cruell to cast off were sent by their Masters to such Abbeys where they had plentifull food during their lives Now though some of those Corrodies where the property was altered into a set summe of money was solvable out of the Exchequer after the dissolution of Abbeys yet such which continued in kinde was totally extinct and no such Diet hereafter given where both Table and House were overturned The Premisses proved by instance in the Family of the Berkeleys THe Noble Family of the Berkeleys may well give an Abbots Mitre for the Crest of their Armes because so loving their Nation and building them so many Synagogues Hence it was that partly in right of their Auncestors partly by their Matches with the Co-heirs of the Lord Mowbray and Seagrave in the Vacancies they had a right of Nomination of an Abbot in following Foundations Place Founder Order Value 1. St. Augustines in Bristoll 2. Burton Laus in Leicester shire 3. Byland or Bella-Launda in York sh 4. Chancomb in Northhampton shire 5. Combe in Warwick shire 6. Croxton in Leicester shire 7. Edworth in the Isle of Axholme in Lincoln-shire 8. Fountains 9. Kirkby in Leicestershire 10. Newburge in Yorkshire 1. Robert Fitz-Harding whose posterity assumed the name of Berkeley 2. The Lord Mowbray in the Reign of K. Henry the first 3. Robert de Mowbray Gonnora his Mother 4. Hugh de Anaf Kn t in the time of the Conq. whose Son Robert took the name of Chaâ—comb Annabisia his daughter was married to Gilbert Lord Seagrave 7. Tho Mowbray Earl of Notingham in the Reign of K. Rich. the 2. to which the Mowbrays were grand Benefactors 9. Roger de Beller who held this Manour of the Lord Mowbray 1. Black Canons of the Order of S. Victor 2. Leprous people professing the Order of S. Augustine 6. Premonstratentian Monks 7. Carthusians 9. Canons Regular of S. Augustine l. s. d. ob q. 767.15.3.0.0 458.19.11.1.1 7.290.14 178.7.10 0 1 What shall I speak of the small Houses of Longbridge and Tintern in Gloucestershire not mentioned in Speed the Hospitals of S. Katharine and Mary Maudlins neer Bristol the well endowed Schoole of Wotton Underhedge in Glocester shire besides forty Chanteries founded by the Berkeleys yea I have read in a Manuscript belonging unto them no lesse judiciously than industriously composed by Mr. John Smith who did and received many good offices to and from that Family as is mutually confessed that the forenamed Abbeys and others held of the Lord Berkeley at the dissolution no fewer than eighty Knights fees and payed services unto them accordingly all which are now lost to the value of ten thousand pounds within the compasse of few years 2. Nor will it be amisse to insert Rob. Derby last Abbot of Croxton that Robert Derby the last Abbot of Croxton was presented thereunto April 22. the 26 of King Henry the eighth by Thomas the sixt of that name Lord Berkeley the place being void by the death of one Atter cliffe belonging to his presentation by inheritance And in the Record he commandeth the Prior and Convent to receive and obey him as Abbot Ingratitude to their Founders a grand fault in many Abbeys INgratitude is the abridgement of all basenesse If unthankfull all bad a fault never found unattended with other vitiousness This is justly charged on the account of many Abbeys whose stately structures grew so proud as to forget the Rock whence they were Hewen and the Hole of the Pit whence they were digged unthankfull to such Founders who under God had bestowed their maintenance upon them 2. One instance of many Great bounty Vast was the liberality of the Lord Berkeleys to S. Austins in Bristoll leaving themselves in that their large Estate not one Rectory to which they might present a Chaplaine all the Benefices in their numerous Manours being appropriated to this and other Monasteries Now see the Requitall 3. Maurice Ill required the first of that name Lord Berkeley having occasion to make the ditch about his Castle the broader for the better fortifying thereof took in some few feet of ground out of Berkeley Church-yard which Church with the Tithes thereof his Ancestors had conferred on the aforesaid Monastery The Abbot beholding this as a great trespasse or rather as a little sacriledge so prosecuted the aforesaid Lord with Church-censures that he made him in a manner cast the dirt of the ditch in his own face inforcing him to a publick confession of his fault and to give Five shillings rent for ever with some Tithes and Pasture for as many Oxen as would till a Plow-land by the words of his Will Pro emendatione culpa meae de fossato quod feci de Coemiterio de Berkeley circa castellum meum 4. I know it will be pleaded for the Abbot that there is as much right in an inch as in an ell Summum jâ—â— that he was a Fiduciary intrusted to defend the rights of his Covent that Founders Heirs are not priviledged to doe injuries yea they of all persons most improper to take back what their Ancestors have given However the Lords incroachment on the Church-yard being in a manner done in his own defence the thing in it self so small and the merit of his Ancestors so great to that Abbey might have met with that meeknesse which should be in the brests of all Spirituall persons to abate his rigorous prosecution against him 5. Thomas the first Lord Berkeley of that name Another instance of ingratitude found little better usage from the Abbot of S. Austines though he had formerly besides confirmation of many Lands conferred on that Convent pasture for Twenty four Oxen discharging also their Lands lying within certain of his Manours from all Services and Earthly demands onely to remember him and his in their prayers yet did that Abbot and Convent implead him before the Popes Delegates for Tythes of Paunage of his Woods for Tythes of his Fishing and of his Mills The Lord removed the Suit to Common Law as challenging the sole power to regulate Modum Dicimandi And now when all was ready for a Tryall before the Judge irinerant at Gloucester it was compounded by Friends on such Terms as the Abbot in effect gained his desire 6. Indeed A cause of their â—uine so odious and obvious was the unthankfulnesse of some Convents that it is reputed by some the most meritorious Cause of their Dissolution and their doing things without and against the Will of their Founders is instanced in the * For the dissolution of Chanteries Colledges 37 of Hen. 8. cap. 4. An overwise conceit Statute as a main Motive to take them away 7. Some who pretend to a Prometheus wit fondly conceive that the Founders of Abbeys might politickly have prevented their dissolution had they inserted a provision in their Foundations That in case Abbey Lands should be alienated to other uses against or besides the Owners intents then such
and the City of Jerusalem from the Turks in Palestine 9. Having formerly written an whole Book of the Holy War An account of our design and particularly of King Richards atchievements therein 1190 I intend here no repetition 1. Onely our design is to give a Catalogue of some of our English Nobility who adventured their persons in the Holy War and whose Male-Posterity is eminently extant at this day I have known an excellent Musician whom no Arguments could perswade to play until hearing a Bungler scrape in the company he snatch'd the Instrument out of his hand in indignation that Musick should be so much abused then turned and played upon it himself My project herein is that giving in an imperfect list of some few noble Families who ingaged themselves in this service It will so offend some eminent Artist hitherto silent in this kinde that out of disdain he will put himself upon so honourable a work deserving a Gentleman who hath Lands Learning and leisure to undertake so costly intricate and large a subject for the honor of our Nation And be it premised that to prevent all cavils about precedency first come first serv'd I shall Marshal them in no other method but as in my studies I have met with the mention of them 10. To begin with the place of my present habitation Anno Regis Rich. prim 1. one Hugh Nevil attended King Richard into the Holy War Anno Dom. 1190 and anciently lieth buried in a Marble Monument Nevil Kill Lion his performance in Palestine in the Church of Waltham Abbey in Essex whereof no remainders at this day This Hugh Nevil being one of the Kings special samiliars slew a Lion in the Holy Land first driving an arrow into his Breast and then running him through with his sword on whom this Verse was made a Mat. Paris Anno Dom 1222. Viribus Hugonis vires periêre Leonis The strength of Hugh A Lion slew If Benaiah the son of Jehoiadah was recounted the fifth amongst Davids worthies for b 2 Sam. 23. 20. killing a Lion in the middest of a pit in the time of snow surely on the same reason this bold and brave Baron Hugh ought to be entred into the Catalogue of the Heroes of his Soveraign But I cannot give credit to c Weavers Fun. Mon. pag. 644. his report who conceiveth that the Atchievement of the man was translated to his Master And that on this occasion King Richard the first got the name of Cordelion or Lions Heart 11. This Hugh Nevil gave the Manor of d Registrum Cart Abbat de Waltham Thorndon to Waltham Abby Ancesters to the Noble numerous Nevils and was Ancester of the Noble and numerous Family of the Nevils to which none in England equal for Honor Wealth and number in the later end of King Henry the sixth though at this day the Lord Abergavenny be the only Baron thereof He gave for his Armes a Cross Saltire or the Cross of S t Andrew probably assuming it in the Holy War For though I confess this is not the proper Cross of Hierusalem yet was it highly esteemed of all those who adventured thither as may appear in that all Knights-Templers make such Saltire Cross with their Thwarted Leggs upon their Monuments 12. Giralde de Talbote succeeds in the second place Giralde de Talbote whence the house of Shrewsbury When Articles were drawn up between our King Richard in his passage to Palestine and Tancred King of Sicily for the mutual observation of many Conditions betwixt them He put in upon their Oaths for his Sureties a Grand-Jury of his principal Subjects then present viz. two Arch-Bishops two Bishops and twenty other of his Prime Nobility expressed in his Letters e R. Hoveden pars poster 〈◊〉 in Rich. primo Patents Besides many other whose names were concealed Of these twenty the aforesaid Girald de Talbote is the first whose Male Issue and Name is extant at this day flourishing in the Right Honourable Family of the Earls of Shrewsbury 13. Next amongst the Royal Jurors as I may term them was Guarrin Fitz-Girald Guarrin Fitz Girald from whom the Earls of Kildare and Barons of Windsor from whom are descended the Fitz Giralds in Ireland where their name is in some places Provincial of whom the Earl of Kildare is chief A memorial of their service in Palestine is preserved in their Armes giving Argent a Cross Saltire Gules Here it must be remembred that the valiant sprightly Gentleman Hickman Lord Windsor is descended from the same f See Camd. Brit. in Berkshire Male Ancestors with the Fitz Giralds as Robert Glover a most exquisite Herald doth demonstrate though according to the fashion of that age altering his old and assuming a new name from Windsor the place of his office and Command This Lord Windsor carrieth the Badg of his Service in his Arms being essentially the same with the Earl of Kildares save that the colours are varied the field Gules and cross Saltire Argent betwixt twelve Crosses crossed OR Which Coat seemingly sursited was conceived in that age the more healthful for the same the more Crossed the more Blessed being the Devotion of those dayes 14. Four other Gentlemen of quality remain mentioned in that Parent A Quaternion more of adventures William de Curcy Father to John the valiant Champion and Conqueror of Ireland Robert de Novo Burgo Hugh le Brain and Amaury de Mountford of all whom formerly in our Alphabetical Comment on Abby Roll. Anno Dom. 1191. Anno Regis Rich. Prim. 2. 15. At the siege of Acres or Ptolemais the Grave General of the Christian Army amongst many Worthies dying there within the compass of one year Ingleram 〈◊〉 his posterity I finde a 〈…〉 pag. 655. Ingelram de Fiennes to be slain from whom the Lord Viscount Say and Seal and the Lord Dacres of the South derive their discent But most visible are the remains of the Holy War in the atchievement of Theophilus Finnes alias Clinton Earl of Lincoln giving in the lower parts of his shield in a field Argent six Crosses crossed Fitchee Sable denoting the stability and firmness of his Ancestors in that service 16. Also at the aforesaid Siege of Acres Radulphus De Alta ripa Radulphus de Alta ripa Arch-Deacon of Colchester ended his life Now although because a Clergy-man he could not then leave any lawful Issue behinde him Yet we may be confident that the Ancient Family De Alta ripa or Dautry still continuing in b Camd. Brit. ibid. Sussex were of his Alliance 17. Before we leave the Siege of Acres let me refresh the Reader with my innocent and give me leave to say provable mistake A mistake freely confest I conceived the Noble Family of the Lord Dacres took their Sir-name from some service there performed confirmed in my conjecture 1. Because the
installed Priors some voted as Barons in Parliament whereof formerly as the Prior of Canterbury and Coventrie But when the Abbot was Superintendent there the person termed Prior was his subordinate who in his absence in mitred Abbeys by courtesie was saluted the Lord Prior. 3. Secondly The Sub-Prior the Sub-Prior as Hugo Balciam Sub-Prior of Elie Founder of Peter-House Quaere whether any complement descended so low as to Lord the Sub-Prior in the absence of the Prior and Abbot As for the third Prior and fourth Prior for such Diminutives c In the subscri of the Chron. of the August of Cant. p. 2294. appear they come not within the suspition of so much favour 4. Thirdly The Secretary the Secretary who was the Register Auditour and Chancellour of the Covent it being proper to his place to write and return Letters and manage the most learned employments in the Monastery 5. With him the Camerarius The Chamberlain or Chamberlain may seem to contest for precedency as keeping the keyes of the Treasury issuing out and receiving in all considerable summes of money in which notion the Chamberlaine of London holdeth his name 6. Fiftly The Cellerer the Cellarius or Cellerarius a Place of more power and profit than the name may seem to import He was the Burser who bought in all provisions and appointed the pittances for the severall Monks and in some Houses he was d John Brakeland Secundus Pater in Monasterio as in the Abbey of Burie where a large part of the Buildings was assigned for his Residence and Lands for his Maintenance These Cellerers were brave blades much affecting Secular gallantry For I finde it e Burchard inde Index Gâ—s 8. Gal. complained of that they used to swagger with their swords by their sides like lay-Gentlemen 7. The remaining Officers are best reckoned up by the Canonical rooms as I may term them in an Abbey The Gate-house each giving denomination to him who had the inspection thereof I begin with the Gate-house and its relative the Porter an office I assure you of some trust in an Abbey to know what guests and when especially at the postern are to be admitted thereunto The Refectory 8. The next room is the Refectorium and Refectorius the f Chron. August Cant. p. 2294. Controller thereof It was the Hall wherein the Monks dined together and sometimes the Abbot on great solemnities graced them with his presence when he had g In Vitis p. 141. Vastellum that is not common bread but vastell bread h See Glossarie of Will. Somner or simnels for his diet 9. Adjoyning to it was the Locutorium The Parlour or Parlour because there leave was given for the Monks to discourse who were enjoyned silence elsewhere Thus we read how Paul the fourteenth Abbot of S. Albans made it penal for any to talk in the Cloister Church Refectory or Dormitory 10. The Oriol Oriolium i In Vitis p. 100. or the Oriol was the next room Why so called some of the name-sake Colledge in Oxford are best able to satisfie Sure I am that small excursion out of Gentlemen's Halls in Dorcetshire respect it East or West is commonly called an Orial The use hereof is known for Monks who were in latitudine morbi rather distempered than diseased to dine therein it being cruelty to thrust such into the Infirmarie where they might have died with the conceit of the sicknesse of others 11. Dormitorium The Dormitorie the Dormitorie where they all slept together it being ordered in the Councel k Sub Ludov. Imp. Au. 816. cap. 134. of Aquisgrane Nisi in Dormitorio cum caeteris absque causae inevitabili nemo dormire praesumpserit 12. Lavatorium succeeds The Laundry generally called the Laundrey where their clothes were washed Haply it was also the place such in the West-side of Westminster-cloysters where all the Monks at the Conduit washed their hands there being as much good fellowship in washing as eating together 13. Scriptorium remains a room where the Chartularius was busied in writing especially employed in the transcribing of these Books Their 1. Ordinals containing the Rubrick of their Missal and Directorie of their Priests in Service 2. Consuetudinals presenting the antient customs of their Covents 3. Troparies 4. Collectaries wherein the Ecclesiastical Collects were fairly written 14. Next this the Librarie The Library which most great Abbeys had exactly furnished with variety of choice Manuscripts 15. All is marred if the Kitchin be omitted The Kitchin so essential a requisite in an Abbey with the Larder and Pantrey the necessary suburbs thereof 16. Come we now their Abbey-Church The severall parts in the Church where we first meet their 1. Cloisters consecrated ground as appeares by their solemne Sepultures therein 2. Navis Ecclesiae or Body of the Church 3. Gradatorium a distance containing the ascent out of the former into the Quire 4. Presbyterium or the Quire on the right side whereof was the Stall of the Abbot and his on the lefe side the Prior and his moiety of Monks who alternately chaunted the Responsals in the Service 5. Vestiarium the Vestiarie where their Copes and Clothes were deposited 6. A Vaulta l In Vitis pag. 225. a Vault being an arched-room over part of the Church which in some Abbeys as S. Albans was used to enlarge their Dormitorie where the Monks had twelve beds for their repose 7. Concameratio being an arched-room betwixt the East-end of the Church and the m In Viâ—â—s pag. 521. High Altar so that in Procession they might surround the same founding their fancie on n Psal 26. 6. David's expression and so will I compass thine Altar O Lord. As for the other Rooms of the Church Cerarium where their wax candles were kept Campanile their Steeple Polyandrium the Church-yard and sometime the Charnel-house let such be consulted with who have written large Volumes on this subject who will also inform them of the Dignities and Duties of the Praecentor Sacrist Sub-sacrist Capellane Ostiarie Vestiarie Ceroferarie c. belonging thereunto The remaining Rooms of an Abbey stood a distance from the main structure thereof To begin with the best first Eleëmosynaria or the Almorie being a building neer or within the Abbey wherein poor and impotent persons did live maintained by their Charity 17. Secondly The Centurie Sanctuarium of the Centurie wherein Debtours taking refuge from their Creditours Malefactours from the Judge lived the more the pity in all security 18. Thirdly The Firmorie Infirmarium or the Firmorie the Curatour whereof Infirmarius wherein persons down-right sick trouble to others and troubled by others if lodging in the Dormitorie had the benefit of Physick and attendance private to themselves No Lent or Fasting-dayes came ever the threshold of this roome Sicknesse being a Dispensation for the eating of Flesh It was punishable for any to eate therein
the Ignorant with much Veneration Now at the dissolution of Abbeys it was brought up to London and burnt at the Gallows in Smithfield with Fryer Forrest executed for a Traytor 13. A Prophecie was current in the Abbey of Glassenborough Haret Delphinus in ulmo That a Whiting should swim on the top of the Torr thereof which is a steep hill hard by and the credulous Countrey people understood it of an eruption of the Sea which they suspected accordingly It happened that Abbot Whiting the last of Glassenbury was hanged thereon for his Recusancy to Surrender the Abbey and denying the King's Supremacy so swimming in aire and not water and waved with the winde in the place 14. We will close all with the Propheticall Mottoes at leastwise as men since have expounded them of the three last successive Abbots of Glocester Propheticall Mottoes inscribed in Glocester Church because much of modesty and something of piety contained therein 1. Abbot Boulers Memento memento that is as some will have it Remember remember this Abbey must be dissolved 2. Abbot Sebruck Fiat voluntas Domini that is if it must be dissolved the will of the Lord be done 3. Abbot Mauborn Mersos reatâ— suscita Raise up those which are drowned in guiltiness Which some say was accomplished when this Abbey found that favour from King Henry the eighth to be raised into a Bishoprick But I like the Text better than the Coment and there is more humility in their Mottoes than solidity in the Interpretations That many precious Books were embezeled at the dissolution of Abbeys to the irreparable losse of learning THe English Monks were bookish of themselves English Libraries excellently furnished and much inclined to hoord up monuments of learning Britain we know is styled Another world and in this contradistinction though incomparably lesse in quantity acquits it self well in proportion of famous Writers producing almost as many Classical School-men for her Natives as all Europe besides Other excellent Books of forraign Authors were brought hither purchased at dear rates if we consider that the Presse which now runs so incredibly fast was in that Age in her infancie newly able to goe alone there being then few Printed Books in comparison of the many Manuscripts These if carefully collected and methodically compiled would have amounted to a Librarie exceeding that of Ptolomie's for plenty or many Vaticans for choicenesse and rarity Yea had they been transported beyond the seas sent over and sold entire to such who knew their value and would preserve them England's losse had been Europe's gain and the detriment the lesse to Learning in generall Yea many years after the English might have repurchased for pounds what their Grand-fathers sold for fewer pence into forraign parts 2. But alas The miserable martyrdome of innocent Books those Abbeys were now sold to such Chap-men in whom it was questionable whether their ignorance or avarice were greater and they made havock and destruction of all As Broakers in Long-lane when they buy an old suit buy the lineings together with the out-side so it was conceived meet that such as purchased the buildings of Monasteries should in the same grant have the Libraries the stuffing thereof conveyed unto them And now these ignorant owners so long as they might keep a Lieger-book or Terrier by direction thereof to finde such stragling acres as belonged unto them they cared not to preserve any other Monuments The covers of books with curious brasse bosses and claspes intended to protect proved to betray them being the baits of covetousness And so many excellent Authors stripp'd out of their cases were left naked to be burnt or thrown away Thus Esop's cock casually lighting on a pearl preferr'd a grain before it yet he left it as he found it and as he reaped no profit by the pearl it received no damage by him Whereas these cruell Cormorants with their barbarous beaks and greedy claws rent tore and tatter'd these inestimable pieces of Antiquity Who would think that the Fathers should be condemn'd to such servile employment as to be Scavengers to make clean the foulest sink in mens bodies Yea which is worse many an antient manuscript Bible cut in pieces to cover filthy Pamphlets so that a case of Diamond hath been made to keep dirt within it yea the Wisemen of Gotham bound up in the Wisdome of Solomon 3. But hear how John Bale John Bale lamentably bemoaneth thâ—â—massacre a man sufficiently averse from the least shadow of Popery hating all Monkery with a perfect hatred complained hereof to King Edward the sixt a In his Declaration upon Leland's Journall Anno 1549. Covetousnesse was at that time so busie about private commodity that publick Wealth in that most necessary and of respect was not any where regarded A number of them which purchased those superstitious mansions reserved of those Library-books some to serve their jakes some to scour their candlesticks and some to rub their boots some they sold to the Grocers and Sope sellers and some they sent over sea to the Book binders not in small number but at times whole ships full Yea the Universities of this Realme are not all clear in this detestable fact But cursed is that belly which seeketh to be fed with so ungodly gains and so deeply shameth his naturall Countrey I know a Merchant-man which shall at this time be namelesse that bought the contents of two noble Libraries for fourty shillings price a shame it is to be spoken This stuffe hath he occupied instead af gray paper by the space of more than these ten years and yet he hath store enough for as many years to come A prodigious example is this and to be abhorred of all men which love their Nations as they should doe Yea what may bring our Realm to more shame and rebuke than to have it noised abroad that we are despisers of learning I judge this to be true and utter it with heavinesse that neither the Britains under the Romans and Saxons nor yet the English people under the Danes and Normans had ever such damage of their learned monuments as we have seen in our time Our posterity may well curse this wicked fact of our Age this unreasonable spoil of Englands most noble antiquities 4. What soul can be so frozen Learning recelveth an incurable wound by the losse of books as not to melt into anger hereat What heart having the least spark of ingenuiry is not hot at this indignity offered to literature I deny not but that in this heap of Books there was much rubbish Legions of lying Legends good for nothing but fewell whose keeping would have caused the losse of much pretious time in reading them I confesse also there were many volumes full fraught with superstition which notwithstanding might be usefull to learned men except any will deny Apothecaries the priviledge of keeping poison in their shops when they can make antidotes of them But be
Venerable Bede 167 14 Henry of Erphurt 169 15 Annals of Lichfield 175 16 Marianus Scotus 177 17 Ralph de Balduâ— 178 18 Iohn Bale 179 19 Polydor Virgil. Anno Dom. 108 182 20 Chron. Brit. Abbrev. 183 21 Roger de VVendover 184 22 Matth. Paris Westminster 185 23 Hector Boethius 187 24 Martin Polonus 188 25 Saxon Annals 189 26 Iohn Harding 190 Here is more then a Grand-Iury of Writers which neither agree in their Verdicts with their Fore-man nor one with another there being betwixt the first the last Paulus Iovius Iohn Harding ninetie years distance in their Account This with other Arguments is used not onely to shake but shatter the whole reputation of the Story And we must endeavour to clear this Objection before we go farther which is shrewdly pressed by many For if the two Elders which accused Susanna were condemned for Liars being found in two Tales the one laying the Scene of her Incontinency under a a Susanna verse 54. and 58. Mastick-tree the other under an Holme-tree why may not the Relation of Lucius be also condemned for a Fiction seeing the Reporters thereof more differ in Time then the forenamed Elders in Place seeing when and where are two circumstances both equally important and concerning in History to the Truth of any action 3. But we answere The History of K. Lucius not disproved by the dissension of Authors concerning the time thereof That however Learned men differ in the Date they agree in the Deed. They did set themselves so to heed the Matter as of most moment being the Soul and Substance of History that they were little curious not to say very careless in accurate noting of the Time which being well observed doth not onely add some lustre but much strength to a relation And indeed all Computation in the Primitive time is very uncertain there being then and a good while after an Anarchy as I may terme it in Authours their reckoning of years because men were not subject to any one soveraign Rule in accounting the year of our Lord but every one followed his own Arithmetick to the great confusion of History and prejudice of Truth In which age though all start from the same place our Saviour's Birth yet running in severall ways of account they seldome meet together in their dating of any memorable Accident Worthie therefore was his work whoever he was who first calculated the Computation we use at this day and so set Christendome a Copy whereby to write the date of actions which since being generally used hath reduced Chronology to a greater Certainty 4. As for their Objection Lucius might be a British King under the Roman Monarchy That Lucius could not be a King in the South of Britain because it was then reduced to be a Province under the Roman Monarchy It affects not any that understand how it was the Roman b Veâ—us jampridem recepta populi Romani consuetudo ut haberet instrumenta â—ervitutis Reges Tacitus in vita Agricolae custome both to permit and appoint Pettie Kings in several Countries as Antiochus in Asia Herod in Iudea Dtotaurus in Sicilie who under them were invested with Regal Power Dignity And this was conceived to conduce to the state and amplitude of their Empire Yea the German Emperour at this day Successour to the Roman Monarchy is stiled Rex Regum as having many Princes and particularly the King of Bohemia Homagers under him As for other inconsistents with truth which depend as Retainers on this Relation of King Lucius they prove not that this whole Story should be refused but refined Which calleth aloud to the Discretion of the Reader to fan the Chaffe from the Corne and to his Industry to rub the Rust from the Gold which almost of necessity will cleave to matters of such Antiquity Thus conceiving that for the main we have asserted King Lucius we come to relate his History as we finde it 5. He being much taken with the Miracles which he beheld truly done by pious Christians Lucius sendeth to the Bishop of Rome to be instructed in Christianity fell in admiration of 167 and love with their Religion and sent Elvanus and Meduinus men of known Piety and Learning in the Scriptures to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome with a Letter requesting several things of him but principally that he might be instructed in the Christian Faith The reason why he wrote to Rome was because at this time the Church therein was she can ask no more we grant no less the most eminent Church in the World shining the brighter Anno Dom. 167 because set on the highest Candle-stick the Imperial City We are so far from grudging Rome the Happiness she once had that we rather bemoan she lost it so soon degenerating from her primitive Purity The Letter which Lucius wrote is not extant at this day and nothing thereof is to be seen save onely by reflection as it may be collected by the Answer returned by Eleutherius which such an one as it is it will not be amisse here to insert 6. Ye require of us the Roman Laws This translation of the letter of Eleutherius is transcribed out of Bishop Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops and the Emperours to be sent over unto you which you would practice and put in ure within your Realm The Roman Laws and the Emperours we may ever reprove but the Law of God we may not Ye have received of late through Gods mercy in the Kingdom of Britain the Law and Faith of Christ Ye have with you within the Realm both parts of the Scriptures out of them by Gods grace with the Councell of the Realm take ye a Law and by that Law through Gods sufference rule your Kingdome of Britain There is some variety between this and that of M r. Fox For you be God's Vicar in your Kingdom The Lords is the Earth and the fulness of the world and all that dwell in it And again according to the Prophet that was a King Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity therefore God hath anointed thee with the Oile of gladness above thy fellows And again according to the same Prophet O God give Iudgement unto the King and thy Righteousness unto the Kings Sonne He said not the judgement and righteousness of the Emperour but thy Iudgement and Righteousness The Kings Sonnes be the Christian people and folk of the Realm which be under your Government and live and continue in peace within your Kingdome As the Gospel saith Like as the Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings so doth the King his people The people and the folk of the Realm of Britain be yours whom if they be divided ye ought to gather in concord and peace to call them to the Faith and Law of Christ to cherish and a In the Latin it is Manu tenere maintain them to rule and govern them so as
1238. Ran. Cistrensis l. ult c. 34. T. Walsingham in Hypodigm Nenstriae Oxford took up his Lodging in the Abbey of Osney To him the Scholars in Oxford sent a Present of Victuals before dinner and after dinner came to tender their attendance unto him The Porter being an Italian demanded their business who answered him that they came to wait on the Lord Legate promising themselves a courteous Reception having read in b Prov. 18. 16. Ill requited Scripture A man's gift maketh room for him though here contrary to expectation they were not received Call it not Clownishness in the Porter because bred in the Court of Rome but carefulnesse for the safety of his Master 13. But whilst the Porter held the Doore in a dubious posture betwixt open and shut the Scholars forced their entrance In this juncture of time it unluckily happened that a poor Irish Priest begged an Almes in whose face the Clark of the Kitchin cast scalding-water taken out of the Caldron A Welsh Clerk beholding this bent his Bow by this time the Scholars had got VVeapons and shot the Clark of the Kitchin stark dead on the place 14. This Man thus killed The Legate's Brother kill'd by the Scholars of Oxford was much more then his plain place promised him to be as no meaner then the Brother of the Legate himself who being suspicious O how jealous is guiltinesse that he might find Italy in England and fearing to be poisoned appointed his Brother to over-see all food for his own eating And now the three Nations of Irish Welsh and English fell down-right on the Italians The Legate fearing as they came from the same VVombe to be sent to the same Grave with his Brother Anno Dom. 1238 secured himself fast locked up in the Tower of Osney Church Anno Regis Henrici 3. 22. and there â—at still and quiet all attired in his Canonicall Cope 15. But he it seems The Legate flies to the King trusted not so much to his Canonicall Cope as the Sable Mantle of Night under the Protection whereof he got out with a Guide to make his escape not without danger of drowning in the dark being five times to crosse the River then swelling with late rain as much as the Scholars with anger He made Fordes where he found none all known passages being way-laid and heard the Scholars following after railing on and calling him Vsurer Simoniack Deceiver of the Prince Oppressour of the people c. whilst the Legate wisely turned his Tongue into Heeles spurring with might and main to Abington where the Court then lay Hither he came being out of all breath and Patience so that entring the King's presence his Tears and Sighs were fain to relieve his Tongue not able otherwise to expresse his Miseries whom the King did most affectionatly compassionate 16. And now Woe to the poor Clergy of Oxford Oxford in a sad condition when both temporall and spirituall Armes are prepared against them Next day the King sent the Earle Warren with Forces against them and a double Commission Eripere arripere to deliver the remainder of the Italians little better then besieged in Osney Abbey and to seize on the Scholars of whom thirty with one Othe Legista forward it seems in the Fray against the Legate his Name-sake were taken Prisoners and sent like Felons bound in Carts to VValling ford-prison and other places of Restraint 17. Nor was the Legate lazy the while Interdicted by the Legate but summoning such Bishops as were nearest him interdicted the Vniversity of Oxford and excommunicated all such as were partakers in the Tumult which were not the young fry of Scholars but Clerks in Order and many of them Beneficed and now deprived of the profit of their Livings 18. From Abington the Legate removed to London Who returns to London lodging at Durham-house in the Strand the King commanding the Major of London to keep him as the Apple of his eye with watch and ward constantly about him Hither he assembled the Bishops of the Land to consider and consult about Reparation for so high an Affront 19. The Bishops pleaded hard for the Vniversity of Oxford as being the place wherein most of them had their Education The Bishops interecede for the University They alledged it was Secunda Ecclesia a second Church being the Nursery of Learning and Religion They pleaded also that the Churlishnesse of the Porter let in this sad Accident increased by the Indiscretion of those in his own Family adding also that the Clerks of Oxford had deeply smarted by their long Durance and Sufferings for their fault therein 20. Mollified with the Premisses All are reconciled the Legate at last was over-intreated to pardon the Clergy of Oxford on their solemn Submission which was thus performed They went from S t. Paul's in London to Durham-house in the Strand no short Italian but an English long Mile all on foot the Bishops of England for the more State of the Businesse accompanying them as partly accessary to their fault for pleading in their behalf When they came to the Bishop of Carlile's now VVorcester house the Scholars went the rest of their way bare-foot sine Capis Mantulis which some understand without Capes or Cloaks And thus the great Legate at last was really reconciled unto them 21. The mention of the house of the Bishop of Carlile Bishops ancient Innes in London minds me how anciently every Bishop as all principall Abbots had a House belonging to their See commonly called their Inne for them to lodge in when their occasions summoned them to London Not to mention those which still retain their Names as VVinchester Durham Ely c. We will only observe such which are swallowed up into other Houses conceiving it charitable to rescue their Memory from Oblivion House Salisbury S t. Davids Chichester Exeter Bath and Wells Landaf VVorcester Lichfi Convent Carlile Norwich York Hereford Place Fleet-street North of Bride wel Chancery lane By Temple-bar Strand Strand Strand Strand Strand Strand VVestminster Old Fish-street hill Built by Ralph Nevil Bishop of Chichester Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter Walter Lancton Bishop of Chester Ralph de Maydenction B p. of Heref. Turned into Dorcet House Small Tenements Lincolns Inne Essex House Arundel House Somerset House Somerset House Somerset House VVorcester House York House VVhite-hall A Sugar-maker ' s House I question whether the Bishop of Rochester whose Country-House at Brumlay is so nigh had ever a House in the City Let others recover the rest from Oblivion a hard task I believe they are so drowned in private Houses O let us secure to our selves a Luke 16. 9. everlasting habitations A valiant offer seing here no abiding mansion 22. Come we now to present the Reader with another offer of the Kings I fear it was not much more to represse Papal oppression b Pat. 25. of Henry the third mem
justly slain and their numerous rabble routed and dispersed In other remarkables Cade differed from Jack Straw First Straw defied all Nobility and Learning vowing and endeavouring their ruine and extirpation whilest Cade pretended himself to be the Lord Mortimer and next heir to the Crown and no design against Learning is charged on his account Lastly Straws Rebellion is though most falsly fathered by Popish writers on Wicliff and his adherents to have occasioned at leastwise connived at his commotion but I never met yet with any Romanists accusing the Lollards as they term them for having any hand in Cades Rebellion 23. Now began the broyls to break out betwixt the two houses of Lancaster and York The wars begin betwixt York and Lancaster so mutually heightened 1455. that scarce a County betwixt York the place whence generally their Armies started and London 34. the Goal they both aimed to win but a set Battle hath been sought therein and if any one Shire lieth fallow in this kinde the next afforded a double crop in that nature besides other Counties in the Marches of Wales as by the ensuing Catalogue will appear Place Betwixt Time Number slain Conqueror 1. S t Albans in Hertfordshire Richard Duke of York and King Henry the 6 th for Lancaster Anno 1455. and 34 th of King Hen. 6. in June Slain on the Kings side five thousand On the the Dukes six hundred York House 2. Blore-heath in Staffordshire Rich. Earl of Salisbury for York James Touchet L. Audley for Lanc. Anno 1469. the 37 th of Hen. 6. Septemb 21. Two thousand 4 hundred most Coshire men slain on Lancast side York House 3. Northampton Anno Regis Hen. 6 34. Richard Earl of Warwick Anno Dim 1459. for York King Hen. 6. for Lancaster Anno 1460. 38 Hen. 6. 9 July Ten thousand slain and drowned on both sides York House 4. Wakefield in Yorkshire Richard Duke of York Queen Margaret for Lancaster In the same year Decem. 31. Two thousand two hundred slain on York side with their Duke Lancaster 5. Mortimors Cross in Shropshire Edward Earl of March afterwards King for York Anno 1461. 39 Hen. 6. Feb. 2. Three thousand eight hundred slain on Lancaster side York House 6. S t Albans in Hertfordshire Richard Earl of Warwick for York King Henry and Margaret his wife in person for Lancaster The same year and moneth 17 Feb. About two thousand on both sides Lancaster 7. Towton in Nottingham-shire Edward Earl of March for York King Hen. 6. Same year March 27. being Palm-Sunday Thirty five thousand ninety and one on both sides York House 8. Hexham in Northumberland John Nevil Lord Montague King Hen. 6. and the Queen Anno 1464. 4 Edw. 4. May 15. Number great but uncertain York House 9. Banbury or Edgcot in the confines of Oxford and Northampton shire William Herbert Earl of Pembroke for York Robbin of Ridsdale alias Hilliard for Lancaster Anno 1469. 9 Edw. 4. July 26. Five thousand slain in the place most of them Welchmen Lancaster 10. Barnet in Middlesex Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick for Lancaster King Edw. 4. for York Anno 1471. 11 Edw. 4. April 14. being Easter-day Four thousand slain on both sides York House 11. Tewxbubury in Glocestershire King Edw. 4. for York Queen Margaret and Edward her son for Lancaster In the same year on the 4 th of May. Three thousand slain of the House Lancaster York House 12. Bosworth in Leicester-shire King Rich. 3. for York Henry Earl of Richmond for Lancaster Anno 1485. 3 Rich. 3. August 22. About 4 thousand slain in all Lancaster Place Betwixt Anno Regis Hen. 6 34. Time Number slain Conqueror 13. Stoak in Notingham-shire John Delapole Earl of Lincoln for York King Hen. 7. for Lancaster Anno 1487. 2 King Hen. 7. June 16. About four thousand wherof many Irish slain on both sides Lancaster or rather the two houses united in King Henry the 7 th Besides many other Skirmishes corrivals with Battles so that such who consider the bloud lost therein would admire England had any left And such as observe how much it had left would wonder it had any lost such still the populousness thereof But these things the Reader may best inform himself of 1459 out of the State-Historians 37. and particularly out of that Noble Italian Author elegantly and expressively translated by the Earl of Monmouth who hath written a large Volume to the great credit of our English Nation of the wars betwixt York and Lancaster So that I could heartily wish that some English man in requital of his courtesie would write the Italian discords betwixt the Guelphes and Guibelines 24. It was much Magdalen College in Oxford Founded by Bishop Wainfleet that in the middest of so many miseries of Civil Wars William sir-named Patin from his Parents but Wainefleet from the place of his nativity now Bishop of Winchester should Found the fair Colledg Dedicated to Mary Magdalen in Oxford for One President Fourty Fellows Thirty Demies Four Chaplains Eight Clerks and Sixteen Choristers which number can never be increased But though this Foundation cannot be made broader or longer admit of more members yet may it be made deeper and is capable of Benefactours charity to augment the maintenance of the aforesaid number This William Wainefleet first Founded Magdalen-Hall hard by as Scriveners use to try their pens on a small piece of paper before they begin what they fairly intend to write and afterwards undertook and finished this far more stately piece of Architecture For whoso observeth the magnificence of the structure the numerousness of the Corporation the largeness of their endowments and the mutual concinnity of all parts amongst themselves therein may possibly finde out a College which may exceed it in some but hardly any that will equal it in all accommodations Where nothing is wanting for health and pleasure except some will say that Mary Maudlin weepeth too much and the walks sometimes too wet and moist from the depressed situation thereof 25. Nor hath this House been less fruitfull then any with famous persons The many Worthies bred therein and it is observable that there is scarce a Bishoprick in England to which this College hath not afforded one Prelate at the least doubling her files in some places as by the ensuing Catalogue will appear Presidents Anno Regis Hen 6 37. M r William Horneley Anno Dom. 1459. M r William Tybbard M r Rich. Mayewe M r John Clarmund M r Knolles M r Oglethorp M r Cole M r Coveney M r Laur. Humfride D r Nich. Bond. D r Jo. Harding D r William Langton D r Accept Frewen D r John Oliver D r Jo. Wilkinson D r Tho. Godwin Benefactors King Henry the seventh Thomas Ingledue Chaplain to the Founder William Fitz-Allen Earl of Arundel John Forman D r Higden Jo. Claimund Pref. Robert Morewent John Mullins Arch-Deac of London D r John Warner
his plain Prayer which he immediately after made His Prayer whereby his Speech may be interpreted too long here to insert but set down at large in Mr. Fox and which speaketh him a true Protestant And if negative Arguments avail ought in this matter no superstitious crossing of himself no praying to Saints no desiring of prayers for him after his death c. may evidence him no Papist in the close of his life Indeed Anti-Cromwellists count this controversie of the Religion he died in not worth the deciding no Papists conceiving the gain great to get him on their side and some Protestants accounting the losse as little to part with him However this right ought to be done to his Memory in fixing it on its own principles and not mis-representing the same to posterity 28. Remarkable is that passage in his Speech Heaven is just in Barths injustice wherein he confesseth himself by Law condemned to die because a story dependeth thereupon Not long agoe an Act had passed in Parliament That one might be attainted of Treason by Bill in Parliament and consequently lose his life without any other legal triall or being ever brought to answer in his own defence The Lord Cromwell was very active in procuring this Law to passe insomuch that it is generally believed that the Arme and Hammer of all King Henry's Power could never have driven on this Act thorough both Houses had not Cromwell first wimbled an hole for the entrance thereof and politickly prepared a major part of Lords and Commons to accept the same For indeed otherwise it was accounted a Law injurious to the liberty which reason alloweth to all persons accused and which might cut out the tongue of Innocency it self depriving her of pleading in her own behalf Now behold the hand of Heaven It hapned that this Lord first felt the smart of this rod which be made for others and was accordingly condemned before ever he was heard to speak for himself Nec lex est justior ulla Quam necis artifices arte perire suâ Most just it is that they bad Laws who make Should themselves first of their own Laws partake Thus those who break down the banks and let in the stream of Arbitrary power be it into the hands of Prince or People are commonly the first themselves which without pity are drowned in the deluge thereof 29. Thus farre I have swome along with the winde and tide of all our English Historians Yet the Lord Cromwell by a great person acquitted herein in charging of Cromwell herein But I finde one * Sir Edward Coke Part 4. of Institut in Jurisdiction of Courts p. 37. Authour of strong credit such he needs to be who swims against the stream acquitting the said Lord deriving his intelligence from Sir Thomas Gawdie a grave Judge then living who acquainted him as followeth King Henry commanded the L. Cromwell to attend the Chief Justices and to know whether a man that was forth-coming might be attainted of high Treason by Parliament and never called to his answer The Judges answered That it was a dangerous question and that the high Court of Parliament ought to give examples to inferiour Courts for proceeding according to justice and no inferiour Court could doe the like and they thought the high Court of Parliament would never doe it But being by the expresse commandement of the King and pressed by the said Earl to give a direct answer they said That if he be attainted by Parliament it could not come in question afterwards whether he was called or not called to answer and the Act of Attainder being passed by Parliament did binde as they resolved The party against whom this was intended was never called in question but the first man after the said resolution that was so attainted and never called to answer was the said Earl of Essex whereupon that erroneous and vulgar opinion amongst our Historians grew That he died by the same Law which he himself had made 30. But His exemplary gratitude grant this Lord Cromwell faulty in this and some other actions in the main he will appear a worthy person and a great instrument of God's glory in the reforming of Religion and remarkable for many personal eminencies Commonly when men are as in a moment mounted from meannesse to much wealth and honour first they forget them selves and then all their old friends and acquaintance Whereas on the contrary here gratitude grew with his greatnesse and the Lord Cromwell conferred many a courtesie on the Children from whose Fathers Master Cromwell had formerly received favours As he was a good Servant to his Master so was he a good Master to his Servants and fore-seeing his own full which he might have foretold without the Spirit of Prophesie some half a year before he furnished his Men which had no other lively-hood to subsist by with Leases Pensions and Annuities whereby after his death they had a comfortable maintenance 31. One so faithfull to his Servants His care for his Children cannot be suspected for an Infidel in not providing for his family of his own children It was not therefore his ambition but providence that on the same day wherein he was created Earle of Essex he procured Gregory his Son which otherwise had been then but a Lord by courtesie to be actually made Baron Cromwell of Oke-ham Which honour because inherent in the Son was not forfeited on his Father's attainture but descends at this day on his Posterity 32. We will conclude his story with this remarkable instance of his humility An eminent instance of his humility Formerly there flourished a notable family of the b Camdens Brit. in Lincoln-shire Cromwells at Tattershall in Lincoln-shire especially since Sir Ralph Cromwell married the younger Sister and Coheir of William the last Lord Deincourt Now there wanted not some flattering Heraults excellent Chemists in Pedegrees to extract any thing from any thing who would have entituled this Lord Cromwell to the Armes of that antient Family extinct in the issue male thereof about the end of King Henry the sixt His answer unto them was That he would not weare another mans coat for fear the right owner thereof should pluck it off over his ears and preferred rather to take a new coate viz. * See Vincent in the Earles of Essex AZure Or a Fess inter three Lyons rampant Or a Rose Gules betwixt two Chaughes proper being somewhat of the fullest the Epidemical dissease of all Armes given in the Reign of Henry the eighth 33. After the execution of the Lord Cromwell Men of different judgment meeting at their death the Parliament still sitting a motly execution happened in Smithfield three Papists hanged by the Statute for denying the King's supremacy and as many Protestants burnt at the same time and place by vertue of the six Articles dying with more pain and no lesse patience Papists Protestants Edward Powell
hand thought fit to insert this his following account thereof though not knowing whether the same will give the Reader satisfaction 45. A match was made Her plea for leaving her husband by the power of their Parents betwixt Mr. Kyme his Son in Lincoln shire and Sir William Ashcough his eldest Daughter who chanced to die before the completing thereof Sir William loth to lose so rich an Heir and having payed part of her Potion for lucrâ—s sake compelled this Anne his second Daughter to supply her Sisters place and to marry him against her own will and consent notwithstanding the marriage once past she demanded her self like a Christian Wife l Bales Manuscript p 91 92. and bare him two Children In processe of time by oft reading of the sacred Bible she cleerly fell from all Papistrie to a perfect belief in Jesus Christ Whereupon her Husband was so offended that by suggestion of the Priests he violently drove her out of his house And she on this occasion sought from the Law a Divorce and because of his cruell usage would not return unto him again thinking her self free from that uncomely kinde of coacted marriage by the doctrine of Saint Paul m 1 Cor. 7.15 But if the unbelieving depart let him depart A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases But God hath called us to peace This is the effect of what our Authour speaketh in moe words Now whether this rule laid down by Saint Paul betwixt Christian and Heathen be also commensurate betwixt Protestant and Papist is not my work to decide Perchance she would only answer to the King for her behaviour towards her Husband as hoping for some tendernesse from His Highnesse because of some general conformity in the first part of her Case with the Kings as Who for by respects was first married to then divorced from His Brothers Wife 46. Her several examinations are largely penned by her self extant in Mr. Fox She is first rached and then burnâ— where the Reader may finde them But be it remembred that whereas heresie onely was charged upon her without the least suspition of Treason yet was she rackt to detect some Court Ladies of her opinion by the Lord Wriothisly the then and Sir Robert Rich the n Fox p. 1239 next Lord Chancellour But whether it was noble in these Lords or legall in these Lawyers or conscientious in these Chancellours to rack one already condemned to death belongeth to others to determine Their cruelty extorted no discovery from her whose constancy now made recompense for her former infirmities If it be true what is charged upon her that before she had twice subscribed the Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Altar but zealously died at last in the earnest deniall thereof being amongst those who according to the precept in the o Isa 24.15 Prophet glorified the Lord in the sires Her suffering in Smithfield was most solemnly performed where three men Nicolas Belevian Priest of Shropshire John Lacells Gentleman of the Houshold of King Henry the eighth and John Adams a poor Taylor of London were all burnt together Three couple of qualities meeting together in four persons Clergy and Laity Male and Female Gentle and Simple made the fewell of the same fire 47. John Bale registers this Anne Ashcough Her Prose and Poâ—â—â—y amongst the number of his English learned Writers for her Examinations Letters and Poems wrote with her own hand though the p Parsons utpriùs Jesuite jeers him for his pains as if no works save those of the needle became her sex I have seen a Manuscript of her Verses afterwards printed at Marpurge in Germany and must confesse I better approve her Charity in the four last than her Poetry in all rest Yet Lord I thee desire Ann. Reg. HeÌ„ 8.38 Let them not taste the hire For that they doe to me Of their iniquity However those that have drunk deeper than she of Helicon Ann. Dom. 1546. would be loth to pledge her in the bitter cup of Martyrdome So I take my leave of her memory 48. Now began the troubles of Queen Katharine Parr The King marrieth KatbarineParr whom the King married some two years since For He either being or believing Himself wronged by His last Wife whom He married for a Maid resolved now to take a Widow to Wife who had given proof of her chastity and loyalty to her former Husband and thereupon married this Katharine the Daughter of Sir Thomas Parr of Kendall the Relict of John Nevill Lord Latimer one of great piety beauty discretion Next to the Bible She studied the Kings disposition observing Him to Her utmost And need She had of a nimble soul to attend at all times on His humour whose Fury had now got the addition of Frowardness thereunto She was rather Nurse than Wife unto Him who was more decayed by sickness intemperance than old age 49. Yet sometimes She would presume to discourse with the King about points of Religion The conspiracy of Her enemies against Her defending the Protestant-Tenents by Scripture and reason and sometimes would hold up the King very close hard at it This displeased Him who loved loosness and liberty in His clothes arguments and actions and was quickly observed by Gardiner and others who were the Queens enemies Hereupon taking advantage of an unhappy juncture of time Gardiner drew up Articles against Her and had got them subscribbed with the Kings own hand to remove Her to the Tower Whither had She been sent Vestigia nulla retrorsum without doubt She had followed the way of His former Wives in that place 50. But Divine Providence ordereth all things to fall out for the good of Gods children Chancellour Wriothesly put the paper of those Articles pretious jewels in no worse cabinet than his own bosome Hence it casually fell out By Gods Providence defeated was taken up by one of the Queens servants and brought to Her Grace who on Her sicknesse and submission to the King obtained His pardon signed ad sealed unto Her with may kisses and embraces As for such Her enemies who came at the present to attach Her intending by virtue of the Kings Warrant to send Her the shortest way to Her long home they were sent back with what made worse rumbling than a flea in the eare even the taunts and threats of the enraged King against them 51. And yet Pasons tell q In his Exam. of Fox his Martyrs in June c. 10 p. 433 us that not with standing the King purposed to have burned Her if He had lived Parsons his wild intelligence I know not whence he derived this his strange intelligence and therefore justly suspect the truth hereof The rather because I finde Her in great grace with the King as appeareth by the good language and great Legacie He gave Her in His Will which here we thought fit to transcribe both for the
represent And seeing Sir Thomas More would have his own jests when dying no wonder if he makes others to jeer when dead 6. These two Supplications pressing both together for audience and reception The first Supplication best received that of the Beggars on earth found the best entertainment Whether because it came first which we know is great advantage in Beggars first come first served Or because these Terrestrial beggars were neerer at hand and so best able to manage their own suit whilst those in Purgatory were conceived at a greater distance Or chiefly because their Supplication suggested matter of profit to the King and His Courtiers and such whispers sound loud and commonly meet with attentive ears And as an introduction to the dissolution of all Abbeys spies were sent forth to make strict discovery of mens behaviours therein Indeed the Lord Cromwell Scout-Master-Generall in this designe stayed at the Court whilst his subordinate Emissaries men of as prying eyes as afterwards they proved of gripple hands sent unto him all their intelligence in manner and form as in due time shall ensue The lesser Monasteries bestowed on the King NOW because some moneths were imployed in that service before a perfect account was returned to the Lord Cromwell The suppressing of the smaller Monasteries may here seasonably be inserted For in the twenty seventh of the King's Reign Anno 1539 a motion was made in Parliament A gainfull motion made for the King That to support the King's States and supply His wants all Religious Houses might be conferred on the Crown which were not able clearly to expend above Two hundred pounds a year 2. Some may report Reported by mistake opposed by Bishop Fisher that John Fisher Bishop of Rochester earnestly though pleasently opposed the motion by alledging an Apologue out of Aesope That the Helve of the Axe craved a Handle of the wood of Oaks onely to cut off the Serebowes of the Tree but when it was a complete Instramentall Axe it felled down all the wood Applying it That the grant of these smaller Houses would in fine prove destructive to all the rest But Fisher being now in his grave this could not be spoken in this Parliament which with more probability was formerly urged by him against Cardinal Wolsey in dissolving the forty Houses whereof before 3. This Proposition found little opposition in either Houses Easily passed in Parliament Henry the eighth was a King and His necessities were Tyrants and both suing together for the same thing must not be denied besides the larger thongs they cut out of other mens leather the more intire they preserved their own hide which made the Parliament to ease their own purses by laying the load on those lesser Houses which they accordingly passed to the Crown 4. The Lord Herbert in his a Of Henry 8 pag. 376. Historie complaineth and that justly That this Statute for dissolution of the lesser Monasteries doth begin very bluntly A Preamble of importance restored out of the Records to the Printed Statute without any formall Preamble in the Printed Books they are Published It seemeth that herein he never searched the Record it self otherwise industrious in that kinde to which a solemn Preface is prefixed shewing some Reasons of the dissolution and pious uses to which they were attained In form as followeth The Preamble is this Forasmuch as manifest sin vitious carnall and abominable living is daily used and committed commonly in such little and small Abbeys Priories and other religious houses of Monks Canons and Nuns where the Congregation of such religious persons is under the number of twelve persons whereby the Governours of such religious Houses and their Covent spoile destroy consume and utterly waste as well the Churches Monasteries Priories principall Houses Farms Granges Lands Tenements and Hereditaments as the ornaments of the Churches and their goods and Chattels to the high displeasure of Almighty God slander of good Religion and to the great infamy of the King's Hignesse and the Realm if redresse should not be had thereof And albeit that many continuall Visitations hath been heretofore had by the space of two hundred years and more for an honest and charitable reformation of such unthrifty carnall and abominable living yet neverthelesse little or no amendment is hitherto had but their vitious living shamefully increaseth and augmenteth and by a cursed custome so grown and infested that a great multitude of the religious persons in such small Houses do rather choose to rove abroad in Apostasie than to conform themselves to the observation of good Religion so that without such small Houses be utterly suppressed and the Religion therein committed to the great and honourable Monasteries of Religion in this Realm where they may be compelled to live religioussly for reformation of their lives there can else be no redresse nor reformation in that behalf In consideration whereof the King 's most royall Majesty being Supreme head in earth under God of the Church of England daily studying and devising the increase advancement and exaltation of true doctrine and virtue in the said Church to the onely glory and honour of God and the totall extirping and destruction of vice and sin having knowledge that the premises be true as well by the compts of his late visitations as by sundry credible informations considering also that divers and great solemn Monasteries of this Realm wherein thanks be to God Religion is right well kept and observed be destitute of such full numbers of religious persons as they ought and may keep have thought good that a plain Declaration should be made of the premises as well to the Lords spirituall and Temporall as to other His loving Subjects the Commons in this present Parliament assembled WHEREUPON the said Lords and Commons by a great deliberation finally be resolved That it is and shall be much more to the pleasure of Almighty God and for the honour of this His Realm that the possessions of such small religious Houses not being spent spoiled and wasted for increase of maintenance of sin should be used and converted to better uses and the unthrifty religious persons so spending the same to be compelled to reform their lives And hereupon most humbly desire the King's Highnesse that it may be enacted by authority of this present Parliament That His Majesty shall have to Him and to Hit Heirs for ever all and singular such Monasteries His Majesty shall have and enjoy c. As it foloweth in the printed b Cap. 28. Statute In this Preamble two principles are laid down of infallible truth Two principles which must not be questioned and posterity must not be so presumptuous as to question them 1. The smallest Convents were the greatest sinners and they who had the least lands led the leudest lives 2. It was harder to reform little Covents than those that were greater It seems such small Houses like little fishes could not be caught with the
His Graces late promotion had Subverted the Faith of CHRIST as they thought which is the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Rochester Salisbury S. Davids and Dublin 3. This Lincoln shire Commotion being quickly suppressed and a right understanding begotten betwixt the King and His Subjects the Rebellious humour removed into Yorkâ—shire where no fewer than fifty thousand saith Sanders were assembled in a body under Robert Aske a mean Gentleman their Captain and one Diamond though a knave of another suit who termed himself the Earl of Poverty yet this distemper also was seasonably cured by the King's pardon and their submission till soon after a great part of them fell into a relapse of Rebellion carrying in their Ensignes the five wounds of our Saviour the Chalice wiâ—h the Hoste and the Name of JESUS betwixt them who being vanquished by the King's forces under the command of the Earle of Shrewesbury were condignely executed for the same 4. Indeed Sanders Excused by Sanders unjustly to whom it is as naturall to defame as for a stone to descend complaineth That the King executed those whom formerly He had pardoned for the same offence contrary to Gods proceedings with whom peccata remissa non recurrunt yea contrary to equity and all common justice but our Chronicles make it plain that they ran on the score of a new Rebellion their faults specifically not numerically the same and justly suffered for their offences therein 5. Thomas Lord Darcy and the Lord Hussey first and last Baron of his Family were beheaded on this account The first of these being much bemoaned both for what he had been a marshall man of merit by sea and land and for what he was decaied being almost eighty with old age insomuch that there goeth a Tradition that he had the King's Pardon in his pocket and slept the while the sentence of condemnation was passed on him and then produced it too late such it seems were the rigorous proceedings against him Ask and Diamond were executed in this Rebellion Persons executed and so also were six Abbots namely of Sanley Barling Gerviaus Whaley Rivers with the Prior of Berlington besides many Gentlemen of prime account whereof these the chief Robert Constable Thomas Piercy Francis Bigot Nicholas Musgrave Nicholas Temple Stephen Hamilton Thomas Gilby William Lomley John Bulmar and his Wife However some pity may seem proper to these persons as ignorantly zealous and grieved to behold the destruction of the old Religion before they had received any competent instruction for a new And thus was there a rout of the most antient of the Northern Gentlemen of the Romish perswasion who in the next Generation had scarcely rallied themselves again but they were routed the second time in the Rebellion of the Earls of Northuâ—berland and Westmerland The return of the Visitors of Abbeys BY this time the Instruments imployed by the Lord Cromwell The return of the L. Cromwells agents to make discovery of the vitious lives of Monks and Fryers were all returned in their persons or in their intelligence sent unto him They were men who well understood the Message they went on and would not come back without a satisfactory answer to him that sent them knowing themselves were likely to be no losers thereby And now they had sound out water enough to drive the mill besides what ran by a sufficient detection to effect the businesse Of these some were put in Commission to visit Abbeys others moving in a lower but no lesse needful sphere of activity 2. Of these Commissioners the principal were Rich Layton The principall Commissioners The Legh William Peters Doctors of the Law a L. Herbert in the Life of Hen. 8. p 398. Doctor John London Dean of Wallingford Of the three former I can say nothing but finde the later though imployed to còrrect others no great Saint himself For afterwards he was publickly b Fex Acts Mon p. 1221 where is a picture thereof Their two-edged sword convicted of perjury and adjudged to ride with his face to the Horse-tale at Windosor and Ockingham with papers about his head which was done accordingly 3. Their power was partly Inquisitive to search into the former lives of religious persons partly Impositive to enjoyn them stricter rules for their future observation It is hard to say whether their eyes were more prying for what was past or hands more heavy for the time to come and most true it is that betwixt both many Monks formerly lazie in were now weary of their present profession 4. Some counted their Convents Monks weâ—ry of their lives their Prisons being thus confined for once out of the house without lawful cause and leave obtained and never in again It was a fine thing when they might but sad case when they must live in their Monasteries the Eighty six Articles of the Visitors looking with Janus partly backward partly forward did so vex them that many who had hopes of others subsistence cast off the Couls and Vails and quitted their Convents The second sort of insinuating Emissaries THese Visitors were succeeded with a second sort of publick Agents Others undone by their own dissentions but working in a more private way encouraging the members in Monasteries to impeach one another for seeing there was seldome such general agreement in any great Convent but that factions were found and parties did appear therein these Emissaries made an advantageous use thereof No Abbey could have been so soon destroyed but by cunning setting it against it self and secret fomenting of their own divisions Whereupon many being accused did recriminate their Accusers and hopelesse to recover their own innocency pleased themselves by plunging others in the like guiltinesse Others being conscious to themselves prevented accusing by confessing their faults and those very foul ones Insomuch that some have so much charity as to conceive that they made themselves worse than they were though it was a needlesse work for a Black-Moore to besoot his own face 2. Yea A charitable censure some hold that as Witches long-tortured with watching and fasting and pinched when but ready to nod are contented causlessly to accuse themselves to be eased of the present pain so some of these poor souls frighted with menaces and fearing what might be the successe acknowledged all and more than all against themselves the truth whereof none on earth can decide Soliciting and tempting Emissaries complained of by the Papists THe Papists doe heavily complain how justly God alone knoweth that a third sort of Agents were imployed A devilish design if true to practise on the chastity of the Nuns so to surprize them into wantonness Some young Gallants were on disigne sent to some Covents with fair faces flattering tongues store of gold and good cloathes youth wit wantonness and what else might work on the weaker sex These having with much craft scrued themselves into the affections of Nuns and brought them to
Abbey Nor must it be forgotten that a Text X pierced through with a dash is fixed in the navill of the Crosse Now though I have read * Accidence of Armes Letters to be little honourable in Armes this cannot be disgracefull partly because Church-Heraldrie moveth in a sphere by it self partly because this was the Letter of Letters as the received character to signifie Christus 9. S. Augustines in Canterbury gave Sable a Cross-Argent Of S. Augustine 10. Crosse we now the Thames Of Gloucester where Westward we first fall on S. Peters in Gloucester whose Dedication to that Apostle sufficiently rendreth a reason for the Armes thereof viz AZure two Crosse Keyes or two Keyes Saltire Or. 11. Teuxbury gave Gules Of Teuxbury a Cross of an antick form Or a border Argent 12. I will not adventure on the blazoning of the Armes of Winchcombe having much conformity therein with Mortimers Coat but leave the Reader to satisfie his own eyes in the inspection thereof Of Winchcomb 13. I should be thankfull to him who would inform me of the Armes of Cirencester Of Cirencesâ—er which hitherto I cannot procure 14. * S. Maryes in Coventry had no Armes in their Seale as my good friend Mr. Dugdale informed me St. Albans gave Azure a Cross Saltire Or. Of S. Albanâ— 15. Westminster-Abbey gave Azure a Cross flurt betwixt five Marteletts Or and this I humbly conceive were antiently the entire Armes of that Abbey being in effect the same with those of King Edward the Confessour the first Founder thereof But afterwards their Conventuall Seale was augmented with the Armes of France and England on a Chiefe Or betwixt two Roses Gules plainly relating to King Henry the seventh enlarging their Church with his Chappell 16. The Prior of St. John of Jerusalem gave Gules a Cross Argent Of S. Johns of Jerusalem which the Lord Priot sometimes a Thus Sir Tho. Tressam impayled with but before his own Coate and b Thus Sir Tho. Dockwray sometimes bare it in a Chiefe about it 17. The Armes of Waltham Abbey in Essex appear at this day neither in glass wood Of Waltham nor stone in or about the Town or Church thereof At last we have recovered them Unus home nobis out of a faire Deed of Robert Fullers the last Abbot though not certain of the mettall and colours viz Gules as I conjecture two Angels can they be lesse than Or with their hands such we finde of them in c Mat. 4. 6. Scripture holding betwixt them a Cross Argent brought hither faith our d Gamd. Brit in Essex Antiquary by miracle out of the West whence Waltham hath the addition of Holy Cross 18. The Arms of S. Johns in Colchester Of Colchester I leave to the eye of the Reader 19. Burie gave Azure three Crowns Or Of Bury The Armes of the Kings of the East-Angles assumed in the memory of King Edmund to whom this Abbey was dedicated martyred by the Danes when his Crown of Gold thorough a Crown of Thorns or Arrows rather was turned into a Crown of Glory 20. St. Benet's in the Holme Of S. Benets in Norfolke gave Sable a Pastorall Staffe Argent picked below and reflexed above intimating the Abbots Episcopal Jurisdiction in his own precincts betwixt two Crowns-Or pointing at England and Norway the two Kingdomes of Canutus the Founder thereof The aforesaid Staffe was infulated that is adorned with an holy Lace or Label carelesly hanging down or cast a crosse such with which their Mitres used formerly to be fastned 21. Thorney-Abbey in Cambridge shire gave Azure three Crosses crossed fitchee Of Thorny betwixt three Pastoral Staves Or. 22. Ramsey in Huntingdon-shire gave Or three Rams Heads couped Argent Of Ramsey 〈◊〉 Bend Azure The rest of the Rams must be supposed in the blue Sea the Fennes appearing such when overflown Besides such changes were common here whereof Melibaeus complaineth in the Marishes * Virgil. Eâ— log 9. of Mantua Non bene ripae Creditur ipse Aries etiam nunc vellera siccat There is no trusting to the foundring bank The Ramme still dries his fleece so lately dank But since the draining of the Fennes hath I hope secured their Cattell from casualties 23. The very name of Peterborough unlocks the reason why that Abbey gave Gules Of Peterborough two crosse Keyes betwixt four Crosses crossed fitchee Or. 24. Crowland Abbey gave quarterly three call them long Knives Of Crowland or short Swords bladed Argent hasted or pomelled or Azure three Whips stringed and knotted Or the second like the third the fourth like the first Instruments of cruelty relating to their Monks massacred by the Danes Anno 870. Ingulphus pag. 866. whereof their Historian gives us this account That first they were examinati tortured see there the Whips and then exanimati killed see there the Swords But if any will have those Whips to relate to the Whip of S. Bartholomew the most remarkable Relique of that Monastery I will not appose 25. The Armes of Evesham Abbey in Worcester-shire Of Evesham I cannot recover but possibly may before the conclusion of this Work 26. Shrewsbury gave Azure Of Shrewsbury a Lyon Rampant over a Pastorall-staffe Bendwayes so that both the ends thereof are plainly discovered 27. Crosse we now North of Trent Of Selby where onely two remain Selby founded by William the Conquerour which gave Sable three Swans Argent membred Or alluding as I believe to the depressed scituation of the place where the neighbouring River of Ouse affordeth such Birds in abundance 28. St. Maryes in Yorke gave Argent a Crosse Of Yorke Gules and a Key in the first Quarter of the same In the midst of the Crosse a King in a circle in his Robes of state with his Scepter and Mound Yet hath he onely a ducall Cap and no Crown on his head I humbly conceive under favour of better judgments this King-Dukes picture to relate partly to King VVilliam Rufus partly to Alan Duke of Britain and Richmond the principall Co-Founders of that Monastery The Lord Darcy his Extraction justly vindicated AMongst the principal persons who suffred for their zeale in defending of Abbeys was the lately mentioned Thomas Lord a vide supra pag. 313. parag 5. Darcy A causlesse aspersion grounded on passion whose extraction I finde foully aspersed by the pen of that passionate Prince K. Henry the eighth for when the Rebels boasted of the many Noblemen who sided with them in confutation thereof King Henry returned a Letter to them interlined with His own hand wherein this passage b Speeds Châ—â— in his 1 â—dit pag. 776. Others as the Lord Marney and Darcy are but mean scarce well-born Gentlemen and yet of no great Lands till they were promoted by Us and so made Knights It cannot be denied but that K. Henry too much consulted
The Queen made Sir Tho Tresham Lord Prior of this Order who the thirtieth of November 1557 received the Order of the Crosse at Westminster and was solemnly inducted into his place He was of an antient family and large estate and had done the Queen Knights service proclaiming Her in the highest contest with Queen Jane If the dimension of his Body may be guessed by his finger and his finger by his Ring which have seen in the possession of his Kinsman William Tresham Esq of Newton in Northampton-shire he was a little Gyant and farre greater than his pourtraicture on his Monument almost demolisht in Rushton-Church in the same County But Alexander's souldiers were not in proportion so big as their shields left in India and possible that Ring of State serving for a Seale was rather borne about him than worn on his finger 7. Re-edified by devout persons It is out of doubt that Papists contributed many pretious Utensils unto these Orders as also that they were bountifull in repairing their decayed Houses to fit them for their habitation but by Sanders his leave No visible refunding of land doth appear Which if he had known of no doubt he would have told posterity as tending according to his principles so much to the credit of those persons I say again though Queens Examples carry a kinde of Mandamus in them yet herein Her best Subjects and Servants were so unmannerly as to suffer Her Grace to go alone by Her self in this Act without any attendants as to the restitution of any entire Religious house to its former Order No not Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute though formerly solemnly employed in an Ambassy to the Pope to reconcile the Church of England to Rome would part with his rich Abbey of Battaile in Sussex or poor Priory of Barnewell nigh Cambridge c. but kept all his pluralities in that nature though otherwise we believe him most bountifull to those of his own Religion 8. The Catholick Princes Meaning Philip and Mary and surely though we cannot insist on the particulars that Kings inclinations are sufficiently known zealous for the promoting of His own Religion However it is almost incredible what a qualme on this occasion came over the hearts of the stoutest Abbey-land Mongers in England fearing in processe of time a reverting of them to their former use the rather because Cardinall Poole in that Act in this Queens Reign to secure Abbey-lands to their Owners without the passing whereof to pacifie so many persons concerned Papistry could not have been restored in that Parliament did not as some think absolve their consciences from restitution But onely made a palliate cure the Church but suspending that power which in due time she might put in execution 3. This made many suspect that such edifices of Abbeys A generall jealousie of Abbey-holders which still were extant entire looked lovingly on their antient Owners in hope to be restord unto them In prevention whereof such as possest them for the present plucked out their eyes by levelling them to the ground and shaving from them as much as they could all Abbey-Characters disguising them as much as might be in a Lay-habit matching and mingling them with lands in another Tenure because on this very motion Abbey lands sunk two years purchase in the common valuation 4. Nor must I forget one passage in Derby-shire Nimianon cautela Non nocet a certain information whereof I have received from that skilful Antiquary and my respected Kinsman Samuel Roper of Lincolnes-Inne how one Thacker being possessed of Repingdon Abbey in Derby-shire alarumed with this news that Q. Mary had set up these Abbeys again and fearing how large a reach such a precedent might have upon a Sunday belike the better day the better deed called together the Carpenters and Masons of that County and plucked down in one day Church-work is a cripple in going up but rides post in coming down a most beautifull Church belonging thereunto adding He would destroy the Nest for fear the Birds should build therein again 5. And now when a Papist have done commending Q. Mary The best work of Q. Mary a Protestant may begin I say Her setting up the Hospitall of the Savoy was a better work than any instanced in by Sanders for the relief of poor people First because poor qua poor may be said to be Jure Divino * Prov. 22. 2. The rich and poor meet together and the Lord maketh them both Not onely as Creatour of their persons but Assigner of their conditions Besides the Poor is a continuall Order in the Church by the words of our Saviour * John 12. 8. The poor ye have alwaies with you but more properly hereof in the Reign of Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth demolisheth the new-erected Convents Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown Violent alterations dangerous was not over-busie at the first but for some moneths permitted all things to remain in statu quo priùs Insomuch that in the first Parliament of Her summoning She sent Her Writs to the aforesaid Lord Prior Tresbam and Abbot Feckenham to make their appearance with the rest of Her Barons in Her Great Councell Whither they repaired and wherein they took their places accordingly 2. Sir Thomas as Lord Prior above but the Abbot beneath all the a See a List of them sitting in Sir Tho Cottons Library Temporal Lords being the lag of the House and placed under Oliver Lord S. John of Blet netsho lately made the second Baron of Queen Eliz Her creation But they had hardly set down on their seats before they were raised up and dissolved with all the rest of the late-restored Orders 3. I have not met to my best remembrance with any Statute A Quaere to the learned in Law enacted in the Reign of Queen Mary whereby She was legally empowred for the re-erection of these Convents done it seems by Her Prerogative by connivance not concurrence of the Parliament Nor can I finde in the first year of Queen Elizabeth any particular Statute wherein as in the Regin of King Henry the eighth these Orders are nominatim suppressed this probably being supposed needlesse as I conceive with submission to the Learned in that Profession their Houses having no Legal settlement Or else when the general Statutes against Superstition were layed like the Ax to the root of the Tree these Orders are under-branches fell of themselves by virtue of the Queens Commission for the same 4. I intended by way of a farewell-Corollary to present the Reader with a List of the Lord Priors of S. Iohn's An imperfect List better than none from Iordanus Briset their first Founder But their Records being all burnt in that fire which was kindled by Straw in his commotion it is impossible to compleat the Catalogue At and since which difaster such as we can recover are not contiguous in times and distanced with many years betwixt them though perhaps
Orders have spauned much since our late Civil Warres Protestant confusions multiplying Popish foundations 2. Yet I cannot believe what * Mr. Prin. one reports of two Covents in London Two Covents reported in London set up about the year 1640. One at the Lord Gages neer Queens-street the other at Westminster For finding no person who is properly tearmed the Lord Gage I suspect all the rest And though I confesse Catholicks then arrived at such boldnesse as rather to dare than dread any discovery yet it seemeth improbable any should abide there save onely to wait conveniencie of transportation And so much for English Covents beyond the Seas which discourse let none censure as alien and not pertaining to the History of England For I would willingly be condemned for a needlesse excursion on the condition that they belonged not at all unto us who daily fetch over too much money hence and doe mutually bring back too much mischief hither To whom the Sites of Mitred Abbeys were granted and by whom they are possessed at this day IT were a work almost impossible for our pen to pursue the Lands of each Religious house from the time that they parted from the Crown to the present Owners thereof A possible designe preferred impossible declined Yea such a task when ended were endlesse of no other use than the satisfaction of curiosity As therefore the best Anatomists cannot hunt out the deviations of every petty vein embracing severall courses in sundry bodies but abundantly acquit their skill and industry if truly discovering the trunkveins observing the same chanels in all people Kephalicall Basilicall c. So we conceive our duty discharged to any rationall expectation if instancing onely out of the Originall Records in the Sites of the Mitred Abbeys marking their fluctuation since passed from the Crown into the possession of severall subjects 2. Here I intended to present the Reader with the particulars of all those Owners through whose hands these Mitred Abbeys have passed from those to whom King Henry granted them to those who at this day are possessed thereof A thing with very much difficulty such the frequencies of the exchange collectible out of the severall fines payd at their alienation but having tyred out mine own modesty though not my good friend Mr. John Witt 's officious industry in being beholden to him above my possibility of requitall for perusing so many Records I desisted from so difficult a design Abbey Granted by Unto In consideration Tenure and rent After alien'd to Present owner Tavestock in Devon K. a 1 parte rotulo 29. formerly Osboâ—ns Remembrancers Office Henry the 8 in the 31 of his Reign July 4. Iohn Lord Russel Anne his Wife and their Heires c. of his faithfull service and counsell in Capite by Knights service of cum aliis one Knights see paying 36 li. none but still possessed by their Heirs William Russell Earle of Bedford Middleton in Dorsetshire K. b 1 par rot 95. Henry the 8 in the 31 of his Reign 23 of Febr. Iohn Tregonwell Kn t Doctor of Law of a PensioÌ„ of 40 l. per ann surrendred 1000 l. paid down his good service in Capite by Knights service of the tenth part of a Knights fee paying 12 l. 4s none but still possessed by his Heirs Iohn Tregonwell Esquire Malmesbury in Wilt-sh K. c 7 par râ—t 147. Henry the 8 in the 31 of his Reign William Stampe Gentleman of the payment of 1516 l. 15s 2d ob in Capite by the tenth part of a Knights fee paying 8l 8s ob  Thomas Ioy Esquire Ramsey in Huntingtonshire K. d 2 par rot 293. Henry the 8 in the 31 of his Reign 4 of March. Richard Williams alià s Cromwell Esq of his good service and the payment of 4663l 4s 2d in Capite by the tenth part of a Knights fee paying 29l 16s none possessed by his Heir Sir Oliver Cromwell the most aged Gent. and Knight in England Selby in Yorkshire K. e 1 part rot 140. Henry the 8 in the 32 of his Reign 28 of August Ralph Sadleir of Hackney Knight of 736l paid in Capite by the tenth part of a Knights fee paying 3l 10s 8d  Charles Walmesley Esquire Teuxburie in Glocester shire K. f 2 part rot 26. Henry the 8 in the 36 of his Reign Tho Stroud Wal Earle and Iam Paget of 2283 li. 19s 3d. in capite by the 20th part of a Knights fee paying 1l 18s 0 3 4   Hyde juxta Winton K. g 7 part rot 44 Henry the 8 in the 37 of his Reign 11 of Janu. Rich Bethel Gent. after a Lease of the Lord Wriothesly was expired of 110 li. 17 s. 1d in free Soccage of the King's Manour of Rumsey paying 6l 13s 4d to the Vic. of St. Barthol Wint   S. Johns juxta Colchester K. h 4 part rot 13. Edward the sixt in the first of his Reign June 22. Iohn Dudley Earle of Warwick of his service in Scotland and France whereby he had much impair'd his own estate in Capite cum aliis by service of one Knights fee paying 16s 11. d. ob  Sir Iohn Lucas L d Lucas Cirencester in Glocester shire K. i 1 part rot Edward the sixt in the first of his Reign 19 of August Thomas Lord Seymer high Admiral of his service and kindred being the Kings Uncle in Capite with land in 15 Shires by the service of one Knights fee paying 1l 1s 8d  Sir William Masters Bardney in Lincoln-shire K. k 3 part rot 95. Edw 6. in the second of his Reign Thomas Heneage Katherine his Wife and their Heirs of an exchange for the Manour of overton in Knights service  Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham Glaston in Somerset K. l 3 part rot 17. and againe 4 pars rot 77. Edward the sixt in the 4 th year of his Reign 4 of June Ed Seymer Duke of Somerset of his Petition and the advise of the Counsel to support his dignity in Capite by the 40 th part of a Knights fee sine reditu   Reading in Berkshire K. m Ibidem Edw. the sixt in the 4 th year of his Reign 4 of June Ed Seymer Duke of Somerset of his Petition and the advise of the Counsel to support his dignity in Capite by the 40 th part of a Knights fee sine reditu  Francis Knolles Esquire Crowland in Lincolnshire K. Edward the sixt in the 4 th year of his Reign Decemb. 1. Edw. Fines Knight L d. Clinton and Say high Admiral of England of the exchange of other lands with the Crown to be held in Soccage as of the Kings Manour of Louth by fealty only  till lately in the Crown Winchcomb in Glocestershire K. Edward the sixt in the fift year of his Reign June 24. William Par Marquesse of Northhampton of his faithfulness and valour against the Rebels in Northfolk in
free Soc. to be held as of the Manour of East Greenwich sine reditu  George Bridges Lord Shandois St. Edmunds-Bury in Suffolke Q. o 2 parte rot 13. Elizabeth in the second year of her Reign Feb. 14. Iohn Eye Esquire of the payment of four hundred pound in free Soccage to be held as of the Queens Manour of East Greenwich sine reditu   St. Albans in Hertfordshire Q. p 4 part rot 52. Elizabeth in the sixt of her Reign May 6. Christopher Smith Esq Thomas Broughton Gent. of the payment for it and other lands in the Grant of 1703 li. 1s 4d in free and common Soccage sine reditu   Hitherto we have proceeded on the most authentick authority out of Records And although we are confident of the truth of such as follow yet wanting the like assurance in the Dates Tenures and Considerations we thought fit to rank them by themselves 2. battel-Battel-Abbey in Sussex was bestowed by King Henry the eighth on Sir Anthony Browne Knight of the Garter and Master of His Majesties Horse enjoyed by his heir-male in a direct line at this day 3. thorney-Thorney-Abbey in Cambridge-shire was conferred by King Henry the eighth on Iohn Lord Russell and is possessed by his Abnepos William Earle of Bedford in a lineall descent 4. S. Iohn's Priory in Coventry was given by King Henry the eighth to Hales Esquire Clerk of the Hanaper at this day in possession of one of his name and lineage 5. Eversham-Abbey in Worcester-shire I finde not to whom first granted but by a long Lease it was in the possession of one Mr. Andrewes father and son whose Grandchilde living now at Berkhampsteed in Hertford shire hath better thrived by God's blessing on his own industry than his Father and Grandfather did with Evesham-Abbey The sale of the stones whereof he imputeth a cause of their ill successe Lately it was Sir William Curteens and I know not to whom his Sonne sold it 6. The Abbey of S. Bennet's in the Holme in Norfolke was never sold Bennet in the Holme changed with the Bishop of Norwich but onely changed in the two and thirtieth of King Henry the eighth with the Bishop of Norwich as appeareth by the printed Statute which affirmeth That the lands setled by the King on the Bishoprick were of a greater yearly value than the Lordships and Manours given to his Grace Which might be so seeing all profit consists not in annuall revenue but much in casualties of Fines Indeed generally Coronets did gain but Miters lose in their exchanges with the Crown 7. S. Maryes in Yorke with Selby S. Maryes in Yorke how disposed the onely Mitred Abbey beyond Trent was kept in the Crown to be the Kings Palace when repairing into those parts Since called the Manour where the Lord President of the Councell in the North held his residence At this day it is in the hands of the States as excepted by name in the Ast for the sale of Kings lands and one was allowed a Fee for the carefull keeping thereof 8. My enquire cannot attain to whom S. Maryes in Shrewsburie was passed As for Augustine's in Canterbury I conceive it never aliened from the Crown reading in my worthy * Will Somner in his Antiq. of Canterbury pag. 60. friend that the remaining ruines thereof are made subject to publick uses And thus we have a perfect account of all the Mitred English-Abbeys The Reader well remembring what we have formerly written at large of S. Iohn's of Ierusalem and Waltham as also of Glocester Peterborough and Westminster advanced into Cathedrals save that the last was afterwards altered into a Collegiate-Church 9. we may observe that the greatest Abbeys founded in Cities were of the least profit Countrey Abbeys largest in profit because so streight-laced with streets and houses round about them that they could not grow to any extraordinary bulk for ground continued thereunto so that the Sites were but Sites as in S. Albans S. Edmunds-Bury Hyde c. Whereas Monasteries in Countrey-Towns let loose at more liberty to dilate themselves had generally a large Manour and ample Demesnes annexed unto them 10. Wise men have informed me Present gaine future losse that had succeeding Princes followed King Henry's pattern generally granting Abbeys only in Capite that such lands though passed gratis from the Crown under small rents would notwithstanding in some part have returned thither again as affording Respit of Homage Reliefs Wardships Fines for alienation for a constant revenue Whereas being afterwards granted in free soccage whilst the tenure onely advanced the present sale the Crown was deprived of much Emolument and more obligation 11. Richard Williams aliàs Cromwell Esquire A solemn Tilting proclaimed to whom Ramsey Abbey was partly given partly sold was one of the five who in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth made the bold challenge at Justs to all comers that would in France Flanders Scotland and Spain Here it was expected that some of our Knights Hospitallers whose House by Act of Parliament was dissolved but a month before should appear valiantly in their vindication if conceiving any injustice offered unto them But they kept themselves close probably not so much for fear of all the Challengers as of one of the Spectatours viz King Henry Himself as sure if Conquerours of the King's anger and others envy if worsted of their own disgrace Besides by the laws of their Order they were not to Tilt against Christians but onely to spend their spears against Pagans and Infidels Lastly the challenge seemed only confined to forraigners 12. This Richard Williams aliàs Cromwell came into the place an Esquire The noble atchievements of Rich. Cromwell but departed a Knight dubbed by the King for his valour clearly carrying away the credit overthrowing Mr. Palmer * Stow in the reign to Hen. 8. pag. 580. in the field at Justs one day and the next serving Mr. Culpepper at Barriers in the same manner Hereupon there goeth a Tradition in the Familie that King Henry highly pleased with his prowesse Formerly said He thou wast My Dick but hereafter shalt be My Diamond and thereat let fall His Diamond-Ring unto him In avowance whereof these Cromwells have ever since given for their Crest a Lyon holding a Diamond-Ring in his Fore-paw 13. Some conceive these Abbey-Lands more unsuccessfull than any other Censure on Abbey-Lands and infectious to the third Generation Yea Papists would perswade us that as Bucephalus cast all his Riders till backed by Alexander his Lord and Master so these skittish-Lands will dismount all that bestride them untill forsooth they be as they hope restored to their proper Owners And this they impute to the curse of their Founders denounced to such who should alienate them from their first institution Others maintain that no certainty can be concluded from such casualties but that all things come to passe alike to all As dye
other strangers in London to have and to hold for them their heirs and successours in Frank Almonage to be a meeting-place for them therein to attend God's Word and Sacraments He ordered also that hereafter it should be called by the new name of the Church of the Lord IESUS and incorporated the said Superintendent Ministers and Congregation to be a body politick for all purposes and intents empowering them from time to time in the vacancy of a Superintendent to chuse name and substitute any able and fit person in that place provided that the person so chosen be first presented to the King His Heirs and Successours to be approved and confirmed by them in the Office of the Ministerie enjoyning all Archbishops Bishops and other Officers Quòd permittant praefatis g The Letters are kept in the Dutch Church and exemplified in Iohannes Utenbovius in his narration of the Dutch Congregation pag. 13. c. Superintendenti Ministris Sucessoribus suis liberè quietè frui gaudere uti exercere ritus ceremonias suas proprias disciplinam Ecclesiasticam propriam peculiarem non obstante quòd non conveniant cum ritibus ceremoniis in Regno nostro usitatis That they permit the foresaid Superintendent and Ministers and their Successours freely and quietly to hold enjoy use and exercise their own proper rites and ceremonies and their proper and peculiar Church-discipline notwithstanding that they agree not with the rites and ceremonies used in Our Kingdome 34. Now followed the fatall tragedy of the Duke of Somerset Womens brawles Mens thralles and we must recoile a little to fetch forward the cause thereof Thomas Seymour Baron of Sudely and Lord Admirall the Protectours younger Brother had married the Lady Katharine Parre the Relict of King Henry the eighth A contest arose betwixt their Wives about place the Protectresse as I may call her refusing to give it to the Kings Dowager Yet was their precedencie no measuring cast but clear in the view of any unpartiall eye Nor needed other Herauld to decide the controversie than the Kings own Injunctions a Vide supra in the first of this King wherein after prayer for His own Royall person Ministers were commanded to pray for the Queen Dowager even before the Kings Sisters Mary and Elizabeth the Protectour under whom his Lady must claim place being placed last in the List of their Devotions 35. The Womens discords derived themselves into their Husbands hearts Lord Thomas â—eymour executed for Treason Whereupon not long after followed the death of the Lord Thomas Seymour arraigned for designing to traslate the Crown to himself though having neither Title to pretend unto it nor effectual Interest to atchieve the same Let b 1 King 2. Adonijah and this Lord's example deterre Subjects from medling with the Widows of their Soveraigns left in the same match they espouse their own danger and destruction This Lord thus cut off the Protectour stood alone on his own bottome at which his enemies daily endevoured to undermine 36. Soon after the Lords of the Councel resolved to accuse him of many high offences A tripartite accusation Of these Lords some were Lawyers as the Lord Wriothesley lately the Lord Rich then Lord Chancellour Sir Edward Montague Chief Justice c. some Martialists as S r Ralph Sadler Treasurer to the Army and some meer Statesmen as William Pawlet Lord Treasurer and their accusations participated of the severall conditions of the Accusers The Lawyers charge him for bringing Westminster-hall into Somerset-house keeping there a Court of Request and therein determining Titles of Land to the apparent injury of the Subject Military men taxed him for his Sumptuous buildings having their Morter tempered with the tears of Souldiers Wives and Children whose wages he detained and for betraying Bolloigne and other places in France to the Enemy States-men chiefly insisted on his engrossing all power to himself that whereas by the constitution of the Protectourship he was to act nothing without the advice of King Henry's Executours he solely transacted matters of the highest consequence without their privity 37. Here I must set John Dudley Earl of Warwick as a Transcendent in a form by himself Earle of Warwick the Proectors grand enemy being a competent Lawyer Ann. Dom. 1551. Son to a Judge known Soldier Ann Reg. Ed 6 5. and able States man and acting against the Protector to all these his capacities Indeed he was the very soul of the Accusation being all in all in every part thereof And seeing the Protector was free spirited open hearted humble hard to distrust easie to forgive The other proud suttle close cruell and revengefull it was impar congressus betwixt them almost with as much disadvantage as betwixt a naked and an armed person 38. Hereupon The Protector accused and imprisoned yet restored he was imprisoned at Windsor in a place antiently called c Fox Acts Mon. pag. Beauchamp's Tower it seems by a sad Prolepsis but never verified till now when this Vâ—count Beauchamp by his original honour was therein consined and hence was he removed to the Tower of London However although all this happened in the worst juncture of time viz in the disjuncture of his best Friend the Lord Russell Privie Seal then away in the West yet by his own innocence his other Friends endeavour the Kings interposing and Divine Providence he was acquitted and though outed his Protectorship restored and continued Privie Counsellour as in the King's Diarie was formerly observed 39. But after two years and two months Accused the second time his enemies began afresh to assault him hoping that as the first stroak shak'd the next would fell him to the ground Indeed Warwick who had too powerfull an influence upon all the Lords could not erect his intended Fabrick of Soveraignty except he first cleared the ground work from all obstructive rubbish whereof this Duke of Somerset was the Principall In whose absence the Lords met at the Councell Table where it was contrived how all things should be ordered in relation to his Arraignment 40. R. Rich Lord Chancellor then living in great S. Bartholomews though outwardly concurring with the rest Lord Rich his Servants dangerous mistake began now secretly to favour the Duke of Somerset and sent him a Letter therein acquainting him with all passages at the Councell Board superscribing the same either out of haste or familiarity with no other direction save To the Duke enjoying his Servant a raw attendant as newly entred into the family safely to deliver it The man made e This story attested to me by his great grand childe the Earl or Warwick more haste than good speed and his Lord wondring at his quick return demanded of him where the Duke was when he deliver'd him the Letter In Charter-house said his Servant on the same token that he read it at the window and smiled thereat But the
all due and wonted Ecclesiasticall monition declared so requiring it conceived it to belong unto us to provide for the eternall Salvation both of our selves and such as are committed to our charge by all means possible for us to obtain Wherefore stirred up by the examples of our Predecessours who have lived in the like times that faith which in the Articles under-written we believe to be true and from our souls profess to the praise and honour of God and the discharge of our duty and such souls as are commited unto us we thought in these presents publiquely to insert affirming and avowing as God shall helpe us in the last day of judgement First that in the Sacrament of the Altar by the vertue of Christs assisting after the word is duly pronounced by the Priest the naturall Body of Christ conceived of the Virgin Mary is really present under the species of bread and wine also his naturall bloud Item that after the Consecration there remains not the substance of Bread and Wine nor any other substance save the substance of God and man Item that the true body of Christ and his true bloud is offered a propitiatory sacrifice for the Quick and Dead Item that the supreme power of feeding and governing the militant Church of Christ and of confirming their Brethren is given to Peter the Apostle and to his lawfull Successours in the See Apostolike as unto the Vicars of Christ Item that the Authority to handle and define such things which belong to faith the Sacraments and Discipline Ecclesiasticall hath hitherto ever belonged and only ought to belong unto the Pastors of the Church whom the holy spirit hath placed in the Church of God and not unto lay-men Which our Assertion Affirmation and faith We the lower Clergy aforesaid so represent the aforesaid considerations unto your Fatherhoods by the Tenor of these Presents humbly requesting that because we have not liberty otherwise to notifie this our Judgement and intention to those which in this behalf are concerned you who are Fathers would be pleased to signifie the same to the Lords in Parliament wherein as we conceive you shall performe an office of Charity and Piety and you shall provide as it is meet for the safety of the flock committed to your charge and shall discharge your duty towards your own soul This remonstrance exhibited by the lower house of Convocation to the Bishops was according to their Requests presented by Edmond Bonner B p. of London to the Lord Keeper of the broad Seal of England in the Parliament Marc. 3. and as the said Bishop in the eighth Session reported he generously and gratefully received it But we finde no further news thereof save that in the 10. Session an account was given in by both Universities in an Instrument under the hand of a Publique Notary 10. wherein they both did concur to the Truth of the aforesaid Articles the last only excepted 10. But we may probably conceive that this Declaration of the Popish Clergy hastened the Disputation appointed on the last of March in the Church of Westminster The Disputations betwixt the Papists and Protestants at Westminster wherein these questions were debated 1. Whether Service and Sacraments ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue 2. Whether the Church hath not power to alter Ceremonies so all be done to edification 3. Whether the Mass be a propitiatory sacrifice for the Living and the Dead Popish Disputants Moderators Protestant Disputants * There is some difference in the Number and Names of Both Parties Mr. Fox neither agreeth with Mr. Camden nor with himself White Watson Baynes Scot. Bps. of Winchester Lincolne Covent and Lichfield Chester D r. Cole Deane of Pauls D r. Langdale D r. Harpsfield D r. Cheadsey Arch-Deac of Lewes Canterbury Middlesex Nicholas Heath B p. of York S r. Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal John Scory late B p. of Chichester David Whitehead Robert Horne Edmond Gwest Edwine Sands John Aelmer Edmond Grindall John Jewell The passages of this Disputation whereof more Noise then fruit and wherein more Passion then Reason Anno Dom. 1458. Cavils then Arguments are largely reported by M r. Fox It was ordered that each side should tender their Judgements in writing to avoid verball extravagancies as also in English for the better information of the Nobility and Gentry of the house of Parliament their Auditors and that the Papists should begin first and the Protestants answer them But in the second dayes disputation this order was broken by the Popish Bishops who quitting their Primacy to the Protestants stood peremptorily upon it that they themselves would deliver their Judgements last Alledging in their behalf the fashion of the Schools that because they had the negative on their side the others ought first to oppose Citing also the Custome of the Courts at Westminster where the plaintiffe pleadeth before the defendant conceiving themselves in the nature and notion of the Later because maintaining those opinions whose Truth time out of minde were established Chester more open then the Rest plainly confessed that if the protestants had the last word they would come off cum Applausu Populi with applause of the People which themselves it seems most desired Whereby it appears what Wind they wished for not what was fittest to fanne the truth but what would blow them most reputation In this Refusal to begin Winchester and Lincolne behaved themselves faucily and scornfully the rest stiffly and resolutely only Feckenham Abbot of Westminster who it seems the second day was added to the Popish Disputants carried it with more meeknesse and moderation Hereupon the Lord Keeper cut off this conference with this sharp Conclusion Seeing my Lords we cannot now hear you you may perchance shortly hear more of us 11. Yet need we not behold the frustration of this meeting The Papists complain of partial usage as a private Doome peculiarly to this conference alone but as the generall Destiny of such publike Colloquies which like Sicamore-trees prove barren and which the larger the Leaves of the Expectation the less the fruits of Successe The Assembly dissolved it were hard to say which were lowder the Papists in Complaining or the Protestants in Triumphing The former found themselves agrieved that they were surprised of a sudden having but two dayes warning to provide themselves That Bacon the Moderator though well skil'd in matters of Equity ignorant in matters of Divinity was their Zealous Enemy to whom the Arch-Bishop was added only for a stale That to call such fundamentall points of Doctrine into question would cause an unsetlednesse in Religion of dangerous consequence both to single souls and to the Church in generall That it was unlawfull for them owing obedience to the Sea Apostolike without leave of his Holinesse first obtained to discusse these truthes long since decided in the Church 13. The Protestants on the other side slighted the Papists Plea of want
very yeer these three were cited to appear before Edmuna Grindall BP Their judgements of the Queen of London one who did not run of himself yea would hardly answer the spur in pressing conformity the BP asked them this question Have we not a godly Prince a The Register of 〈◊〉 pag. 33. speak is she evill To which they made their severall answers in manner following William White What a question is that the fruits do shew Thomas Rowland No but the Servants of God are persecuted under her Robert Hawkins Why this question the Prophet answereth in the Psalms How can they have understanding that work iniquity spoyling my peoplâ— and that extoll vanity Wonder not therefore if the Queen proceeded severely against some of them commanding them to be put into Prison though still their Party daily increased 11. Nicholas Wotton died this year Dean at the same time of Canterbury and Yorke The death of Dr. Wotton so that these two Metropolitan Churches so often contesting about their Priviledges were reconciled in his preferment He was Doctour of both Laws and some will say of both Gospels who being Privie Councellour to King Henry the Eighth Edward the Sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth never overstrained his conscience such his oylie compliance in all alterations However he was a most Prudent man and happily active in those many Embassies wherein he was employed 12. The Romanists were neither ignorant not to observe 9. 1568 Harding and Saunders Bishop it in England nor idle not to improve the advantage lately given them by the discords betwixt the Bishops and Nonconformists And now to strengthen their Party two most active fugitive Priests Thomas Harding and Nicholas Saunders return into England and that Episcopall power which they had lately received from the Pope they largely exercised on the Papists 1. Absolving all English in the Court of Conscience who returned to the bosome of their Church 2. Dispensing with them in cases of irregularity saving such which proceeded from wilfull murder 3. Even from irregularity of heresie b Camdens Eliz. in this year on condition that the Party to be absolved refrained three years from the Ministery of the Altar Very earnest they were in advancing the Catholick Cause and perverted very many to their own Erroneous opinions 13. Mary Queen of Scots 10. May 17. ill used at home by her own Subjects made an escape into England Q of Scots comes into England and landed at Wirkington in Cumberland the Statepart of whose sufferings we leave to Civill Historians confining our selves to the imprinted passages concerning Religion beginning with her letter to the Pope Most Holy Father Anno Dom. 1568. Anno Regin Eliza. 10. AFter the kissing of your most holy feet Her letter to Pope Pius Quintus hi herâ—o never printed the Copy whereof was as with many other rarities bestowed on me by James Arch-Bishop of Armagh I having been advertised that my Rebels and their Fautours that retain them in their Countries Nove 30. have wrought so effectually by their practises that it hath been related unto the King of Spain my Lord and good Brother that I am become variable in the Catholick Religion although I have within some dayes past written to your Holinesse devoutly to kiss your feet and recommending me unto you I do now again most humbly beseech you to hold me for a most devout and a most obedient Daughter of the Holy Catholick Roman Church and not to give faith unto those reports which may easily come or shall hereafter come to your ears by means of the false and calumnious speeches which the said Rebels and other of the same Sect have caused to be spread abroad that is to say that I have changed my Religion thereby to deprive me of your Holinesse grace and the favour of other Catholick Princes The same hath touched my heart so much that I could not fail to write again of new to your Holinesse to complain and bemoan my self of the wrongs and of the injuries which they do unto me I beseech the same most humbly to be pleased to write in my favour to the devout Christian Princes and obedient sons of your Holinesse exhorting them to interpose their credit and authority which they have with the Queen of England in whose power I am to obtain of her that she will let me go out of her country whither I came secured by her promises to demand aid of her against my Rebels and if neverthelesse she will retain me by all means yet that she will permit me to exercise my Religion which hath been forbidden to me for which I am grieved and vexed in this Kingdom insomuch as I will give you to understand what subtilties my Adversaries have used to colour these calumniations against me They so wrought that an English Minister was sometimes brought to the place where I am streightly kept which was wont to say certain prayers in the vulgar tongue and because I am not at my own liberty nor permitted to use any other Religion I have not refused to hear him thinking I had committed no errour Wherein neverthelesse most Holy Father if I have offended or failed in that or any thing else I ask misericordia of your Holinesse beseeching the same to pardon and to absolve me and to be sure and certain that I have never had any other will then constantly to live the most devout and most obedient Daughter of the Holy Catholick Roman Church in which I will live and die according to your Holinesse advises and precepts I offer to make such amends and pennance that all Catholick Princes especially your Holinesse as Monarch of the world shall have occasion to rest satisfied and contented with me In the mean time I will devoutly kiss your Holinesse feet praying God long to conserve the same for the benefit of his Holy Church Written from Castle a a The Lord Scroop his house in Yorke shire where Sr. Fra. Knowls was her keeper Boulton the last of November 1568. The most devout and obedient Daughter to your Holinesse the Q of Scotland Widdow of France MARIA I meet not with the answer which his Holinesse returned unto her and for the present leave this Lady in safe custody foreseeing that this her exchange of letters with Forraign Princes and the Pope especially will finally cause her destruction 14. Thomas Young Arch-Bishop of Yorke died at Sheffield June 26. Anno Regin 11. The death of T 〈◊〉 Arch 〈◊〉 of York and was buried in his own Cathedrall He plucked down the great Hall at Yorke built by Thomas his predecessour five hundred yeers before so far did plumâ—i sacra fames desire to gain by the leade prevail with him Yet one presumeth to avouch that all that lead in effect proved but dross unto him being a S. 〈◊〉 Harington in his addition to Bp. Godwins catalogue in fine defeated of the
profit thereof Nove. 14. Mond He was the first Protestant English Bishop that died in the dayes of Q. Elizabeth 15. Thomas Piercy Earle of Northumberland and Charles Nevill Earle of Westmerland brake out into open Rebellion against the Queen 1569 The Rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland Lords of right noble extraction and large revenue whose titles met with their estates in the Northern Parts and indeed the height of their honour was more then the depths of their judge ment These intended to restore the Romish Religion set free the Queen of Scots pretending much zeal for the liberty of the people and honour of the nation complaining of Queen Elizabeth her neglect of the ancient Nobility and advancing mean persons to the places of highest trust and command though indeed could she have made her Noblemen wise as she did her Wisemen Noble these Earls had never undertaken this Rebellion Numerous their Tenants in the North and their obligations the higher for the low rent they paid though now alass poor souls they paid a heavy sine losing their lives in the cause of their Landlords 16. Their first valour was to fight against the English Bible 16. 〈◊〉 Anno Regin 12. Dece 10. More superstiâ—ous thâ—n valiant and Service-Booke in Durham tearing them in pieces And as yet unable to go to the cost of saying Masse for want of Vestiments they began with the cheapest piece of Popery Holy Water their Wells plentifully affording water and Plumtree the Priest quickly conferring consâ—eration Afterwards better provided they set up Mass in most places where they came b Sâ—ws Cron. 663. Richard Norton an ancient and aged Gentleman carrying the Cross before them and others bearing in their Banners the five wounds of Christ or a Chalice according to their different devices No great matter was atchieved by them save the taking of Baâ—â—ards Castle in the Bishoprick which indeed took it self in effect the Defenders thereof being destitute of Victuals and Provisions 17. But hearing how the Garrisons of Carlile and Barwick were manned against them on their backs Routed â—y the Queen her forces and the Earle of Sussex advancing out of the South with an Army to oppose them their spirits quickly sunk and being better armed then disciplined wanting expert Commanders how easily is a rout routed they fled Northwards and mouldered away without standing a battell 18. An Italian Authour writing the life of Pope Pius Quintus giveth us this brief account of this expedition An Italian Authour reckoning without his Hoast They did not overrun the Kingdom as they ought to have done and followed after Elizabeth for which they could not have wanted followers enough but they stood still and not being able to maintain themselves long in the field for want of mony they finally withdrew themselves into Scotland without any thing doing So easie it is for this Authors fancy which scaleth the highest Walls without Ladders gaineth the straightest passes without blows crosses the deepest Rivers without Bridge Ford or Ferry to overrun England though otherwise this handfull of men never exceeding six hundred horse and four thousand foot were unlikely to run through other shiers who could not stand a blow in their own Country 19. Northumberland fled into Scotland Northumberland with many more of thâ— Rebels executed lurked there a time Anno Dom. 1569. was betrayed to Earle Murrey Anno Regin Eliza. 12. sent back into England and beheaded at Yorke Westmerland made his escape into Flanders the wisest work that ever he did where he long lived very poore on a small and ill paâ—ed Pension Many were executed by S r. George Bowes Knight Marshall every market Town being then made a shire Town for his Assises betwixt New-Castle and Witherby a Sâ—ow his Chronicle p. 663. about sixty miles in length and forty in breadth much terrifying those parts with his severity Insomuch that when next year Leonard Dacres put together the ends of the quenched brands of this Rebellion with intent to rekinâ—le them they would not take fire but by the vigilancy and valour of the L. Hansdon his designe was seasonably defeated 20. John Story D. of Law The execution of Dr. Story a cruel persecutor in the dayes of Q. Mary being said for his share to have martyred two or three hundred fled afterwards over into Brabant and because great with Duke de Alva like cup like 〈◊〉 he made him searcher at Antwerp for English goods Where if he could detect either Bible * Fox Acts Mon. p. 2152. or Hereticall Books as they termed them in any ship it either cost their persons imprisonment or goods confiscation But now being trained into the ship of Mr. Parker an Englishman the Master hoised sail time and tide winde and water consenting to that designe and over was this Tyrant and Traitor brought into England where refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy and professing himself subject to the King of Spain he was executed at Tyburne Where being cut down halfe dead after his * Fox Acts Mâ—n ut prius privie members were cut off he rushed on the Executioner and gave him a blow on the eare to the wonder saith my Author of all the standers by and I who was not there wonder more that it was not recounted amongst the Romish miracles 21. The old store of Papists in England began now very much to diminish The original of the English Colledges beyond the seas and decay insomuch that the Romanists perceiv'd they could not spend at this rate out of the main stock but it would quickly make them Bankerupt Prisons consumed many Age moe of their Priests and they had no place in England whence to recruit themselves The largest cisterne with long drawing will grow dry if wanting a fountain to feed the daily decay thereof Hereupon they resolved to erect Colledges beyond the seas for English youth to have their education therein A project now begun and so effectually prosecuted that within the compasse of fifty years nine Colledges were by them founded and furnished with Students and they with maintenance as by the following Catalogue may appear as they stood at the last yeer of King James Since no doubt they have been enlarged in greatnesse increased in number enriched in revenues as such who shall succeed us in continuing this Story may report to posterity May they at my request if having the conveniencies of leisure and instructions be pleased to perfect this my Catalogue and replenish the vacuities thereof with their more exact observations And let no Papists laugh at our light mistakes Protestants not pretending to such exact intelligence of their Colledges as they have of ours Indeed they have too criticall instructions of all our English societies by their agents living amongst us and it is a bad signe when suspicious persons are over-preying to know the windows doors all the passages and
such offencive Ministers as they thought to be touched with such dishonest conversation together with their proofs thereof promising on our parts to see the same redressed accordingly It seemeth by this which is exhibited now to your Lordships they have prevented the time hoping thereby to alter the course whereunto it tendeth I leave to your Lordships consideration surely if the Ministers be such as this Schedule reporteth they are worthy to be grievously punished And for my own part I will not be slack or remisse Godwilling therein But if that fall out otherwise upon tryal and that they or many of them in respect of their obedience to her Majesties laws be thus depraved by such as impugne the same then I doubt not but your Lordship will judge those amusers to deserve just punishment This I can assure your Lordships of that my Lord of London affirmed in my hearing that not long since upon that occasion that none or few at his or his Arch-Deacons visitations had at any time by the Church-wardens or sworn men been detected or presented for any such misdemeanours as are now supposed against them Of the Preachers which are said to be put there to silence I know but few Notwithstanding I know those few to be very factious in the Church contempners in sundry points of the Ecclesiasticall laws and chief authors of disquietness in that part of the Country And such as I for my part cannot doing my duty with a good conscience suffer without their further conformity to execute their ministry But your Lordships God willing shall have a more particular answer to every point of your letter when my Lord of London who is now at his house in the Country and I shall meet and have conferred thereupon In the mean time I trust that neither there nor elsewhere within this province either by my self or others of my brethren any thing is oâ— shall be done which doth not tend to the peace of the Church the working of obedience to laws established the encouragement of the most the Godliest and most learnedst Ministers in this Church of England and to the Glory of God To whose protection I commit your good Lordships Now although we finde S r. Christopher Hatton for companies sake as we humbly conceive it amongst the Privie Councellors Peter Rihadeneira in his Appendix to Sanders pag. 41. subscribbing for moderation to non-conformists yet we take him to be a zealous Stickler for the pressing Church Ceremony And although I look on the words of the Jesuite as a meer scandal when he saith that this Hatton was Animo Catholicus a Papist in his heart yet I know him to be no favourer of the Presbyterian party But a great countenancer of Whitgifts proceedings against them as appears by the following Address of the Arch-Bishop unto him To Sr. Christopher Hatton Right Honorable I give you most hearty thanks for that most friendly message which you sent unto me by your man M r Kemp I shall think my self bound unto you therefore as long as long as I live The Arch-Bishâ—ps gratulatory letter to Sr. Christopher Hatton It hath not a little comforted me having received not long since unkinde speeches where I least looked for them only for doing my duty in the most necessary business which I have in hand I marvell how it should come to passe that the selfsame persons will seem to wish peace and uniformity in the Church and to mislike of the contentious and disobedient sort cannot abide that any thing should be done against them wishing rather the whole Ministry of the land to be discountenanced and discouraged then a few wayard persons of no account in comparison suppressed and punished Men in executing the laws according to their duties were wont to be encouraged and backed hy such but now it falleth out clean contrary Disobedient wifull persons I will tearm them no worse are animated Laws contemned her Majesties will and pleasure little regarded and the executors thereof in word and deed abused howbeit these overthwarts grieve me yet I thank God they cannot withdraw me from doing that duty in this cause which I am perswaded God himself her Majesty the laws and the State of this Church and Commonwealth do require of me In respect whereof I am content to sustain all these displeasures and fully resolved not to depend upon man but upon God and her Majesty and therefore your honour in offering me that great curtesie offered unto me as great a pleasure as I can desire Her Majesty must be my refuge and I beseech you that I may use you as a means when occasion shall serve whereof I assure my self and therein rest John Cantuar. As for the Lord Burleigh such was his moderation that both parties beheld him as their friend carrying matters not with Passion and prejudice but prudently as became so great a Statesman He was neither so rigid as to have conformity prest to the Height nor so remiss as to leave Ministers to their own liberty He would argue the case both in discourse and by letters with the Arch-Bishop Amongst many of the latter kinde let not the Reader grudge to peruse this here inserted IT may please your Grace The Treasuâ—ers Letter to the Arch-Bishop for some Indulgence to the Ministers I am sorry to trouble you so often as I doe but I am more troubled my self not only with many private petitions of sundry Ministers recommended for persons of credit and for peaceable persons in their Ministry and yet by complaints to your Grace and other your Colleagues in Commission greatly troubled But also I am daily now charged by Councellers and publick persons to neglect my duty in not staying of those your Graces proceedings so vehement and so Generall against Ministers and Preachers as the Papists are thereby greatly incouraged and all evill disposed persons amongst the Subjects animated and thereby the Queens Majesties safety endangered with these kinde of arguments I am daily assayled against which I answer That I think your Grace doth nothing but being duly examined tendeth to the maintenance the Religion established and to avoid schism in the Church I also have for example shewed by your papers sent to me how fully the Church is furnished with Preachers and how small a number there are that do contend for their singularity But these reasons do not satisfie all persons neither do I seek to satisfie all persons but with reason and truth But now my good Lord by chance I have come to the sight of an instrument of 24 Articles of great length and curiosity formed in a Romish stile to examine all manner of Ministers in this time without distinction of Persons which Articles are intituled apud Lambeth Maâ—j 1584. to be executed Ex officio mero c. and upon this occasion I have seen them I did recommend unto your Graces favour two Ministers Curates of Cambridge-shire to be favourably heard and your Grace wrote
Colledge in Oxford living and dying a single man of whom largely before His innocency survived to triumph over those aspersions which the malice of others advantaged by his own dove-like simplicity had cast upon him I am informed S r Edwin Sands hath erected a monument over him in his Parish-Church in Kent where he lieth interred 41. An over-politick act disliked I cannot omit what I finde in this year in M r Camden his * Which shortly will be set forth in a new edition manuscript-life of Queen Elizabeth A report was cast out by our polititians in the midst of Harvest of the danger of a present forrain invasion done out of designe to prevent the Popularity of the Earl of Essex and to try the peoples inclinations Instantly all were put into a posture of defence mowers reapers all harvest folke left their work to be imployed in musters This afterwards appeared but a Court-project whereat the country took much distast so ill it is to jest with edged tools especially with Sythes and Sickles My Author addeth that people affirmed that such May-games had been fitter in the spring when sports were used amongst the Romans to Flora and not in the Autumn when people were seriously imployed to fetch in the fruits of the earth But by his leave these Expressions flow from Criticks and fly far above the capacities of Country-men 42. This Century Concluded the lives of two eminent Roman Catholicks John Sanderson born in Lancashire 43. 1600. The death of I. Sanderson and T. Case bred in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge where he set forth an excellent Logick called Sandersons Logick fourty years ancienter then that which his worthy name-sake of Oxford of a different judgement in religion hath since printed on the same subject From Cambridge he fled to Cambray in Artois where he lived with good comfort and died with great credit with those of his own perswasion The other Thomas Case of S t Johns in Oxford D r of Physick it seems always a Romanist in his heart but never expressing the same till his mortal sickness seized upon him The end of the sixteenth Century THE CHURCH-HISTORY OF BRITAIN THE TENTH BOOK Containing the Reigne of KING JAMES TO THE HONOURABLE ROBERT Lord BRUCE SOLE SON TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS EARLE of ELGIN HAving by Gods assistance drawn down my History to the death of Queen Elizabeth some disswade me from continuing it any further Because that as Saint Peter out of warinesse alias cowardlinesse followed Christ who was the Truth * Mat. 26. 58. afarre off so they lay this down for a Maxime That the Story of Modern Times must not be written by any alive A Position in my poor opinion both disgracefull to Historians and prejudiciall to Posterity Disgracefull to Historians as if they would make themselves like unto the beasts of the Forrest as charactered by David Psal 10â— 20 22. Who move in the Darknesse till the Sun ariseth and they get them away loving to write of things done at distance where Obscurity may protect their Mistakes from Discovery but putting up their pens as soon as the day dawns of Modern Times and they within the reach of reputation Prejudiciall to Posterity seeing intentions in this nature long delayed are at last defeated * Plutarch in his Morals The Young man moved by his Mother to Marry returned That as yet it was too soon and some yeares after pleaded That now it was too late So some say Truth is not ripe enough to be written in the Age we live in which proveth rotten too much for the next Generation faithfully to report when the Impreses of memorable matters are almost worn out the Histories then written having more of the Authors hand than footsteps of truth therein Sure I am the most informative Histories to Posterity and such as are most highly prized by the judicious are such as were written by the Eye-witnesses thereof As Thucidides the reporter of the Peloponesian Warre However one may observe such as write the Story of their owne Times like the two Messengers which carried tydings to David Of these Ahimaaz sent the rather by permission than injunction onely told David what he knew would please him acquainting him with his Victory But being demanded of his Sons death he made a Tale of a * 2 Sam. 18. 29. Tumult no better than an officious Lye for himself the issue whereof was to him unknown Cushi the other Messenger having his carriage lesse of cunning and more of conscience informing the King of his Sons death but folding it up in a faire expression * 2 Sam. 18. 32. The Enemies of my Lord the King and all that rise against thee to doe thee hurt be as that young man is Ahimaaz is imitated by such Historians who leave that unwritten which they suspect will be unwelcome These following the rule Summa Lex salus Authoris when they meet with any necessary but dangerous Truth passe it over with a Blank flourished up with some ingenious evasion Such Writers succeed to plain Cushi in their Relations who give a true account of actions and to avoid all exasperating terms which may make a bad matter worse in relating it use the most lenitive language in expressing distastfull matter adventuring with their own danger to procure the information of others Truly one is concerned in conscience to transmit to the next Age some short intimations of these Times out of feare that Records are not so carefully kept in these so many and sudden Changes as they were in former Ages I know Machiavel was wont to say That he who undertakes to Write a History must be of no Religion if so he himselfe was the best qualified of any in his Age to be a good Historian But I believe his meaning was much better than his words intending therein That a Writer of Histories must not discover his inclination in Religion to the prejudice of Truth Levi-like who said to his Father and Mother I have not seen them owning no acquaintance of any Relations This I have endeavoured to my utmost in this Book knowing as that Oyle is adjudged the best that hath no tast at all so that Historian is preferred who hath the least Tangue of partial Reflections However some Candour of course is due to such Historians wherein the Courtesie not so great in giving as the Injury in detaining it which run the Chiding of these present Times in hope that after-Ages may excuse them And I am confident that these my Labours shall finde the same favour which may be in meer men should be in all Gentlemen must be in true Christians the rather because this Booke appeareth Patronized by a Dedication to Your Honour I have selected your Lordship for a Patron to this part of my History wherein the Reign of King JAMES is contained under VVhose peaceable Government your Grandfather was His Privie Counsellour and Master of
not legally be conveyed to any Petitioner Ann. Dom. 1604 Ann Reg. Jac. 2 Thus his Majesty manifested his good will and affection to Religion and although this Law could not finally preserve Church-lands to make them immortall yet it prolonged their lives for many yeares together 12. Passe we now into the Convocation The Acts of this Convocation why as 〈…〉 recovered to see what was done there But here the History thereof as I may say is shot betwixt the joynts of the Armor in the intervall after Whitgift's death and before Bancroft's removall to Canterbury so that I can finde the Originall thereof neither in the Office of the Vicar-generall nor in the Registry of London not can I recover it as yet from the Office of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury where most probably it is to be had the Jurisdiction belonging to them in the Vacancy 13. Take this as the result thereof Many Canon made therein Bishop Bancroft sitting President A Book of Canons was compiled not onely being the summe of the Queens Articles Orders of her Commissioners Advertisements Canons of 1571. and 1597. which were in use before but also many more were added the whole number amounting unto 141. Some wise and moderate men supposed so many Lawes were too heavy a burden to be long borne and that it had been enough for the Episcopall party to have triumphed not insulted over their adversaries in so numerous impositions However an Explanation was made in one of the Canons of the use of the Crosse in Baptisme to prevent Scandall and learned Thuanus in his History taketh an especiall notice thereof 14. Motion being made in this Convocation Bishop Rudd why opposing the oath against Simony about framing an Oath against Simony to be taken by all presented to Churchpreferment Bishop Rudde of St. Davids as conscientious as any of his order and free from that fault opposed it chiefly because he thought it unequall that the Patron should not be forced as well as the Clerk to take that Oath Whereupon it was demanded of him whether he would have the King to take that Oath when he presented a Bishop or Dean and hereat the Bishop sate downe in silence 15. About this time the Corporation of Rippon in York-shire The Petition of the Town of Rippon to Queen Anne presented their Petition to Queen Anne on this occasion They had a faire Collegiate Church stately for the structure thereof formerly erected by the Nobility and Gentry of the Vicenage the meanes whereof at the dissolution of Abbies were seized on by the King so that small maintenance was left to the Minister of that populous Parish Now although Edwin Sands Arch-bishop of York with the Earle of Huntinton Lord Burgley and Sheaffield successively Presidents of the North had recommended their Petition to Qu. Elizabeth they obtained nothing but faire unperformed Promises whereupon now the Ripponeers humbly addressed themselves to Queen Anne and hear her answer unto them ANNA R. ANNE by the grace of God Qu. of England Scotland France and Ireland c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas there hath been lately exhibited and recommended unto us a frame and plat-forme of a Colledge Generall to be planted and established at Rippon in the County of Yorke for the manifold benefit of both the Borders of England and Scotland Upon the due perusing of the plot aforesaid hereunto annexed and upon signification given of the good liking and approbation of the chief points contained therein by sundry grave learned and religious parties and some other of honourable Place and Estate We have thought good for the ample and perpetuall advancement of Learning and Religion in both the borders of our aforesaid Realmes to condescend to yeild our favour and best furtherance thereunto And for the better encouraging of other honourable and worthy Personages to joyn with us in yeilding their bounty and benevolence thereunto We have and do signifie and assure and by the word of a sacred Princesse and Queen do expresly promise to procure with all convenient speed to and for the yearely better maintenance of the said Colledge All and every of the Requests specified and craved to that end in a small Schedule hereunto annexed In confirmation whereof we have signed these Presents by our hand and name above mentioned and have caused our privy Signet to be set unto the same July 4. Dated at our Honour at Greenwich July 4. An. Dom. 1604. and of our Reigne c. After the sealing thus subscribed Gulielmus Toulerius Secretarius de mandate serenissimae Annae Reginae Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae 16. Such need never fear successe King James his bountifull grant who have so potent a person to solicite their suite King James being forward of himselfe to advance Learning and Religion and knowing Christs precept Let your Light shine before Men knew also that Rippon was an advantagious place for the fixing thereof As which by its commodious position in the North there would reflect lustre almost equally into England and Scotland Whereupon he founded a Dean and Chapter of seven Prebends allowing them two hundred forty seven pounds a yeare out of his own Crowne-land for their maintenance 17. I am informed These Lands since twice sold that lately the Lands of this Church are by mistake twice sold to severall Purchasers viz. Once under the notion of Dean and Chapters Lands and againe under the property of Kings Lands I hope the Chapâ—men when all is right stated betwixt them will agree amongst themselves on their bargaine Mean time Rippon Church may the better comport with poverty because onely remitted to its former condition 18. The Family of Love or Lust rather at this time The Petition of the Family of Love to King James presented a tedious Petition to King James so that it is questionable whether His Majesty ever graced it with his perusall wherein they endeavoured to cleare themselves from some misrepresentations and by fawning expression to insinuate themselves into his Majesty's good opinion Which here we present To the King 's most excellent MAJESTY JAMES the first by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. MOst gracious and Sveraigne Lord whereas there is published in a Book written by your Highnesse as an instruction to your most noble * * In his Basilicon Doron Sonne whom Almighty God blesse with much Honour Happinesse and Long life of a People that are of a vile Sect among the Anabaptists called the Family of Love who doe hold and maintaine many proud uncharitable unchristian and most absurd Opinions unto whom your Highnesse doth also give the name of Puritans assuming in the said Book that divers of them as Brown Penry and others doe accord with them in their foule Errours heady and phantasticall Opinions which are there set downe at large by Your Majesty
he presented a list of all the Prebendaries of that Church referring the election to his Majesty himself who made choise of Dr. Laud Bishop of Saint Davids for that attendance 18. Dr. Senhouse Feb 2. The Coronation Sermon Bishop of Carlile Chaplain to the King when Prince preached at the Coronation his text And I will give unto thee a Crown of life In some sort it may be said that he preached his own funerall dying shortly after and even then the black Jaundice had so possessed him a disease which hangs the face with mourning as against its buriall that all despaired of his recovery Now seeing this Coronation cometh within if not the pales and Park the purlews of Ecclesiastical Historie we will present so much thereof as was acted in the Church of Westminster Let Heraulds marshall the solemnitie of their advance from Westminster-Hall to this Church The solemn advance to the Church Anno Dom. 1625-2â— Anno Regis Car. 1. 1 where our pen takes the first possession of this subject 19. But first we will premise the equipage according to which they advanced from Westminster-Hall to the Abbey-Church in order as followeth 1. The Aldermen of London two by two ushered by an Herauld 2. Eightie Knights of the Bath in their Robes each having an Esquire to support and Page to attend him 3. The Kings Serjeants at Law Solicitour Atturney Masters of Request and Judges 4. Privie-Counsellors that were Knights and chief Officers of the Kings Houshold 5. Barons of the Kingdome all bare-headed in their Parliament-Robes with swords by their sides 6. The Bishops with Scarlet-gowns and Lawn-sleeves bare-headed 7. The Vice-Counts and Earles not in their Parliament but in their Coronation-Robes with Coronetted-Caps on their Heads 8. The Officers of State for the day whereof these are the principall Sr. Richard Winn. Sr. George Goreing The Lord Privie-Seal The Archbishop of Canterbury The Earl of Dorset carrying The first Sword naked The Earl of Essex The second The Earl of Kent The third The Earl of Montgomerie The Spurs The Earl of Sussex The Globe and Crosse upon it The Bishop of London The Golden Cup for the Communion The Bishop of Winchester The Golden Plate The Earl of Rutland The Scepter The Marquesse Hammilton The Sword of State naked The Earl of Pembroke The Crown The Lord Maior in a crimson Velvet gown carried a short Scepter before the King amongst the Serjeants But I am not satisfied in the criticalness of his place The Earl of Arundel as Earl-Marshall of England and the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High-Constable of England for that day went before his Majestity in this great solemnity 20. The King entred at the West-gate of the Church The manner of the Kings Coronation under a rich Canopy carried by the Barons of the Cinque-Ports his own person being supported by Dr. Neyle Bishop of Durham on the one hand and Dr. Lake Bishop of Bath and Wells on the other His train being six yards long of purple Velvet was held up by the Lord Compton as belonging to the Robes and the Lord Viscount Dorcester Here he was met by the Prebends of Westminster Bishop Laud supplying the Dean his place in their rich Copes who delivered into his Majesties hand the Staff of King Edward the Confessor with which he walked upto the Scaffold 21. This was made of wood at the upper end of the Church The fashion of the Scaffold from the Quire to the Altar His Majesty mounted it none under the degree of a Baron standing thereon save only the Prebends of Westminster who attended on the Altar three Chaires were appointed for him in severall places one of Repose the second the ancient Chair of Coronation and the third placed on an high square of five Staires ascent being the Chair of State 22. All being settled and reposed The King presented and accepted by the People the Lord Archbishop did present his Majesty to the Lords and Commons East West North South asking their minds four severall times if they did consent to the Coronation of King Charles their lawfull Soveraign The King mean time presented himself bare-headed Anno Regis Car. 1. 1. Anno Dom. 1623-26 the consent being given four times with great acclamation the King took his Chaire of repose 23. After the Sermon whereof before the L. Archbishop Sworn and annointed invested in a rich Coape tendered to the King kneeling down on cushions at the Communion-Table a large Oath then were his Majesties Robes taken off him and were offered on the Altar He stood for a while stripped to his Doublet and Hose which were of white Satten with Ribbons on the Armes and Shoulders to open them and he appeared a proper Person to all that beheld him Then was he led by the L. Archbishop and the Bishop of St. Davids and placed in the Chaire of Coronation a close Canopie being spread over him the L. Archbishop anointing his head shoulders armes and hands with a costly ointment the Quire singing an Antheme of these words Zadok the Priest anointed King Solomon 24. Hence the King was led up in his Doublet and Hose with a white Coyfe on his head to the Communion Table Solemnly Crowned where Bishop Laud Deputy for the Dean of Westminster brought forth the ancient Habiliments of King Edward the Confessour and put them upon him Then was his Majestie brought back to the Chaire of Coronation and received the Crown of King Edward presented by Bishop Laud and put on his head by the Archbishop of Canterburie The Quire singing an Antheme Thou shalt put a Crown of pure Gold upon his head Whereupon the Earles and Viscounts put on their Crimson Velvet Caps with Coronets about them the Barons and Bishops alwayes standing bare headed Then every Bishop came severally to his Majesty to bring his benediction upon him and he in King Edwards Robes with the Crown upon his head rose from his Chaire and did bow severally to every Bishop apart 25. Then was King Edwards Sword girt about him And giâ—t with several Swords which he took off again and offered up at the Communion Table with two Swords more surely not in relation to Scotland and Ireland but to some ancient Principalities his Predecessors enjoyed in France Then the Duke of Buckingam as Master of the Horse put on his Spurres and thus completely crowned his Majesty offered first Gold then Silver at the Altar and afterwards Bread and Wine which were to be used at the holy Communion 26. Then was his Majesty conducted by the Nobility to the Throne upon that square Bâ—fs of five ascents Homage done by the Nobility to his Majestys the Quire singing Te deum Here his Majesty took an Oath of homage from the Duke of Buckingam as Lord high Constable for that day and the Duke did sweare all the Nobilitie besides to be Homagers to his Majestie at his Majesties knees 27. Then as
Sir Richard Poole and Margaret Countess of Sarisbury who was daughter to George Duke of Clarence Forsake me Quite casting him off because he would not be bred a Papist and goe to Rome THEN An emphatical Monosyllable just in that nick of time The Lord taketh me up Not immediately miracles being ceased but in and by the Hands of Henry Earl of Huntingdon his honorable kinsman providing plentifull maintenance for him 23. However Often silenced and restored after he was entred in the Ministery he met with many molestations as hereby doth appear 1 silenced by The High Commission 1590. in June 2 Bishop Chaderton 1605. April 24. 3 Bishop Neile 1611. in November 4 The Court at Lecest 1630. March 4. 1 restored by The High Commission 1591. in January 2 Bishop Barlow 1608. in January 3 Doctor * Vicar Gen. to Archbishop Abbots Ridley 1625. June 20. 4 The same Court 1631. August 2. And now me thinks I hear the Spirit speaking unto him as once to the Prophet * 24. 27. Ezechiel Thou shal speak and be no more dumb singing now with the Celestiall Quire of Saints and Angels Indeed though himself a Non-conformist he loved all honest men were they of a different judgment minded like Luther herein who gave for his Motto In quo aliquid CHRISTI video illum diligo 24. He was Minister of Ashby de la Zouch fourty and three yeers His long and assiduous preaching This putteth me in minde of Theodosiue and of Valentinian two worthy Christian Emperors their constitutions making those Readers of the Civil Law Counts of the first Order cùm * 〈…〉 lib. 6. tit aâ— adviginti annos observatione jugi Anno Regis Caroli Anno Dom. ac sedulo docendi labore pervenerint when with daâ—ly observation and diligent labor of teaching they shall arrive at twenty yeers Surely the Readers of Gods Law which double that time shal not lose their reward 25. The same yeer died Robert Bolton The death of Bolton born in Lancashire bred in Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxford beneficed at Broughton in Northamptonshire An authoritative Preacher who majestically became the Pulpiz and whose life is exactly * By my good friend Mr. Pagshaw written at large to which I refer such as desire farther satisfaction And here may the Reader be pleased to take notice that henceforward we shall on just grounds for bear the description of such Divines as yeerly deceased To say nothing of them save the dates of their deaths will add little to the readers information to say much in praise or dispraise of them wherein their relations are so nearly concerned may add too much to the Writers danger Except therefore they be persons so eminent for their learning or active for their lives as their omission may make a maâ—m in our History we shall passe them over in silence hereafter 26. Archbishop Laud began to look with a jealous eye on the Feoffees for Impropriations Impropriation Feoffees questioned as who in process of time would prove a thorne in the sides of Episcopacy and by their purchases become the prime Patrones for number and greatness of benefices This would multiply their dependents and give a secret growth to Non-conformity Whereupon by the Archbishops procurement a Bil was exhibited in the Eschequer Chamber by Mr. Noy the Atturny Generall against the Feoffees aforesaid and that great Lawyer endevoured to overthrow as one termed it their Apocrypha Incorporation 27. It was charged against them 8 1632 first Their first acculation that they diverted the charity wherewith they were intrusted to other uses * Being by their Feoffment to eâ—â—ct them where preaching was wanting when erecting a Lecture every morning at St. Antholines in London What was this but lighting candles to the Sun London being already the Land of Goshen and none of those dark and far distant corners where Soules were ready to famish for lack of the food of the word What was this but a bold breach of their trust even in the Eye of the Kingdome 28. They answered that London being the chief staple of charity and the place where the principall contributers to so pious a work did reside And answere thereunto it was but fit that it should share in the benefit of their bounty That they were not so confined to the uses in their Feoffment but that in their choice they might reflect as well on the Eminency as Necessity of the place that they expended much of their own as well as other mens money and good reason they should doe therewith as they pleased 29. It was pressed against them A second charge against them that they generally preferred Non conformists to the Lectures of their Erection To this it was answered that none were placed therein but such whose Sufficiency and Conformity were first examined and approved by the Ordinary to be to such a Degree as the Law required Yea it is said that Mr. White one of the Feoffees privately proffered Bishop Laud at his house in Fulham that if he disliked either the Persons who managed or Order which they took in this work they would willingly submit the alteration to his Lordships discretion 30. In conclusion the Court condemned their proceedings They are overthrown as dangerous to the Church and State pronouncing the Gifts Feoffments and Contrivances made to the Uses aforesaid to be illegall and so dissolved the same confiscating their money unto the Kings use Their criminall part was referred to but never prosecuted in the Star-chamber because the Design was generally approved and both discreet and devout men were as desirous of the Regulation so dolefull at the ruin of so pious a Project 31. Samuel Harsenet about this time ended his life The death of Archbishop Harsenâ—t born in Colchester bred Scholar Fellow Master of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge afterwards Bishop of Chtchester and Norwich Anno Dom. 1633 Anno Regis Caroli 9 Archbishop of York and privy Counsellor He was a zealous asserter of ceremonies using to complain of the first I believe who used the expression of CONFORMABLE PURITANS who practised it out of policy yet dissented from it in their judgments He lieth buried in Chigwell Church in Essex where he built a School with this Epitâ—ph Indignus Eptscopus Clcestrensis indignior Norvicensis indignissimus Archiepiscopus Eboracensis 32. Now the Sabbatarian controversie begun to be revived Bradborn his etroneous opinion which brake forth into a long and hot contention Theophilus Bradborn a Minister of Suffolk founded the first trumpet to this fight who some five yeers since namely anno 1628. set forth a Book dedicated to his Majesty intituled A defence of the most ancient and sacred ordinance of God The Sabbath Day maintaining therein 1. The fourth Commandement simply and entirely moral 2. Christians as well as Jews obliged to the everlasting observation of that day 3. That the Lords-day
witnesses Henceforward 〈…〉 all his first information which from this day sunk 〈◊〉 silence and employed all his power on the proof of Subornation That 〈…〉 too hard for his Teeth to enter and fastned his fangs on a softer place so to pinch the Bishop to purpose yea so expensive was the suit that the Bishop well skilled in the charge of charitable works might with the same cost have built and endowed a small Colledge 84. Some daies before she hearing a Noble Lord of his Majesties Councell In 〈…〉 with the King the Bishops great Friend interposed himself to compound the matter prevailing so farre that on his payment of two thousand pound the Suit should be superseded in the Star-Chamber and he freed from further molessation But at this Lords return the price was risen in the market and besides the aforesaid 〈◊〉 it was demanded of him that to procure his peace he must part with his Deanery of Westminster Parsonage or Walgrave and Prebend of Lincoln which he kept in commendam To this the Bishop answered that he would in no base forgoe those few remainders of the favour which his dead master King James had conferred 〈◊〉 him 85. Not long after another bargain was driven frustrated therein by his great Adversary by the well intended endeavours of the same Lord that seeing his Majesty at that time had much occasion of moneys if he would but double the former summe and lay down four thousand pounds he should be freed from further trouble and might goe home with all his 〈◊〉 about him The Bishop returned that he took no delight 〈◊〉 at law with his Soveraign and thankfully embracing the motion prepared himself for the payment When a great Adversary stepping in so violented his Majesty to a Tryall that all was not onely frustrated but this afterwards urged against the Bishop to prove him conscious of a crime from his forwardness to entertain a composition 86. The day of censure being come July 11. Tuesday Sir John Finch Lord chief Justice fined the Bishop ten thousand pound for tempering to suborn Witnesses His heavy censure Secretary Windebank concurred with that little Bell being the lowdest and shrillest in the whole peaâ— as who alone motioned to degrade him which was lustily pronounced by a Knight and Layman having no precedent for the same in former ages The other Lords brought the fine downe to eight thousand pound and a thousand marks to Sir John Munson with suspension ab officio et beneficio and imprisoning him during the Kings pleasure The Earl of Arundell added that the cause in its self was extraordinary not so much prosecuted by the Atturney as immediately by the King himself recommended to their justice Manchester Lord privy Seal said that this was the first precedent wherein a Master had undone himself to save his Servant 87. The Archbishop of Canterbury did consent thereunto To which the Archbishop of Canterbury did concurre aggravating the fault of subornation of perjury with a patheticall speech of almost an houre long shewing how the world was above three thousand years old before ripe enough to commit so great a wickedness and Jesabell the first in Scripture branded with that infamie whose false Witnesses the holy Spirit refused to name otherwise than under the Character of Men of Belial Wherefore although as he said he himself had been five times down on his knees to his Majesty in the Bishops behalf yet considering the guilt so great he could not but agree with the heaviest censure And although some Lords the Bishops Friends as Treasurer Weston Earl of Dorset c. concurred in the fine with hope the King should have the sole honor of the mitigation thereof yet his Majesties necessaries meeting with the person adjudged guilty and well known for solvable no wonder if the utmost penny of the fine was exacted 88. At the same time were fined with the Bishop Three of his Servants fined with 〈◊〉 George Walker his Secretary Cadwallader Powell his Steward at three hundred pounds a piece and Thomas Lund the Bishop his Servant at a thousand 〈◊〉 all as 〈◊〉 in the same cause yet none of them was imprisoned save Lund for a few weeks and their fine never called upon into this day which the Bishop said was commuted into such Office as hereafter they were go doe in the favour of Kilvert 7. To make this our History entire The complaints against the unjust proceedings against him put in by the Bishop into the Parliament the matter in this particular suite Be it therefore known to the Reader than some foure years after 〈◊〉 1640 when this Bishop was fetch out of the Tower and restored a Peer in Parliament he there in presented severall grievances concerning the indirect prosecution of this cause against him whereof these the principall First that his Adversaries utterly waâ—ed and declined the matter of their first Information about revealing the Kings secrets as hopeless of success therein and sprung a new mine to blow up his credit about perjury in the examination of Witnesses Whereas he conceived it just that all accidentalls and occasionalls should sink with the substance of the accusation otherwise suits would be endless if the branches thereof should still survive when the root doth expire * These complaints I extracted out of the Bishop his Originall Secondly that he was deprived of the benefit of bringing in any exceptions against the Testimonies of Sir John Lambe and Dr. Sibthorp to prove their combination against him because they deposing pro Domino Rege nonâ— must impeach the credit of the Kings Witnesses who must be reputed holy and sacred in what they 〈◊〉 in so much that after Briefs were drawn by Counsells on both sides the Court was moved to expunge those Witnesses which made most against the King and for the Defendant Thirdly that Kilvert used all wayes to menace and intimidate the Bishop his Witnesses frighting them as much as he could out of their own consciences with dangers presented unto them To this purpose he obtained from Secretary Windebank that a Messenger of the Star-chamber one Pechye by name was directed to attend him all along the speeding of the Commission in the Country with his Coat of Armes upon him with power to apprehend and close imprison any person whom Kilvert should appoint pretending from the Secretary Warrants for matters of State and deep consequence so to doe by vertue whereof in the face of the Commission he seised on and committed George Walker and Thomas Lund two materiall Witnesses for the Bishop and by the terror thereof chased away many more whose Depositions were necessary to the clearing of the Bishop his integrity yet when the aforesaid two Prisoners in the custody of the Messenger were produced before Secretary Winebank he told them he had no matters of State against them but turned them over to Kilvert wishing them to give him satisfaction and were not permitted
Holdsworth c. Secondly such who in their judgements favoured the Presbyterian Discipline or in proces of time were brought over to embrace it amongst whom to mention those who seemed to be pillars as on whose abilities the weight of the work most lay we take special notice of D r Hoyle Divinity Professor in Ireland Cambridge D r Thomas Gouge of Black-Fryars D r Smith of Barkeway M r Oliver Boules M r Thomas Gataker M r Henry Scudder M r Anthony Tuckeners M r Steven Marshall M r John Arrowsmith M r Herbert Palmer M r Thomas Throughgood M r Thomas Hill M r Nathanael Hodges M r Gibbons M r Timothy Young M r Richard Vincs M r Thomas Coleman M r Matthew Newcomen M r Jeremiah Whitaker c. Oxford D r William Twisse D r Cornelius Burgess D r. Stanton M r White of Dorchester M r Harris of Hanwell M r Edward Reynolds M r Charles Herl M r Corbet of Merton Colledge M r Conant M r Francis Cheinell M r Obadiah Sedgewick M r Cartar Senior M r Cartar Junior M r Joseph Caryll M r Strickland c. I hope an et caetera so distastfull elsewhere may be permitted in the close of our Catalogue and am confident that the rest here omitted as unknown unto me will take no exception The like assurance I have that none will cavil if not reckoned up in their just Seniority both because they know I was none of the Register that entred their Admissions in the Vniversities and because it may savour something of a Prelatical spirit to be offended about praecedencie Thirdly some zealous Ministers who formerly disliking conformity to avoid the censures of Episcopal Consistories removed themselves beyond the Seas chiefly to Holland where some had plentifull all comfortable subsistence whence they returned home at the beginning of this Parliament These afterwards proved Dissenting Brethren to some transactions in the Assembly as Tho Goodwin Sidrach Symson Philip Nye c. Fourthly some members of the house of Lords and Commons were mingled amongst them and voted joyntly in their consultations as the Earl of Pembroke the Lord Say The most learned Antiquary M r John Selden M r Francis Rouse M r Bulstrode Whitlock c. Thus was this Assemblie as first chosen and intended a Qwint-Essence of four Parties Some conceive so motly a meeting promised no good results whilst others grounded their hopes on what was the motive of the former to despair The Miscellaneous nature of the Assembly For what speedier way to make peace in a Distracted Church then to take in all Interests to consult together It had been little better then a Spiritual Monopolie only to employ those of one Party whilest if all mens Arguments Objections Complaints Desires be indifferently admitted an Expedient may be the sooner found out for their just and general satisfaction 3. So much for the English party of this Assembly The Scots Commissioners joyned in the Assembly For know that Commissioners from Scotland were joyned with them some of the Nobility as the Earl of Lothian The Lord Lauderdale The Lord Warristone Others of the Clergie as M r Alexander Henderson M r. Galasphie c. So that as Livy calleth the general meeting of Aetolia Pan-Aetolâ—um this Assembly endeavoured to put on the face of Pan-Britanicum that the walls of the Palace wherein they met might in some sort be like the waves of the Sea with the compass whereof they lived as surrounding one Island and two Nations 4. D r Twisse preached the first Sermon at the meeting of the Assembly Dr Twisse the Prolocutor his sermon though the Schools not the Pulpit was his proper Element witness his Controversal writings and in his sermon he exhorted them faithfully to discharge their high calling to the glory of God and the honour of his Church He much bemoaned that one thing was wanting namely the Royall assent to give comfort and encouragement to them Yet he hoped that by the efficacie of their fervent prayers it might in due time be obtained and that a happy union might be procured betwixt him and the Parliament Sermon ended the Ordinance was read by which was declared the cause ground and intent of their Convention namely to consult with the Parliament for the setling of Religion and Church-government Then the list of their names was called over who were appointed to be present there and a mark but no penalty set on such who appeared not at the time prefixed 5. The appearance of the persons elected answered not expectation The Royalists reasons of their non-appearance seeing of an hundred and twenty but sixty nine were present and those in Coats and Cloaks of several forms and fashions so that D r Westfield and some few others seemed the only Non-conformists amongst them for their conformity whose gowns and Canonical habits differed from all the rest For of the first sort of Royalists Episcopal in their judgements very few appeared and scarce any continued any time in the House save D r Daniel Featly of whom hereafter alledging privately severall reasons for their absence or Departure 1. First they had no call from the King having read how anciently the breath of Christian Emperours gave the first being to Councels Yea some on my knowledge had from his Majesty a flat command to the contrary 2. They were not chosen by the Clergy and so could not appear as Representatives but in their personal capacities 3. This meeting seemed set up to pluck down the Convocation now neither sitting nor legally dissolved which solemnly was summoned for Ecclesiastical affairs 4. If appearing there they should be beheld by the rest what Joseph charged on his Brethren as spies come thither to see the nakedness of the Assembly 5. Being few they should easily be out-voted by the Opposite Party and so only worn as Countenances to credit their proceedings However I have heard many of both Parties desire that those Defenders of the Hierarchy had afforded their presence as hoping that their learning and abilities their temper and moderation might have conduced much to mitigate some violence and extremity in their proceedings But God in his all ordering providence saw it unfitting and whether or no any good had been effected by them if present seeing as yet no law to order mens conjectures is left to the liberty of every mans opinion 6. Soon after The Assembly consituted the Assembly was compleatly constituted with all the Essentials thereunto D r Twisse Prolocutor M r Roborough and Adoniram Byfield their Scribes and Notaries And now their good success next to the Parliaments was publickly prayed for by the Preachers in the City and books dedicated unto them under the title of the most * Mr Stalmarsh his Book against Tho. Fuller Sacred Assembly which because they did not disavow by others they were interpreted to approve four shillings a day sallary was allowed them much too little as some thought for men of their merit
others grumbling at it as too much for what by them was performed And now what place more proper for the building of Sion as they propounded it then the Chamber of Jerusalem the fairest in the Deans Lodgings where King Henry the fourth died and where these Divines did daily meet together 7. Be it here remembred The superadded Divines that some besides those Episcopally affected chosen to be at this Assembly notwithstanding absented themselves pretending age indisposition c. as it is easie for able unwillingness to finde out excuses and make them probable Fit it was therefore so many evacuities should be filled up to mount the Meeting to a competent number and Assemblies as well as Armies when grown thin must be recruited Hence it was that at severall times the Lords and Commons added more Members unto them by the name of the Super-added Divines Some of these though equall to the former in power were conceived to fall short in parts as chosen rather by the affections of others then for their own abilities the Original members of the Assembly not overpleased thereat such addition making the former rather more then more considerable 8. One of the first publick Acts The Assemblies first petition for a fast which I finde by them performed was the humble presenting of a Petition to both Houses for the appointing of a solemn fast to be generally observed And no wonder if their request met with fair acceptance and full performance seeing the Assemblies Petition was the Parliaments intention and this solemn suite of the Divines did not create new but quicken the old resolutions in both Houses presently a Fast is appointed July 21. Frid. and accordingly kept on the following Friday M r Boules and M r Newcomen whose sermons are since printed preaching on the same and all the rest of the particulars promised to be taken into speedy consideration 9. It was now projected to finde out some Band or Tie The Covenent entreth England for the streighter Vnion of the English and Scotish amongst themselves and both to the Parliament In order whereunto the Covenant was now presented This Covenant was of Scottish extraction born beyond Tweed but now brought to be bred on the South-side thereof 10. The House of Commons in Parliament The Covenant first taken and the Assembly of Divines solemnly took the Covenant at S t. Margarets in Westminster 11. It was ordered by the Commons in Parliament that this Covenant be forthwith printed and published Commanded to be printed 12. Divers Lords Taken by Gentlemen Knights Gentlemen Collonels Officers Souldiers and others Sept. 27. Wed. 29. Frid. then residing in the City of London met at S t Margarets in Westminster and there took the said Covenant M r Coleman preaching a Sermon before them concerning the piety and legality thereof 13. It was commanded by the authority of both Houses Enjoyned all in London that the said Covenant on the Sabbath day ensuing Frid. Octo. 1. Sund. should be taken in all Churches and Chappels of London within the lines of Communication and thoroughout the Kingdom in convenient time appointed thereunto according to the Tenour following A Solemn league and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdom of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the honour and happiness of the Kings Majesty and his posterity and the true publick liberty safety and peace of the Kingdom wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to minde the Treacherous and Bloody Plots Conspiracies attempts and Practises of the enemies of God against the true Religion and the professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplications Remonstrances Protestations and sufferings for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practises of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods people in other nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutual solemn League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our hands lifted up to the most High God do swear That we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in our several places and callings the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith form of Church-Government directory for Worship and Catechizing That we and our posterity after us may as Brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacie that is Church-government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchie Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaneness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godliness lest we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues and that the Lord may be one and his name one in the three Kingdomes We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our several Vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and priviledges of the Parliaments and the due liberties of the kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty his person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and liberties of the Kingdoms that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill instruments
imagined but harder to be effected 75. Amongst his humane frailties Over-severe in his censures châ—ler and passion most discovered it self In the Star-Chamber where if the crime not extraordinary it was fine enough for one to be sued in so chargable a Court He was observed always to concur with the severest side and to infuse more vineger then oyle into all his censures and also was much blamed for his severity to his Predecessor easing him against his will and before his time of his jurisdiction 76. But he is most accused for over-medling in State-matters Over-medling in State matters more then was fitting say many then needfull say most for one of his profession But he never more overshot himself then when he did impose the Scotch Liturgie and was over 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over a free and forrain Church and Nation At home many grumbled at him for oft making the shallowest pretence of the Crown deep enough by his powerfull digging therein to drown the undoubted right of any private Patron to a Church-living But Courtiers most complained that he persecuted them not in their proper places but what in an ordinary way he should have taken from the hands Of inferior officers that He with a long and strong Arm reached to himself over all their heads Yet others plead for him Anno Dom. 1645 that he abridg'd their bribes not fees and it vexed them that He struck their fingers with the dead-palsie Anno Regis Carol 21. so that they could not as formerly have a feeling for Church Preferments 77. He was conscientious according to the principles of his devotion Conscientious in keeping a Diary witness his care in keeping a constant Diary of the passges in his life Now he can hardly be an ill husband who casteth up his receipts and expenses every night and such a soul is or would be good which enters into a daily Scrutiny of his own actions But such who commend him in making condemn him in keeping such a Diary about him in so dangerous days Especially he ought to untongue it from talking to his prejudice and should have garbled some light trivial and joculary passges out of the same Whereas sure the omission hereof argued not his carelessnesse but confidence that such his privacies should meet with that favour of course which in equity is due to writings of that nature 78. He was temperate in his diet Temperate and chast and which may be presumed the effect thereof chast in his conversation Indeed in his Diary he confessed himself lapsed into some special Sin with E. B. for which He kept an Anniversary Humiliation Indeed his * * Mr Prin in the breviate of his life pag. 30. Adversary makes this note thereon perchance he was unclean with E. B. which is but an uncharitable suspition New an exact Diary is a window into his heart who mâ—keth it and therefore pitty it is any should look therein but either the friends of the party or such ingenious foes as will not especially in things doubtfull make conjectural comments to his disgrace But be E. B. male or female and the sin committed of what kinde soever his fault whispers not so much to his shame as his solemn repentance sounds to his commendation 79. He was very plain in apparrel An enemy to gallantry in Clergie-mens cloaths and sharply checkt such Clergymen whom he saw goe in rich or gaudy cloaths commonly calling them of the Church-Triumphant Thus as Cardinal Woolsy is reported the first Prelate who made Silks and Sattens fashionable amongst clergy-men so this Arch-Bishop first retrenched the usal wearing thereof Once at a Visitation in Essex one in Orders of good estate and extraction appeared before him very gallant in habit whom D r Land then Bishop of London publickly reproved shewing to him plainness of his own apparrel My Lord said the Minister you have better cloths at home and I have worse whereat the Bishop rested very well contented 80. He was not partial in preferring his kindred Not partial to his kindred except some merit met in them with his alliance I knew a near kinsman of his in the University Schollar enough but somewhat wilde and lazie on whom it was late before he reflected with favour and that not before his amendment And generally persons promoted by him were men of learning and abilities though many of them Arminians in their judgements and I beleeve they will not be offended with my reporting it seeing most of them will endeavour to justifie and avouch their opinions herein 81. Covetousness He perfectly hated No whit addicted to coveâ—ousness being a single man and having no project to raise a name or Family he was the better enabled for publick performances having both a price in his hand and an heart also to dispose thereof for the general good S t Johns in Oxford wherein he was bred was so beautified enlarged and enriched by him that strangers at the first sight knew it not yea it scarce knoweth it self so altered to the better from its former condition Insomuch that almost it deserveth the name of Canterbury-Colledge as well as that which Simon Islip founded and since hath lost its name united to Christ-Church More buildings he intended had not the stroke of one Axe hindred the working of many hammers chiefly on Churches whereof the following passage many not impertinently be inserted 82. It happened that a Visitation was kept at S t Pe ers in Corn-hill The grand causer of the repairing of Churches for the Clergy of London The Preacher discoursing of the painfulness of the Ministerial Function proved it from the Greek deduction of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Deacon so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dust because he must labor are in arena in pulvire work in the dust doe hard service in hot weather Sermon ended Bishop Land proceeded to his charge to the Clergy and observing the Churchill repaired without and slovenly kept within I am sorry said He to meet here with so true an Etymologie of Diaconus for here is both dust and dirt too for a Deacon or Priest either to work in Tea it is dust of the worst kind caused from the ruines of this ancient house of God so that it pittieth his * * Psal 102. 14. servants to see her in the dust Hence he took occasion to press the repairing of that and other decaied places of divine worship so that from this day we may date the general mending beautifying and adorning of all English Churches some to decency some to magnificence and some if all complaints were true to superstition 83. But the Church of S t Pauls Principally of S. Pauls the only Cathedral in Christendom dedicated to that Apostle was the master piece of his performances We know what * * Lord F. one Satyrically said of him that he pluckt down Puritans and Property to build up Pauls and
any such offence and if some particular man have disliked it as many and as eminent have manfested their approbation thereof 3. M r Calvin is but one man Besides he spake against the first draught of the Liturgie Anno 1. of King Edw. the sixth which afterwards was reviewed in that Kings Reign and again in the first of Queen Elizabeth 4. The same charge lieth against the Directorie appointing though not the words to be prayed with the matter to be prayed for Poor liberty to leave the spirit only to supply the place of a Vocabulary or a Copia Verborum And seeing Sense is more considerable then Language the prescribing thereof restraineth the Spirit as much as appointing the words of a prayer 5. It complieth with the Papists in what they have retained of Antiquity and not what they have superadded of Idolatry and therefore more probably may be a means of converting them to our Religion when they perceive us not possessed with a Spirit of opposition unto them in such things wherein they close with the Primitive Times 6. The Vsers of the Liturgie have also laboured in Preaching Catechtsing and study of Divine Learning Nor doth the Directorie secure any from Laziness seeing nothing but Lungs and sides may be used in the delivery of any extemporary prayer Against the Liturgie For the Liturgie 7. It is tedious to the people with the unnecessary length Anno Dom. 1645. taking up an hour at least Anno Regis Carol 21. in the large and distinct reading thereof 8. Many Ceremonies not only unprofitable but burthensome are therein imposed on peoples consciences 9. Diverse able and faithful Ministers have by the means of the Liturgie been debar'd the exercise of their Ministry and spoiled of their livelihood to the undoing of them and their family 7. Some observers of the Directorie to procure to their parts and persons the repute of ability and piety have spent as much time in their extemporary devotions 8. This is disproved by such who have written volums in the vindication thereof But grant it true not a total absolution but a reformation therof may hence be inferred 9. The Directorie if enforced to subject the refusers to penalties may spoil as many and as well deserving of their Ministry and livelihood Such as desire to read deeper in this Controversie may have their recourse to the manifold Tractats written on this subject 9. But leaving these disquiets A query for conscience sake the Common-Prayer daily decreased and Directorie by the power of Parliament was advanced Here some would fain be satisfied whether the Abolishing of the main body of the Common-Prayer extendeth to the prohibition of every expression therein I mean not such which are the numerical words of Scripture whereof no question but other ancient passages which in the Primitive Times were laudably not to say necessarily put in practice 10. I know a Minister who was accused for using the Gloria Patri conforming his practice to the Directorie in all things else A word in due season and threatned to be brought before the Committee He pleaded the words of M r Cartwright in his defence * His reply against Whitgift p. 107. Sect. 4. confessing the Gloria Patri founded en just cause that men might make their open profession in the Church of the Divinity of the Son of God against the detestable opinion of Arrius and his Disciples But now saith he that it hath pleased the Lord to quench that fire there is no such cause why those things should be used But seeing said the Minister it hath pleased God for our sins to condemn us to live in so licentious an age wherein the Divinity both of Christ and the Holy-Ghost is called frequently and publickly into question the same now by M r Cartwrights judgement may lawfully be used not to say can well be omitted I remember not that he heard any more of the matter 11. It is now high time to take our farewel of this tedious subject A farewell to the subject and leave the issue thereof to the observation of Posterity The best Demonstration to prove whether Daniel and his Fellows the Children of the Captivity should thrive better by plain pulse to which formerly they had been used or the new diet of diverse and dainty dishes was even to put it to the Trial of some * 1 Dan. 1. 13. dayes experiment and then a Survey taken of their Complexions whether they be impaired or not so when the Directorie hath been practised in England ninty years the world lasting so long as the Liturgie hath been then Posterity will be the competent Judge whether the Face of Religion had the more lively healthful and chearful looks under the one or under the other 12. The next news engrossing the talk of all tongues Arch-Bishop Williams strangely altered was about D r Williams Arch-Bishop of York no less suddenly than strangely metamo phosed from a zealous Royalist into an active Parliamentarian being to relate the occasion thereof we will enter on the brief history of his life from the cradle to the grave repeating nothing formerly written but only adding thereunto 13. None can question the gentility of his extraction Born in Wales of good parentage finding him born at Aberconway in Carnatvon-shire in Wales of a family rather ancient than rich His Grandfather had a good estate but aliened it seems by his heirs so that this Doctor when Lord-Keeper was fain to repurchase it Surely it was of a considerable value because he complaineth in his * Cabala pag. letter to the Duke who encouraged him to the purchase that he was forced to borrow money and stood indebted for the same 14. He was bred in S t Johns Colledge in Cambridge Bred in Saint Johns and Proctor of Cambridge to hold the scales even with S t Johns in Oxford wherein Arch-Bishop Land had his education D r Gwin was his tutor his chiefest if not his only eminency and afterwards the occasion of his preferment For as this Tutor made his Pupil Fellow this Pupil made the Tutor Master of the Colledge Next was M r Williams made Proctor of the University excellently performing his Acts for the place in so stately a posture as rather but of duty thereby to honour his Mother-Vniversity than desire to credit himself as taking it only in his passage to an higher employment 15. He was Chaplain or Councellor shall I say to Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellor The Lord Egerton his hoon to this his Chaplain who imparted many mysteries of that place unto him Here an able Teacher of State met with as apt a Scholar the one not more free in powring forth then the other capable to receive firm to retain and active to improve what was infused into him So dear was this Doctor to his Patrone that this Lord dying on his death-bed desired him to choose what most acceptable legacy he should bequeath
on the ninth of March 1588. as appears by the Epitaph on her Monument in Westminster Abbey in which Church she founded a Salarie of twenty pounds a yeare for a Divinity Lecture By her Will dated December the sixt 1588. she left to her Executours Henry Gray Earl of Kent and to her Nephew Sir Iohn afterwards Lord Harrington five thousand pounds besides her goods unbequeathed for the erection of a Colledge and purchasing of competent lands for one Master ten Fellows and twenty Schollers But in case the Legacie would not thereunto extend then the same to goe to the enlarging of Clare Hall for the maintenance of so many Fellows and Schollars therein to enjoy all liberties customes and priviledges with other Fellows and Schollars of that Foundation She appointed Iohn Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury and Gabriel Goodman Dean of Westminster Overseers of her Will ordering also that Alexander Nowel Dean of S. Pauls should preach her funerall Sermon which no doubt was done accordingly 24. Be it remembred by the way The spight of Index expurgatorius that the lately mentioned Earl of Kent is he on whom Mr. Cambden bestows this deserved commendation Verae Nobilitatis ornamentis a Camdens Brit in the conclusion of Kent Vir longè bonoratissimus But the Index expurgatorius set forth at Madrid by Lewis Sanchez the King's Printer 1612. and truly reprinted at Geneva 1619. dashes these words with a Dele b Prima Classe literae G. thought the character given this Peet most honourable for his parentage and no lesse for his piety will justly remain to his memory when this peevish partial Index shall be purged to nothing 25. These two noble Executours The Colledge Mortmain how procured in pursuance of the Will of this Testatrix according to her desire and direction therein in her name presented Q. Elizabeth a Jewell being like a starre of Rubies and Diamonds with a Rubies in the midst thereof worth an hundred and forty pounds having on the back side an Hand delivering up an Heart unto a Crown At the delivery hereof they humbly requested of Her Highnesse a Mortmaine to found a Colledge Copied out of the words of her Will. which She graciously granted unto them Their next care was to purchase of Trinity Colledge a parcell of ground with some antient buildings thereon formerly called the Franciseans or Gray Fryers procuring the same to be passed unto them in Fee farme by Act of Parliament Ann. Dom. 159-96 and thereon they laid the foundation of this new Colledge Ann. Regi Eliz. 38. 26. We usually observe Infants born in the seventh month A little Babe thank God and good Nurses well batled though poor and pitifull creatures are vitall and with great care and good attendance in time prove proper persons Ovid or his elder Brother the words being dubiously placed may be an instance hereof d De tristibus lib. 4. Eleg. 10. Qui tribus ante quater mensibus ortus erat To such a Partus Septimestris may Sidney Colledge well be resembled so low lean and little at the birth thereof Alas what is 5000 li. to buy the scite build and endow a Colledge therewith As for her unbequeathed goods they answered not expectation and I have heard that some inferiour persons imployed in the sale of her Jewels were out of their own want of skill or of honesty in others much deceived therein Yet such was the worthy care of her honourable Executors that this Benjamin-Colledge the least and last in time and born after as he at the death of its mother thrived in a short time to a competent strength and stature Masters Bishops Benefactours Learn'd Writers Liveings 1. I am Montague first Master of this House and a worthy Benefactour thereof giving much procuing more thereunto 2. Fran Aldridge Fellow of Trin Coll chosen 1608. 3. Sam Ward Fellow of Emmanuel Colledge chosen 1609. of whom largely hereafter 4. Rich Minshul first I am since informed one once a Servant of Bishop Montagu hath given them one in Bedfordshire Master bred in and chosen by the Colledge and much meriting thereof by his providence Iames Montague Bishop of Bath and Wells Anno 1608. afterwards Bishop of Winchester Iohn Bramhall Bishop of London-Derrie in Ireland Henry Earle of Kent who let the Legacy of of 100 l. bequeathed him by the Foundresse go on to the building of the Coll though generally omitted in the Catalogue of their Benefactors Sir Iohn Hart Knight Leonard Smith Citizen of London Peter Blundel of Tiverton Clothier Iohn Freestone Esq Edward Lord Montagu of Boughton Iohn Lord Harrington the younger Lady Lucy his Sister Countesse of Bedford Lady Anne Harrington their Mother George Lord Goringe Iohn Yong D. D. Dean of Winchester Sir Will Wilmore first Pensioner in the Coll Robert Iohnson Archdeacon of Leicester Iohn Harrington Godfr Fuliambe Edward Wray Robert Hadson Francis Combe Esq Paul Micletwait D. D. and Fell of the Coll. Richard Dugard 1. Daniel Dike that faithfull Servant in discovering the deceitfulnesse of mans heart 2. Ier Dike his Brother 3. Sam Ward Minister of Ipswich 4. Tho Gatacre much knowne by his Book of Lots and other works 5. Ier Witaker 6. Tho Adams a noted Preacher in London * The three former were put in by the Foundresse Executors Sunt mihi non potis est dicere dicit erunt 27. As for the bounty of Sir Francis Clerk Sir Fran Clark deservedly accounted a By-Founder it exceedeed the bounds of Benefaction and justly entituled him to be a By-founder The Giver doubled the Gift if we consider First his estate was not great for one of his condition Secondly he had a Daughter and generally it is observed that Parents are most barren and the childlesse most fruitfull in great expressions of Charity Thirdly he was altogether unknown to the Colledge and the Colledge to him surprizing it on a suddain with his bounty so much the more welcome because not expected Yet such his liberality that he not onely built a fair and firm range of twenty chambers from the addition whereof a second Court resulteth to the Colledge but also augmented the Schollarships of the foundation and founded four Fellowships and eight Schollarships more Herein his favour justly reflected on his Countrey-men of Bedford shire preferring them before others to places of his own foundation 28. Nor comes the bounty of Sir John Brereton much behinde him To whom Sir John Brereton not much inferiour He was as I may term him one of the Aborigines of the Colledge one of the first Schollars of the House and afterwards became His Majesties Sergeant for the Kingdome of Ireland At his death he was not unmindfull of this his Mother to whom he bequeathed a large Legacy above two thousand pounds Now whereas some Benefactors in repute are Malefactors in effect giving to Colledges 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 viz such as burden and clog their donations to maintain