assignation of the Capital Messuage in Northbruch for the increase of the Chamber In this year as the Chron. of John Abbot tells us the King demanded a Subsidy of all the Prelates and this William gave him an hundred Pound of Silver presently after which he resigned his place but he doth not tell us any reason why he left it His words are ad An. MCCXLVIII Henricus Rex petiit subsidium à Prelatis Willielmus Abbas Burgi dedit ei C. marcas argenti Cui cedenti successit Johannes de Kaleto The cause which Matth. Paris who places this the year after 1249 assigns of his receding is something strange he having been so compliant as I have related with his Convent and so studious of their good And the damage they complained of was not so great but he had an honourable commemoration in
permit the burial of his Father which had been already made at Scottun hâc vice for this time and that in like manner they would be pleased hâc vice to remit the Mortuary due to them And accordingly the Abbot and Convent with respect to the love which the aforesaid Robert bare to them did for that time allow the Burial and release the Mortuary de gratia liberalitate sua Dat. apud Burgh in Crastino Sancti Barthol An. Dom. MCCLXX Quinto In the Year MCCLXX Octavo there was the like case with the first only with this difference that Emma the Wife of Galfridus de Sancto Medardo died about Michaelmas at the Mannor of Osgoteby and the same W. de Wodeford Sacrist of Burg presented himself being ready to defend the right of the Church to have the Body of the said Woman to be buried at Burgh according to an agreement made long before between the Monks and the Knights of the said Church before the Bishop of Lincoln but she having desired to be buried at Stanford at their devout request the fore-named Sacrist out of special grace and favour condescended for that time saving the rights of Burgh to let her desire be fulfilled This Abbot recovered many Rents belonging to the Church and many grants were made to it in his time but I do not find in what years nor have I room to mention them particularly But one must not be forgotten which was the Gift of a whole Street in Burgh by Will. de Wauton or Walton Son of William Son of John de Wauton who says dedi concessi hac presenti carta mea confirmavi Dominis meis Richardo Abhati de Burgo Sancti Petri ejusdem loci convent totam illam plateam cum domibus super aedificatis in villa Burgi sitam in Market stede c. There is a grant which John Gowke of Stowe also made of a Meadow to him which runs in this Style Dedi concessi hac presenti Charta mea confirmavi Domino Ricard Dei gratia Abbati de Burg. Sancti Petri ejusdem loci conventui totum pratum meum c. But Richard himself I find writes himself Abbot only permissione Divina There was an agreement made between him and Oliver Bishop of Lincoln about some things in difference but they are not mentioned in the MS. Chron. Johan Abbatis ad an 1282. where there are these words Dominus Rex Edwardus Walliam adiit David novum principem cepit Facta est etiam concordia inter Dominum Oliverum Episcopum Lincoln Ricardum Abbatem Burgi But four years after they were at difference again perhaps about the same thing for in the fourteenth of Edward the First Dr. Thoreton's Hist of Nottingham p. 190. the Bishop of Lincoln complained of the Abbot of Peterburgh for setting up a Gallows at his Mannor of Collingham and there hanging a Thief to the derogation of the liberty of the Wapentack of Newark which the Bishop held of the grant of the Kings predecessors To which the Abbot answered That the Kings Father in the 37th year of his Reign granted him and his successors Infangthef and Vtfangthef in all his Hundreds and Demeasnes and so he avowed his Gallows and complained against the Bishop for taking two Horses and six Cows at Newark and driving them to his Parc or Pound and there detaining them To which the Bishop replied That he held his Wapentak of the gift of the King within which were the two Towns of Collingham which the said Abbot held and for which he ought to make suit at the said Wapentac by three Men of each Town which he not doing therefore he took the Horses and Kine The Cause went against the Abbot and he was constrained to submit and pull down his Gallows It was this Abbot I suppose who bound himself and whole Convent and all their Goods to certain Merchants for a summ of Mony for the Kings use who made over to them his Mannor de Graham and all the Appurtenances until the Debt was satisfied with all damages and expences For I find Letters Patents of this King Edward the First unto the Abbot and Convent of Burgh making mention of this and of the Writings on each part under their Hands and Seals and how the Debt being paid the Abbot and Convent had restored to the King his part with his Seal but he could not find their Counter-part Which therefore he declared by these Letters to be cassa vacua penitus nullius valoris in perpetuum and should be restored to the Abbot when it could be found There is a Petition also to this King from the Abbot that they might enjoy the right they had per cartas omnium Regum Angliae à tempore Williemi Bastardi usque ad nunc to the Tithe of all the Venison decimam totius venationis taken in the County of Northampton by whomsoever taken in possession of which they had always peaceably remained Which the King confirmed by two Charters and the Queen also sent her Letters about it In this Year 14 of Edw. 1. William Parys died who built as Mr. G. observes the Chappel of the Blessed Virgin adjoyning to the Church on the North-side of the Quire So the MS. Chron. ascribed to John Abbot MCCLXXXVI obiit Dominus Willielmus Parys Prior Burgi Successit Dominus Ricardus de Bernewell This Chapel was finished six year before being consecrated as I observed before by Oliver Sutton in the year 1290. There was a Chapel of the blessed Virgin belonging to this Church before called Capella beatae Virginis de Parco as I noted in the life of Akarius because it stood I suppose in the Park belonging to this Monastery But I find no other memory of it The same Chronicon of John Abbot notes ad An. MCCXCV obiit Dominus Ricardus Abbas Burgi Cui successit Willielmus de Wodeford He departed this Life on the first of August after he had been Abbot one and twenty year For on that day the Kalendar saith was Depositio Ricardi de London Abbatis WILLIHELMVS de Wodeford He was born I suppose at Wodeford in this County where this Church had a great deal of Land as appears from many Records but more particularly from a Transcript of all the Mannors and Tenements of the Abby of Burgh in the several Counties of the Realm as they are contained en le domes dai in Tesauraria Domini Regis apud Westemon tempore Regis Edwardi primi which was made about this time and remains in our Book Fol. CCXCII c. The most memorable thing that I can find done in his time was the Taxation of all the Mannors of the Abbey for their Goods Temporal and Spiritual by Apostolical i. e. the Papal authority which was done I find by 24 Jurates 12 Clergymen and 12 Laymen in the first year of this Abbot 1296. It remains still at the end of the Book called Swapham Fol. CCCXLV. bearing this
and Testament petitioning King Richard the II. that it might be fulfilled and representing how she had obtained a new Bull from Pope Vrban directed to the Archdeacon of London for that purpose the King thereupon granted his Licence quod ipse Archidiaconus ad erectionem hujusmodi Collegii faciendam procedere valeat juxta vim formam effectum dictarum literarum Apostolicarum For which licence she gave the King 20 Marks as is expressed in the Letters Patents V. Monast Anglicanum 3. Tom. De Ecclesiis Collegiatis p. 108. There are some Acts of this Abbot mentioned in a MS. Register formerly belonging to this Church now in Sir John Cotton's Library and others in our Records at the end of Swapham in the 18 19 and 21. of Edward III. to which I cannot be allowed to give a place in this History without wrong to the Undertaker I can find no memory of him in the Kalendar of the Church though there is of his Successor because it is likely he left nothing for the celebrating of his Anniversary as several foregoing Abbots did ROBERTVS RAMSEY There is a memorial of him as I said in the Kalendar which tells us he dyed upon the sixth of October which was Depositio Roberti de Ramsey Abbatis fratris Thomae de Burgo And a Memorandum of a gift bestowed upon the Church in the first year of his Government by the Heir of William Everard de Dodestorp but so defaced by time that it cannot all be read I suppose it was written in his time sor it follows after an account of the years that every Abbot from John de Caleto till his time lived in the government of this place but saith nothing how long he continued Abbas Johan de Caleto vixit annis 13. Abbas Robert de Sutton an 12. Abbas Ric. de London an 22. Abbas Willielmus de Wodeford an 4. Abbas Godefrid de Croyland an 22. Abbas Adam de Boyeby an 17. Abbas Henricus de Morkote an 14. HENRY de Overton Born I suppose at Overton now called Orton on the other side of the River Neen and made Abbot here in the year 1360. As appears by an old record of a Fine paid by William Cole Nativus Domini Abbatis de Burgo for a licence in his Court at Thurleby in the forty seventh year of Edward the Third that is 1373 which is said to be in the Thirteenth year of this Abbot In his second year the 37. of Edw. III. 1369. all the Monks of the black Order held a General Chapter at Northampton where Thomas Abbot of St. Alban presided in which it was decreed among other things that they should make a perpetual and continual memory throughout their whole Order for the Quick and the Dead every hour of the day and night as Walsingham P. 180. informs us in his History of these times Who also tells us that in the year 1379 which was the 2. of Rich. II. there was a great Tax laid upon the whole Clergy wherein every Mitred Abbot paid as much as an Earl viz. six Marks and a Noble moreover pro singlis capitibus Monachorum Pole money for every Monk in his Monastery Of which he complains heavily as an unreasonable thing that the poorest of them should pay as much as the richest Earl or Bishop and over and above for his Friers Ib. p. 221. I have give an account already in the life of Martine de vecti of the Insurrection in the fourth year of King Rich. 1381. Which the said Walsingham ascribes to the sins of men of all sorts not excepting the Mendicant Friers who contrary to their profession he faith were grown such flaterers and deceivers that it was thought as good an argument both for matter and form to say This is a Frier therefore he is a Lyar as to say This is White therefore it hath a Colour P. 302. Two years after 1383. The King and his Queen spent their time in visiting the Abbeys of the Kingdom which the same Historian saith was no small burden to them because they came with an excessive number of attendants non offerre sed auferre not to offer but to carry away I do not find whether they were here or no but he mentions the Abbey of St. Edmunds-Bury with which this was in a confederacy where they were entertained ten days which cost the Monastery eight hundred Marks There is no memory of this Abbot nor of any that follow in the Kalendar I have often mentioned they living not long before it was written and in those tumultuous times that insued having no power its likely to do more than preserve what their ancestors had acquired and scarcely that neither for in Rich. Ashton's time when the Kalendar was written I find but 64. Monks NICOLAVS It is not known where this Abbot was born or bred and there is very little to be found either of what he did or what was done in his time The only thing I meet with besides that which Mr. G. mentions is an ordinance of his about the observation of the Feast of St. Kyneburgh in the last year of his Abbotship 1396. Which Feast it appears by the Kalendar was on the 7. of March whereon was Translatio Sanctorum Kyneburgh and Kyneswith Whom Malmsbury L. IV. de gestis Pontif. Angl. calls Kinedreda and Kines wida the Daughters of King Penda the Reliques of whose Ashes he saith were here kept and worshipped who both of them having dedicated themselves to God in their Infancy preserved their noble purpose till old age The younger of them also not being content with her own resolution prevailed with Offa King of the East Aagles who courted her in marriage to consecrate himself to Virginity They were first buried in Ecclesia Kyneburgensis Castri called now Castre as I suppose which being very ruinous in the time of Elfinus Abbot the Monks of Ramsey as Hugo tells us indeavoured with all their might night and day to carry their bodies away to that Monastery But it was neither the will of the Lord nor their pleasure as his words are to rest any where but under the power of St. Peter sub Clavigeri potestate who brought them to Christianity And therefore they heard the prayers as he goes on of Leof winus Sacrist of Burch who was a devout Servant of theirs and earnestly beseeched them to have their bodies lye in this Church promising to do them the greatest honour as is more fully declared in Translatione earum in the Narative of their Translation which was too long he saith to set down in every particular After the like manner also the same Abbot with Leofwinus his assistance translated the most pious Virgin Tibba de riale Burgi She herself commanding it and by great miracles showing that she desired to rest there among her holy Friends Upon which occasion Hugo relates not only all the Reliques in this Church as hath been before shown but tells also where the bodies of
all the English Saints lye that he who desired to address himself to any particular Saint might know where to find him or her And speaking of Tibba he saith she was cosin to the two forenamed Sisters Kyneburgh and Kyneswith whose Reliques here were in such high esteem that Ingalphus reckons the treading of their pretious pledges under Feet as one of the principal profanations when this Monastery was demolished by the Danes in the year 870. when Altaria omnia suffossa c. Sanctarum Virginum Kyneburgae Kyneswitae Tibbae pretiosa pignora pedibus conculcata P. 23. Edit Oxon. Henry of Bolingbroke then Earl of Derby afterward Duke of Hereford and at last King of England lay for some time in this Monastery with a great train in the beginning of this Abbots Government Particularly in the year 1392 when his Courtiers as my Author calls them Hist Croyland Continuatio p. 489. threatned to destroy Depynge and its inhabitants as enemies to him and his Father as well as injurious to Croyland which had suffered much by them and the neighbouring people of Holland Which put them into such a fright that the Steward of the Courts of the Earl of Kent Lord of Depynge and four and twenty of the best of the Town came with all speed to Burgh St. Peter and submitted themselves to the mercy of the Earl of Derby Whose Treasurer interceded for them and procured their Pardon upon promised confirmed by their Oath that they would keep the Peace hereafter with all Hollanders and most strictly punish all disturbers of it that could be found among them WILLIELMUS GENGE If he were the first Mitred Abbot of this Church as Mr. G. sayes Sir H. Spelman's notion is not true that they put on Miters in token they had Episcopal Jurisdiction and being advanced to the dignity of Barons sate in Parliaments which no other Abbots did For the Abbot of Burgh St. Peter sate in Parliament in the 4th year of Edw. 3. as appears by the summons to the Parliament at Winton And there is little truth also in what is commonly said that Mitred Abbots were not subject to any Bishop for after this Abbots time I shall show presently the Bishop of Lincoln kept both the Abbot and Convent for some time under his Visitation There are certain Constitutions I find made by him 1398. and others in the years 1401. and 1406. which I can but mention JOHANNES DEEPING The first of Henry 5th was the fifth year of his Abbotship as a memorandum still remaining tells us and thence we learn he was made Abbot 1407. All that I find of him are some Statutes which he made 1409. about the right observations of certain Festivals and others made by him in the year 1420. Which he calling the eleventh year of his Abbotship from thence it appears he was not made Abbot till the year 1409 He defended also the right the Church had to the Mannor of Walcote in Lincolnshire as I have observed already in the 13 year of Henry the 4th an 1314. against Thomas of Lancaster the Kings Son making it appear that it had been part of the Demeasnes of the Abbey from the first Foundation and had never held of the aforesaid Thomas his Mannor in Holderness In the year 1421. which was the eighth of Hen. 5. a complaint being made to the King of grievous excesses and abuses among the black Monks of the Order of St. Benet all the Abbots and Priors of that Order were Hist Croyl Contin p. 513. summoned to appear before the King at Westminster Where in the Chapterhouse on the 7th of May the King being personally present the charge against them was read by the Bishop of Exeter and he with several persons on both sides were appointed to consider it and to make a reformation which they all promised the King hereafter faithfully to observe RICHARDVS ASHTON In his time about the year 1448. the controversie between this Abbey and that of Croyland revived again the Metes and Bounds of the several Fens belonging to each which had been limited in divers places which the History mentions by crosses and other marks being so worn Hist Croyl Continuatio P. 525. c. out by carelesness in length of time that a very obscure and confused knowledge was the most that was left of them But by the consent of parties and the supervising of the Bishop of Lincoln the business was referred to four indifferent Arbitrators the Abbots and their Convents binding themselves under their Seals in an Obligation of a thousand Marks to acquiesce in what they should Decree Who met several times and inspected the Evidences on both sides but after much time and expences could not agree to determine any thing but resolved to throw the matter upon the Abbots themselves to make an end of it Who met at Ibury a Mannor of the Abbot of Burgh with the Priors of each Monastery and heard from one of the Arbitrators what it was which they would not determin without the express consent of both parties but after much discourse between them they could come to no agreement nor was the controversie setled till many years after But the most remarkable thing in this Abbots time is the pains he took in the regulation of Divine Service in this Monastery about which he made many Ordinances with the consent of all the Convent and drew up a Gustomary out of the ancient usages of the Church for all the Sundays from the Octaves of Whitsunday to the first Sunday in Advent All which are yet extant in his Grace's the Lord Archbishop of Canterburie's Library at Lambeth in two Volumes One written by Simon of Yarwell as he tells us in six verses at the beginning of the Book the other by John Trentam who concludes it with the like verses By this Customary they were directed how to sing their Offices longer or shorter every day as is expressed in the last Rubrick of it Before these Books is prefixed the Ecclesiastical Kalendar which I have had occasion frequently to name at the side of which are set down those Festivals or Anniversaries which were peculiar to this Church and their neighbour as follows January 3. Depositio Domini Martini Abbatis viz. the first of that name 6. Will. de Hotot Abbatis Anniversarium Richardi de Waterville Johannis filii ejus 13. Depositio Elfini Abbatis Anniversarium Matthai Capellani 23. Depositio Domini Elfrici Archiepiscopi February 21. Depositio Domini Andreae Abbatis Abbas missam celebravit 26. Commemoratio fundatorum omnium benefactorum March 1. Depositio Joh. de Caleto Abbatis pro anima Patris Matris ejus Anniversarium Ivonis Supprioris The Abbot was to say Mass himself and the Prior read Divine Service usque ad dirige Quia ista Depositio est in Albis One Ivo de Gunthorp gave all his Lands in Witherington to this Church as appears by the Charter of Rich. 1. who perhaps
in favour by making a Resignation of his Abbey as many did under the common Seal into the Kings hands Which though I cannot find in the Augmentation Office yet there is a Grant there made by King Henry to Abbot Chambers which confirms me in this opinion It bears date 1 March An. 31 Hen. 8. which was 1540. before the Bishoprick was erected by which it is expressed that the Monastery of Peterburgh being dissolved the King out of his Grace and Favour did grant to the said late Abbot Chambers Two hundred and sixty pound thirteen shillings and four pence per annum during his life with an hundred Load of Wood out of the Woods called Eastwood and Westwood There were Letters which are now lost sent from the Duke of Somerset and others of the Council 1548. to examine the matter in Controversie between the Bishop of Peterburgh and one Acton concerning words pretended to be spoken against the Sacrament and concerning Images in the Church undefaced with Plate sold out of the Town-Church How it ended I cannot find nor have I any thing to add about David Pool who was made Bishop in Queen Mary's time Of Bishop SCAMBLER I might say much more than is in Mr. G. but have not room for it For before those Articles mentioned by Mr. G. there were Injunctions or Ordinations given to the Dean and Chapter by Thomas Yale Dr. of Law and Edward Leeds Licentiate and John Porey Dr. in Divinity being Visitors and Commissaries authorized by the Archbishop of Canterbury to exercise his Metropolitical Visitation c. They were in number Nine publicatae traditae octavo die Januarii 1560. in domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Petriburg The Injunctions also and Articles of Inquiry in several Triennial Visitations of Bishop Scambler are still remaining in the years 1561 1564 1567. in which year I find 21 Injunctions of his to the Dean and Chapter and other Ministers and 1570. In the next Visitation 1573. he delivered no Articles to be enquired of nor more Injunctions but only commanded them to keep their Statutes which were not against the Queens Majesty's Proceedings nor her Visitors c. In the last of these Visitations but one it was that the Tabernacles were taken down in the Ladies Chappel which was not done till the 12. of Elizabeth How this Bishop passed away the Lands of the Bishoprick wherewith King Henry had indowed it Mr. G. hath related in part Others have told us more and that he obtained his Translation to Norwich as a Reward of one of these Grants to a great man at Court RICHARD HOWLAND Bishop They that would read more of the History of Mary Queen of Scots may find a great many memorable things in the Memoires of Sir James Melvil a faithful Servant of hers and of his Country not long ago brought to light Bishop Morton in his Protestant Appeal L. IV. Cap. I. hath given the best account I meet with of that passage which the Apology of the Roman Church took out of Martin Prelate in the Bishop of Lincoln's Sermon at her Funeral which made a great noise among factious people who reported that he prayed his Soul and the Souls of all there present might be with the Soul of the Queen deceased But the truth of the Story he saith was this that the Reverend Bishop now mentioned understanding how that great and honorable personage in the last act of her life renounced all presumption of her own inherent righteousness and wholly affianced her Soul unto Christ in belief to be justified only by his satisfactory Justice did therefore conceive hope of her Salvation by vertue of that Cordial prescribed by the holy Apostle viz. that where sin aboundeth the grace of God doth super-abound Which the Apostle hath ministred for the comfort of every Christian who erring by Ignorance shall by sincere repentance especially for all known sins depart this mortal life having the heel or end of it shod with this preparation of the Gospel of peace not of the new Romish but of the old Catholick Faith which is the faith of all Protestants And this consideration of that our Preacher cannot but worthily condemn the Apologists of partial prejudice who chose rather to be informed concerning that Sermon by as they confess a reproachful traducer and libeller than which they might easily have done by testimony of a thousand temperate and indifferent hearers then present I referr the Reader to Sir John Harrington's brief view of the State of the Church c. for an account of Dr. Fletchers advancement from the Deanry of Peterburgh to the Bishoprick of Bristol and so to London which he himself could not justifie but was forced to cry Herein the Lord be merciful to me THOMAS DOVE The same Sir John Harrington saith he had known this Bishop to have been greatly respected and favoured by Queen Elizabeth and no less liked and approved in the more learned judgment of King James When the Queen first heard him she said she thought the holy Ghost was descended again in this Dove for he was a very eloquent Preacher In his time there was a Font erected in the Body of the Church where none had been before whereof there is this Memorial in the Register Book Baptisterium in Nave Ecclesiae Cathedralis de Burgo Sancti Petri Anno Salutis MDCXV gravissimorum virorum Georgii Dean Meriton meritò istius Ecclesiae Decani reliquorumque tunc temporis Paerbendariorum consilio extructum nam antea nullum in Ecclesia extiterat Reverendissimus in Christo Pater Dominus Thomas de Burgo Sancti Petri Episcopus in magna hominum Corona solenni processione illuc adductus consecravit scilicet Psalmo LXXXIV prius a Choro coetu decantato tum demum piâ eleganti fervidâ precatione Deo suppliciter invocato ut servis suis Baptizantibus Baptizandis omnibusque aliis infantes ad hoc sacrum Christi lavacrum adducentibus spiritu suo in perpetuum adesse velit Hac finita solennitate mox ad Baptismum allatus est venerabilis viri Mri. Jo. annis Bridgeman sacrae Theologiae Doctoris ac serenissimo Jacobo Regi à sacris in ista Ecclesia primam tunc Prebendam occupantis filiolus Qui imposito Henrici nomine sponsoribus praedicto Domino Episcopo Humfrido Orme milite Elizabetha Vxore D. D. Walter Waley in Christi familiam ascriptus est Cui omnibus in posterum baptizandis benedicat Deus Amen I must omit all the rest and only take notice of two or three things of later date which ought not to be forgotten Bishop Laney his benevolence mentioned by Mr. G. was this He gave an hundred Pound toward the repairing one of the great Arches of the Church Porch which was faln down in the late times Dr. Cosins Dean of this Church and after the Kings Restauration made Bishop of Durham by his last Will and Testament gave forty Pound for a Monument to be erected