iudgement the King had of Cromwell in himselfe howsoeuer the parliament by sinister information was otherwise incensed to iudge vpon him Such malicious makebates about Princes and parliaments neuer lacked in common weales By such kyng Ethelstane was incensed to kill his brother Edwine pag. 159. So was king Edward 2. deposed So likewise when king Richard 2. was once brought into the Tower what crimes and accusations were layd against him in the Parlament So was Humfrey the good Duke of Gloucester the kings vncle by Henry Beauford bishop of Winchester and other in the Parliament holden at Bery arrested as a traitour and falsly made away pag. 160. What great treason was in the words of him who dwelling in Chepe side at the signe of the Crowne sayd merily to hys sonne that if he liued he would make him heyre of the crowne yet was he therefore atteinted and iudged for a Traytor pag. 701. In the tyme of king Henry the 8. how was that Parliament incensed wherein both Queene Anne was falsly condemned and Queene Elizabeth her daughter as falsly disherited To omit here the Attainder of the Duke of Buckingham wrought by the Cardinall of Yorke Of the lord Cobham likewise and sir Roger Acton pag. 150 If the cause of the lord Henry late Earle of Surrey were well tried out peraduenture no such hainous purpose of any treasoÌ„ shuld be found therin as than was made Who incensed y e late Duke of Somerset to behead his own brother but such makebates as these And afterward wheÌ„ the sayd Duke himselfe was attainted for a traytor and condeÌ„ned for a felon a briber and extorcioner how was the parliament then incensed Adam Damlip receyued of Cardinall Poole at Rome but a sely crowne in way of almes and therfore by meanes of Steuen Gardiner was atteinted for a traytor George Egles did but read some tyme in woods and by the said Gardiner was also condemned and suffered as a traytor Not that I here speake or meane agaynst the hygh courtes of Parliamentes of thys our Realme Authority of Parliamentes necessarilye assembled for the common wealth to whom I always attribute their due reuerence and authoritie But as it hapneth sometimes in generall Councels which though they be neuer so generall yet notwithstanding sometimes they may and do erre in waightie matters of religion so lykewise they that say that Princes and Parliaments may be misinformed sometimes by some sinister heds in matters ciuill and politike do not therein derogate or empaire the high estate of parliaments but rather geue wholsome admonition to princes and parliament men to be more circumspect and vigilant what counsell they shall admit and what witnesses they do credit For priuate affection which commonly beareth a great stroke in all societies doings of men creepeth sometymes into such generall Councels and into Princes Courtes also either to much amplifying things that be but small makyng mountaynes of mole-hils or els to much extenuating thyngs that be of themselues great and waightie according as it is truely said of the Poete Iuuenal Dat veniam cornis vexat censura columbas or as our English Prouerbe sheweth As a man is friended so is his matter ended And where the hedge is lowe A French prouerb a man may lightly make large leapes or rather to speake after the Frenche phrase Qui son chien veult tuer la rage luy met sus That is He that is disposed to haue hys dogge killed first maketh men beleeue that he is madde And thus much hauing declared touching the matter of his accusation the rest I referre to the high Parliament of that mightie king who shall one day bring all things to perfect light In the meane season howsoeuer the cause of the Lorde Cromwell standeth true or false this is certain that Steuen Gardiner lacked not an head nor yet priuie assisters which cunningly could fetch this matter about and watch their tyme when as the kyng being disposed to marrie an other wyfe Lady Anne of Cleue diuorâ—ed from the king which was the Lady Katherine Hawarde immediately after the beheading of the Lord Cromwell did repudiate Lady Anne of Cleue which otherwise is to be thought during the lyfe of Cromwell could not so well be brought to passe But these things beyng now done and past let vs passe them ouer and returne agayne from whence we digressed that is to the lord Cromwell beyng now atteinted committed to the Tower Who so long as he went with full sayle of fortune how moderately and how temperatly he did euer beare himselfe in his estate before hath ben declared The Christen pacience of the L. Cromwell in his aduersity So now the said lord Cromwell always one man by the contrary wynd of aduersitie being ouerblowen receiued the same with no lesse constancie and patieÌ„ce of a christian hart Neither yet was he so vnprouided of counsaile and forecast but that he did foresee this tempest long before it fell Cromwell foreseeing preparing of his trouble before it fell and also prepared for the same for two yeares before smelling the coÌ„spiracie of his aduersaries fearing what might happen he called vnto him his seruants and there shewing vnto them in what a slippery state hee stood and also perceiuing some stormy weather already to gather required them to looke diligently to their order and doings least through their default any occasion might rise agaynst him Cromwel good to his seruantes And furthermore before the tyme of his apprehension such order he tooke for his seruants that many of them especially the yonger brethren which had little els to take vnto had honestly left for theÌ„ in their frends hands to relieue them whatsoeuer should him befall Briefly such a louyng and kynd maister he was to his seruauntes that he prouided aforehand almost for them all In so much that he gaue to twelue children which were his Musitians twenty pound a peece and so coÌ„mitted them to their friends Of whom some yet remayne aliue who both enioyed the same and also geue recorde of this to be true Furthermore beyng in the tower a prisoner how quietly he bare it how valiauntly he behaued hymselfe how grauely and discretely he aunswered and entertayned the commissioners sent vnto him it is worthy noting Whatsoeuer articles and interrogatories they propounded they could put nothing vnto him either concerning matters ecclesiasticall or temporall wherein he was not more ripened and more furnished in euery condition then they them selues Amongst the rest of those Commissioners which came vnto him one there was whom the Lord Cromwell desired to cary for him a letter to the kyng which when he refused sayeng that he would cary no letter to the king from a traytor then the Lord Cromwell desired him at least to do from him a message to the king To that the other was contented and granted so that it were not agaynst his alleageance Then the Lord Cromwell taking witnesse
in the streate looking diligently about them and perceyuing all thynges to be without feare maruelled at this soddayne outrage made signes and tokeÌ„s to them that were in the church to keepe themselues quyet crying to them that there was no daunger But for so much as no word could be heard by reason of the noyse that was within the Churche those signes made them much more afrayd then they were before interpreting the matter as though all had bene on fire without the Church and for the dropping of the lead and falling of other things they should rather tary still within y e church and not to venter out This trouble continued in this maner by the space of certayne houres The next day and also all the weeke following there was an incredible number of bils set vp vpon the Church dores to enquire for thinges that were lost in such variety and number as Domocritus might here agayne haue had iust cause to laugh If any man haue fouÌ„d a payre of shoes yesterday in S. Mary Church or knoweth any man that hath found them c. An other bill was set vp for a gowne that was lost An other intreateth to haue his cappe restored One lost his purse and gyrdle with certeyne mony an other his sword One enquireth for a ring and one for one thing an other for an other To be short there was few in this gaâ—boyle but that either through negligence lost or through obliuion left something behind him Thus haue you hitherto heard a tragicall story of a terrible fire which did no hurt The description whereof although it be not so perfectly expressed according to the worthines of the matter yet because it was not to be passed with silence we haue superficially set foorth some shadow therof wherby the wise discreet may sufficiently consider the rest if any thing els be lacking in setting forth the full narration therof As touching the heretick because he had not done his sufficient penaunce there by occasion of thys hurly burly therfore the next day folowing he was reclaimed into the Church of S. Frideswide where he supplied the rest that lacked of his plenary penaunce The 4. and 5. Mariage of K. Henry the 8. THe same yeare and month next folowing after the apprehension of the Lord Cromwell which was an 1541. the king immediately was diuorced from the Lady Anne of Cleue The cause of which seperation being whollye committed to the Clergy of the Conuocation Anno 1541. it was by them defined concluded and graunted that the kyng being freed froÌ„ that pretensed matrimony as they called it might mary wher he would August The Lady Anne of Cleue diuorced from the king The king permitted to mary after his diuorce The king maried to the Lady Katherine Haward his 5. wife so might she likewise whoÌ„ also consenting to the same diuorcement her selfe by her owne letters was after that taken no more for Queene but onely called Lady Anne of Cleue Whych thinges thus discussed by the Parliament and Conuocation house the king thesame moneth was marryed to his fifte Wyfe which was the Lady Katherine Haward Niece to the Duke of Northfolke and daughter to the Lord Edmund Haward the Dukes brother But this marryage likewise continued not long In the same moneth of August and the same yeare I finde moreouer in some records beside the xxiiij Chapter-house monks aboue recited whom Cope doth sanctify for holy martyrs for suffering in the Popes deuotion against the kinges suprâ—macy other sixe which were also brought to Tiborne and there executed in the like case of rebellion Of whom the first was the Prior of Dancaster the second a monk of the Charterhouse of LoÌ„doÌ„ called Giles Horne some call him William Horne 6. Popishe Monkes for denying the kinges supremacy executed the third one Tho. Epsam a Monke of Westminster who had his Monkes garment pluckt from his backe being the last monke in K. Henries dayes that did weare that monkish weede the fourth one Philpot the fifte one Carewe the sixt was a Fryer See what a difficulty it is to plucke vp blind superstition once rooted in mans hart by a litle custome Now as touching the late maryage betwene the king and the Lady Haward ye heard how this matrimony endured not long for in the yere next folowing 1542. the sayd Lady Katherine was accused to the king of incontinent liuing Anno 1542. not onely before her mariage with FrauÌ„ces Direham but also of spousebreach sith her maryage with Tho. Culpeper For the which both the men aforesayd by acte of Parliament were atteinted and executed for high treason and also the sayd Lady Katherine late quene with the Lady Iane Rochford widow late Wyfe to George Boleyne Lord Rochford It is reported of some that this Lady Rochforde forged a false letter against her husband Queene Anne his sister by the which they wer both cast away Which if it be so the iudgement of God then is here to be marked The kinges minde inclining to reformaâ—â—on of religion brother to Queene Anne Boleyne were beheaded for theyr desertes within the Tower Ex Hallo alijs After the death and punishment of this Lady his fifth wife the king calling to remembraunce the wordes of the Lord Cromwell and missing now more and more his old Counsellor and partly also smelling somewhat the wayes of Winchester beganne a litle to set his foote agayne in the cause of Religion And although he euer bare a speciall fauor to Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury as you shall heare more hereafter God willing in the lyfe of Cranmer yet now the more he missed the Lord Cromwel the more he inclined to the Archbishop also to the right cause of Religion And therefore in the same yeare and in the month of October after the execution of this Queene the king vnderstanding some abuses yet to remayne vnreformed namely about pilgrimages and Idolatry and other thinges moe besides to be corrected within his dominions directed his letters vnto the foresaid Archbishop of Canterbury for the speedy redresse and reformation of the same The tenor of which letters hereafter fully ensueth in these wordes ¶ The kinges letters to the Archbishop for the abolishing of Idolatry The kings letters to the Archbyshop for reforming of Idolatry RIght reuerend father in God right trusty and welbeloued we greet you well letting you to wit that whereas hertofore vpon the zeale and remembraunce whiche we had to our bounden duety towardes almighty God perceiuing sundry superstitions and abuses to be vsed and embraced by our people wherby they grieuously offended him and his word we did not onely cause the Images and bones of such as they resorted and offered vnto with the ornamentes of the same and all such writinges and monumentes of fayned myracles wherewith they were illuded to be taken away in all places of our Realme but also by our Iniunctions commaunded that no
done and finally albeit it be a good while since hee was put to death yet the memorie of hys death as frutefull seede hath taken such roote in some that euen vnto this present day he is a liuely and diligent preaching vnto them against superstition and Idolatry vsed in their Churches Ex testimonio N. Fildi Pendigrace aliorum qui rei gestae interfuerunt The tragicall hystorie of the worthy L. Edward Duke of Somerset Lord Protector with the whole cause of his troubles and handling AFter so many troublous matters in this historie aforepassed comming nowe to the lamentable and tragicall narration of the L. Edward duke of Somerset Anno 1552. the kings vncle and Protector of his person of his realme I could not wel enter into the story of him without some premonition first to all noble personages The story of the L. Protector Duke of Somerset of what honor or calling soeuer within this realme by way of history briefly to admonish them no man to plant any trust or assurance vpon the brickle pillers of worldly prosperity howe high soeuer it seemeth consideringe that there is no state so high but it hath his ruine wisedome so circumspecte but it maye bee circumuented no vertue so perfecte but it may be enuyed neither any mans trade so simple but it maye be beguiled And therefore seeing the condition of mortall things is so Worldly prosperity not to be trusted vnto that no man can alwaies stand in this so ruinous a world y e surest way is euery man to chuse his standing so that his fall may be y e easier But because my purpose is as I haue said in the stories before to abridge and make short I will here stay referring to the secrete coÌ„sideration of that which remaineth further by me in this matter to be vttered and so falling into the storie of the Lorde Protectoure Duke of Somerset we will the Lorde willing declare in order the original and whole occasion of his trouble and decay euen from the beginning King Edwarde after that both his father and mother were dead had three vncles least him by his mothers side Edwarde Thomas and Henry Semer of the which two first one was made Protectour of the Realme and the other high admirall of the same These two brethren so long as they were knit ioyned together in amitie and coÌ„corde Concorde maketh brethren strong preserued both themselues the king their nephew and the whole common wealth from the violence and feare of all danger But the subtil old serpent alwaies enuying mans felicitie through slanderous tongues sought to sowe matter first of discord betwene them then of suspition and last of all extreme hatred in so much that the Protectour suffered his brother being accused whether truely or falsely the Lorde knoweth to be condemned and to loose hys heade Wherby it came to passe whether by y e correction of Gods iudgement vpon him or whether that he after the death of his brother and the king being yet but yong and tender of age was the lesse able to shift for himselfe that not long after he was ouermatched and ouerthrowen of his enemies and so cast into the Tower and at last lost hys head also to the great lamentation of many good men as in the sequele of this hystorie foloweth to be declared For the better introduction of which hystorie firste to begin with the foresaide brother of the Lorde Protectoure Syr Thomâ—â— Semer 〈◊〉 admirall namely Sir Thomas Semer high Admirall of England and the kings Uncle here is to vnderstande that he hadde maried Queene Katherine late wife to kinge Henrye the eight of whome ye heard before pag. 1342. Displeasâ—â—â— betweene the Queeâ— the Duâ—â—ches of Soâ—merset Now it happened vppon what occasion I knowe not that there fell a displeasure betwixt the sayde Queene and the Duchesse of Somerset and therupon also in the behalf of their wiues displeasure and grudge began betwene the brethreÌ„ Which albeit through perswasion of frendes it was for a time appeased betweene them Discorde betweene the L. Prâ—â—tectour 〈◊〉 the L. Aâ—â—mirall his brother The L. Aâ—â—mirall beheaded at tower hyâ— yet in shorte space after perchaunce not without y e priuie setting forward oâ— some whych were backefrendes to the Gospell it brake out againe both to the trouble of the Realme and especially to the coÌ„fusion of them both as after it is prooued First to the Lorde Admiralles charge it was laide that hee purposed to destroy the young king and translate the Crowne vnto hymselfe and for the same being attainted and condemned did suffer at Tower hill the 20. of Marche An. 1549. As manye there were which reported that the Dutches of Somersette had wrought his death so manye moe there were En quo discordial fratres perâ—ducit miseâ—ros who misdoubting the long standing of the Lord Protectour in hys state and dignity thought and affirmed no les but that the fall of the one brother woulde be the ruine of the other the experiment whereof as it hath often ben proued so in these also eftsoones it ensued It was not long after the beheading of the Lorde Admirall but insurrections began to kindle the same yeare in diuers quarters of the realme as is aboue storied Iohn Duâ—â—ley Earle 〈◊〉 Warwicke afterward Duke of Northumberland By the occasion wherof the lord Russel lord priuy Seale was sent to the West parts and the lord Dudley Earle of Warwike was sent w t an armie into Norfolke where bothe he hymselfe a great number of Gentlemen that were with hym meeting with the rebels were in great daunger notwithstanding in the ende the ouerthrowe was geuen to the rebels which was aboute the beginning of Septemb. 1549. After this victorie atchieued in the next moneth folowing whiche was October Discorde betweene the Earle 〈◊〉 Warwickâ— the Loâ—â— Protectoâ— howe the matter fell oute betweene the Lorde Protectour and certaine other Lordes I knowe not but at the retourne of the Earle of Warwike aforesaid greate workinge and consultation there was amonge the Lordes assembling them selues in the house of M. Yorke and at Bainardes Castle and in the Lorde Maiors house at London against the Lorde Protectoure remaining theâ— with the King at Hampton Court Of the which businesse and trouble thus the Lorde Protectoure wryteth in hys letters to the Lorde Russell in the West countrey as followeth A letter of the L. Protectour to the L. Russel Lord priuie Seale concerning troubles working against him AFter our right harty commendations to your good Lordship heere hath of late risen such a conspiracie against the kinges Maiestie and vs as neuer hath bene seene A letter oâ— the L. Prâ—â—tectour to the L. 〈◊〉 Seale the which they can not maintaine but with such vaine letters and false tales surmised as was neuer meant nor entended on vs. They pretend and say that we haue solde Bulloigne to
much vnlike so in matters of religion and in discerning truth from falshood their zeale seemed not much discrepant Although the light of the Gospell did not so fully then shine out as in the time of this latter Duke the Lord be praysed therfore yet the wisedome and towardnes of y e other Duke also touching the same was not vtterly vnworthy of his commendation A false miracle detected by Duke Humfrey of Glocester For the more manifest declaration whereof amongest many other his godly doinges we may take for example the prudent and famous acte of that noble Duke in descerning and trying out the false lying miracle and popish hipocrisie of the blinde begger at S. Albons mentioned in his story before pag. 679. For the whiche cause and for his dilligent studye in reforming that and such other blinde abuses of fayned Religion he was the more hated of the spiritualtie and suche as Winchester then was Finally as thys Lorde Protector Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle by certayne of the Counsayle was then accused arraigned cōdemned for the trespasse as it was geuen forth of felonie although I neuer heard he murdered or robbed any so the other vncle of king Henry the 6. was made away The testimonye of M. William Tindall of good Duke Humfrey The happy successe of the Duke of Somerset in his victoryes Of whose decease thus writeth Mayster W. Tindall in his practise of Prelaets At y e last they found the meanes to contriue a drift to bring their matters to passe made a Parliamēt far from the Citizens of Londō where was slayne the sayd good Duke the onely wealth of the Realme and y e mighty shield which so long had kept it from sorowe which shortly after his death fell vpon thē by heapes But the Chronicles sayth he cannot tel wherfore he dyed nor by what meanes Neuertheles this they testifie that he was a vertuous man godly and good to the common wealth But to leaue Duke Humfrey and to return to the maners and vertues of the Duke of Somerset whiche before we were about to describe as he was a gentle and courteous Duke at home so was he no lesse fortunate a Captain in warfare abroad Gods chastisement vpon the Duke of Somerset Under whose gouernment guidyng not onely diuers rebellious commotions were happily suppressed here at home but also abroad in the expedition of Scotland such a victory was geuen him of God that w t the losse scarse of sixe hundred of his own men there were of the enemies as good or little lesse then x. thousand slayn and put to flight and euen the very same day and tyme in the which all the Idolatrous Images were here burnt at London And yet al these warres notwithstanding wherunto he was agaynst his will compelled he was a man of nature singularly geuen to peace as may be seene by the sweete and peaceable exhortation by him set forth in print before and sent to the realme of Scotland But as there is nothing in this worlde so perfect in all respectes which is not blotted or darckned with some spot of vice adioyned withal so amongst the manifold commēdations of this Duke one thinge there was too whiche both desteyned his honour and estimation much and also more empayred and hindered his owne life safety which was that he in condescending to the death of his brother followed too rashly the perswasion of certayne whosoeuer they were for that matter lacked not perchaunce some singular fetche and pollicie of some more craftely then godly disposed persons as many good men haue supposed But what soeuer of that matter is to be deemed credible it is that the said Duke in suffering or procuring this death of his brother not only endamaged himselfe weakened his own power but also prouoked the chastisement of Gods scourge and rod which did so light vpon him Furthermore as touching the death and decay of the Lord Henry Earle of Surrey who suffered also at the Tower next before the Lord Admirall the Lorde Protectours brother because the casting of him was so neare to the death of King Henry The beheading of the Earle of Surrey as I know not vpon whome or what cause the same did proceede so I passe it ouer and leaue it to the Lord. Notwithstanding as for the Duke of Somerset whatsoeuer his other vices and vertues were this is certayne that his ende the Lord so working wyth him was constant in Christes truth as his life was before a great maintenance of the same Moreouer on the xxvj day of February in the same yeare was sir Rafe Uane Syr Rafe Vane Syr Myles Partrige Syr Michael Stanhop and Syr Thomas Arundell suffered at Tower hyll sir Miles Partrige both hāged at the Tower hill And sir Michaell Stanhop sir Thomas Arundell beheaded vppon the scaffold all which four were condemned by the saide Acte of vnlawfull assemblie and as accessaries vnto the Duke of Somerset Not long after the death of the Duke of Somerset in the next yeare folowing deceassed the King himselfe about the moneth of Iune whereof more shall be said the Lord graunting in his due order and course heereafter In the meane season before we come to close vp the latter end and story of this good King the place heere present seemeth not vnfitte to intermixt by the way a few other things before Religion hindered by discorde hapning within the time of his reigne namely concerning matters incident of the Church of Religiō Which state of Religion begā wel to grow to come happely forward during this Kings daies had not the vnhappy troubles of the outward state amongst the Lords not agreeing within themselues disquieted the good towardnes of things begon But the malice of the diuell how subtilly worketh it if men could see it So long as the Lordes agreed in concord among themselues Winchester and Boner with all that faction was cut short and began to condescend to good cōformitie But afterward perceauing the states and nobles of the Realme to be amōg themselues diuided and y e Lord Protectour the Kings vncle displaced and his brother the Admirall before beheaded and the yong King now left in that case they begā vpon some hope to take more hart vnto them Discorde what decay it worketh in a common wealth till at last it came to passe as they themselues desired And thus though nothing else will leade vs yet experience may teach vs what discorde worketh in publicke weales and contrary what a necessary thing concord is to the aduancemēt especially of Gods matters apperteining to his Church Examples whereof in this Kings daies be not farre to seeke For as touching the successe of the Gospell of peace D. Smyth Chadsey Standish Younge Oglethorpe reclaymed from their errours while publicke peace and the Gospel did ioine together marueilous it was how errour Popery were in themselues confounded and ashamed
you shall not speake but when I commaund you Then quoth Philpot I had rather be absent altogether Thus they reasoning to and fro at length about the 13. of December Q. Mary to take vp the matter sendeth her commaundement to Boner Byshoppe of London that he should dissolue and breake vp the conuocation Decembâ—â— The copie of which commaundement here followeth The precept of the Queene to Boner Bishop of London for the dissoluing of the foresayde Conuocation MAria c. Reuerendo in Christo patri Domino Domino Edmundo London Episcopo salutem Q. Mary breaketh 〈◊〉 the Conuocation Cum praesens coÌ„â—â—catio Cleri Cantuariensis prouinciae apud SaÌ„ctum Paulum London iam modo tenta instans existit certis tamen vrgentibus causis considerationibus nos specialiter mouentibus de aduisamento Consilij nostri ipsam praesentem conuocationem duximus dissoluendam Et ideo vobis mandamus quòd eandem praesentem conuocationem apud sanctum Paulum praedictum debito modo asque aliqua dilatione dissoluatis dissoluiue faciatis prout conuenit significantes ex parte nostra vniuersis singulis Episcopis nec non Archidiaconis Decanis omnibus alijs personis Ecclesiasticis quibuscunque dictae Cantuariensis Prouinciae quorum interest vel interesse poterit quod ipsi eorum quilibet huic mandato nostro exequendo intendentes sint obedientes prout decet Teste meipsa apud Westmonasterium 13. die Decembris Anno regni nostri primo During the time of this disputation the 20. day of NoueÌ„ber y e Maior of Couentrie sent vp vnto y e Lordes of the CouÌ„sel Baldwine Clarke I. Carelesse Tho. Wilcockes and Richard Estlin for their behauiour vpon All halowe day last before Whereupon Carelesse and Wylcocks were committed to the gatehouse and Clarke and Astelyn to the Marshalsey The same day there was a letter directed to Sir Christopher Heydon and Sir William Farmer knight for the apprehension of Iohn Huntingdon preacher for making a rime against D. Stokes and the sacrament Who appearing before the counsell the 3. of December next after was vpon his humble submission and promise to amend aswel in doctrine as liuing againe suffered to depart In the daies of king Henry This Lord Courtney was sonne to the Mâ—â—â—ques of Exâ—â—ceter and also of king Edward raigning after him diuers noble men Bishops and other were cast into the Tower some charged with treason as Lord courtney and the Duke of Northfolke whose sonne Lorde Henry Earle of Surrey had bene the same time beheaded a worthy ingenious gentlemen for what cause or by whom I haue not hear to deale this is certaine that not many yeres after his death folowed the beheading of both the L. Semers and at last of the Duke of Northumberland also some for y e Popes supremacie SteueÌ„ Garâ—diner Byshop of Winchester made Lorâ— Chauncellor of England and suspicious letters tending to sedition as Tonstal B. of Durham and other for other things all which continued there prisoners til Q. Maries comming in Unto whome the saide Q. eftsoones graunted their pardone and restored them to theyr former dignities Amongst whom also was Gardiner B. of Winchester whom she not onely freed out of captiuitie but also aduaunced him to be high chancelor of Englande Furthermore to the L. Courtney she shewed such fauour The Lord Courtney made Earl of Deuonshyre that shee made him Earle of Deuonshire in so muche that there was a suspition amongst many that she would marie him but that prooued otherwise The same time Bonner also had bene prisonner in the Marshalsey whome likewise Queene Mary deliuered restored to the Bishopricke of London againe displacing Doct. Ridley with diuers other good Bishops moe as is aboue mentioned as Cranmer from Canterb. the Archbyshoppe of Yorke likewise Poynette from Winchester Iohn Hooper from Worcester Barlow from Bath Harley from Hereforde Taylor from Lincolne Ferrar from S. Dauids Couerdale from Excester Scorye from Chichester c. with a great number of Archdeacons Deanes and briefly all suche beneficed men which either were married or woulde constantly adheere to theyr profession All which were remooued from their liuings 〈…〉 intruâ—â—d by Q. â—â—ry and other of the contrary secte sette in the same as Cardinall Poole who was then sent for Gardiner Heath White Daye Troublefield c. And as touching Cranmer of whome mention was made before for so much as there was a rumor spreade of hym the same time at London that he hadde recanted and caused Masse to be sayde at Caunterburye for purging of hymselfe hee published abroade a declaration of hys truthe and constancie in that behalfe protestinge that hee neyther had so done 〈…〉 Peter 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of their 〈◊〉 agaynst all men nor mineded so to doe adding moreouer that if it woulde so please the Queene he wyth Peter Martyr and certaine other whome he would chuse would in open disputation sustaine the cause of the doctrine taught and set foorth before in the time of king Edward againste all persons whomesoeuer But while he was in expectation to haue this disputation obtained he with other bishops wer laid fast in the Tower and P. Martir permitted to depart the realme and so wenâ— he to Argentine After this in the moneth of Nouemb. the Archbyshop Cranmer notwithstaÌ„ding he had earnestly refused to subscribe to the kings wil D. Cranmer with the Lady 〈◊〉 arrâ—â—gâ—â—d of treason in the Guildhall Archbishop Cranmer quit of treason in disheriting his sister Marye â—lledging many graue and pithy reasons for her legitimation was in Guild hall of London arraigned and attainted of treason with the L. Iane and three of the Duke of Northumberlandes sonnes which at the intreatye of certayne persons were had againe to the Tower and there kept for a time All which notwithstanding Cranmer beinge pardoned of treason stoode onely in the action and case of doctrine whyâ—h they called heresie whereof hee was ryghte glad and ioyfull This being done in Nouember the people and especially the Churchmen perceiuing the Queene so eagerlye set vpon her olde religion they likewise for theyr partes to shewe themselues no lesse forwarde to serue the Queenes appetite as the manner is of the multitude commonlye to frame themselues after the humour of the Prince and time present began in their Quiers to set vp the pageants of s. Katherine Going about of S. Katherin and S. Nicholas and of S. Nicholas and of their processions in Latine after all their olde solemnitie with their gaye gardeâ—iance and gray amiâ—es And when the month of December was come the Parliament brake vp but first of all such statutes were repealed which were made either of Premunire or touched anye alteration of religion and administration of Sacramentes vnder king Edward In the which parliament also communication was mooued of the Queenes mariage wyth king Phillip the Emperors sonne In this meane while
against me maister Ridley and maister Latimer in three matters concerning the Sacrament First of the reall presence secondly of TransubstaÌ„tiation thirdly of the sacrifice of the Masse vpon Monday against me vpon Tuesday against Doctour Ridley and vppon Wednesday against maister Latimer Howe the other two were ordered I knowe not for we were seperated so that none of vs knoweth what the other sayd nor how they were ordered But as concerning my selfe I can report Doctour Chadsey was appoynted to dispute against me but the disputation was so confused that I neuer knewe the like euery man bringing foorth what him liked without order and such hast was made The Archb. not suffered to aunswere fully to any argument that no aunsweare coulde be suffered to be taken fully to any argument before an other brought a newe argument and in suche waightie matters the disputation must needes be ended in one day which can scantly well be ended in three moneths And when we had answeared them they woulde not appoynte vs one day to bring foorth our proofes that they might answeare vs being required by me thereunto whereas I my selfe haue more to say then can be well discussed as I suppose in twentie dayes The meanes to resolue the truth had bene to haue suffered vs to aunsweare fully to all that they coulde say and then they again to answeare vs fully to all that we can say But why they woulde not answeare vs what other cause can there be but that either they feared their matter that they were not able to answere vs or else for some consideration they made such hast not to seke the truth but to condemne vs that it must be done in poast haste before the matters coulde be throughly heard for in all haste we were all 3. condemned of heresie Thus much I thought good to signifie vnto your Lordshippes that you may knowe the indifferent handlinge of matters leauing the iudgement thereof vnto your wisedomes Hast made in condemning the Archb. and hys fellowes And I beseeche your Lordships to remember me a poore prisonner vnto the Queenes Maiestie and I shall pray as I doe daily vnto God for the long preseruation of your good Lordshippes in all godlinesse and felicitie April 23. Doctour Ridley to the Archbishop of Caunterburie I Wishe ye might haue seene these mine answeares before I had deliuered them y t yee myght haue corrected them B. Ridley writeth to the archbishop But I truste in the substaunce of the matter wee doe agree fully both led by one spirite of truth and both walking after one rule of Gods woorde It is reported that Sergeant Morgane This Iustice Morgan gaue sentence against Lady Iane. the chiefe Iustice of the Common place is gone madde It is sayde also that Iustice Hales hath recanted peruerted by D. Moreman Item that M. Rogers D. Crome and M. Bradforde shall be had to Cambridge and there be disputed with as we were here and that the Doctours of Oxforde shall goe likewise thither Disputation in Cambridge intended as Cambridge men came hither When ye haue red mine answeares sende theÌ„ againe to Austen except ye wil put any thing to them I trust the day of oure deliuerie out of all miseries and of our entrance into perpetuall rest and vnto perpetuall ioye and felicitie draweth me the Lorde strengthe vs wyth hys mighty spirite of grace If you haue not to wryte with you must make your man your frende And this bearer deserueth to be rewarded so he may and will doe you pleasure My man is trustie but it greeueth both him and mee that when I sende hym with any thing to you your man will not let him come vp to see you as he maye to M. Latimer and yours to me I haue a promise to see how my answers were wrytten in the schooles but as yet I cannot come by it Praye for me I pray for you and so shall I for you The Lord haue mercy of his church and lighten the eyes of the magistrates that Gods extreme plagues light not on this realme of England Turne or burne These disputations being thus discoursed and ended which were at Oxforde in the moneth of April as is aforesayd nowe let vs returne againe to the prosecuting of our story touching other things likewise y t happened in other parties of the realme in this tumultuous time of Queene Marie And because thinges that happened in that time were so many and diuers that it is hard to keepe a perfecte order in reciting them all to the entent therefore to inserte things leaft out before or els to prosecute the same more at full we haue thought heere a litle to interrupt the order of time albeit not muche returning againe to the moneth of Iulie the yeare before videlicet 1553. In the which moneth of Iuly I shewed before howe the Duke of Northumberland was apprehended by the Gard and brought to London by the Earle of Arundell and other Lordes and Gentlemen appoynted for that purpose on S. Iames day being the 25. day of Iuly and so to the tower where they remained These be the names of them which were committed to the Tower with the Duke First the Earle of Warwike the Earle of Huntington Lord Ambrose The names of them that were committed to the Tower with the Duke of Northumberland and Lord Henry Dudley Lord Hastings who was deliuered againe y e same night sir Iohn Gates sir Henry Gates sir Andrew Dudley sir Thom. Palmer and D. Sandes Chancelour of Cambridge The 26. day the Lorde Marques of Northampton the B. of London Lord Robert Dudly and sir Richard Corbet were brought and committed to the Tower The 27. day the Lorde chiefe Iustice of Englande and the Lord Mountacute chiefe Iustice of the common place were committed to the Tower Uppon the Friday being the 28. of Iulye the Duke of Suffolke and Sir Iohn Cheeke were committed to the Tower The 30. of Iulye the Lorde Russell was committed to the Sheriffe of Londons custodie The 31. day the Earle of Rutlande was committed to the Fleete The Duke of Suffolke deliuered out of the Tower Uppon the monday the last of Iuly the Duke of Suffolke was deliuered out of the Tower againe Upon thursday the 3. of August the Queene entred into the citie of London at Algate so to the Tower where shee remained seuen daies and then remooued to Richmond Uppon friday the fourth day doct Day was deliuered out of the Fleete Upon saterday the 5. day the Lorde Feries was committed to the tower and the same daye D. Boner was deliuered out of the Marshalsey The same day at nyght D. Coâ—kes was committed to the Marshalsey and one M. Edward Underhill to Newgate Also the same day doctor Tonsâ—â—â— and Ste. Gardiner were deliuered out of the Tower and Gardiner receiued into the Quenes priuie counsaile and made Lord Chancelor Uppon Sunday the 7. day Henry Dudley captaine of the Garde at
MariaÌ„ Morden was forced vpon eer othe to vtter Iames Morden her owne brother which taught her y e Pater noster Aue and Creede in English and that shee shuld not go on pilgrimage nor shuld worship saincts or images whych she had not done by the space of 6. yeares past folowing beleuing her brother Iames Morden was forced vpon his othe to vtter Iohn Littlepage Henry Littlepage William Littlepage Ione Littlepage Ric. Morden his brother of Chesham Emme his wife Alice Browne of Chesham Rad. Morden his brother of Chesham His wife Iohn Phips Elizabeth Hamon Tho. Coupland forced by his othe detected A Chanon of Missenden Tho. Groue of London Isabel Morwyn The wife of Norman of Amersham Th. Couper of Wodrow Rog. Harding W. Grinder Because these two could not saye their Creede in Latin  The wife of Rob. Stampe of Woodrowe Th. RoulaÌ„d T. CouplaÌ„d Ric. SteueÌ„s Rog. Beneâ— forced by their othe to accuse Thom. Harding of Amersham Alice Harding his wife Because after theyr abiuration in Byshop Smithes tyme diuers known men as they theÌ„ termed them which wer abiured before had much resort to their house  Agnes Squiâ—e For speaking these wordes Men do say I was abiured for heresy it may well be a napkin for my nose but I wil neuer be ashamed of it  The vicar of little Missenden Tho. Groue his wife He was detected for y t hee did geue to D. Wilcocks 20. li. to excuse him y t he might not be brought to open penance Iohn Sawcote vpon his othe did appech Thomas Holmes For that he was heard to say these wordes after the greate abiuration when hee had abiured that the greatest cobbes were yet behinde  Rich Saunders of Amersham Because he euer defended them whyche were suspected to bee knowen meÌ„ Also because he bought out his penance and caryed hys badge in hys purse ¶ Bishop Longland seeking howe to conuicte Iohn Phip of periuâ—te who being charged with an oth did not answer affirmatiuely to such suspitions as were laide vnto him by Thom Holmes and other seueral accusers did examine Sibill Affrike his owne sister vpon her oth to detect I. Phip her brother of relapse Iohn Fyppe but she so answered that the bishop could take by her no great hold of relapse against him Wherin is to be noted the singular iniquitie and abuse in the Church of Rome which by vertue of othe setteth the sister to procure the brothers blud The like also was sought by Thomas Affrik his sisters husband but they had by him no vauntage  Iohn Butler hys owne brother For reading to hym in a certayne Booke of the Scripture and perswading him to harken to the same Ienkin Butler did appeach Robert Carder Richard Butler his brother Henry Vulman of Vxbridge Rich. Ashforde of Walton otherwise called Rich. Nash or R Tredway W. King of Vxbridge  Isabel Tracher wife of Ioh. Tracher Thom. Clement of Chersham Because she came not to the Churche ofter on the woorke dayes being admonished bothe by the church wardens by the graduates of the church and by Doctour Cockes commissary but folowed her busines at home Also because shee purposed to set her daughter to Alice Harding saying that shee coulde better instruct her then many other Also because she cursed y e priest after he was gone which had geuen to her the Eucharist saying that he had geuen to her bitter gall W. Ameryden did detect Alice Holting For y t she being great w t childe did dine before she weÌ„t to church to take her rites saying that Isabel Tracher did so tell her y t she might dine before she receiued the sacrament  W. Trecher of Amersham For keping Thomas Broue in hys house on Easter and Christmasse day because hee woulde not come to the Church Ioane Norman did appeach Rob. Cosin Tho. Man Alice Harding For disswading from pilgrimage from worshipping of Images from bowing her mony to Saintes for health of her childe Also for saying that shee needed not to confesse to a priest but to be enoughe to lifte vp her handes to Heauen Also for saying that shee myghte as well drincke vpon the Sonday before masse as any other day c.  Henry Miller Wyer-drawer whych from Amersham fledde to CheÌ„psford That hee abiured and did penance in Kent before and afterwarde coÌ„ming to Amersham taught them as hee sayde many heresies  Iohn Barret goldsmith of London Ioan Barret his wife Iode his seruaunt Because he was heard in his own house before his wife and mayd there present to recite the Epistle of s. Iames which epistle wyth many other things hee had perfectly wythout booke  Iohn Merywether his wife his sonne Also because Ioanne his wife had lent to thys Ih. Scriuener the Gosspell of Mathewe and Marke which booke hee gaue to bishop Smith Ioh. Scriuener forced by his othe to accuse Durdant by Stanes Olde Durdant Isabel wife of Thomas Harding Hartop of Wyndsore Ione Barret wife of Iohn Barret of London H. Miller Stilman Tailour All these were accused because at the marriage of Durdantes daughter they assembled together in a Barne and heard a certain Epistle of Saint Paule read which reading they well liked but especially Durdant and commended the same  Tho. Rowland of Amersham It was obiected to Thomas Roulande for speaking these woordes Ah good Lorde where is all oure good communication which was wont to bee among vs when your maister was aliue  Tho. Groue of London butcher W. Glasbroke of Harowe on the hill Christopher Glasbroke of London These were appeached because they vsed to resorte and conferre together of matters of Religion in the house of Thomas Man of Amersham before the greate abiuration  William Tilsworth of London goldsmith prentise sometimes to Iohn Barret  Iohn Newman He was appeached because hee was present in the house of I. Barret at the reading of Scripture  Iohn Wood of Henley Wil. Wood. Lewys of Henley seruing man  Wylie and his sonne This wily was appreached because he taught the gospell of Math. to I. Wood and William Wood after the great abiuration father Rob. did teach them s. Paules Epistle Father Robert martir whiche olde father was after that burned at Buckingham  Turstan Litlepage Emme his wife This Thurstan had taught him the saying of Salomon that wrathe raiseth chiding had taught him also the Pater noster and Aue in English His Crede in english he learned of his graÌ„dmother The said Thurstan also taught him Christe not to bee corporallye in the sacrament  Iohn Litlepage his brother Alice wife of Thurstan Littlepage Because he was sayde to haue learned the ten commaundementes in English of Alice Thurstans wife in his fathers house  Iohn Frier Because this I. Frier had taught the said W. y e x. commaundements in English Wil. Litlepage forced by his othe did accuse Thomas Groue Hernes wife The wife of Iohn Morwyn
as for the vowe and coaction of their single life it came sayd he of the diuell and a diuelish thing it is And therefore Priestes mariage whereas the said Heluetians had such a rite and custome in their townes and pages that when they receiued anie new Priest into their Churches An olde vse of the Heluetians to forewarne their priests to take concubines they vsed to premonish him before to take his concubine least he should attempt any misuse with their wiues and daughters he exhorted them that they would no lesse graunt vnto them to take their wiues in honest matrimonie then to take concubines and harlots against the precept of God Thus as Zuinglius continued certaine yeares Zuinglius resisted by aduersaries labouring in the word of the Lord offence began to rise at thys new doctrine and diuers stept vp namely the Dominicke Friers on the contrary side to preach inuey against him But he keping himselfe euer within the Scriptures protested that he would make good by the word of God that which he had taught Upon this the Magistrates and Senate of Zuricke sent forth their cōmandemēt to all priests and ministers within their dominion to repaire to the citie of Zuricke Disputatiōs at Zuricke about religion against the xxix day of Ianuary next ensuing this was anno 1523. there euery one to speake freely and to be heard quietly touching these controuersies of religion what could be said directing also their letters to the Bishop of Cōstance that he would either make his repaire thether himselfe or else to send his deputie When the day appointed came and the Bishops vicegerent which was Ioannes Faber was also present Ioan. Faber Stapulensis against Zuinglius Ex Sled lib 3. the Consull first declaring the cause of this their frequencie and assemble which was for the dissention newly risen about matters of Religion required that if any there had to obiect or inferre against the doctrine of Zuinglius he should freely and quietly vtter and declare his minde Zuinglius had disposed his matter before Lxvij. articles of Zuinglius and cōtriued al his doctrine in a certaine order of places to y e number of lxvij Articles which articles he had published also abroad before to the ende that they which were disposed might resort thether better prepared to the disputation Whē the Consull had finished that which he would say and had exhorted other to begin then Faber first entring the matter begā to declare the cause of his sending thether and afterward wold perswade that this was no place conuenient nor time fit for discussing of such matter by disputation Iohn Faber refuseth disputation but rather that the cognition and tractation thereof belonged to a generall Councell which he saide was already appointed and now neere at hand Notwithstāding Zuinglius still continued vrging and requiring him that if he had there any thing to say or to dispute he would openly and freely vtter his minde To this he aunswered againe that he would cōfute his doctrine by writing This done with a few other words on both sides had to and fro whē no man would appeare The assēble of Zuricke brake vp without disputation The Gospel publickly receaued in Zuricke Traditions of men abolyshed there to offer any disputation the assemble brake and was discharged Whereupon the Senate of Zuricke incōtinēt caused to be proclaimed through all their dominion and territorie that the traditions of men should be displaced and abandoned and the Gospell of Christ purely taught out of the old and new Testament an 1523. Ex Ioan. Sled lib. 3. When the Gospell thus began to take place and to florish in Zuricke and certaine other places of Heluetia the yeare next following ann 1524. another assemble of the Heluetians was conuented at Lucerna where this decree was made on the contrary part That no man should deride or contemne the word of God which had bene taught now aboue a thousand four hūdreth yeares heretofore nor the Masse to be scorned wherein the body of Christ is consecrated to the honour of God and to the cōfort both of the quicke the dead That they which are able to receiue the Lords body at Easter shall confesse their sinnes in Lent to the Priest and do all other things as the vse and maner of the Church requireth That the rites and customes of holy Church be kept That euery one obey his owne proper pastor and curate and to receaue the Sacramēts of him after the maner of holy Church and to pay him his yearely duties That honour be geuen to Priests Constitutions made in the councell of Lucerne Item to absteine from flesheating on fasting dayes and in Lent to absteine from egges and cheese That no opinion of Luther be taught priuely or apertly contrary to the receaued determination of holy Church and that in tauernes and at table no mention be made of Luther or any new doctrine That Images and pictures of Sainctes in euery place be kepte inuiolate That Priests and Ministers of the Church be not compelled to render accompt of their doctrine but only to the Magistrate That due ayde and supportation be prouided for them if anie commotion do happen That no person deride the reliques of the holy spirit or of our Lady or of Saint Anthony Finally that all the lawes and decrees set foorth by the Byshop of Constance be obserued These constitutions whosoeuer shall transgresse let them be presented to the Magistrate and ouerseers be set ouer them that shall so transgresse After these things concluded thus at Lucerna the Cantons of Heluetia together direct their publicke letter to the Tygurines or men of Zuricke The letter of the Heluetians to the Tygurines wherein they do much lament and complaine of this new broched doctrine whych hath set all men together by the eares through the occasion of certaine rash and newfangled heads which haue greatly disturbed both the state of the Church and of the common wealth and haue scattered the seedes of discorde whereas before time all things were well in quiet And although this sore sayd they ought to haue bene looked to by time so that they should not haue suffered the glory of Almighty God and of the blessed Uirgine and other Saints so be dishonored but rather should haue bestowed their goodes and liues to mainteine the same yet notwithstanding they required them now to looke vpon the matter which otherwise would bring to them destruction both of body and soule as for example they might see the doctrine of Luther what fruit it brought The rude and vulgare people now sayde they coulde not be holden in but woulde burst foorth to all licence and rebellion as hath appeared by sufficient proofes alate and like is to be feared also among themselues and all by the occasion of Zuinglius and of Leo Iuda which so take vpon them to expound the word of God Zuinglius
the Marques de Poza Next after her was called brought out Don Louys de Roxas Don Louys â—e Roxas â—ondemned â—o beare a Sanbenito sonne heire of the Marques de Poza who beyng also declared an hereticke for y e great sute and labour which was made for him was condemned only to beare his SaÌ„benito vnto the town house and his goodes to be confiscate  11. Dame Anne Henriques Dame Anne Henriques â—udged as an hereticke to beare a Sanbenito After whom in the xi place folowed dame anne HeÌ„riques daughter of the marques Alcanszes and mother to the forenamed Marques de Poza Wife to Lord Alfonsus de Fonseca Who in lyke sorte was declared an hereticke and condemned to beare her SaÌ„benito to the towne house and her goodes to be confiscate The Inquisitors of Spayne 12. Christopher Dell. Christofer Dell marâ—yr Christopher Dell citizeÌ„ of Samora was the xij who after hee was declared an hereticke was iudged to be burned and his goods to be seased  13. Christopher de Padilla Christofer de Padilla martyr The lyke sentence was also geuen vpon Christofer de Padilla citizen of Samora  Antonie de Huezuello martyr 14. Antony de Huezuello The 14. was Antony de Huezuello bacheler of diuinity dwelling at Toro Who after he was proclaimed heretick his goodes confiscate was condeÌ„ned to be burned and moreouer hadde hys mouth stopped for y t he should not speake make confession of his fayth vnto the people  15. Katherine Romain Katherin Romain martyr Then folowed Katherine Romain dwelling in Pedrosa called from her staÌ„ding who receiuing the like sentence was condemned to be burned all her goods confiscate  16. Fraunces Errem Frances Errem martyr The 16. was FrauÌ„ces Errem borne in Pegnaranda whom they condemned to be burned aliue and all her goodes likewise confiscate  17. Katherine Ortega After her succeeded in the next sentence of Martyrdome Katherine Ortega martyr Katherine Ortega dwellyng in Ualledolid daughter of Hernando Piazo Fiscall widow of captaine Louys pronouÌ„ced with the other to be an heretick and forsomuch as she was reckoned to be a Schoolemaistres to the rest she was iudged to be burned and her goodes confiscate  18. Isabell Strada 19. Iane Valesques In the 18. and 19. place Isabell Strada martyr Iane Valesques martyr stoode Isabell de Strara and Iane Ualesques both dwelling in Pedrosa which likewise were condemned to be burned all theyr goods confiscate  20. A Smith A certayne workmaÌ„ of white yron or smith for interteining assembles in his house A Smith martyr and for watching with theÌ„ receiued also with theÌ„ the like sentence to lose both life goodes for the Gospels sake  21. A Iew. With these also was ioyned a Portugale named Goncalo Uaes of Lisbone whyche was borne a Iewe afterward Baptised then returned agayne to his Iudaisme Who for more shame to the other was put also in the same tale and number A Iewe burned as the 2. theeues were ioyned w t Christ and was also with theÌ„ condemned to be burned his goods seased The Inquisitors of Spayne 22. Dame Iane de Sylua After these was called dame Iane de Silua wife to Iohn de Biuero Brother to Doctour Cacalla Dame Iane de de Silua condemned for an hereticke to whome it was enioyned to beare a mantle all her life for penance token of her trespas al her goods coÌ„fiscate  23. Leonore de Lisueros wife of Huezuelo 24. Marina de Saiauedra 25. Daniell Quadra In like maner was called for Leonore de Liueros Marina de Saiauedra Daniell Quadra condemned to perpetuall prison Leonore de Lisueros wife of the foresayd Antony Huezuelo Batcheler of diuinity Item Marina de Saiauedra wife of Cysueras de Sareglio IteÌ„ Daniell Quadra borne at Pedrosa All which 3. persons were pronouÌ„ced heretickes and condemned to do penaunce in perpetuall Prison with theyr mantles coÌ„fiscatioÌ„ of al their goods  26. Dame Mary de Royas Dame Marye de Royas Dame Mary de Royas inioyned penaunce sister of Marques of Royas because she was in a cloister was come of a good house was therfore iudged to beare her mantle to y e towne house and al her goods confiscate  27. Antony Dominike Antony Dominicke de Pedrosa beyng theÌ„ brought out Antonie Dominicke enioyned penaunce was iudged and condemned to iij. yeares penaunce in prison for his heresye clothed with the mantle of yelow and al his goods confiscate  28. Anthony Basor Antonie Basor an English man enioyned penaunce an Englishman Last of all was produced Antony Basor who for that he was an Englishe man he was iudged to beare his maÌ„tle of yellow to the towne house in penance for his crime incontineÌ„t was thrust into a cloyster for one yeare to the intent he might there be instructed in y e catholick ordinances of the church of Rome as thei be called After these sentences being thus pronounced they which were condemned to be burned with the coffin of the dead Lady her picture vpon the same were committed to the secular magistrate and theyr executioners which were commaunded to doe theyr endeuour Then were they all incontinent takeÌ„ and euery one set vpon an Asse theyr faces turned backeward with a great garison of armed souldiors vnto the place of punishment which was without the gate of the towne called Del Campo When they were come to the place there were 14 stakes set vp of equall distaunce one from an other Xiiij. Martyrs in Spayne burned whereunto euery one seuerally being fastened according to the fashion of Spayne they were all firste strangled and then burned and turned to ashes saue onely Antony Huezuelo Who for so much as he had both within and without the prison vehemently detested the popes spiritualty therfore he was burned aliue and his mouth stopped froÌ„ speaking And thus these faythfull Christians for the verity pure word of God were led to death as sheep to the shambles who not onely most christianly did comfort one an other but also did so exhort all them there present that all men maruelled greatly both to heare theyr singular constancy and to see theyr quiet and peaceable end It is reported that besides these aforesayd there remayned yet behinde 37. other prisoners at y e sayd towne of Valledolid reserued to an other Tragedy spectacle of that bloudy Inquisition Ex quinta parte Martir Gallic Impresse pag. 474. ¶ Furthermore whereas the story of the sayde Inquisition being set out in the Frenche tongue doth recken the number of the martyrs aboue mentioned to be thirty and yet in particular declaration of them doth name no more but xxviij here is therefore to be noted that eyther this number lacked two of thirty or els that 2. of the sayde company were returned backe without iudgement into the prison
and sower sweete whiche mainteine abhominable and detestable bookes and pictures and reiect that which is holy Then the Bishop of Aix and the other Bishops began to rage and gnashed their teeth against this poore prisoner What neede you said they any more examination let him be sent straight vnto y e fire without any more words But the Iudge Laberius and certaine others were not of that mind neither founde they sufficient cause why to put him to death but went about to haue him put vnto hys fine and to make him confesse acknowledge the Byshop of Aix and other his companions to be the true pastors of the Church But the bookeseller aunswered that he could not do it with a good conscience forsomuch as he did see before his eies y t these Byshops mainteined filthy bookes and abhominable pictures reiecting and refusing the holy bookes of God and therefore he iudged them rather to be the Priests of Bacchus and Uenus then the true pastors of the Church of Christ. Whereupon he was immediately condemned to be burned and the sentence was executed y e very same day A godly bookeseller with two Bibles about his 〈◊〉 burned in Auinion And for a signe or token of the cause of hys condemnation he caried two Bibles hanging about hys necke the one before the other behind him but this pore man had also the word of God in his hart in his mouth and ceased not continually by the way vntill that he came to the place of execution to exhort and monish the people to reade the holy Scriptures in so much that diuers were thereby mooued to seeke after the truth The Prelates seeing a great dissention amongst the people of Auinion and that many murmured and grudged against them for the death of this good man and also for the dishonour which they had done vnto the holy Testament of God minding to put the people in a feare they proceeded the next day to make a proclamatioÌ„ by the sound of a Trumpet Proclamation agaynst French Bibles throughout the whole towne and Countie of Uenice that all such as had any bookes in the French tongue intreating vpon the holy Scriptures should bring them foorth and deliuer them into the hands of the Commissioners appointed for that purpose contrarywise they which had any suche bookes found about them should be put to death Then after that these Prelates had taken aduise to raise great persecution in Uenice the Bishop of Aix returned to prosecute the executioÌ„ of the arrest against Merindol trauelling earnestly with the President Cassaneus to that effect The Bishop of Aix stirreth vp Cassaneus the President to persecution The aunswere of Cassaneus to the Byshops for Merindoll declaring vnto him the good will of the Prelates of Auinion and Prouince the great affectioÌ„ they bare both to him and his with many faire promises if he would put the Arrest in execution The President aunswered hym that it was no small matter to put the Arrest of Merindoll in execution Also that the saiyd Arrest was geuen out more to keepe y e Lutheranes in feare which were a great number in Prouince then to execute it in effect as it was conteined in the sayd Arrest Moreouer he said that the arrest of Merindoll was not definitiue and that the lawes and statutes of the realme did not permit y e executioÌ„ thereof without further processe Then said the Bishop if there he either lawe or statute which doth hinder or let you we cary in our sleeues to dispence therwithall The President answered it were a great sinne to shed the innocent bloud Then sayd the Byshop the bloud of them of Merindoll be vpon vs and vpon our successours Then said the President Sanguis eius super nos filios nostros Math. 27. I am very well assured that if the Arrest of Merindoll be put in execution the kyng will not be well pleased to haue such destruction made of his subiectes Then sayd the Bishop although the kyng at the first do thinke it euil done we will so bring it to passe that within a short space he shall thinke it well done For we haue y e Cardinals on our side specially the most reuerent Cardinall of Tournon the which will take vpoÌ„ him the defence of our cause The Cardinall of Tournon the oâ—gane of Antichrist and we can doe him no greater pleasure then vtterly to roote out these Lutheranes so that if we haue any neede of his couÌ„saile or ayde we shall be wel assured of him And is not he the principall the most excellent prudeÌ„t aduersary of these Lutheranes which is in all Christendome By this such other like talke the Byshop of Aix persuaded the PresideÌ„t Counsellours of the Court of Parliament to put the sayd Arrest in execution and by this meanes through the authoritie of the sayd Court the drum was sounded throughout all Prouince y t Captaines were prepared with their Ensignes displayd The popes army setteth forward toward Merindoll and a great number of footemeÌ„ and horsemen began to set forward marched out of the towne of Aix in order of battell well horsed and furnished agaynst Merindoll to execute the Arrest The inhabitauntes of Merindoll beyng aduertised hereof and seyng nothyng but present death to be at haÌ„d with great lamentation commended themselues their cause vnto God by prayer makyng theÌ„selues ready to be murthered and slayne as sheepe led vnto the butchery Whiles they were at this greeuous distresse pitiously mournyng and lamentyng together The army againe retyred by the meanes of the Lord of Alenc the father with the sonne the daughter with y e mother the wife with the husband sodenly there was newes brought vnto them that the army was retired and no maÌ„ knew at that tyme how or by what meanes notwithstandyng afterward it was knowen that the Lord of Alenc a wise man learned in the Scriptures in Ciuill law beyng moued with great zeale and loue of iustice declared vnto the PresideÌ„t Chassanee that he ought not so to proceede agaynst the inhabitantes of Merindoll by way of force of armes contrary to all forme and order of iustice without iudgement or condemnation or without making any differeÌ„ce betwene the gilty the vngilty And furthermore he sayd I desire you my Lord PresideÌ„t call to remeÌ„braunce the counsell which you haue written in your booke A story of excoÌ„munycatyng the Rattes for eating vp the corne entituled Catalogus gloriae mundi in the which booke you haue intreated and brought forth the processes whiche were holden agaynst the Rats by the officers of the Court and iurisdiction of the Byshop of Authun For as it happened there was almost through out all the Bailiwyke of Laussois such a great number of Rats that they destroyed and deuoured all the corne of the couÌ„trey Wherupon they tooke counsell to send vnto y e Byshop of Authuns Official for
be in a great choler some he beat and some things also of a smal value he caused to be restored but all the rest was kept backe and caryed away Two womeÌ„ the mother and the daughter Martyrs The same day two women the mother and the daughter were found in a caue in the mountaine wounded to death by the souldiers and died immediatly after So likewise a blinde man a hundreth yeares of age which was fled into a caue with his sonnes daughter being eighteene yeares olde whych fed him was slaine by the enemies The grandfather hys nyce dyed Martyrs and as they would haue forced the mayden she escaped from them and fell from the top of the mountaine and dyed At that tyme also a great company of women of Tailleret Uillars were taken as they fled with their goodes and brought to the campe and sent away emptye There was at the same tyme a certaine souldier whiche promised the Lord of Trinitie to find out the minister of Tailleret and to deliuer him into his owne hands And to bring his purpose to passe he neuer ceased vntill he had founde him and after that he pursued hym a long time But as he was pursuing and chasing him A wicked persecuter killed with stones certaine at vnwares comming out of the mountaine rescued the poore minister and killed the souldier with stones But this especially is to be noted that duryng these troubles diuers of the Papistes had sent their daughters into the mountaines vnto the Waldoys to be kept fearing least they should haue ben rauished by the souldiers being wholy geuen ouer as to all crueltie and rauine so to all villany and abhomination by whome they were before threatned to be so abused All this being done the sayd Lord of Trinitie caused the head officers and chiefest of y e people to assemble together and declared vnto them that the mainteining of the army was a greate charge vnto the Duke and that it was meete that they should beare the one halfe of the charges For this cause he demaunded of them twentie thousande crownes But by the meanes of his Secretarie Gastaut who was promised a hundreth crownes for hys wyne that is to say for a bribe foure thousand of those twenty were abated The poore Waldoys pressed at 16. thousaÌ„d crownes so that they graunted vnto him xvj thousand of the which summe the Duke released the one halfe Then the Lord of Trinitie pressed this poore people to deliuer the eight thousand out of hand to pay the souldyers their wages as he sayde and so to withdraw his armye The yeare before corne was exceeding deare for a sacke was commonly sold for sixe crownes yea and some for eight crownes and also they had very litle corne growing vpon their mountaines wherefore they were now verye bare of money But they being in this perplexitie and desiring nothing more then to liue in peace and quietnes went about to sell their cattell to pay this money But the Lord of Trinitie had geuen out a commandement y t none should buy any cattell of the Waldoys The Papists false of promise without his liceÌ„ce Then licence was geuen out to certaine to buy great store of cattell and that for a small price and the common brute was that he had part of the gaine When this money was payd yet the army notwithstanding retyred not After this the Lord of Trinitie commaunded the Waldoys to surrender vp al their armour to furnish y e Dukes fortes otherwise he threatned to sende his souldyers amongest them and in deede he constrained many so to do Then he demanded moreouer the eight thousand crownes whiche the Duke had remitted and constrayned them to promise the payment thereof After that he commaunded that the ministers should be sent awaye vntill the matter were determined before the Duke otherwise he woulde send his souldiers to dislodge them out of hand whereuppon with one common assent and accord they determined that their ministers shoulde withdrawe themselues for a space vntill the army were retired which was not done without marueilous sighes lamentation and teares At that season there fell such abundance of snowe that the like had not bene seene of a long time before so that the people were constrained to make a way with great trauaile and paine through the top of the mountayne of S. Martin for their ministers to passe Now thought the Lord of Trinitie so to haue enclosed them he keeping the plaine and the mountaynes beyng couered so thicke with snowe that by no meanes they shoulde haue escaped his handes But the people caused theÌ„ to passe the top of the mountayne and at their departure The care of the Waldois for their ministers there flocked out of euery quarter greate multitudes to the village of Boby and came together into a secrete place there called le Puis not withoute greate griefe and sorowe For they found theÌ„ altogether in teares and mourning that their ministers should so be taken froÌ„ them and they now leaft as lambes amongst wolues The armye was aduertised that the ministers were assembled together and incontinent a greate troupe of harquebushes were at hand whiche sought them euen to the very top of the mountaine in so much that if they had remained there but one houre longer they had bene all taken From that time for certaine dayes after they dyd nothing but raunge about in all places Gods prouidence for his ministers seeking for the ministers and there was no house chamber caue nor secrete corner into the whiche they dyd not enter vnder pretence to seeke the Ministers There was neither chest nor any thing else so strong but they brake it open saying that the ministers were hidden therein and by that meanes they tooke spoyled and caried away whatsoeuer they would The Lorde of Trinitie promised often tymes that although it were forbidden to all the Ministers to preache yet the Minister of Angrongne shoulde be excepted and furthermore sent the sayd Minister word that if he would demaunde any thyng of the Duke it shoulde be graunted hym Whereupon the sayde Minister made thys request that the poore people might liue peaceably in their religioÌ„ A while after he sent for the saide Minister to confer wyth him priuately vpoÌ„ certaine points of religion The minister went vnto him hauing therto the coÌ„sent of the people The Lord of Trinitie propounded vnto him three points Marke here the faire pretence trayterous meaning of the Lord of Trynitye which by by after seeâ—â—th the death of this good Minister The first concerning the supremacie of the Pope the other concerned transubstantiation Of the whyche two points the minister then immediatly declared his opinioÌ„ and he seemed to agree thereunto and required him to put the same in writing The last which was his whole drift was to perswade the minister to go to the Dukes Court and there to defend the cause of the people
wished and greatly groned for in tymes past of many godly learned men so much more ought wee nowe to reioyce and geue God thankes seeyng these dayes of reformation which God hath geuen vs. If Iohn Husse or good Hierome of Prage or Iohn Wickliffe before them both or William Brute Thorpe Swynderby or the Lord Cobham if Zisca with all the company of the Bohemians if the Earle Raymundus with all the Tholossians if the Waldoys or the Albingensis with infinite other had bene eyther in these our times now or else had seene then thys ruyne of the Pope and reuealing of Antichrist which the Lord now hath dispensed vnto vs what ioye and triumph would they haue made Wherefore now beholding that thyng which they so long tyme haue wished for let vs not thinke the benefite to be small but render therefore most humble thankes to the Lorde our God Who by his mightie power and brightnes of his word Antichrist longe hyd and now reueled hath reuealed this great enemie of his so manifestly to the eyes of all men who before was hid in the Church so coulourably that almost few Christians could espye him For who would euer haue iudged or suspected in hys mynde the Byshop of Rome commonly receyued and beleeued almost of all men to be the Vicare and Vicegerent of Christ heere in earth to be Antichrist and the great aduersary God whome S. Paule so expresly prophesieth of in these latter dayes to be reuealed by the brightnes of the Lords commyng as all men now for the most part may see is come to passe Wherefore to the Lord and Father of lightes who reuealeth all things in hys due tyme be prayse and glory for euer Amen The ende of the seauenth Booke The eyght Booke continuing the hystorie of English matters appertayning to both states as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill and Temporall Martyrs of Couentrye Persecuters Martyrs The Causes Symon Mourton the bishops Somner The bishop of Couentry Frier Stafford Warden Maistres Smith Rob. Hatchets Archer Haukins Tho. Bond. Wrigsham Landsdale Martyrs Maistres Smyth widow Rob. Hatchets a shomaker Archer a shomaker Hawkins a shomaker Tho Bond a shomaker Wrigsham a Glouer Landsdale an Hosier At Couentry An. 1519. THE principall cause of the appreheÌ„sion of those persons was for teaching their children and familie the Lordes prayer and tenne Commaundementes in English for which they were vpon Ashwednesday taken and put in prison some in places vnder the grounde some in chambers and other places about till Friday following Then they were sent to a Monasterye called Mackestocke Abbey sixe miles from Couentry During which time their children were sente for to the Gray friers in Couentry before y e Warden of the sayd friers called Frier Stafford Who straitly examining them of their beliefe and what heresie their fathers had taught them charged theÌ„ vppon payne of suffering suche deathe as their fathers should in no wyse to meddle any more with the Lords prayer The Lordes prayer in Englishe foâ—byddeÌ„ of the Papists the Creede and Commaundements in English Which done vpon Palmesonday the fathers of these children were broughte backe agayne to Couentry and there the weeke next before Easter were condemned for relapse because most of them had borne fagots in the same Citie before to be burned Onely Maistres Smith was dimissed for that present and sent away And because it was in the euenyng beyng somewhat darke as she should go home the foresayd Symon Mourton the Somner offered him selfe to goe home with her Now as he was leadyng her by the arme and heard the rattelyng of a scrole within her sleeue yea sayth he What haue ye here And so tooke it from her espyed that it was the Lordes prayer the Articles of the fayth Maistres Smith coÌ„deÌ„ned for hauing the Lords prayer in Englishe the x. Commaundementes in Englishe Which when the wretched Somner vnderstood ah serrha sayd he come as good now as an other tyme so brought her backe agayne to the Byshop where she was immediately condemned and so burned with the vj. men before named the fourth of Aprill in a place thereby called the litle parke An. 1519.  Robert Silkeb At Couentry An. 1521. IN y e same nuÌ„ber of these CoueÌ„try men aboue rehearsed was also Robert Silkeb Anno. 1521. who at the apprehension of these as is aboue recited fled away Robert Silkeb Martyr and for that tyme escaped But about two yeares after he was taken agayne brought to the sayd Citie of Couentry where he was also burned the morowe after hee came thether whiche was about the xiij day of Ianuary An. 1521. Thus when these were dispatched immediatly the Sheriffes went to theyr houses and tooke all their goodes and cattell to theyr owne vse not leauyng their wiues and children any parcell therof to helpe themselues with all And for somuch as the people began to grudge somewhat at the crueltie shewed and at the vniust death of these innocent Martyrs the Byshop with his Officers and Priestes caused it to bee noysed abroad by their Tenauntes seruantes and fermers y t they were not burned for hauyng the Lordes prayer and commaundementes in English but because they did eate fleshe on Fridayes and other fastyng dayes Which neither could he proued either before their death or after nor yet was any such matter greatly obiected to them in their examinations Testimony of this storye The witnesses of this history bee yet aliue whiche both saw them and knew them Of whom one is by name mother Halle dwelling now in Bagington two myles from Couentry By whom also this is testified of them Note how these Martirs holding with the popish sacramentes yet were burned of the papists only for a few Scriptures in English that they aboue all other in Couentry pretended most shew of worshyp and deuotion at the holdyng vp of the Sacrament whether to colour the matter or no it is not knowen This is certain that in godlinesse of life they differed from al the rest of the Citie Neither in their occupying they would vse any oth nor could abyde it in them that occupyed with them Iames BetoÌ„ Archb. of S. Andrew M. Hew SpeÌ„s dean of diuinity in the vniuersitie of S. Andrew M. Iohn Weddell Rector of the vniuersitie Iames Symson Officiall Tho. Ramsay Chanon and Deane of the Abbey of S. Andrewes Allane Meldrum Chanon Iohn Greson Principall of the Blacke Friers Iohn Dillidaffe Warden of the Gray Friers Martin Balbur Lawyer Iohn SpeÌ„s Lawyer Alexander Yong The godly zeale of M. Hamelton towardes his countrey bacheler of Diuinitie Chanon Iohn Annand Chanon Frier Alex. Chambell Priour of the Blacke Friers c. Patricke HalmentoÌ„ At Saint Andrewes in ScotlaÌ„d An. 1527. PAtricke Hamelton a Scottish man borne of an hygh and noble stocke and of the kynges bloud Anno. 1527. young and of flourishyng age and excelleÌ„t towardnesse of xxiij yeares called Abbot of Ferme
quatuor or the Cardinall of Pouche was slayne and with him were a M. Prelates and Priests fiue hundred Gentlemen fiue hundred Souldiers wherefore immediately the Captaines determined to lay siege to the Castle of S. Angell least they within might issue out and turne them to damage wherefore sodeinly a siege was planted round about the Castle The castell of S. Angel besieged In the meane season the souldiers fell to spoyle Neuer was Rome so pilled either of the Gothes or Uandales for the Souldiers were not content with the spoyle of the Citizens Rome spoyled but they robbed y e Churches brake vp the houses of close religious persons and ouerthrew the Cloisters and spoyled virgines and rauished maried women Men were tormented if they had not to geue euery new asker or demaunder some were strangled some were punished by the priuie members to cause them to confesse their treasure This woodnes continued a great while some man might thinke that wheÌ„ they had gotten so much then they would cease be quiet but that was not so for they plaied continually at dyce some v. C. some a M. Ducates at a cast and he that came to play ladeÌ„ with plate went againe almost naked and then fell to rifeling againe Many of the Citizens which could not paciently suffer that vexation drowned themselues in Tyber The Pope mocked and scorned opâ—nly in Rome before his owne face The Souldiers daily that lay at the siege made Iestes of the Pope Sometime they had one riding like the Pope with a whore behinde hym sometime he blessed and sometime he cursed sometyme they would with one voyce call him Antichrist and they went about to vndermine the Castle and to haue throwne it downe on his head but the water that enuironeth the Castle disappointed their purpose In this season the Duke of Urbine with xv M. men came to ayde the Pope but hearing that Rome was takeÌ„ he taried xl myle from Rome till he heard other worde The Marques of Saluce and Sir Frederico de Bodso with xv M. footemen and a M. horsemeÌ„ were at 〈◊〉 be the tenth day of May where they hearing that the Citie of Rome was taken also taried The Cardinall of Colume came with an army of Neapolitans to helpe the Emperours men but when he saw the cruelty of the Souldiers he did little to helpe them but he hated them much The Byshop of Rome was thus besieged till the eight Ides of Iuly The Pope besieged and taken at which day he yelded himselfe for necessitie and penury of all things in the Castle and theÌ„ he was restored to geue Graces and graunt Bulles as he did before but he taried still in the Castle of S. Angell and had a great number of Almaines Spanyards to keepe him but the Spanyards bare most rule in the Castle for no maÌ„ entred nor came out of the Castle but by them When the moneth of Iuly came corne began to fayle in Rome and the pestilence began to waxe strong wherfore the great army remoued to a place called Narma xl mile from Rome Warre and pestilence is Rome leauing behind them such as kept the Byshop of Rome When they were departed the Spanyards neuer were contented till they had gotten the Almaynes out of the Castle of S. Angell and so they had the whole custody of the Pope And thus much for the sacking of Rome Ex Paralip Abbat Vrsper When the Cardinall heere in England heard how hys father of Rome was taken prisoner The Cardynall bestirreth him for the Pope hee began to styrre coales and hearyng of his captiuitie he laboured with the King all that he might to stirre hym vp to fight with the sayd Pope against the Emperour and to be a defendour of the Churche whiche if hee would do the Cardinall perswaded him that hee shoulde receiue great rewarde at Gods hand To whome the King aunswered againe and sayd in this maner My Lord I more lament this euill chaunce then my tong can tell but where you say I am y e defendour of the faith I assure you that this war betwene the Emperour the Pope is not for the faith The Pope fighteth for temporall possessions but for teÌ„porall possessions and dominioÌ„s and now sith Pope ClemeÌ„t is taken by men of warre what should I do My person nor my people can not rescue him but if my treasure may helpe him take that which seemeth to you most coÌ„uenient Thus the Cardinall when he could not obteine at the Kings hands what he would in stirring him vp to mortall warre 12. score thousand Poundes conueyed out of England by the Carâ—inall A new fouÌ„d Letanye of the Lord Cardinalls making he made out of y e Kings treasure xij score thousand poundes which he caried ouer the Sea with him After this the Cardinall sent his commission as Legate to all the Bishops commaunding fastings and solemne processions to be had wherein they did sing the Letany after this sort Sancta Maria ora pro Clemente Papa Sancte Petre ora pro Clemente Papa and so forth all the Letanie This Cardinall passing the Seas with the foresayde summes of money departed out of Callis accompanyed with Cuthbert Tunstall Byshop of London the Lorde Sandes the Kings Chamberlaine the Earle of Darby Syr Henry Guilford and Syr Thomas Moore wyth many other Knightes and Squiers to the number of xij hundred horse hauing in his cariage lxxx wagonnes and threescore Moyles and sumpter horses It were long to discourse in this place the manifold abuses and treasons which he practised wheÌ„ he came to the French Court at Amias conuerting the greate summes of money Warre waged by the Cardinall whiche before you heard he had obteined of the King for the reliefe raunsome of Pope Clement which at that time was prisoner in the Emperours armye and bestowed the same in the hyring of souldiers furnishing out the French Kings armye appoynting also certayne English Captaynes in the King of Englandes name to go against the Emperour to rescue the Pope all whiche army was payd with the King of Englands money Besides that he priuely by his letters caused Clarentius king of the armes to ioyne with the French Herauld and openly to defie the Emperour whereby there began great displeasure to rise betwen y e Emperour the King but that the Emperour of his politike nature would take no occasion of displeasure agaynst the Kyng of England Now agayne he vttered another of his practises for vpon the sayd defiaunce the Cardinall surmising whispering in the Kings eare that y e Emperour had euill intreated and imprisoned the Kings Ambassadours in Spaâ—ne The craftye practise of the Cardinall caused Hugo de Mendosa the Emperours Ambassadour in England to be attached put in safe keeping and hys house with all his goodes to be seased Which so remained vntill y e manifest letters came of the gentle intreatye of the kings
attemptes wherefore he directed his letters to the Earle of Northumberland willing him with all diligence to arrest the Cardinall to deliuer him to the Earle of Shrewsbury great Steward of the Kings housholde When the Earle had sene the letters he with a conuenient number came to the Manor of Cawood the fourth daye of Nouemb. and wheÌ„ he was brought to the Cardinal in his chaÌ„ber he said to him My Lord I pray you take patience The Cardinal arrested for here I arrest you Arrest me said y e Cardinal Yea sayd the Earle I haue a commaundement so to do You haue no such power said the Cardinall for I am both a Cardinall and a Legate De Latere and a Peere of the College of Rome ought not to be arrested by any teÌ„porall power for I am not subiect to that power wherefore if you arrest me I will withstand it Well saide the Earle heere is the Kings commission which he shewed him and therefore I charge you to obey The Cardinall somewhat remembred himselfe and sayd Well my Lord I am contente to obey but although y t I by negligence fell into the punishment of the Premunire and lost by the lawe all my lands goodes yet my person was in the Kings protection and I was pardoned that offence wherefore I maruell why I nowe should be arrested specially coÌ„sidering that I am a member of the Sea Apostolique on whome no temporall man ought to lay violent hands Well I see the King lacketh good counsayle Well sayd the Earle when I was sworne Warden of y e Marches you your self told me that I might with my staffe arrest all meÌ„ vnder the degree of a King nowe I am more stronger for I haue a commission so to do which you haue seene The Cardinal at length obeyed and was kept in a priuie chamber and his goodes seased and his officers discharged and his PhisitioÌ„ called Doctor Augustine was likewise arrested and brought to the Tower by Sir Walter Welsh one of the Kings chamber The sixt day of Nouember he was conueyed from Cawood to Sheffeld Castle and there deliuered to the Earle of Shrewsburies keeping till the Kings pleasure were knowne Of this attachement was much communing amongst the common people wherefore many were glad for he was not in the fauour of the commonaltie When the Cardinall was thus arrested the King sente sir William Kingston Knight Captaine of the Gard The Cardinal brought vp toward London and Constable of the Tower of LoÌ„don with certeine yeomen of the gard to Sheffeld to fetch y e Cardinal to the Tower When the Cardinall sawe the Captaine of the Garde he was sore astonished and shortly became sicke for then he perceiued some great trouble toward him for that cause meÌ„ said that he willingly toke so much quaÌ„titie of a strong purgatioÌ„ that his nature was not able to beare it Also the matter that came froÌ„ him was so blacke that the stayning therof could not be gotteÌ„ out of his blaÌ„kets by any means The Cardinall poysoneth hym selfe But sir William Kingston coÌ„forted him and by easie iorneyes he brought him to the Abbey of Leycester the xxvij daye of Nouember where for very feeblenes of nature caused by purgations and vomites he dyed the seconde night folowing and in the same Abbey lyeth buried It is testified by one yet being aliue in whose armes the sayde Cardinall dyed that hys body being dead was blacke as pitch also was so heauie that sixe coulde scarse beare it Furthermore it did so stinke aboue the grounde that they were constrayned to hasten the buriall thereof in the night season before it was daye At the which buriall such a tempest with such a stinch there arose that all the torches went out and so he was throwne into the tombe and there was layde By the ambitious pride and excessiue worldly wealth of this one Cardinal al meÌ„ may easily vnderstand iudge what the state and condition of al the rest of the same order whom we cal spiritual men were in those dayes The pride of the Cardinall as well in all other places of Christendome as especially heere in England where as the princely possessions great pride of the Clergie did not only farre passe and exceed the common measure and order of subiectes but also surmounted ouer Kings and Princes and all other estates as may well appeare by his doings and order of his storie aboue described Amongst other actes of the foresayd Cardinall this is not to be forgotten that he founded a new College in Oxford for the furniture wherof he had gathered together all the best learned he could heare of amongst which number were these Clarke Tindall Sommer Frith and Tauerner with other mo which holding in assemble together in the College were accouÌ„ted to be heretiques as they called them and thereupon were cast into a prison of the college where saltfish lay through the stinke wherof the most part of them were infected Clarke died iâ— the Cardinals Colledge in prison and the sayde Clarke beyng a tender yong man and the most singular in learning amongst them all died in the said prison and other in other places in the towne also of the same infection deceased And thus hauing deteined the Reader enough or rather too much with this vaineglorious Cardinal now we wil reduce our storie again to more other fruiteful matter and as the order of time requireth first beginning wyth M. Humfrey Mummuth a vertuous and a good Alderman of London who in the time of the said Cardinal was troubled as in the storie heere foloweth ¶ The trouble of Humfrey Mummuth Alderman of London MAister Humfrey Mummuth was a right godly and sincere Alderman of London The stâ—ry of Humfrey Mummuth who in the dayes of Cardinall Woolsey was troubled and put in the Tower for the Gospell of Christ and for mainteyning them that fauoured the same Stokesley then Bishop of London ministred Articles vnto him to the nuÌ„ber of xxiiij as for adhering to Luther and his opinions Articles ministred against HuÌ„frey Mummuth by Byshop 〈◊〉 for hauing and reading heretical bookes and treatises for geuing exhibition to William Tindall Roy and such other for helping them ouer the sea to Luther for ministring priuie helpe to translate as well the Testament as other bookes into English for eating flesh in Lent for affirming faith only to iustifie for derogating from mens constitutions for not prayeng to Saintes not allowing Pilgrimage auricular confession the Popes pardons briefly for being an aduauncer of all Martin Luthers opinions c. He being of these articles examined and cast in the Tower at last was compelled to make his sute or purgation writing to the foresaid Cardinall then Lord Chauncelor and the whole Counsayle out of the Tower In the contents whereof he answered to the criminous accusation of them which charged him with certayne bookes receyued from beyond the sea Also for
it may be to the health and saluation of thy soule and to the extirpation feare terrour and conuersion of al other heretickes vnto the vnitie of the Catholike faith This our finall decree by this our sentence definitiue we haue caused to be published in forme aforesaid Monday the xx of Nouember 1531. In the Queere of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul before the saide Iohn Byshop of London iudicially sitting Anno. 1531. being assisted with Iohn Abbot of Westminster and Robert Abbot of Waltham Nicholas Prior of Christes Church in London these honorable Lordes being also present Henry Earle of Essex Richard Gray brother of the Marques of Somerset Iohn Lambert Maior of London Richard Gresham and Edward Altam Shrieffes the which Maior and Shriues were required to be there present by the Byshop of Londons letters hereafter written Of this statute read before and by vertue of a statute of king Henry the fourth king of Englande also in the presence of diuers Chanons the Chauncellour Officiall and Archdeacon of London with the Byshops Chaplaines and a great number both of the Clergie and Laitie Mathew Grefton the Register beyng also there present M. Rich. Bayfild aliâs Somersam was brought forth by Thomas Turnor the Aparator hys keeper M. Rich. Bayfild agayne brought before the â—yshop in whose presence the transumpt of the Apostolicke Bull of Pope Leo the x. vpon the condemnation of Martine Luther and his adherentes was brought foorth and shewed sealed with the seale of Thomas Wolsey late Legate de Latere and subscribed with the signe and name of M. Robert Tunnes publike Notary and also the decree vpon the condemnation of certain bookes brought in by him sealed with the seale of the Archbyshop of Canterbury and subscribed by three Notaries Then the Byshop of London repeated in effecte before him his abiuration which he had before made and other hys demerites committed and done beside his abiuration and the sayde Baifield saide that he was not culpable in the articles that were obiected against hym and desired that the heresies contained in the bookes whiche he brought ouer might be declared in open audience Then the Byshop after certeine talke had with the saide Bayfield as touching the desert of his cause asked hym whether he could shewe any cause why he should not be deliuered ouer vnto the seculer power and be pronounced as a relaps and suffer punishment as a relaps The sayd Baifield declared or propouÌ„ded no cause but said y t he brought ouer those bookes for lacke of money and not to sowe any heresies And incontinent the sayd Bayfield with a vehement spirite as it appeared sayde vnto the Byshop of Lond. the life of you of the spiritualtie is so euill that yee be heretickes and ye doe not onely liue euill The saying of Rich. Bayfilde to the Byshop of London but doe maintaine euill liuing and also do let that what true lyuing is may not be knowen saide that their liuing is agaynst Christes Gospell and that their beliefe was neuer taken of Christes Church Then the sayde Byshop after long deliberation had for so much as the sayd Rich. Bayfield he sayd could shew no cause why he should not be declared as relaps he read the decree and sentence against him by the which amongest other thinges he condemned him as an heretike and pronounced him to be punished with the punishment due vnto such as fall againe into heresie and by his wordes did disgrade him Sentence against Rich. Bayfilde and also declared that hee shoulde be actually disgraded as is more at large conteined in the long sentence The foresayd sentence being so read by the Byshop of London he proceeded immediatly to the actual solemne disgradyng of the sayd Richard Bayfild aliâs Somersam and there solemnely and actually disgraded him before the people the which thing being done he dismissed him by the sentence aforesayd from the Ecclesiasticall Court Wherupon the secular power being there present receiued him vnto their iurisdiction without any writte in that behalfe obtained but only by vertue of the Byshops letters by the statute of kyng Henry the .4 in that behalfe prouided and directed vnto them vnder the Bishops seale The tenour oâ— which letters here after folow * The Letters of requirie directed to the Maior and Shiriffes of the Citie of London that they should be present that day when the sentence should be giuen to receiue the heretike as they called him that was condemned IHon by the permission of God Byshop of London vnto our dearely beloued in Christ The letterâ— of â—â—quiry to the 〈◊〉 and Shiriffes of London the right honourable Lord Maior of the Citie of London and the Shiriffes of the same health grace and benediction Whereas we haue already by our Vicar general proceeded in a certaine cause of heresie and relaps into the same against one Richayd Bayfilde alias Somersam and intende vpon Monday next beeing the xx day of this present moneth of Nouember to giue a sentence definitiue against the saide Richard Bayfild alias Somersam and to leaue and deliuer him ouer vnto the secular power We require you the Lord Maior and Shiriffes aforesaid the Kinges Maiesties Vicegerentes euen in the bowels of Iesu Christ that according to the forme and effect of the statute of our most noble and famous prince in Christ our Lord the Lord Henry the fourth by the grace of God late King of England that you will be personally present in the Queere of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paule with your fauourable ayde and assistance in this behalfe the day that the sentence shall be giuen and to receiue the said Richard Bayfild aliâs Somersam after his sentence so giuen to discharge vs and our Officers and to doe further according to the tenour and effect of the saide statute as farre as shal be required of you according to the Canonical Sanctions and the laudable custome of the famous kingdome of England in this behalfe accustomed In witnesse whereof wee haue set our seale vnto this present Dated the 19 day of Nouember An. 1531. and in the first yeare of our consecration On Monday the xx day of Nouember in the yeare aforesaid in the Queere of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paule the byshop of London calling vnto him Iohn Abbot of Westminster Robert Abbot of Waltam Nicholas Prior of Christes Church of the Citie of London maister Iohn Coxe Auditor and Uicare generall to the Archebyshop of Canterbury Peter Ligham Official of the Court of Caunterbury Thomas Baghe Chauncellour of the Church of S. Paules William Clief Archdeacon of London Iohn Incent Chanon residentary of the same William Brytton Robert Birch and Hugh Aprice Doctours of both lawes in the presence of vs Mathew Grefton Register Antony Hussy Richard Martin and Thomas Shadwall publicke Notaries and Scribes appoynted in this behalfe briefly rehearsed the aunsweres of the same Bayfild in effect and his abiuration other
men of his Realme were sore agreeued with the cruell demainour of the Prelates Ordinaries which touched theyr bodies and goodes so neare that they of necessitie were inforced to make their humble sute by their speaker vnto hys grace to take such order and redresse in the case as to his high wisedome myghte seeme most conuenient c. Unto this request of the commons although the King at that time gaue no present graunt but suspended them with a delay yet notwythstanding this sufficiently declared the grudging mindes of the temporal men against the spiritualtie lacking nothing but Gods helping hande to woorke in the kings heart for reformation of suche things whych all they did see to be out of frame Neyther did the Lordes diuine prouidence faile in time of neede Gods helping hand in time of neede but eftsones ministred a ready remedy in time expedient He saw the pride and cruelty of the spirituall clergy grown to such an height as was intollerable He sawe againe and heard the groning hearts the bitter afflictions of hys oppressed flocke his truth decaied his religion prophaned the glorie of his sonne defaced his church lamentably wasted wherfore it was high time for his high Maiestie to looke vppon the matter as he did in deede by a straunge wonderous meanes whych was through the kings diuorsement from Lady Katherine Dowager and marying with lady Anne Bullen in this present yeare which was the first occasion and beginning of all this publike reformation which hath followed since in this Churche of England to thys present day according as ye shall heare The mariage betwene king Henry VIII and Queene Anne Bullen and Queene Katherine diuorced IN the first entrie of this kings raigne yee hearde before pag. 800. howe after the death of Prince Arthur Queene Annâ— maryed and Lady Katherine diâ—orced the Ladie Katherine Princes Dowager and wife to Prince Arthur by the consent bothe of her father and of his and also by the aduise of the nobles of thys realme to the ende her downe might remaine stil within the realme was espoused after the decease of her husbande to hys nexte brother which was this king Henrie K. Henry maryeth his brothers wife This mariage seemed very straunge and hard for one brother to marie the wife of an other But what can be in thys earth so harde or difficulte wherewyth the Pope the omnipotent Uicare of Christe can not by fauour dispense if it please him The pope which then ruled at Rome was Pope Iulius the second by whose dispensation The Pope dispenseth for the brother to mary the brothers wife thys mariage which neither sense or nature wold admit nor Gods lawe woulde beare was concluded approoued and ratified and so continued as lawfull without any dout or scruple the space neare of 20. yeares till about the time that a certaine doubt began first to be mooued by the Spanyards themselues of the Emperours counsaile An. 1523. at what time Charles the Emperour being here in England promised to marye the Lady Mary daughter to the Kynge of England with the which promise the Spanyardes themselues were not well contented The Spaniardeâ— first doubted of the kings mariage obiecting this among many other causes that the saide Ladie Marie was begotten of the king of England by his brothers wife Wherupon the Emperour forsaking that mariage did couple himself with Lady Isabel daughter to king Emanuell of Portugall Which Mariage was done in the yere of our Lorde 1526. After thys Mariage of the Emperour the next yeare following King Henrie being disappoynted thus of the Emperour entred talke or rather was laboured too by the French Ambassadours for the sayde Lady Mary to be maried to the Frenche kinges sonne Duke of Orliance Upon the talke whereof after long debating at length the matter was put of by a certaine doubt of the President of Paris casting the like obiection as the Spanyardes had done before that was The secoÌ„d doubt whether the Lady Mary was rightly borne whether the Maryage betwene the king the mother of this Lady Mary which had bene his brothers wife before were good or no. And so the mariage twise vnluckely attempted in like sorte brake of againe and was reiected whych happened in the yere of our Lord. 1527. The king vpon the occasion hereof casting many things in his minde began to consider the cause more depely first with himselfe after with certaine of hys nearest counsaile Two perplexityes in the kings minde wherein two things there were which chiefly pricked hys minde wherof the one touched his conscience the other coÌ„cerned the state of his Realme For if that Mariage wyth his brothers wife stode vnlawfull by the law of God then neither was his conscience cleare in reteining the mother nor yet the state of the realme firme by succession of the daughter Cardinall Wolsey a helper to the kinges diuorce It happened the same tyme that the Cardinall which was then nearest about the king had falleÌ„ out with the Emperour for not helping him to y e Papacy as ye before haue heard for the which cause he helped to set the matter forward by all practise he might Thus the king perplexed in his conscience and carefull for y e common wealth and partly also incited by the Cardinall coulde not so rest but inquired further to feel what the word of God learning woulde say vnto it Neither was the case so hard after it began once to come in publicke question but that by the worde of God and the iudgements of the best learned clerkes and also by the censure of the chiefe Uniuersities of all Christendome to the number of .x. and moe it was soone discussed to be vnlawfull All these censures The iudgements of 10. or 12. Vniuersityes agaynst the kinges maryage Orleance Paris Tolouse Angiewe Bononye Padua The facultye of Paris Bytures Oxforde Cambridge bookes and writinges of so manye Doctors Clerks and Uniuersities sent from all quarters of Christendome to the king albeit they might suffice to haue full resolued and did in deede resolue the kinges conscieÌ„ce touching this scruple of his mariage yet would not he streight way vse that aduauntage whiche learning dyd geue him vnles hee had withall the assent as well of the Pope as also the Emperour wherein he perceaued no litle difficultie For the Pope he thought seing the mariage was authorised before by the dispensation of his predecessour would hardly turne hys keyes about to vndoe that which the Pope before him had locked much lesse would he suffer those keyes to be foyled or to come in anye doubt which was like to come if that mariage were prooued vndispensable by Gods woorde which his predecessour thorough his plenary power had licenced before Againe the Emperour he thought would be no lesse hard for his part on the other side for as much as the sayd Lady Katherine was the Emperours neare aunt and a Spaniarde
borne Yet neuertheles his purpose was to prooue and feele what they both would say vnto it therefore sent Steuen Gardiner to Rome to way with Pope Clement To the Emperour was sent Syr Nicolas Heruy knight ambassador in the Court of Gaunt Firste Pope Clement not weying belike the full importaunce and sequele of the matter Campeius the Popes Legate sent Cardinal Campeius as is sayde into Englande ioyned with the Cardinal of Yorke At the comming of which Legates The kinges perswasion to the Legate the King first opening vnto them the griefe of hys conscience seemed wyth great reasons and persuasions sufficiently to haue drawne the good will of those two Legates to his side Who also of their owne accord pretended no lesse but to shew a willing inclination to further the kinges cause But yet the mouthes of the common people and in especial of women and such other as fauoured the Queene and talked their pleasure Euill language of the people about the kinges diuorce were not stopped Wherefore to satisfie the blinde surmises and foolishe communication of these also who seeing the comming of the Cardinalles cast out suche leaude wordes that the king woulde for his owne pleasure haue an other wife with like vnseeming talke he therefore willing that al men should know the truth of his procedings caused all his Nobilitie Iudges and Counsaillors wyth diuers other persons to resort to his Pallace of Bridewel the 8. day of Nouemb. An. 1529. where he openly speaking in his great chāber had these words in effect as followeth The kings Oration to his subiects OVr trustie welbeloued subiects both you of the nobility you of the meaner sort it is not vnknowē both how that we both by Gods prouision and true and lawfull inheritaunce haue raigned ouer this realme of England almost the terme of 20. yeares During whiche time we haue so ordered vs thanked be God that no outward enemy hath oppressed you nor taken anye thing from vs nor we haue inuaded no realme but we haue had victory honor so that we think that you nor none of your predecessors neuer liued more quietly more wealthely nor in more estimation vnder any of our noble progenitors But when we remēber our mortality and that we must die then we think that all our doings in our life time are clearely defaced worthy of no memory if we leaue you in trouble at the time of oure deathe for if our true heir be not known at the time of our death see what mischiefe and trouble shall succeede to you and to your children The experience thereof some of you haue seene after the death of our noble grandfather king Edward 4. and some haue heard what mischief and manslaughter continued in this realme betwene the houses of Yorke and Lancaster by the which dissention this realme was like to haue bene clearely destroyed And although it hath pleased almighty God to send vs a faire daughter of a noble woman and of me begotten to our greate comfort and ioy yet it hath bene tolde vs by diuers great Clearks that neither she is our lawfull daughter nor her mother our lawfull wife but that we liue together abhominably and detestably in open adulterie in somuch that when our Ambassade was last in France and motion was made that the Duke of Orleance should marry our sayde daughter one of the chiefe Counsailours to the French king sayd It were well done to know whether she be the king of Englands lawfull daughter or not for well knowen it is that he begot her on his brothers wife which is directly againste Gods law and his precept Thinke you my Lords that these words touch not my body and soule Thinke you that these doings doe not daily and hourely trouble my cōscience and vexe my spirits Yes we doubt not but and if it were your cause euery man wold seeke remedy when the pearil of your soule and the losse of your inheritance is openly laide to you For this onely cause I protest before God and in the word of a Prince I haue asked councell of the greatest Clearkes in Christendome and for this cause I haue sent for this Legate as a manne indifferent onely to knowe the truth and so to settle my conscience and for none other cause as God can iudge And as touching the Queene if it be adiudged by the law of God that she is my lawfull wife there was neuer thing more pleasant nor more acceptable to me in my life both for the discharge and clearing of my conscience and also for the good qualities and conditions the which I know to be in her For I assure you all that beside her noble parentage of the which shee is descended as you well know she is a woman of most gentlenesse of moste humilitie and buxumnesse yea and of all good qualities appertaining to nobilitie she is without comparison as I this 20. yeares almoste haue had the true experiment so that if I were to mary againe if the marriage might be good I would surely chose her aboue all other women But if it be determined by iudgement that our mariage was against Gods law and clearely voyde then I shall not onely sorowe the departing from so good a Ladie and louing companion but much more lamēt and bewaile my infortunate chance that I haue so long liued in adultery to Gods great displeasure and haue no true heire of my body to inherite thys Realme These be the sores that vexe my minde these be the pāgs that trouble my conscience and for these greeues I seeke a remedy Therefore I require of you all as our trust and confidence is in you to declare to our subiects our minde and entent according to our true meaning and desire them to pray with vs that the very truth may be knowen for the discharge of our conscience and sauing of our soule and for the declaration hereof I haue assembled you together and now you may depart Shortly after this Oration of the king wherewith he stirred the harts of a number then the two Legates being requested of the king for discharge of his conscience The legates talke with the Queene to iudge and determine vpon the cause went to the Queene lying then in the place of Bridewell and declared to her how they were deputed iudges indifferent betwene y e king and her to heare and determine whether the mariage betwene them stoode with Gods law nor not When she vnderstoode the cause of their comming being thereat some thing astonied at y e first after a litle pausing with her selfe Ex Edw. Hallo thus she began answering for her selfe ALas my Lorde said she is it nowe a question whether I be the kings lawfull wife or no when I haue bene maried to hym almost 20. yeres and in the meane season neuer question was made before Diuers Prelates yet being aliue and Lords also Queene Katherines aunswere to the Cardinalles
Katherine his wife Quene Katherine carnally knoweÌ„ by the kings brother it appeareth in a certaine booke of Recordes which we haue to shew touching this mariage that the same time when Prince Arthur was firste maryed with this Ladye Katherine daughter to Ferdinando certaine Ambassadours of Ferdinando his Counsaile were then sent hether into England for the sayde purpose to see and to testifie concerning the ful consummation of the said matrimoniall coniunction Which Counsaillers here resident being solemnely sworne not onely did affirm to both their parentes that the Matrimonie was consummate by that acte but also did send ouer into Spaine to her father such demonstrations of their mutuall coniunction as here I wil not name sparing the reuereÌ„ce of chast eares which demonstrations otherwise in those Records being named and testified do sufficiently put the matter out of all doute and question Besides that in the same recordes appeareth that both he and she not onely were of such yeares as were mete and able to explete the coÌ„summation hereof but also they were and did lie together both here and in Wales by the space of 3. quarters of a yeare Out of a written booke of Recordes containing certaine conferences betwixte the Cardinall and Queenes Katherines Amner about this matter remaining in our custodie to be seene Thus when the Diuines on her side were beaten from that ground Three reasons for Queene Katherine then they fell to perswasions of Natural reasons how this should not be vndone for three causes One was because if it shoulde be broken the onely childe of the king should be a Bastard which were a great mischiefe to the realme SecoÌ„dly the separation shuld be cause of great vnkindnes betwene her kinred and this Realme And the third cause was that the continuance of so long space had made the Mariage honest These perswasions with many other were set forth by the Queenes Counsaile and in especial by the Bishop of Rochester which stoode stiffe in her cause Fisher Bish. of Rochester a great doer for Queene Catherine But yet Gods precept was not aunswered wherefore they left that ground and fel to pleading that the court of Rome had dispenced with that Mariage To this some Lawyers sayde that no earthly person is able to dispence with the positiue law of God When the Legates hard the opinions of the Diuines and saw wherunto the end of this question would tend The searching of the kinges mariâ—ge brought moe thinges to lighte for asmuch as men began so to dispute of the authoritie of the Court of Rome especially because the Cardinal of York perceiued the king to cast fauour to the Lady Anne whom he knew to be a Lutheran they thought best to wind them selues out of that brake by time so Cardinall Campeius dissembling the matter conueyed himselfe home to Rome againe as is partly aboue touched pag. 187. The Kinge seeing himself thus to be differred and deluded by the Cardinals Cardinall Campeius sâ—ippeth froÌ„ the king tooke it to no litle griefe whereupon the fall of the Cardinall of Yorke folowed not long after This was in the yeare of our Lord 1530. Shortly after it happened the same yeare that the king by hys Ambassadours was aduertised that the Emperoure and the Pope were both together at Bononie Wherfore he directed Sir Tho. Bullein late created Earle of Wiltshire and Doctor Stokesley afterward Bishop of London and Doctor Lee afterward bishop of York with his message to the popes Court where also the Emperor was Pope Clement vnderstanding the kinges case and request The king â—endeth to the Emperour and the Pope and fearing what might follow after if learning and Scripture here should take place against the authority of their dispensations and moreouer doubting the Emperours displeasure bare him selfe strange of from the matter answearing the Ambassadors with this delay that he presently would not define in the case The Popes aunswere to the king but would heare the full matter disputed when he came to Rome and according to right he would do iustice Although the king ought no suche seruice to the Pope to staÌ„d to his arbitremeÌ„t either in this case or in any other hauing both the Scripture to lead him The king gaue more to the Pope then he needed and his law in his owne hands to warrant him yet for quietnes sake and for that he wold not rashly breake order which rather was a disorder in deede he bare so long as conuenieÌ„tly he might At length after long delaies and much dissembling when he saw no hope of redresse he began somwhat to quicken to looke about him what was best both for his owne conscience and the stablishment of his realme to do No man here doubteth Gods prouideÌ„ce working meruelously in this matter but that al this was wrought not by mans deuise but by the secrete purpose of the Lord himselfe to bryng to passe further thinges as afterwarde followed whiche his diuine prouidence was disposed to work For els as touching the y e kings intent purpose he neuer meant nor mynded any such thing as to seek the ruine of the pope but rather sought all meanes coÌ„trary how both to stablish the Sea of Rome also to obteyne y e good will of the same Sea and Court of Rome if it might haue bene gotten And therefore intending to sue his diuorse froÌ„ Rome at the first beginning his deuise was by Stephen Gardiner his Ambassadour at Rome to exalt the Cardinall of York Vid. supr pag. 990. as is before shewed pag. 990. to be made pope and vniuersall Bishop to the end that he ruling that Apostolicke sea the matter of his vnlawfull maryage whiche so troubled his conscience might come to a quiet conclusion without anye further rumor of the world Which purpose of his if it had taken effect as he had deuised it and the englsh Cardinall had once bene made Pope no doubt but the authoritie of that sea had neuer bene exterminate out of England But God being more mercifull vnto vs tooke a better way then so For both without and contrarye to the kinges expectation he so brought to passe that neyther the Cardinall of Yorke was Pope which shuld haue bene an infinite cost to the king and yet neuertheles the king sped of his purpose too Man purposethâ— but God disposeth and that much better then he looked for For he was ridde by lawfull diuorcement not onely from that vnlawfull mariage which clogged his conscieÌ„ce but also from the miserable yoke of the popes vsurped dominion whiche clogged the whole realme and all at one time Thus Gods holy prouidence ruling the matter as I sayd when the king could get no faourable graunt of the Pope touching his cause being so good and honest he was enforced to take the redresse of his right into his own handes and seeing this * Gordiâ—m was a Citty in Asia where there was
after whose birth Queene Iane his mother the second daye after dyed in childbed left the king agayne a widower which so continued the space of two yeres together Upon the death of whiche Queene Iane Prince Edward borne and vppon the birth of prince Edward her sonne these two verses were made which follow Phoenix Iana iacet nato Phoenice Queene Iane dyed in childe-bed dolendum Secula Phoenices nulla tulisse duas Here is by the waye to be vnderstand that during all this season since the time that the king of Englande had reiected the pope out of the Realme both the Emperour These verses were thought to be made by M. Armigyl Wade y e French king and the king of Scottes with other forreine potentates which were yet in subiection vnder the Pope bare no him do great good fauour inwardly what soeuer outwardly they pretended Neither was here lacking pryuy setters on nor secret working among themselues how to compasse vngracious mischiefes if God by cōtrary occasions had not stopped their intended deuises For first y e Pope had sent Cardinall Poole to the French king to stir him to warre agaynst the realme of England Secondly where as the Frenche king The Pope stirreth warre agaynst England by Cardinall Poole The Emperour the French king and the king of Scottes set agaynst the king of England by treaty of perpetuall peace was bound yearly to paye to the king of England at the first dayes of May and Nouember about xcv thousand crownes of the summe and odde mony and ouer that 10000. crownes at y e sayd ij termes for recōpēce of salt due as the treates therof did purporte that pension remayned now vnpayed iiij yeares and more Furthermore the Emperour and the Frenche K. both reteined Grancetor a traiterous rebell against the king condemned by Act of Parliament with certayn other traitors moe and yet would not deliuer him to the king at his earnest suite and request The Frenche king also digressing from his promise and treaty made alliance wyth the Bishop of Rome Clement in marying the Dolphine to hys Niece called Katherine de Medicis The sayd Frenche kyng moreouer contrary to his contracte made married his daughter to the king of Scottes All which were preiudiciall and put the kinge no doubt in some feare and perplexity though otherwise a stout and valiant Prince to see the Pope the Emperour the French king and king of Scottes so bent against him And yet all this notwithstanding the Lord stil defended the iustnes of his cause against them all For although the French king was so sette on by the Pope and so linked in mariage with the Scots and sacked nothing now but only occasion to inuade the realme of England yet notwythstanding he hearing now of the birth of Prince Edwarde the kinges sonne by Queene Iane and vnderstandinge also by the death of the sayde Queene Iane that the Kyng was a widower and perceiuing moreouer talk to be that the king would ioyne in mariage with the Germains began to waxe more calme and colde and to geue much more gentle wordes and to demeane him selfe more curtuously labouring to mary the Queene of Nauare hys sister to the king The Ambassadors resident then in France for the king were Ste. Gardiner with Docto◠Thirleby c. Whyche Steuen Gard. what he wrought secreately for the Popes deuotion I haue not expressely to charge him Whether he so did or what he did the Lord knoweth all But thys is certaine that when D. Boner Archedeacon then of Leicester was sente into Fraunce by the Kinge throughe the meanes of the Lord Cromwell to succeede Steuen Gardinar in Ambassie which was about the yeare of our Lord 1538. he found such dealing in the sayd Bishop of Winchester as was not greatly to be trusted beside the vnkynde partes of the sayde Byshop againste the foresayde Boner Anno. 1538. comming then from the King and Lorde Cromwell as was not to be liked Long it is to recite from the beginning few men peruenture woulde beleeue Doct. Boner the kyngs Ambassadour in Fraunce the brawling matters the priuie complaints the contentious quarels and bitter dissentiōs betwene these two and especially what despightful contumelies D. Boner receiued at the hands of Winchester For vnderstande good Reader that this doctor Boner all this while remained yet as he seemed a good man Doct. Boner in the beginning a fauourer of the truth and a Lutherane and was a great furtherer of the kinges proceedings and a fauourer of Luthers doctrine and was aduanced only by the Lorde Cromwel Whose promotions here to reherse first he was Archdeacon of Leycester persone of Bledon of Dereham Cheswike and Cheriburton Then was made Byshop of Hereford and at last preferred to be Bish. of London The chiefe of which preferments and dignities were conferred vnto him only by the meanes and fauour of the L. Cromwel L. Cromwel the onely setter vp of Doct. Boner who was then his chiefe and only patrone and setter vp as the said Boner himselfe in al his letters doth manifestly protest and declare The Copies of which his letters I could heere produce and exhibite but for prolonging my story with superfluous matter Yet that the worlde and all posteritie may see how the comming vp of D. Boner was onely by the Gospell howsoeuer he was after vnkind vnto the Gospell this one letter of his Doct. Boners cōming vp was by the Gospell which I wil heere inferre written to the Lorde Cromwel out of Fraunce may stand for a perpetuall testimonie the tenour whereof here ensueth * A letter of Doctor Boner the kings Ambassadour resident in Fraunce sent to the Lord Cromwell declaring the order of his promotions and comming vp MY very singular especiall good Lord as one most bounden I most humbly commende mee vnto your honourable good Lordship Out of Boners owne hand writing And wheras in times passed in hath liked the same without any my desertes or merites euen only of your singular exceding goodnes to bestowe a great deale of loue beneuolence and good affection vpon me so poore a man and of so small qualities expressing in deede sondry wayes the good effectes therof to my great preferment I was very much bounde thereby vnto your honourable good Lordshippe and thought it alway my duetie as in deede it was both to beare my true hart againe vnto your Lordship D. Boner cōfesseth himselfe much bound to the L. Crōwell and also remembring suche kindnes to doe vnto the same all such seruice pleasure as might then lie in my smal power to do But where of your infinite inestimable goodnes it hath further liked you of late first to aduance me vnto the office of Legation from such a Prince as my soueraigne Lorde is vnto the Emperour and French king and next after to procure and obtayne mine aduauncement to so honourable a promotion as the Byshoprike of Hereford
with them the Lord Cromwell to dyne with him at Lambeth as is afore declared and within few dayes also vpon the same required that he would geue a note of all his doings and reasonynges in the sayd Parlament whiche the sayd Cranmer eftsoones accomplished accordyngly Cranmers reasons and allegations against the 6. articles writteÌ„ to the king drawyng out his reasoÌ„s allegations the copy wherof beyng fayre written out by his Secretary was sent and deliuered vnto the kyng and there remayned Now after these thynges thus discussed as touchyng the vi wicked Articles it foloweth next in returnyng to the order of our story agayne to declare those thynges which after the settyng out of these Articles ensued commyng now to the tyme and story of the Lord Cromwell a man whose worthy fame and deedes are worthy to lyue renowmed in perpetuall memory ¶ The history concernyng the lyfe actes and death of the famous and worthy Counsailour Lord Thomas Cromwell Earle of Essex THomas Cromwell although borne of a simple parentage and house obscure The story of the Lord Thomas Cromwell through the singular excellencie of wisedome and dexteritie of witte wrought in him by God coupled with like industrie of mynde and desertes of lyfe rose to hygh preferrement and authoritie in somuch that by steppes and stayres of office and honour The base degree of the L. Cromwell recompensed with noble Ornamentes he ascended at length to that that not onely he was made Earle of Essex but also most secret and deare Counsellour to kyng Henry and Uicegerent vnto his person which office hath not commonly bene supplied at least not so fruitfully discharged with in this Realme First as touchyng his byrth he was borne at Putney or thereabout being a Smithes sonne whose mother maried after vnto a shyreman In the simple estate rude begynnyngs of this man as of diuers other before him we may see and learne that the excellencie of noble vertues heroicall prowesses which aduaunce to fame and honour staÌ„d not onely vpon byrth bloud as priuileges onely intayled appropriat to noble houses but are disposed indifferently proceede of the gift of God who rayseth vp the poore obiect many tymes out of the donghill matcheth him in throne with Peeres and Princes Psal. 113. As touching the order and maner of his comming vp Commendation of the L. Cromwell it would be superfluous to discourse what may be sayd at large onely by way of story it may suffice to giue a touch of certaine particulars and so to proceede Although the humble condition and pouertie of this maÌ„ was at the begynnyng as it is to many other a great let hinderauÌ„ce for vertue to shew her selfe yet such was the actiuitie and forward rypenes of nature in him so pregnauÌ„t in witte so ready he was in iudgemeÌ„t discret in toung eloquent in seruice faythfull in stomacke couragious in his penne actiue that beyng conuersauÌ„t in the sight of meÌ„ he could not long be vnespied not yet vnprouided of fauour helpe of freÌ„des to set him forward in place and office Neither was any place or office put vnto him whereunto he was not apt fit Nothyng was so hard which with witte and industrie he could not coÌ„passe Neither was his capacitie so good but his memorie was as great in reteining whatsoeuer he had atteined Which well appeared in cannyng the text of the whole new Testament of Erasmus translation without booke in his iourney going and comming from Rome Tho. Cromwell learned the new Testament in â—atin without booke whereof ye shall heare anone Thus in hys growing yeares as he shot vp in age and ripenes a great delite came in his mynde to stray into foreine countreys to see the world abroade and to learne experience whereby he learned such toungs and languages as might better serue for his vse hereafter And thus passing ouer his youth being at Antwerpe he was there reteined of the Englishe Marchauntes to be their Clerke or Secretary or in some suche lyke condition placed perteining to their affaires It happened the same time that the Towne of Boston thought good to send vp to Rome The towne of Bosten for renuing of their two Pardons one called the great Pardon the other the lesser Pardon Which thing although it should stand them in great expenses of money for the Popes Marchaundise is alwayes deare ware yet notwithstanding such sweetenesse they had felt thereof The popes marchaundise deare ware and such gayne to come to theyr Towne by that Romish Marchandise as all superstition is commonly gaynefull that they like good Catholicke Marchauntes Superstition commonly is gaynfull The popes leaâ—es of pardons and the Popes good customers thought to spare for no coste to haue their leases agayne of theyr Pardon 's renewed whatsoeuer they payde for the fine And yet was all this good Religion then suche was the lamentable blindnes of that time This then being so determined decreed amongest my couÌ„treymen of Boston to haue their pardoÌ„s needes repaired renewed from Rome one Geffray ChaÌ„bers with an other coÌ„panion was sent for y e messengers with writings money no small quaÌ„tity well furnished with all other things appointed necessary for so chargeable costly exployt who coÌ„ming in his iorney to Antwarpe misdoubting himselfe to be too weake for the compassing of suche a weightie peece of worke coÌ„ferred perswaded with Tho. Cromwell to associate him in that legacie and to assist him in the contriuing thereof Cromwell although perceauing the enterprise to be of no small difficultie to trauerse the Popes Court for the vnreasonable expenses amoÌ„gst those greedy cormorantes yet hauing some skill of the Italian toung and as yet not grounded in iudgement of religion in those his youthfull daies was at length obteined and content to giue the aduenture and so tooke his iourney toward Rome Cromwell goeth to Rome Cromwell loth to spend much time more loth to spend his money and againe perceiuing that the Popes greedy humor must needes be serued wyth some present or other for without rewards there is no doing at Rome began to cast with himselfe what thing best to deuise wherein he might best serue the Popes deuotion At length hauing knowledge how that the Popes holy tooth greatly delited in new fangled straunge delicates and dayntie dishes it came in his minde to prepare certeine fine dishes of gelly after the best fashion made after our countrey maner heere in Englande which to them of Rome was not knowne nor seene before This done Cromwell obseruing his time accordyngly as the Pope was newly come froÌ„ hunting into his pauillion he with his companions approched with his english presents brought in with a three mans song as we call it in the English tongue and all after y e English fashion The Pope sodenly marueiling at the straungenes of the song and vnderstanding that they were Englishmen and that
to rule all vnder the King or rather with the King so that the freshest wittes and of best towardnes most commonly sought vnto him Among whome was also Thomas Cromwell to his seruice aduaunced where he continued a certayne space of yeares Cromwell solliciter to the Cardinall Cromwell More and Gardiner companions in the Cardinalls house growing vp in office and authoritie till at length he was preferred to be sollicitour to the Cardinall There was also about the same tyme or not much different in the houshold of the sayd Cardinall Tho. More afterward knight and Chauncelour of England SteueÌ„ Gardiner Byshop after of Wint. and of the Kings CouÌ„saile All these three were brought vp in one houshold and all of one standing almost together Whose ages as they were not greatly discrepant nor their wittes much vnequall so neither was their fortune and aduauncementes greatly diuers A comparison betwene Cromwell More and Gardiner albeit their dispositions and studies were most contrary And though peraduenture in More and in Gardiner there was more arte of letters and skill of learning yet notw tstanding there was in this maÌ„ a more heauenly light of minde more prompt perfect iudgement eloquence equall and as may be supposed in thys man more pregnant and finally in him was wrought a more heroicall and princely dispositioÌ„ borne to greater affayres in the common wealth and to the singular helpe of many It happened that in this meane season â— Cromwell was placed in this office to be sollicitour to the Cardinall the said Cardinal had then in hand the building of certeine Colledges Small Monasteryes suppressed by the Cardinall namely his Colledge in Oxforde called then Frideswide now Christes Churche By reason whereof certayne small monasteries and priories in diuers places of the realme were by the saide Cardinall suppressed and the lands seased to the Cardinals haÌ„ds The doing wherof was committed to the charge of Thomas Cromwell In the expedition whereof he shewed himselfe very forward Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to supâ—resse religious houses and industrious in such sort as in y e handling thereof he procured to himselfe much grudge with diuers of the superstitious sorte and with some also of noble calling about the King And thus was Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to suppresse religious houses Which was about the yeare of our Lord 1525. As this passed on it was not long but the Cardinall whiche had gotten vp so high began to come downe as fast first from the Chauncellorship in whiche roome was placed Sir Tho. More as is aforesayd then he fell into a Premunire So that his houshold being dissolued Tho. Cromwell amongst other laboured also to be reteyned into the Kings seruice Syr Christopher Hales helper of Cromwell to the king Cromwell commended to the king by Sir Christopher Hales M. of the Rolles Cromwell complayned of to the king There was at the same tyme one Syr Christopher Hales Knight Maister of the Rolles who notwithstanding was then a mightie Papist yet bare he suche fauour and good liking to Cromwell that he commended him to the King as a man most fitte for his purpose hauing then to do against the Pope But heere before is to be vnderstand that Cromwel had greatly bene complained of and diffamed by certeine of authority about the King for hys rude maner and homely dealing in defacing the Monkes houses in handling of their aultars c. Wherfore y e king hearing of the name of Cromwell began to detest y t mention of him neither lacked there some standers by who w t reuiling words ceased not to encrease and inflame y e kings hatred against him What their names were it shall not neede heere to recite Among other there present at the same hearing was the Lorde Russell Earle of Bedforde whose life Cromwell before had preserued at Bononye through politicke conueyance at what time the said Earle comming secretly in the kings affaires The Lord 〈◊〉 Earle of Bedforde through the â—olicy of Cromwell escaped at Bononie The Lorde Russel commendeth Cromwell to the king was there espyed and therefore being in great daunger to be taken through the meanes and pollicie of Cromwell escaped This Lord Russell therefore not forgetting the olde benefites past with like grauitie willing againe to requite that he had receaued in a vehement boldnes stoode forth to take vpon him the defence of Thomas Cromwel vttering before the king many commendable words in the behalfe of him and declaring withall how by his singulare deuice and policie he had done for him at Bononie beyng there in the Kings affaires in extreame perill And for as much as now his Maiestie had to do with the Pope his great enemy there was he thought in all England none so apt for the kynges purpose which could say or do more in that matter then could Thomas Cromwell and partly gaue the kyng to vnderstand wherein The kyng hearyng this specially markyng the latter end of his talke was conteÌ„ted and willyng to talke with him to heare and know what he could say This was not so priuily done but Cromwell had knowledge incontinent that the kyng would talke with him whereupon therfore prouidyng before hand for matter had in a readynesse the copie of the Byshops othe which they vse coÌ„monly to make to the Pope at their consecration and so beyng called for was brought to the king in his garden at Westminster which was about the yeare of our Lord. 1530. Cromwell after most loyall obeysauÌ„ce doyng his duetie to the kyng accordyng as he was demaunded Cromwell brought to talke with the king made his declaration in all pointes this especially making manifest vnto his highnes how his Princely authoritie was abused within his own Realme by the Pope his Clergy who beyng sworne vnto him were afterward dispensed from the same sworne a new vnto the Pope so that he was but as halfe kyng and they but halfe his subiectes in his owne land which sayd he was derogatorie to his crowne Cromwels wordes to the king concerning the premunire of the Clergy and vtterly preiudiciall to the common lawes of his Realme Declaryng therupoÌ„ how his Maiestie might accumulate to himselfe great riches so much as all y e Clergy in his Realme was worth if it so pleased him to take the occasion now offered The kyng geuyng good eare to this and likyng right well his aduice required if he could auouch that which he spake All this he could he sayd auouch to be certaine so well as that he had the copie of their owne othe to the Pope there present to shewe and that no lesse also he could manifestly proue if his highnesse would geue him leaue therewith shewed the Byshops othe vnto the kyng The kyng folowyng the veyne of his counsayle tooke his ryng of his finger first admittyng him into his seruice Cromwell sent by
maruelled at it said plainly that y e Scripture knew no such terme of transubstantiation Damlip threatned by the Byshops Then begā the other Bishops to threaten him shortly to cōfute him with their accustomed argument I meane fire and fagot if hee should still stand to y e defence of that he had spoken Wherunto he constantly answered that he would the nexte day deliuer vnto them fully so much in writing as he had said whereto also he would stand and so was dismissed The next day at the houre appointed to appeare when they looked surely to haue apprehended hym in the meane season he had secrete intimation from the Bishop of Canterbury Damlip secretly warned to voide that if he did any more personally appeare he should be committed vnto Warde not like to escape cruell death Wherupon he plaieng in deede then somewhat old Adams part for such is man left in his owne handes had him commended vnto them and sent them four sheetes of paper learnedly written in the Latin toung cōteining his faith with his argumentes conferences of the Scriptures and allegations of the Doctours by a messenger or frend of his Whiche done he hauyng a little money giuen him in his purse by his frends stepped aside and went to the West countrey and there kept all the time whyle great trouble kindled against Gods people in Calice vpon the same as ye shall heare the Lord permitting After his departure the Kings Maiestie was aduertised that there was great dissention diuersitie of pernitious opinions in his sayd towne of Calice greatly tending to the daunger of the same Wherupō during yet the daies of the Lord Cromwell D. Champiō and M. Garret sent to preach at Calyce were sent ouer Doct. Champion Doctour of Diuinitie M. Garret who after was burned two godly and learned men to preach and instruct the people and to cōfute all pernitious errours who in effect preached and mainteined the same true doctrine which Adam Damlip had before set foorth and by reason thereof they left the Towne at their departure very quiet and greatly purged of the sclaunder that had runne on it After the departure of the sayd Champion and Garret one Sir William Smith Curate of our Lady Parishe in Calice a man very zelous though but meanely learned did begin to preach and earnestly to inuey against Papistrie and wilfull ignoraunce exhorting men obediently to receaue the word and no longer to contemne the same Syr W. Smith Curate and a zealous preacher at Calyce least Gods heauie plagues and wrath should fall vpon them which alwayes foloweth the contempt of his holy word Which sir William Smith for that sometime he would be very feruent zelous sharply inueying against the despisers of the word was moued by some of y e Counsell there who woulde seeme to fauour Gods word that he should not be so earnest against them that yet could not away with the same willing him to beare with suche for by bearing with them they might hap to be wonne Well well said the same Smith openly in the Pulpit one day as he preached some men say I am too earnest and will me to beare with such as continue open enemies against Christes holy Gospell and refuse nay forbid that any should reade the Bible or holy scripture within their house but let all such take heede for before God I feare that God for their contemning of his word will not long beare with them but make them in suche case as some of them shall not haue a head left them vpon their shoulders to beare vp their cap withal which also after came to pas This Smyth continued in the diligente bestowing of his talent there till shortly after the deuill got such hold in the harts of a number of Gods enemies that he with diuers other godly men were called ouer into Englande and charged with erroneous opinions worthy of great punishment as hereafter more at large shall appeare First the Lord Lislie the Kings deputy there whome we shewed to be the maintainer of Damlip albeit he were himselfe of a most gentle nature of a right noble bloud The Lord Lisli◠base sonne to K. Edward the 4. the base sonne of that noble Prince King Edwarde the fourth being fiercely set on and incessauntly entised by the wicked Lady Honor his wife who was an vtter enemie to Gods honour and in Idolatry hypocrisie pride incomparably euill she beeing dayly and hourely thereunto incited and prouoked by Sir Thomas Palmer Knight Iohn Rookewood Esquire two enemies to Gods word Syr Thomas Palmer M. Rookewood The Councell of Calice letters against the Protestantes beginning now to flourish at Calice these I say with certayne other of the Counsell of the sayd Towne of Calice to the number of vij mo besides themselues seeking occasion or rather a quarell where no iust cause was geuē begā to write very heinous letters and greuous complaints vnto the Lordes of the priuie Counsell agaynst dyuers of the Towne of Calice affirming that they were horribly infected with heresies and pernitious opinions As first the foresaid Adam Damlip who though he were for a time escaped their hands yet stacke still in their remembraunce from time to time vntill at last the innocent man was cruelly put to death as a traitor as hereafter shal appeare Also besides this Damlip they complained of Thomas Broke Rafe Hare likewise of Sir Iohn Butler then Commissarie and Sir W. Smith Iames Cocke aliàs Coppen de Hane Iames Barber other and the names of them all sente ouer Of the wich persons first the sayde Thomas Broke and Rafe Hare Coppen de Hane and Iames Barber were apprehended and sent ouer and cōmitted to prison in Westminster gate and then commanded to appeare before the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bish. of Winchester the Bishop of Chichester and ten other appointed by the Kings maiesties commission for the examination of them And their accusers also were sent ouer with letters from the Counsell there vnto his priuie Councell here in the furtheraunce of their malicious sutes against those honest men with certaine speciall letters directed vnto the Lord Fitzwilliams then Earle of South-hampton great Admirall of Englād to the L. Sandes Lord Chamberlayne of the Houshold likewise also to sir William Kingstone Knight Comptroller of y e houshold and to D. Sampson then B. of Chichester and other tending all to one effect that is to say to the vtter destruction of these godly men if God after his wonted manner had not mightely preserued them and as it were ouershadowed them with the wings of his mercy That the same may the better appeare you shall vnderstand that first Rafe Hare a man rude and so vnlearned that scarce he could reade yet through Gods grace The trouble o◠Rafe hare souldiour of Calice was very zelous and therwith lead so godly temperate a life as not one of his enemies
sitting in Smithfield Hetherto we haue entreated of this good woman Now it remayneth that we touch somewhat as concernyng her ende and Martyrdome After that she beyng borne of such stocke and kynred that she might haue liued in great wealth and prosperitie if she would rather haue followed the world then Christ now had bene so tormented that she could neyther lyue long in so great distresse An. Askew brought â—â—to the 〈◊〉 neyther yet by her aduersaries be suffered to die in secret the daye of her execution beyng appoynted she was brought into Smithfield in a chayre because she could not goe on her feete An. Askew 〈◊〉 vpon the racke by meanes of her great tormentes When she was brought vnto the stake she was tyed by the middle with a chayne that held vp her body When all things were thus prepared to the fire D. Shaxton who was then appoynted to preach â—â—axton â—reached at Anne 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 began his Sermon Anne Askew hearyng and answering agayne vnto him where he sayd wel confirmed the same where he sayd amisse there sayde she he misseth and speaketh without the booke The Sermon beyng finished the Martyrs standyng there tyed at three seuerall Stakes ready to theyr Martirdome beganne theyr prayers The multitude and concourse of the people was exceedyng the place where they stoode beyng rayled about to keepe out the prease Upon the Benche vnder Saint Bartlemewes Church sate Wrisley Chauncellour of England the old Duke of Norfolke the olde Earle of Bedford the Lord Mayor wyth dyuers other moe Before the fire should be set vnto them one of the Benche hearyng that they had gunnepouder about them and beyng afrayde least the fagots by strength of the gunnepouder would come â—lieng about their eares began to be afraid but the Erle of Bedford declaring vnto him how y e gunpouder was not laid vnder the fagots but onely about theyr bodies to rydde them out of their paine which hauyng vente there was no daunger to them of the fagottes so diminished that feare Anne Askew refuseth the kinges pardon Then Wrisley Lord Chauncellour sent to Anne Askew letters offring to her the kyngs pardon if she would recant Who refusing once to looke vpon them made this answer agayne that she came not thether to deny her lord and Maister Then were the letters likewise offered vnto the other who in lyke manner followyng the constancie of the woman denied not onely to receyue them Iusâ—titia iniusta but also to looke vpon them Whereupon the Lord Mayor commaundyng fire to be put vnto them cryed wyth a lowde voyce Fiat iustitia And thus the good Anne Askew with these blessed Martyrs beyng troubled so many maner of ways and hauing passed through so many torments hauyng now ended the long course of her agonies beyng coÌ„passed in with flames of fire as a blessed sacrifice vnto God she slept in the lord an 1546. leauyng behynd her a singular example of christian constancy for all men to follow John Lacels Iohn Adams and Nicholas Belenian The Martyrdome of Anne Askew Io. Lacels Io. Adams Nich. Belenian THere was at the same time also burnt together wyth her one Nicholas Belenian priest of Shropshire I. Adams a Taylor and Iohn Lacels Gentleman of the court and houshold of king Henry It happened well for them that they dyed together with Anne Askew For albeit that of themselues they wer strong and stout men yet through the example and exhortation of her they beyng the more boldened receyued occasion of greater comfort in that so paynefull and dolefull kynd of death who beholdyng her inuincible constancie and also stirred vp thorough her perswasions did set apart all kynd of feare Thus they confirming one another with mutual exhortations taried looking for the tormenter and fire which at the last flaming round about them consumeb their blessed bodies in happy Martyrdome in the yeare of our saluation 1546. about the month of Iune There is also a certayne letter extant which the sayd I. Lacels briefly wrote beyng in prison touchyng the sacrament of Christes body and bloud wherin he doth both coÌ„fute the errour of them which being not contented wyth the spirituall receyuing of the sacrament wil leaue no substance of bread therin and also confuteth the sinister interpretation of many therupon The tenor of which letter is as here vnder followeth The copy of the letter of Iohn Lacels written out of prison SAint Paule because of sectes and dissention among the Corinthians The letter of M. Iohn Lacels written out of prison wrote his epistle vnto them and in lyke case pertaining to my conscience I doe protest my whole hart in the blessed supper of the Lord wherein I trust in God to bryng nothyng for me but I shall be able wyth Gods holy worde to declare and manifest the same And herein I take occasion to recite the saying of saint Paule in the sayd Epistle the xi chapter That which I deliuered vnto you â— Cor. 11. I receyued of the Lorde For the Lorde Iesus the same night in which he was betrayed tooke breade gaue thankes and brake it and sayd take ye eate ye this is my body which is broken for you Here me seemeth S. Paule durst not take vpon hym hys Lord and maisters authoritie Wherefore as at Gods hand the breaking of the most innocent and immaculate body and bloud of Christ is the quietnes of all mens consciences the onely remedy of our sinnes and the redemption of mankynd which is called in the scripture the dailye offering so the Masse whiche is the inuention of man whose author is the Pope of Rome as it doth appeare in Polydore Uirgill and many others is the vnquietnesse of all Christendome The blasphemy wickednes of the Masse a blasphemy vnto Christes bloud and as Daniel calleth it the abhominable desolation as the Scripture shall hereafter more manifest it S. Paule was belyke to learne of the Romaines church A prophesie the manner of the consecration as they call it wyth the breathyng ouer the hoste and other ceremonies besides that he durst not take vpon him to say Hoc est corpus meum S. Paule did not take vpon him in the person of Christ to say Hoc est corpus meum as our Priestes doe But this I will admitte it was the Lord Iesus that made the supper which also did finish it and made an end of the onely acte of our saluation not onely here in this world but with his father in heauen as he declareth hym selfe that he will drinke no more of this bitter cuppe tyll he drinke it new in his fathers kingdom where all bitternes shall be taken away Now if any man be able to finish the acte of our Sauiour in breakyng of hys body and sheadyng of his bloude here and also to finish it with the father in heauen then let hym say it But I thinke that if men will looke vpon saint Paules wordes well
be all these fantasies for if you perseuer in these erroneous opinions ye wil repent it when you may not mende it Thomas saide I trust my cause be iust in the presence of God Thomas Forret Fryer Iohn Kelow fryer Benerage Dunkane Simpson Priest Rob. Foster gentleman with 3. or 4. other of Striueling Martyrs and therefore I passe not muche what doe followe thereupon and so my Lorde and he departed at that tyme. And soone after a Summons was directed from the Cardinall of S. Andrewes and the sayde Bishop of Dunkelden vpon the saide Deane Thomas Forret vpon 2. blacke Friers called frier Iohn Kelowe and an other called Benarage and vpon one priest of Striueling called Duncane Sympson and one Gentleman called Robert Foster in Striuelyng with other three or foure wyth them of the towne of Striuelyng who at the day of their appearaunce after their summoning were coÌ„demned to the death without any place of recantation because as was alleged they were heresiarkes or chiefe heretikes and teachers of heresies and especially because manye of them were at the bridall and marriage of a Priest who was vicar of Twybodye beside Striuelynge and did eate fleshe in Lent at the said bridal and so they were altogether burnt vpon the castle hill of Edenbrough where they that were first bounde to the stake godly and marueilously did comfort them that came behinde Heere foloweth the manner of persecution vsed by the Cardinall of Scotland against certaine persons in Perth Persecuters Martyrs Theyr Causes Dauid Beton Byshop and Cardinall of S. Andrewes Robert Lambe William Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Iames FouÌ„leson Hellen Stirke hys wife FIrst there was a certaine Acte of Parlamente made in the gouernement of the Lorde Hamleton Earle of Arran Anno. 154â— and Gouernour of Scotlande geuinge priuiledge to all men of the Realme of Scotlande to reade the Scriptures in their mother tongue and language secluding neuerthelesse all reasoning conference conuocation of people to heare the Scriptures reade or expounded Proclamation in Scotland permitting the priuâ—te â—eading of Scripture Which liberty of priuate reading being granted by publike proclamation lacked not hys owne â—ruite so that in sondrie partes of Scotland therby were opened the eies of the elect of God to see the truthe and abhorre the Papistical abhominations Amongest the which were certaine persones in S. Iohnston as after is declared At thys time there was a Sermone made by Fryer Spense Blasphemous doctriâ—e of a Papist Robert Lambe Martyr in saint Iohnston aliâs called Perth affirmynge prayer made â—o saintes to be so necessarye that wythoute it there coulde be no hope of saluation to man Whyche blasphemous doctrine a Burges of the sayd towne called Robert Lambe could not abide but accused hym in open audience of erroneous doctrine and adiured hym in Gods name to vtter the trueth The which the Frier being striken with feare promised to doe but the trouble tumulte and sturre of the people encreased so that the Frier coulde haue no audience and yet the sayde Roberte wyth greate daunger of his life escaped the handes of the multitude Robert Lambe in great daunger namely of the women who contrary to nature addressed them to extreme cruelty against him At this time in the yeare of our Lorde 1543. the ennemies of the truth procured Iohn Chartuous who fauoured the truthe and was Prouost of the saide citie towne of Perth to be deposed from his office by the sayde Gouernours authoritie A papist set in office and a Papist called Maister Alexander Marbecke to be chosen in his roume y t they myght bring the more easily their wicked enterprise to an ende Robert Lambe Will. Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Hellen Styrke his wyfe cast in prison After the deposing of the former Prouost and election of the other in the moneth of Ianuary the yere aforesayde on saint Paules day came to sainte Iohnston the Gouernour the Cardinall the Earle of Argile Iustice sir Iohn Campbell of Lunde knighte and Iustice Deâ—orte the Lorde Borthwyke the Bishop of Dumblane and Orkeney with certaine other of the Nobilitie And althoughe there were manye accused for the crime of heresie as they terme it yet these persones were onely apprehended vppon the sayde sainte Paules day Robert Lambe William Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Iames Founleson and Hellen Stirke his wife and cast that night in the Spay tower of the sayde Citie the morowe to abide iudgement Uppon the morrowe when they appeared and were brought foorth to iudgement in the towne was said in generall to all their charge the violating of the Acte of Parliament before expressed and their conference and assemblies in hearing and expoundinge of scripture againste the tenour of the sayde Acte Robert Lambe was accused in speciall for interrupting of the Frier in the pulpit whyche he not onely confessed but also affirmed constantly that it was the duetie of no manne whych vnderstood and knewe the trueth to heare the same impugned wythoute contradiction and therefore sundry which there were presente in iudgement who hidde the knowledge of the truth shoulde beare their burden in Gods presence for consenting to the same The sayde Robert also wyth William Anderson and Iames Raueleson were accused for hanging vp the image of S. Fraunces in a corde Lambe Anderson Raueleson for hanging S. Fraunces in a corde Iames Hunter for vsing suspect company nailing of Rammes hornes to his head and a Cowes rumpe to hys taile and for eatinge of a goose on Alhalow euen Iames Hunter being a simple man and wythout learning and a Fletcher by occupation so that hee coulde be charged wyth no greate knowledge in Doctrine yet because he often vsed the suspect companye of the rest he was accused The woman Hellen Stirke was accused for that in her childbed she was not accustomed to cal vpon the name of the virgine Mary Hellen Styrke for calling vpon Iesus and not our Lady in childebed being exhorted thereto by her neyghbours but onely vpon God for Iesus Christes sake and because she said in like maner that if she her selfe had beene in the time of the virgin Mary God might haue looked to her humilitie and base estate as hee did to the virgines in making her the mother of Christe thereby meaninge that there was no merites in the virgine whyche procured her that honour to be made the mother of Christe and to bee preferred before other women but Gods only free mercy exalted her to that estate Whiche woordes were counted moste execrable in the face of the Clergie and whole multitude Iames Raueleson aforesayde building a house set vppon the round of his fourth staire the 3. crowned diademe of Peter carued of tree which the cardinal tooke as done in mockage of his Cardinals hat and this procured no fauor to the sayd Iames at theyr handes These forenamed persones vppon the morrowe aftâ—â— sainte Paules day were condemned and iudged
then to come He tooke bread he blessed and brake it and gaue it to hys Disciples and sayde Take yee eate yee Math. 26. thys is my bodye whyche shall bee broken and geuen for you And lykewise the cuppe blessed and badde them drinke all thereof for that was the cup of the new testament which should be shed for the forgeuing of many How oft ye do this do it in my remembraunce Then saide the B. of S. Andrewes The Archb. of S. Andrewes speaketh The Earle of Hūtly speaketh and the Officiall of Lowthaine with the Deane of Glasgue and many other Prelates we know this well enough The earle of Hūtly said thou aunswerest not to that which is laide to thee say either nay or yea thereto He aunswered if ye will admitte God his word spoken by the mouth of his blessed sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour ye will admit that I haue sayd for I haue sayd or taught nothing but that the word which is the triall and touchstone sayth whych ought to be Iudge to me and to all the world Why quoth the Earle of Huntley hast thou not a Iudge good inough and trowest thou that we know not God and his word Aunswere to that is spoken to thee and then they made the accuser speake the same thing ouer againe Thou saydest quoth the accuser and hast taught that the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the aultar after the words of the consecration are not the body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ. He aunswered I sayd neuer more then the write sayth nor yet more then I haue sayd before 1. Cor. 11. For I know wel by S. Paule when he sayeth Whosoeuer eateth this bread and drinketh of thys cup vnwoorthely receaueth to hymselfe damnation And therefore when I taught which was but seldome and to them only which required and desired me I sayd that if the Sacrament of the aultar were truly ministred and vsed as the sonne of the liuing God did institute it where that was done there was God himselfe by hys diuine power by the which he is ouer all The Bishop of Orkney asked him Beleeuest thou not sayd he that the bread and wine in the sacrament of the aultar after the wordes of the consecration is the very body of God flesh bloud and bone He answered I wot not what that word consecration meaneth I haue not much latine Adam Wallace aunswereth by his Creede but I beleeue that the sonne of God was conceaued of the holy Ghost and borne of the Uirgin Mary hath a naturall body with handes feete and other members and in the same body hee walked vp downe in the world preached and taught he suffered death vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buryed and that by his godly power hee raysed that same body agayne the thyrd day and the same body ascended in to heauen and sitteth on the right hand of the father Christs naturall body cannot be in two places at once whiche shall come agayne to iudge both the quicke and y e dead And that this body is a naturall body with handes feete and cannot be in two places at once he sheweth well hym selfe For the whiche euerlasting thankes be to hym that maketh this matter cleare Math. 26. When the woman brake the oyntment on hym aunswering to some of hys Disciples which grudged thereat he sayd The poore shall you haue alwayes with you but me shall you not haue alwayes meaning of his naturall body And likewise at his Ascention sayd he to the same Disciples that were fleshly and would euer haue had him remayning with them corporally Iohn 16. It is needfull for you that I passe away for if I passe not away the comforter the holy Ghost shall not come to you meaning that his naturall body behoued to be taken away frō thē But be stoute and be of good cheare Math. 28. Iohn 16. for am with you vnto the worldes end And that the eating of his very flesh profiteth not The eating of the very flesh of Christ profiteth nothing may well be knowne by his wordes which he spake in the 6. of Iohn where after that he had sayd Except ye eate my fleshe and drinke my bloud ye shall not haue life in you they murmuring therat he reproued them for their grosse fleshly taking of his wordes and sayd What will ye thinke when ye se the sonne of man ascend to the place that he came frō It is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing to be eaten as they tooke it and euen so take ye it Iohn 6. The B. of Orknay speaketh It is an horrible heresie sayde the Bishop of Orknay When he began to speake again and bad the Lord Gouernour iudge if hee had righte by the write the accuser cryed Ad secundam Nunc ad secundam aunswered the Archbishop of S. Andrewes The 2. article agaynst Adam Wallace Then was he bidden to heare the accuser who propounded the second Article and sayd Thou saydest lykewyse and openly diddest teach that the Masse is very Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God Aunswere He aunswered and sayde I haue read the Bible and word of God in three tounges and haue vnderstand them so farre as God gaue me grace and yet read I neuer that word Masse in it all The Masse not found in Scripture but I found sayd he that the thyng that was highest and most in estimation amongst men and not in the word of God was Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God And I say the Masse is holden greatly in estimation Argument and high amongest men and is not founded in the word therefore I said it was Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God But if any man will find it in the Scripture and proue it by Gods word I will graunt mine errour and that I haue fayled otherwise not and in that case I will submit me to all lawfull correction and punishment Ad tertiam sayd the Archbyshop Then sayde the accuser Thou hast sayde and openly taught that the God which we woorship is but bread sowen of corne The 3. Article Aunswere growing of the earth baked of mēs hands and nothing else He aunswered I worship the father the sonne and the holy Ghost three persons in one Godhead which made fashioned the heauen and earth and all that is therein of naught but I know not which God you worship and if you will shew me whome you worship The popes God I shall shew you what he is as I can by my iudgement Beleeuest thou not sayd the accuser that the sacrament of the alter after the words of the consecration betwixt the Priests hands is the very body and bloud of the sonne of God and God himselfe What the body of God is sayde he and what kind of body he hath I haue shewed you so farre as I
bishop of Winchester for so much as he in king Edwardes tyme bragged so much of his old mayster of famous memory king Henr. 8. to y e entent y t the glorious vanitie of this bishop of all other like vnto him more notoriously may appeare to al meÌ„ heere is to be noted by the testification as well of mayster Deny as also of Sir Henry Neuell who were there present witnesses of the matter whose record is this that king Henry before the time of his sicknes taking his horse vppon the tarras at Windsore to ride out on hauking sawe standing before him the Lorde Wryothesley Lord Chancelour with diuers other Counsellours and amoÌ„gst them the Bishop of Winchester Whereupon he called the Lorde Chancelour and sayd Winchester commaunded no more to come in the kings sight Did not I commaund you he shuld come no more amongst you meaning the Bishop Wherunto the Lorde Chauncellour aunswered that his comming was to bring his Maiestie word of a beneuolence geuen vnto him by the Cleargie Whereat the King sayd Ah let him come hether and so he did his message and the King went straight away Item another time the King immediatly after his repaire to London fell sicke and caused diuers times hys whole Counsell to come vnto him about his will and other his graue affaires Winchester though he wer excluded yet would seeme stil to be of the kinges Counsel At what time the Bishop also would come vp with them into the vtter priuie Chamber and there remayne vntill the Counsell came from the King and then go downe with them agayne to the ende as then was thought to blind the world withall Furthermore as the King grewe more in sickenes he considering vpon his will and testament made before at his going ouer to Bullein willed the same to be drawne out againe with leauing out and excluding the Byshop of Winchester by name from amongst his Executors Which being to him no small corsey and a cutting off of all theyr purposes Winâ— excluded out of the kinges will a way was found that Sir Anthony Browne a principall pillar of Winchesters side pretending vnto the King as though by the negligence of the writer the Byshops name had bene left out of the Kings will kneeled downe to the Kings Maiestie Syr Anthony Browne a great frend to Wint. lying in his bed and sayd My Lord of Winchester I thinke by negligence is left out of your Maiesties wil who hath done your highnes most paynefull long and notable seruice and one without whome the rest shall not be able to ouercome your greate and weighty affaires committed vnto them Hold your peace quoth the King I remembred hym well inough and of good purpose haue left him out For surely if he were in my testameÌ„t and one of you he would cumber you all and you should neuer rule him he is of so troublesome a nature Mary quoth the King I my selfe could vse him and rule him to all maner of purposes as seemed good to me King Henryes opinion of the Bishop of Winchest but so shall you neuer do and therefore talke no more of him to me in this behalfe Syr Anthony Browne perceiuing the king somewhat stiffe heerein gaue place to the Kings words at that time Howbeit seeking farther occasion vpoÌ„ more perswasions put into his head tooke in hand once againe to moue the King to haue the Byshop one of his Executors When the King perceyued that this instant sute would not cease haue you not yet done quoth the King to molest me in this matter If you wil not cease farther to trouble me by the faith that I owe vnto God I will surely dispatch thee out of my will also and therefore let vs heare no more of this matter All thys Sir Anthony Deny was heard to report to the Archbyshop of Cant. Thom. Cranmer Witnes of the sayd Archbyshops Secretary who is yet aliue and witnes to the same And thus much touching the end of King Henry who if he had continued a few moneths longer all those obites and Masses whiche appeare in his will made before hee went to Bulleyne notwithstandyng most certayne it is to be signified to all posteritie that his full purpose was to haue repurged the estate of the Church to haue gone through with the same The purpose of the king if he had liued was to make a perfect reformation of religion so that he would not haue left one masse in all England For the more certayne intelligence whereof two things I haue to leade me The one is the assured report and testimonie of Tho. Cranmer Archbyshop of Caunterbury hearing the King declare the same out of his owne mouth both to himselfe to Mounsieur de Annebault Lord Admirall the French Ambassadour in the moneth of August a little before his death as aboue may appeare more at large Credite of this narration that it is true page 1240. The other cause which leadeth me thereunto is also of equall credite grouÌ„ded vpon the declaration of the Kings owne mouth after that time more neare to his death vnto Bruno Ambassadour of Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie Unto the which Ambassadour of Saxony the King gaue this aunswere openly that if the quarrell of the Duke of Saxony were nothing else against the Emperour but for religion The kinges aunswere to the Duke of Saxonies Ambassadour a little before his death he should stand to it strongly and he would take his part willing him not to doubt nor feare and so with this aunswere dimissed the Ambassadour vnto the Duke openly in the hearing of these foure sufficient witnesses the L. Scymâ—r Earle of Harforde Lorde Lisley then Admirall the Earle of Bedford Lorde Priuy Seale and Lorde Paget But the secret working of Gods holy prouidence whyche disposeth all things after his own wisedome and purpose thought it good rather by taking the King away to reserue the accomplishmeÌ„t of this reformation of his church to the peaceable time of his sonne Edward and Elizabeth his daughter whose handes were yet vndefiled wyth any bloud and life vnspotted with any violence or crueltie And thus to finish this booke I thought heere to close vp King Henries raigne But because a little vacant space of empty paper remayneth behinde needefull to be filled vp to employ therefore and to replenishe the same wyth some matter or other I thought to annexe heere vnto one story which hapned in this King Henries raigne Which albeit it serueth not to the purpose of this our matter now in hand yet neuerthelesse to supply the roome it may stand in some place either to refreshe the traueiled minde of the Reader wearied with other stories or else to disclose the detestable impietie of these counterfeite sectes of Monkes and Friers who vnder the hipocriticall visour of pretensed Religion haue so long seduced and deceiued the world Although the deceitfull parts and practises of these
and ringleaders of that mischieuous daunce wherof the principal were Humfrey Arundel Berry Thomas Underhil Iohn Soleman W. Segar The laudable seruice of the 〈…〉 Seale Tempson and Barret two Priestes Henrye Bray and Henrye Lee two Maiors wyth diuers other mo aboue specified al which accordingly afterwarde were executed These rebels to make their part more sure by the helpe and presence of their consecrated God and maker False trust of the Deuonshire men in their Popishe Idolls disapointed The Sacrament in the 〈◊〉 brought to the battaile in a Carte brought with them into the battaile the Pixe vnder his Canapie and in steed of an aultar where he was hanging before set him nowe riding in a Carte Neither was there lacking masses crosses banners candlesticks with holy breade also and holy water plentie to defend them from deuils and all aduersarye power whyche in the ende neyther coulde helpe theyr frends nor yet could saue them selues from the handes of theyr ennemies but eftsoones both the consecrated God and al the trumperie about him was taken in the carte and there lay all in the dust leauinge to them a notable lesson oâ— better experience howe to put their confidence heereafter in no suche vaine Idolles but onely in the true liuing God and immortall maker to be serued according to hys prescribed worde and that onely in the faithe of hys sonne and not after theyr owne dreaming fantasies The storie whereof putteth mee also in remembraunce of an other like popish field called Muscleborough field â—ought in Scotland the yeare before this where the Scots likewise encamping them selues against the Lorde Protectour Muscleborough field in ScotlaÌ„d and the kynges power sente into Scotlande did in semblable wise bringe with them to the battaile the consecrated gods of their aultares wyth Masses Crosses banners and all their Popish stuffe of Idolatrie hauing great affiaunce by vertue thereof to haue a great day against the English armie as in deede to mannes iudgement myghte seeme not vnlike For the number of the Scottes armye so farre exceeded ours and they wer so appoynted with theyr pikes in the first fronte against our horsemen which gaue the first onset that our men were faine to recule not without the losse of diuers Gentlemen Notwythstanding the mighty arme of the Lorde so turned the victorie that the Scottes in the ende with all their Masses Pixes and Idolatrous trinkets were put to the woorse Of whome in that fielde were slayne betweene 13. and 14. thousande and not passing an hundreth Englishe men The cause of thys was the promise of the Scots made before to king Henry for the marriage of the young Scottish Queene to Kynge Edwarde which promise the sayd Scots afterward brake and paide thereafter In the whiche victorie this is also to be noted that the same day and houre when the images were burned openly in London the Scots were put to flighte in Muscleborough as is credibly noted in Recordes During this hurley burley amongst the popish rebels in Cornwall and Deuonshire the like commotion at the same time by suche like popish priestes as Homes and his felowes began to gender in the parties of Oxforde Buckingham but that was soone appeased by the Lord Gray who comming downe that waye into Deuonshire chased the rebelles to their houses Of whom 200. wer taken and a dosen of the ringleaders deliuered vnto him wherof certaine were after executed In Northfolke and parties thereabout all be it the originall of theyr tumultuous sturring was not for the like cause yet the obstinate hearts of that vnruly multitude semed no lesse bent vpon mischief to disturbe publike peace which was also in the moneth of Iuly the yere abouesayd For repression of whych rebellion first was sent the Lorde Marques of Northampton 〈…〉 to the 〈◊〉 Marques wyth speciall instruction to auoide the fighte and so by order was appoynted wyth a number of horse to keepe the fielde and passages whereby they being stopped from vittaile might the sooner be brought to acknowledge their follie and to seeke theyr pardon Who then following other pollicie then by order was geuen came and pinned him selfe wythin the Citie of Norwiche which afterwarde they were faine to abandone the rebelles pressing vppon the Citie so on euery side that at length they obtained the same Neuerthelesse in all that conflicte there was but an hundreth on both sides slayne and otherwise no great 〈◊〉 but onely the losse of the Lord Sheefielde Then was sente downe againste them the Earle of Warwike wyth sufficient force and number of souldiours besides the conuey of 2000. Almaines The â— Shefield slaine at Norwich by whome the rude and confused rabble was there ouerthrowne and slaine to the number as is supposed at the least of 4000. And in fine both the Kettes chiefe sturrers and authours of that commotion were taken and put to execution The rebells of Northfolke suppressed and one of them hanged vp in chaines Moreouer besides these inordinate vprores and insurrections aboue mentioned about the latter ende of the said moneth of Iulye the same yeare which was 1549. an other like sturre or Commotion beganne at Semer in the Northriding of Yorkeshire An other rebelâ—lion or tumult beganne in Yorkeshire and continued in the Eastriding of the same and there ended The principal doers and raisers vp whereof was one W. Ombler of Easthesâ—erton yeoman and Tho. Dale parish clarke of Semer with one Steuenson of Semer neighbour to Dale and nephewe to Ombler The chiefe stirrers of this rebellion in the North. Which Steuenson was a meane or messenger betwene the said Ombler and Dale being afore not acquainted togither and dwelling seuen miles one from the other Who at last by the trauaile of the said Steuenson and their owne euil dispositions inclined to vngratiousnesse mischiefe knowing before one the others mind by secrete conference were brought to talke together on S. Iames day An. 1549. The causes moouing them to raise thys rebellion were these first and principallye theyr traiterous heartes grudging at the kings most godly proceedings The causes â—â—â—uing the Yorkeshiremen to rebellion in aduauncinge and refourming the true honour of God and his religion An other cause also was for trusting to a blinde and a fantasticall prophecie wherewith they were seduced thinking the same prophecie shoulde shortly come to passe by hearing the rebellions of Northfolke of Deuonshire and other places The tenor of which prophisie purpose together of the traytors was that there should no king reigne in EnglaÌ„d the noblemen and gentlemen to be destroyed and y e realm to be ruled by 4. gouernors A blinde prophesie amongest the â—ortheren men to be elected appointed by y e commons holding a parlament in coÌ„motion to begin at y e south and north seas of England c. supposing that thys their rebellion in the North and the other of the Deuonshire men in the west meeting as
be greatly weake bring your selfe in dauÌ„ger of one part when parties be therwith one to scourge the other Wheras in coÌ„cord they â—e both yours in an honest reuereÌ„t louely feare to do theyr duty which I doubt not your wisedoÌ„e can consider And coÌ„sider also how noisome any other outward encoÌ„ber might be in the time of y e minority of our soueraign Lord. I told y e Emperors couÌ„sell that our late souereign Lord did much for the Emperor to enter war with him put his realme in his old dayes in y e adueÌ„ture of fortune whether he should enioy it or no for y t is the nature of war And sometime the coÌ„teÌ„ned abiect haue had y e vpper hand And wheÌ„ ye administer y e realme for another it were a maruelous question of him y t shall enioy y e realme to say what ment you in the time of administratioÌ„ to adueÌ„ture my realme why tooke ye not rather for the time of my minoritye any peace whatsoeuer it were which is better theÌ„ y e best waâ— as some meÌ„ haue writteÌ„ I know you haue authority sufficient wisdome pleÌ„ty yet being entred to write I forget for y e time what ye be coÌ„men 〈◊〉 you as I were talking at Brusels with you Wynchester agaynst the expedition into Scotland deuising of the worlde at large And if I were sworne to say what I thinke in the state of the world I would for a time let scots be scots with dispayre to haue theÌ„ vnlesse it were by coÌ„quest which shall be a godly enterprise for our yong maister wheÌ„ he coÌ„meth to age And in y e meane time prepare him mony for it see y e realme in an order which hath need of it And for a stay if the Emperor would offer the king of Romains daughter as he did do w t him in our maisters minority Winchester here meaneth a fetch if he could haue brought it about as he dyd w t vs in his Wherby all this hath chauÌ„ced vnto him And by this allians your estimation shal encrease our souereign Lordes surety not a little increase be augmented For of Fraunce it must be takeÌ„ for a rule They be so wantoÌ„ they cannot do well leÌ„ger theÌ„ they see how they may be scourged if they do not Here is all the wit that I haue which I offer vnto you vpon this occasion of writing shall pray God to put in your mind y t shal be for the best as I trust he will in y e meane time to extinct this barbarous coÌ„teÌ„tion at home which can serue onely to do hurt no good I had fashioned a letter to master Ridley which I seÌ„d vnto your grace and encomber you with these malencoly writinges engendred of this fondnes which be not worth y e reading And so it may like you to vse theÌ„ for hauing heard that ye haue sayd vnto me and otherwise heard and seene what you do I shall go occupy my wit in other matters now such as haue fonde enterprises shall see that I letted not theyr follyes which they called Gods worde Winchesters letters against Ridley Gods word is folly to Winchester but to them that be wise in the Lord it is the Wisedome of the Lord to saluation ¶ This place here eyther seemeth to lacke something or eâ—s Winchester to lackesome of his wits But for hys time the king our souereigne Lord that dead is and after his time you much to your honor and reputation * Winchester wrangleth agaynst Dales bookes howsoeuer any shal be here not contented which miscontentation hath bene so fond in some as they haue burst out and wished that they might without breach of his lawes kill me which is to me a tokeÌ„ of a maruelous fury which hath bene cause why I am glad both to depart hence and to depart the sooner pray to God to order all thinges for the best With preseruatioÌ„ of our soueraigne L. and encrease of your graces honor At my house in Sothworke the last of February Your Graces humble beadman S. W. An other letter of S.W. AFter my humble commeÌ„dations to your grace it may like the same to vnderstand I haue sene of late 2. books set forth in english by Bale very pernitious seditious and slaunderous And albeit that your grace needeth not mine aduertisement in y e matter yet I am so bolde to trouble your Grace with my letters for mine owne commodity wherwith to satisfy mine own conscience to write say as becommeth me in such matters which I desire your grace to take in good part For it greueth me not a little to see so soone after my late soueraigne Lord and maisters death a booke spread abroad more to his dishonor if a princes honor may be by vile inferior subiectes impeached then professed enemies haue imagined to note a womaÌ„ to haue suffered vnder him as a martyr the woman therewith to be by Bales owne elucidation as he calleth it so set foorth painted as she appeareth to be is boasted to be a sacrameÌ„tary by the lawes worthy as she suffered the paynes of death such like things haue by stealth in our late soueraign Lords dayes gone abroad as they do now And as I am woÌ„t in such cases to speak I keep my woÌ„t to write to your grace now in whose hands I know the estate of y e realme to be foretime in gouernment to whoÌ„ for respectes of old acquayntaunce I wish al felicity In these matters of religion I haue bene long exercised and haue thankes be to God liued so long as I haue sene them throughly tryed and besides that I haue learned in written bookes of Authority I haue perceiued by bookes written without authority as by M. Bale Ioye and other and specially as Bale vseth nowe that Scripture doth by abuse seruice to the right hand and the left at once in so much as at one time Bale prayseth Luther * Luther and Anne Askew why not as well Saintes both in heauen though they varied in one small poynt here as well as you Smith both the Popes friendes though ye vary as ye sayde your selfe in diuers and setteth his death forth in English with commendation as of a Saynt whych Luther whatsoeuer he was otherwise stoutly affirmed the presence really of Christes naturall body in the Sacrament of the aultar And yet Bale the noble clerk would haue Anne Askew blasphemously denying the presence of Christes naturall bodye to be taken for a Saynte also So as Bales Saynctes may vary in heauen if they chaunce not by the way which might suffice to disproue the mans creditte if thwarting talke were not more desired of many then the trueth in deede which trueth was supposed to haue bene both in writing and exercise well established long before our late Lordes death And Bale his adherentes in their madnes playnely reproued condemned I
offend him and much lesse in his yong age My L. Chancelor then shewed me the beginning of the acte for common prayer how dangerous it was to breake the order of it I told him that it was true therefore if I came abroade I would be wel ware of it But it is quoth I after in the act how no man should be troubled for this act vnles he were first indited and therefore quoth I I may not be kept in prisone for this acte Ah quoth he I perceiue ye knowe the lawe well enough I tolde hym my Chaplaine had brought it vnto mee the after noone before Then they required me to looke on the boke and to say my minde in it I answeared that I thought not mete to yelde my selfe a scholler to go to schoole in prison then slaunder my selfe as though I redemed my faults with my conscience As touching the law which I know not Winchester wil not go to scoole in prison I wil honor it like a subiect and if I keepe it not I wil willingly suffer the paine of it And what more conformitie I should shew I cannot tell for mine offences be past if there be any If I haue not suffred enough I will suffer more if vpon examination I be found faulty as for this new law if I keepe it not punish me likewise Then my Lorde Chaunceloure asked mee whether I would not desire the kings Maiestie to be my good Lorde At which worde I sayde alas my Lorde quoth I doe yee thinke that I haue so forgotten my selfe Wynchester desireth the king to be his good Lord. My duety quoth I requireth so and I will on my knees desire hym to be my good Lord and my Lord Protectour also quoth I that is wel sayd quoth my Lord Chaunceler And what will ye say further quoth my L. Chanceler In good faith quoth I thys that I thought when I had preached that I had not offended at all and thinke so still and had it not ben for the article of the supremacie I woulde haue rather fayned my selfe sicke then be occasion of this that hathe followed but going to the Pulpit I must needes say as I sayde Well quoth my lord Chanceler let vs go to our purpose again Ye will quoth he desire the kings maiestie to be your good Lord and my Lord Protectour also and ye say ye thought not to haue offended All this I will say quoth I. Winchester yet will not confesse himselfe to be an offender Winchester will not submit himselfe to the Lord Protector but to the law And yee wil quoth my Lord Chanceler submit your selfe to be ordered by my Lorde Protector Nay quoth I by the lawe for my Lord Protectour quoth I hath scourged mee ouersore this yere to put my matter in his hands now And in the latter poynte I varyed with my Lorde Chauncellour when I could not refer my order to my Lord Protectour but to the law and staying at this poynt they were cōtent to graunt me of their gentlenes to make their sute to procure me to be heard and to obtaine me libertie to goe in the galery and that I should heare of one of them within two daies following I desired them to remember that I refused not the boke by way of contempt nor in no euil maner but y t I was loth to yelde my selfe a scholer in the Tower and to be seene to redeme my faults if I had any with my conscience My body I sayde shoulde serue my conscience but not contrariwise And this is the truth vpon my conscience and othe that was done and said at their comming There was more sayde to the purposes aforesayde And I binde not my selfe to the precise forme of wordes but to the substaunce of the matter and fashion of the intreating So neare as I can remember I haue truely discharged mine oth But I heard no more of my matter in one whole yere after almost wythin 14. dayes notwithstāding two letters wrytten by me to the Counsaile of most humble request to be heard according to iustice And then at y e ende of 2. yeres almost came vnto me the Duke of Somerset with other of the counsel which matter because it is left out here I shall not touch but prepare it in a matter aparte for declaration of my behauiour at all times The 12. Article Item that after that c. the 9. day of Iuly in the 4. yeare of his Maiesties raign his highnes sent vnto you his graces letters with a certaine submission and Articles whereunto his grace willed and commaunded you to subscribe to whiche submission you contemptuously refused to subscribe Winchester To the 12. article for answer therunto he graunted that about the time mentioned in this Article the Lorde Treasurer the Erle of Warwike lord great maister The kings letter deliuered to Winchester in the tower sir William Harbert and M. Secretary Peter came to the tower and called me before them and deliuered vnto me the Kynges maiesties letters which I haue to shew and receiued them at the handes of the lord Treasurer vpon my knees kissed them as my duety was and still vpon my knees red them where as they right gently required me to take more ease to go apart with them consider them which after that I had throughly read I much lamented that I should be commaunded to say of my selfe as was there wrytten and to say otherwise of my selfe then my conscience will suffer me where I trust my dedes wil not condemne me therto condemne my selfe w t my tongue I should sooner quoth I to them by commaundement thinke if ye would bid me to tumble my selfe desperately into the Thames My lord of Warwicke seeing me in that agonye sayde What say ye my Lorde quoth he to the other Articles I aunswered that I was loth to disobey where I might obey and not wrast my conscience destroying the comfort of it as to say vntruely of my selfe Well quoth my Lorde of Warwicke Other articles put to Winchester will ye subscribe to the other Articles I tolde him I would But then quoth I the Article that toucheth me must be put out I was answered that needeth not for I might wryte on the one side what I woulde say vnto it and then my Lorde of Warwicke entertained mee verye gently The article which touched him was the first article prescribing him to subscribe which article he wisheth here to be put out and would needes whiles I should write haue me sit downe by him and when hee sawe me make somewhat straunge so to do he pulled me nearer him and said we had ere this sit together trusted we should do so againe And then hauing pen inke geuen me I wrote as I remember on the Article that touched me these words I can not with my conscience say this of my selfe or such like words And there folowed an Article of the
the French and that we do withhold wages from the souldiours and other such tales and letters they doe spreade abroade of the which if any one thing were true we would not wish to liue the matter now being brought to a marueilous extremitie such as we wold neuer haue thought it could haue come vnto especially of those men towardes the kings maiestie and vs of whom we haue deserued no such thing but râ—ther much fauour and loue But the case being as it is this to require and pray you to hasteÌ„ you hither to the defence of the kings maiestie in such force and power as you may to shew the parte of a true Gentleman and of a very frende the which thing we truste God shall rewarde and the kinges Maiestie in time to come and we shall neuer be vnmindefull of it too We are sure you shal haue other letters from them but as ye tender your duety to the kings Maiestie we require you to make no stay but immediately repair with such force as yee haue to his highnesse Castle of Windsore and cause the rest of such force as yee may make to followe you And so we bid you right heartily farewel From Hampton Court the sixt of October Your Lordships assured louing frend Edward Somerset An answere to the L. Protectors letter TO this letter of the Lorde Protectoure sent the sixte of Octob. the L. Russel returning answere againe vppon the eight of the sayde moneth first lamenteth the heauie dissention fallen betwene the Nobilitye and him which he taketh for suche a plague as a greater could not be sent of almighty God vpon this Realme being the next way saith he to make of vs conquerors slaues like to induce vpon the whole realme an vniuersal calamitye thraldome vnlesse the mercifull goodnes of the Lorde do helpe some wise order be taken in staying these great extremities And as touching the Dukes request in his letters for as much as he heard before of this broile of the Lords feared least soâ—e conspiracie had ben meant against the kings person he hasted forwarde with such company as he coulde make for the surety of y e king as to him appertained Now perceiuing by the Lordes letters sent vnto him the same sixte day of Octâ— these tumults to rise vpon priuate causes betwene him and them he therfore thought it expedient that a conuenient power should be leuied to be in a readines to withstand the worste what perils soeuer might ensue for the preseruation both of the king state of the realm from the 〈◊〉 of forraine enemies and also for the staying of bloudshed if any such thing should be intended betwixt the partes in the heate of thys faction And this hee thinking beste for discharge of his allegeance humbly beseecheth his grace to haue y e same also in speciall regard and consideration first that the kings Maiestie be put in no feare that if there be any such thing wherein he hath geuen iust cause to them thus to proceede hee will so conforme him selfe as no such priuate quarels do redound to the publike disturbance of the Realme certifying moreouer the Duke that if it were true whyche he vnderstandeth by the letters of the Lordes y t he should send about proclamations and letters for raising vp of the commons he liked not the same Notwithstanding hee trusted well that his wisedome woulde take such a way as no effusion of bloud should follow And thus muche being contained in his former letters of the eight of October in his next letters againe wrytten the 11. day of Octob. the said Lord Russel reioysing to heare of the most reasonable offers of the Lord Protectour made to the Lordes The contents of the second aunswer of the L. Russell to the Lord Protector wryteth vnto him promiseth to doe what in the vttermost power of him and likewise of sir W. Harbert ioyned together with him doe 〈◊〉 to worke some honorable reconciliation betwene him them so as his sayd offers being accepted satisfied some good coÌ„clusion might ensue according to their good hope expectation Signifying moreouer that as touching the leuying of men they had resolued to haue the same in readinesse for the benefite of the realme The gooâ— L. Russell a solicitor for peace betweene the Lord Protector and the Lordes to occurre all incoÌ„ueniences whatsoeuer either by forraine inuasion or otherwise might happen so hauing their power at hand to drawe neare wherby they might haue the better oportunitie to be solicitours and a meanes for this reformation on both parties c. And thus much for answer of the Lord Russel to the Lorde Protectours letters But nowe to the matter againe of the Lordes who together with the Earle of Warwike vppon what occasion God knoweth being assembled at London The Lordes of the Coâ—â—â—ell assembled against the Lorde Protectour as ye heard against the Lorde Protector when the king with his counsaile at Hampton court heard therof first Secretarye Pâ—ter with the kings message was sent vnto them whome the Lords notw tstanding detained still with them making as yet no answer to the message Wheâ—upon the L. Protectour wryteth to them in this maner as followeth A letter of the Lorde Protectour to the Counsaile at London The Lord Protectoâ—s lâ—tter to the Lordes of the Counsaile at London MY Lordes we commend vs most hartily vnto you wheras the kings Maiestie was infourmed that you were assembled in such sorte as you doe and nowe remaine and was aduised by vs and such other of his Counsaile as were then heere aboute his persone to send M. Secretarie Peter vnto you with such message as whereby mighte haue ensued the suretie of hys Maiesties persone with preseruation of his realme and subiects the quiet both of vs and your selues as maister Secretarye can well declare to you his maiestie and we of his Counsaile heere doe not a litle maruel that you stay still with you the sayd M. Secretarie haue not as it were vouchsafed to send aunswer to his Maiestie neyther by him nor yet any other And for our selues we doe much more maruell and are right sory as both wee and you haue good cause to be to see the manner of your doinges bentâ— with violence to bring the kings Maiesty and vs to these extremities Which as we doe intende if you wil take no other way but violence to defend as nature and our allegeaunce doeth binde vs to extremitye of death and to put all to Gods hand who geueth victory as it pleaseth him so that if any reasonable conditions and offers woulde take place as hetherto none hath bene signified vnto vs froÌ„ you nor we do not vnderstand what you do require or seeke or what you do meane that you do seek no hurt to the kings Maiesties person as touching all other priuate matters to auoid the effusion of Christian bloud and to preserue the
kings Maiesties person his realme and subiectes No worde hetherto sent from the Lords to the Lord Protector what they required of him to doe Reasonable coÌ„ditions offered by the Lord Protector you shall finde vs agreeable to any reasonable conditions that you will require For we doe esteeme the kings wealth and tranquillitie of the realme more then all other worldly things yea more then our owne life Thus praying you to send vs your determinate answer heerein by M. Secretarie Peter or if you will not let him go by this bearer we beseeche God to geue both you and vs grace to determine this matter as maye be to Gods honour the preseruation of the king and the quiet of vs all which may be if the fault be not in you And so we bid you most heartily fare well From the kings maiesties Castle of Windsore the 7. of Octob. 1549. Your Lordships louing frend E. Somerset After these letters receiued and the reasonable condition of the Lorde Protectour and yet not much regarded of the Lordes they persisting still in their pretended purpose tooke this aduise first to keepe themselues in the Citie of London as strong as they might and therfore calling vpon the Maior and the Aldermen they willed them in any case to prouide a good and substantiall watch by nyght A solemne watch commauÌ„ded in London and a good warde by day for the safegard of their Citie and the portes and gates thereof which was consented vnto and the CoÌ„panies of London in theyr turnes warned to watch and warde accordingly Then the sayd Lordes and Counsailours demaunded of the Lorde Maior and hys brethren 500. menne to ayde them to fetche the Lorde Protectour out of Windsore from the king but therunto the Maior answeared The Citye of London pressed with 500. mâ—n to fetch the L. Protector The aunswere of the Lorde Maior to the Lordes The Lordes assembled in the L. Maiors house that he could graunt none aide without the assent of the common Counsaile of the citie wherupon the next day a common councell was warned But in this meane time the said Lordes of the Counsaile assembled theÌ„selues at the Lorde Maiors house of London who then was Syr Henrye Amcottes Fishmonger and W. Locke Mercer and sir Iohn Aileph Sheriffes of the said citie and there the said Counsaile did agree and publishe a Proclamation foorthwith agaynst the Lorde Protector the effect of which Proclamation was as followeth 1 First The effect of the proclamation seâ— out agaynst the Lord Protector that the Protector by his malitious and euill gouernment was the occasion of all the sedition that of late happened within the realme 2 The losse of the kings peeces in France 3 That he was ambitious and sought his owne glorye as appeared by building of most sumptuous costly houses in the time of the kings warres 4 That hee esteemed nothinge the graue Counsell of the Counsailours 5 That he sowed diuision betwene the Nobles the gentlemen and the commons 6 That the Nobles assembled themselues together at LondoÌ„ for none other purpose but to haue caused the protectour to haue liued wythin limites and to haue put such order for the suretie of the kings maiestie as appertained whatsoeuer the Protectours doinges were whyche they sayd were vnnaturall ingrate and traiterous 7 That the Protectour sclaundered the Counsaile to the king and did that in him lay to cause variaunce betweene the king and the nobles 8 That hee was a great traitor and therefore the Lordes desired the citie commons to aid them to take hym from the king And in witnes and testimonie of the contents of the said Proclamation the Lordes subscribed theyr names whych were these The Lorde Rich Lord Chauncellour The Lord S. Iohn Lord great maister president of the Counsaile The Lord Marques of Northampton The Earl of Warwike Lord great Chamberlaine The Earle of Arundel L. Chamberlaine The Earle of Shrewsburie The Earle of South-hampton Wriothesley Sir Thomas Cheyney knighte treasurer of the kings house and Lord Warden of the Cinque portes Syr Iohn Gage knight Constable of the Tower Syr Wil. Peter knight Secretarie Syr Edwarde North knight Syr Edwarde Montague chief Iustice of the common place Syr Rafe Sadler Syr Iohn Baker Syr Edw. Wootton Doctour Wootton Deane of Cant. Syr Rich. Southwell After the foresaide Proclamation was Proclaimed the Lordes or the most parte of them continuing and lying in London came y e next day to the Guild hal during the time that the Lord Maior and their brethren sate in their Court or inner chamber The Lordes comming into the Guild hall and entred and communed a long while with the Maior and at the last the Maior and his brethren came foorth vnto the common Counsaile where was read the kings letter sent to the Maior and citizens commaunding them to aid him with a thousand wel appoynted men out of their citie and to send the same with all speede to his Castle at Windsore Thys Letter by name was directed to Syr Henrye Amcottes knighte Lorde Maior to Syr Roulande Hyll knight Maior electe and to the Aldermen and common Counsaile of the Citie of London The daye and Date of the Letter was the sixte of October in the thirde yeare of his raigne being assigned with the hand of the King and of the Lorde Protectour the contentes of which letter for the satisfaction of the reader are heere to be seene in maner and forme as followeth EDWARD By the King TRustie and welbeloued we greete you wel Wee charge and commaunde you most earnestly to geue order with all speede for the defence and preseruation of that our citie of London for vs The Copy of the kinges letter sent to the L. Maior Aldermen and Citizens of LoÌ„don in the behalfe of the L. Protectour and to leuy out of hande and to put in order as many as conueniently you maye well weaponed and arraied keeping good watch at the gates and to sende vs hither for the defence of oure person one thousand of that our Cittie of trustie and faithfull men to attend vpon vs and our most entirely beloued vncle Edward Duke of Somerset Gouernour of our person and Protector of our Realmes dominions and subiects well harnessed and with good and conuenient weapon so that they do make their repaire hither vnto vs this night if it be possible or at the least to morow before noone and in the meane time to doe what as appertaineth vnto your duetie for ours and our sayd vncles defence against all such as attempt any conspiracie or enterprise of violence against vs our sayd Vncle as you knowe best for our preseruation and defence at thys present Geuen vnder our Signet at our Honor of Hampton Court the sixte of October the thirde yeare of oure raigne You shall farther geue credite to our trustie and welbeloued Owen Cleydon the bearer heereof in all such things as hee shall further declare vnto you
I should with all diligence remoue vnto the Castle of Herford Whereupon I desired him to see the same letter which he shewed me Wherein was written that the Lady Mary the Kings daughter should remooue to the place beforesayd leauing out in the same the name of Princesse Which when I heard I could not a little marueyle trusting verily that your grace was not priuie to the same letter as concerning the leauing out of the name of Princesse for as much as I doubt not in your goodnes but your grace doth take me for your lawfull daughter borne in true Matrimonie Wherefore if I should agree to the contrary I should in my conscience runne in the displeasure of God whiche I hope assuredly your grace will not that I so should And in all other things your grace shall haue me alwayes as humble and obedient daughter and handmayd as euer was child to the father which my duty bindeth me to as knoweth our Lorde who haue your grace in his most holy tuition wyth much honour and long life to his pleasure Written at your Manor of Beaulien this second day of October By your most humble daughter Mary Princesse * A protestation of the Lady Mary to certayne Lordes sent by the King her father with certayne requestes vnto her MY Lordes as touching my remouing to Hatfield I will obey his Grace The Protestation of Lady Mary as my duety is or to any other place that his grace will appoint me But I protest before you and all other that be heere present that my conscience will in no wise suffer me to take any other then my selfe for the Kings lawfull daughter borne in true matrimonie or Princesse and that I will neuer willingly and wittinglye say or do whereby any person might take occasion to thinke that I agree to the contrary not of any ambition or proud mind as God is my Iudge but that if I should say or do otherwise Lady Mary standeth to â—he Popes â—â—dgement I shuld in my conscience sclaunder the deede of our mother holy Churche and the Pope who is the iudge in this matter and none other and also dishonor the King my Father the Queene my Mother and falsly confesse my selfe a Bastard which God defende that I should do seeing the Pope hath not so declared it by his sentence definitiue for to his iudgement I submit me As you haue heard some part already of the stout courage of the Lady Mary toward her father and also by her letters no lesse was dâ—clared towarde king Edward her brother and other of his Counsaile as well may appeare by the letters aboue specified betweene her and the King her brother and his counsaile So now let vs inferr somewhat likewise of the stoute talke and demeanor of the sayd Lady Mary toward D. Ridley Bishop of London who gently comming to her of meere good will had his communication w t her and she with him as here followeth About the eight of Sept. 1552. D. Ridley then Byshop of LondoÌ„ lying at his house at Hadham in Hartfordshire Talke betweene Lady Mary and Byshop Ridley went to visite the Lady Mary then lying at Hunsden two myles off was gently entertayned of Sir Tho. Wharton other her officers til it was almost xi of the clock About which time the said Lady Mary came foorth into her chamber of presence and then the said bishop there saluted her grace and sayde that he was come to doe his duety to her grace Then she thanked him for his paynes and for a quarter of an houre talked with him very pleasauntly and sayd that she knew him in the Court when he was Chapleine to her father and could wel remember a sermon that hee made before king Henry her father at the mariage of my Lady Clinton y t now is to Sir Anthony Broune c. and so dismissed him to dine with her officers After dinner was done the bishop being called for by the said Lady Mary resorted againe to her grace betwene whome this communiâ—ation was first the bishop beginning in maner as followeth Bishop Madame I came not onely to do my duetye to see your Grace Byshop Ridley offereth to preach before the Lady Mary but also to offer my selfe to preache before you on Sonday nexte if it will please you to heare me At thys her countenaunce chaunged and after silence for a space she aunswered thus Mary My Lorde as for this last matter I pray you make the aunswere to it yourselfe Bishop Madame considering mine office and calling I am bounde of duety to make to your grace this offer to preach before you Mary Well I pray you make the aunswere as I haue sayd to this matter yourselfe for you know the aunswere well enough But if there be no remedy but I must make you aunswere this shall be your aunswere The doore of the parishe Churche adioyning shal be open for you Lady Mary refuseth to heare Bishop Rydley to preach before her if you come and ye may preach if you list but neither I nor none of mine shall heare you Bishop Madame I trust you will not refuse Gods word Mary I cannot tell what ye call Gods word That is not Gods worde now that was Gods word in my fathers dayes Bishop Gods worde is all one in all times but hath bene better vnderstanded and practised in some ages then in other Mary You durst not for your eares haue aduouched that for Gods worde in my fathers dayes that now you doe And as for your new bookes I thanke God I neuer read none of them neuer did nor neuer will doe And after many bitter wordes against the forme of religion then established It is lyke shee was perswaded by Witches and blinde prophesies that king Edward should not liue so long and against the gouernment of the Realme and the lawes made in the young yeares of her brother which she sayd she was not bound to obey til her brother came to perfect age and then affirmed shee woulde obey them She asked the Bishop whether he were one of the Counsaile He aunswered No. You might well enough sayd she as the Counsaile goeth now a dayes And so she concluded with these wordes My Lord for your gentlenes to come and see me I thanke you but for your offering to preache before me I thanke you neuer a whit Then the sayd B. was brought by sir Thomas Wharton to the place where he dined desired to drink And after he had dronke he paused a litle while Byshop Rydley repeÌ„ted to haue dronken there where Gods worde was refused looking very sadly sodenly brake out into these woordes Surely I haue done amisse Why so quoth sir Thomas Wharton For I haue dronke sayd he in that place where Gods word offred hath bene refused Whereas if I had remembred my duetie I ought to haue departed immediately and to haue shakeÌ„ of the dust of my shoes for a
disputation he desired that the Prolocutor would bee a meane vnto the Lords that some of those that were learned setters forth of the same Catechisme might be broght into the house to shew their learning that mooued them to set forth the same Request to haue Doct. Ridley M. Rogers at the disputation Aunswere of the Bishops vnto the request and that D. Ridley M. Rogers with two or three mo might be licenced to be present at this disputation and to be associate with them This request was thought reasonable and was proposed vnto the Bishops who made this aunswer that it was not in them to call such persons vnto our house since some of them were prisoners But they sayd they would be petitioners in this behalfe vnto the Counsayle and in case any were absent that ought to bee of the house they willed them to bee taken in vnto them if they listed After this they mindyng to haue entred into disputation there came a Gentleman as messenger from the Lord great master signifiyng vnto the Prolocutor that the L. great maister and the Earle of Deuonshire would be present at the disputations and therfore he deferred the same vnto monday at one of the clocke at after noone ¶ The Acte of the third day Upon Monday the xiij of October at the time apointed The third SessioÌ„ October 23. in the presence of many Erles Lordes Knights gentlemen and diuers other of the Court and of the Citie also the Prolocutor made a Protestation that they of the house had appoynted this disputation not to call the truth into doubt to the which they had alredy all subscribed sauing v. or sixe but that those gainsayers might be resolued of their arguments in the which they stood as it shall appeare vnto you not doubting but they will also condesceÌ„d vnto vs. M. Haddon and M Elmar refusâ— to aunswere except their request were graunted Then he demanded of M. Haddon whether he would reason against the questions proposed or no. To whom he made answer that he had certified hym before in writyng that he would not since the request of such learned men as were demaunded to be assistent with them would not bee graunted M. Elmar likewyse was asked Who made the Prolocutor the like aunswer addyng moreouer this that they had done too much preiudice already to the truth to subscribe before the matter was discussed and little or nothyng it might auayle to reason for the truth since all they were now determined to the contrary After this he demaunded of M. Cheyney whome the Prolocutor sayd allowed the presence with them M. Cheyny the Archdeacon of Herford now B. of Glocester but he denyed the transubstantiation by the meanes of certayne authorities vppon the which he standeth and desireth to be resolued as you shall heare whether he will propose his doubtes concernyng Transubstantiation or no. Yea quoth he I would gladly my doubts to be resolued which mooue me not to beleeue Transubstantiation The first is out of S. Paule to the Cor. who speakyng of the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ M. Cheynyes doubtes about transubstantiation calleth it oft tymes bread after the consecration The second is out of Origene who speaking of this sacrament sayth that the materiall part therof goeth down to the excrements The third is out of Theodoretus who making mention of the sacramentall bread and wine after the consecration saith that they go not out of their former substance forme and shape These be some of my doubts among many other wherein I require to be answered Then the Prolocutor assigned D. Moreman to answer him Moremans aunswere to S. Paule who to Saint Paule answered him thus That the Sacrament is called by hym bread in deede but it is thus to be vnderstood that it is the sacrament of bread that is the forme of bread Then M. Cheyney inferred and alledged that Hesychius called the sacrament both bread and flesh M. Cheyny replyeth to Moremans aunswere Yea quoth Moreman Hesychius calleth it bread because it was bread not because it is so And passing ouer Origen he came to Theodoretus sayd that men mistooke hys authoritie by interpreting a general into a special as Peter Martyr hath done in y e place of Theodoret interpretyng 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for substance Moremans auÌ„swere to Theodoreâ—tus which is a special signification of y e word whereas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a general word as well to accidence as to substane and therefore I answer thus vnto Theodoret y t the sacramental bread and wine do not go out of their former substance forme and shape that is to say not out of their accidentall substance and shape After this M. Cheyney sat him downe by and by M. Elmar stood vp as one that could not abide to heare so foÌ„d an answer to so graue an authoritie M Elmar argueth aâ—gaynst D. Moremans aunswere reasoned vpon the authoritie of Theodoret alledged before by M. Cheyney declared that Moremans aunswer to Theodoret was no iust nor sufficient answer but an illusion and a subtill euasion contrary to Theodorets meaning For said he if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should signify an accident in the place alledged as it is answered by M. Moreman then were it a word superfluous set in Theodoret there where do follow two other wordes which sufficiently do expound the accideÌ„ces of y e bread y t is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signify in English shape and forme so prooue out of the same author by diuers allegations Moremans shift is ouâ—â—throwen y t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek could not be so generally taken in that place as Moreman for a shift would haue it But Moreman as a man hauing no other salue for that sore affirmed stil that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth substance must needes signify an accidental substance properly To whose importunity since he could haue no other answer Elmar as a man wearied with his importunity gaue place After this stood vp Iohn Philpot and sayd Philpots replicatioâ— to Moremans shifâ— y t hee could prooue that by the matter that Theodoret intreateth of in the place aboue alledged and by the similitude whiche hee maketh to prooue his purpose by no meanes M. Moremans interpretation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might be taken for an accideÌ„tall substaunce as he for a shift would interprete it to be For the matter which Theodoret intreateth of in y t place The place of Theodâ—â—ret openeâ— is against Eutiches an hereticke whiche denied two natures of substance to remayne in Christ beyng one person and that his humanitie after the accomplishment of y e mysterie of our saluation ascendyng into heauen The arguâ—ment of Theodoreâ— a simili being ioined vnto the Diuinitie was absorpt or swalowed vp of y e same so that Christ should bee no more but of one deuine substance
then in question Which thing the Prolocutor perceiuyng by and by he forbade Philpot to make any Oration or declaration of any matter commanding him also that he should make no argument in Latin but to conclude on his arguments in English D. Weston contrary to his owne wordes Then said Philpot this is contrary to your order takeÌ„ at the beginning of this disputatioÌ„ For then you appointed that all the arguments should be made in Latine and thereupon I haue drawn and deuised all myne argumeÌ„ts in Latine And because you M. Prolocutor haue said heretofore openly in this house that I had no learning I had thoght to haue shewed such learning as I haue in a briefe Oration and short declaration of the questions now in coÌ„trouersie thinking it so most conuenient also that in case I should speake otherwise in my declaration then should stand with learnyng or then I were able to warrant and iustifie by gods word it might the better be refourmed by such as were learned of the house so that the vnlerned sort beyng present might take the lesse offence therat But this allegation preuayled nothyng with the Prolocutor who bade hym still forme an argument in Englishe or els to hold hys peace Then sayd Philpot You haue sore disappoynted me thus sodenly to go from your former order but I will accomplish your commandement leauyng myne oration apart and I wil come to my arguments the which as wel as so sodaine a warnyng will serue I will make in English The presence of Christ in the Sacrament distincted The true preseÌ„ce of Christ in the Sacrament not denyed But before I bring forth any argument I will in one word declare what maner of presence I disallow in the sacrament to the intent y e hearers may the better vnderstand to what end effect myne arguments shal tend not to deny vtterly the presence of Christ in his Sacrament truely ministred according to his institution but onely to deny that grosse carnal presence which you of this house haue alredy subscribed vnto to be in the sacrament of the aultar contrary to the true manifest meaning of the scriptures The grosse presence of the Papistes denyed that by Transubstantiation of the sacramentall bread and wyne Christes naturall body should by the vertue of the words pronounced by the Priest be conteyned and included vnder the formes or accidences of bread wyne This kind of presence imagined by men I do deny quoth Philpot and agaynst this I wyll reason But before he could make an end of that he would haue sayd he was interrupted of the Prolocutor and commaunded to descend to hys argument At whose vniust importunitie Philpot beyng offended and thinkyng to purchase hym a remedy therefore Philpot craueth of the Lordes 〈◊〉 prosecute his argumentes without interruptioÌ„ Philpot agayne interrupted by the Prolocutor he fell downe vpon hys knees before the Earles and Lordes which were there present beyng a great number wherof some were of the Queenes counsaile beseechyng them that he might haue libertie to prosecute hys arguments without interruption of any man the which was gently graunted hym of the Lordes But the Prolocutor puttyng in vre a poynt of the practise of Prelates would not condescend therunto but still cryed hold your peace or els make a short argument I am about it quoth Philpot if you would let me alone But first I must needes aske a question of my Respondent who was D. Chedsey concerning a word or twaine of your supposition that is of the sacrament of the aultar what he meaneth thereby and whether he take it as some of the ancient writers doe Altar diuersly taken termyng the Lordes Supper the Sacrament of the aultar partly because it is a Sacrament of that liuelye sacrifice which Christ offered for our sinnes vpon the aultar of the Crosse and partly because that Christes body crucified for vs was that bloudy sacrifice which the bloudsheddyng of all the beastes offered vpon the aultar in the old lawe dyd prefigurate and signify vnto vs in signification whereof the old writers sometime do call the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ among other names which they ascribe there vnto the sacrament of the aultar or whether you take it otherwyse as for the sacrament of the aultare which is made of lime and stone ouer the which the sacrament hangeth and to be all one with the sacrament of the Masse as it is at this present in many places This done I wyll direct mine arguments according as your answer shall geue me occasion Then made D. Chedsey this answer Chadsey that in their supposition they tooke the sacrament of the aultar and the sacrament of the Masse to be all one Then quoth Philpot I wyll speake plaine English as M. Prolocutor willeth me and make a short resolutioÌ„ therof that the sacrament of the aultar which ye recken to be all one with the masse once iustly abolished now put in full vse agayne is no sacrament at all neither is Christ in any wyse present in it and this his sayeng he offred to prooue before the whole house if they listed to cal him therunto and likewyse offered to vouche the same before the Queenes grace her most honourable Counsaile before the face of vj. of the best learned men of the house of the contrary opinion and refused none And if I shall not be able quoth he to maintayne by Gods word that I haue said confound those vj. which shall take vpon them to withstand me in this poynt let me be burned with as many fagots as be in London before the court gates This he vttred with great vehemency of spirit At this the Prolocutor with diuers other were very much offended demanding of hym whether he wist what he sayd or no Yea quoth Philpot I wote well what I say desiring no maÌ„ to be offended with his saying for that he spake no more theÌ„ by gods word he was able to proue Philpots offer in the Conuocatiâ—â— house And praysed be God quoth he that the Queenes grace hath granted vs of this house as our Prolocutor hath informed vs that wee may freely vtter our consciences in these matters of controuersie in Religion and therfore I will speake here my conscience freely grounded vpoÌ„ gods holy worde for the truth albeit some of you here present mislike the same Then diuers of the house beside the Prolocutor taunted reprehended hym for speaking so vnfaringly against the Sacrament of the Masse The Prolocutor threâ—neth Philâ—pot and the Prolocutor sayd he was mad threatned hym that he would send hym to prison if he would not cease hys speakyng Philpot seeyng hymselfe thus abused Argument a loco tropico carceris not permitted with free liberty to declare his mynd fel into an exclamation castyng his eyes vp towards the heauen and said O Lord what a world is this that the truth of thy
Require you any plainer words doeth he not say it is his body Iane. I graunt hee sayeth so and so he sayth I am the vine I am the doore Rom. 4. but hee is neuer the more for that the dore not the vine Doth not S. Paul say He calleth things that are not as though they were God forbid that I should say that I eat the very naturall body and bloud of Christ for then eyther I should plucke away my redeÌ„ption either els there were two bodies or two Christes One body was tormeÌ„ted on the Crosse. And if they did eate an other body then had hee two bodies either els if his body were eaten than was it not broken vpon the Crosse or if it were broken vpon the Crosse it was not eaten of his Disciples Feck Why is it not possible that Christe by hys power coulde make his body both to be eaten and broken as to be borne of a woman wythout seede of man and as to walke vppon the sea hauing a body and other suche like myracles as he wrought by his power onely Iane. Yes verely Christ 〈◊〉 power to turne the bread into his body no argument to proue that he 〈◊〉 so if God would haue done at his Supper any myracle he myght haue done so but I say that then he minded no worke nor myracle but onely to breake his body and shed his bloud on the Crosse for our sinnes But I pray you to answere me to thys one question where was Christ when he sayd Take eate this is my body Was hee not at the table when he sayde so Hee was at that time alyue and suffered not till the next day What tooke he but bread What brake he but breade and what gaue hee but breade Looke what he tooke he brake and looke what hee brake he gaue and looke what he gaue they did eate and yet all this while he himselfe was aliue and at Supper before his disciples or else they were deceiued Feck You ground your faith vppon such authours as say and vnsay both with a breath and not vpon the Church Fecknaâ— goeth from the word 〈◊〉 the churcâ— to whom ye ought to geue credite Iane. No I grounde my faith on Gods woorde and not vpon the Churche For if the Churche be a good Churche Fayth to groundeâ— vppon the word and not vpon the church the faith of the Churche must be tried by Gods worde and not Goddes woorde by the Churche either yet my Faithe Shall I beleeue the Churche because of antiquitye or shal I geue credite to the Churche that taketh away from mee the halfe parte of the Lordes Supper and will not lette any man receiue it in both kindes A note 〈◊〉 the false 〈◊〉 Church Whych thing if they denie to vs then denie they to vs part of our saluation And I saye that it is an euill Churche and not the Spouse of Christ but the Spouse of the Deuill that altereth the Lordes Supper and both taketh from it and addeth to it To that Church say I God will adde plagues and from that Church will he take their parte out of the booke of life Doe they learne that of S. Paule when he ministred to the Corinthians in both kindes Shall I beleeue this Churche God forbid Feck That was done for a good intent of the Churche to auoide an heresie that sprong on it Gods 〈◊〉 not to be altered 〈◊〉 good â—â—tentes Iane. Why shal the church alter Gods wil ordinance for a good inteÌ„t How did king Saul The Lord God defend With these and such like persuasions he would haue had her leaue to the Church but it woulde not be There were many more things whereof they reasoned but these were the chiefest After this Fecknam tooke his leaue saying that he was sory for her For I am sure quoth he that we two shall neuer meete Iane. True it is sayd she that we shall neuer meete except God turne your hart The wordes 〈◊〉 spoken 〈◊〉 For I am assured vnlesse you repent and turne to God you are in an euill case and I pray God in the bowels of his mercy to send you his holy spirite for he hath geuen you his great gift of vtterance if it pleased him also to open the eyes of your hart ¶ A letter of the Lady Iane sent vnto her father FAther although it hath pleased God to hasten my death by you by whome my life should rather haue bene lengthened yet can I so patiently take it 〈◊〉 Ianes 〈◊〉 sent to her father as I yeeld God more harty thankes for shortening my wofull dayes then if all the world had bene geuen into my possession with life lengthened at my owne will And albeit I am well assured of your impacient dolours redoubled manyfold wayes both in bewayling your owne woe and especially as I heare my vnfortunate state yet my deare father if I may without offence reioyce in my owne mishaps me seemes in this I may accompt my selfe blessed that washing my handes with the innocencie of my fact my giltles bloud may cry before the Lord mercy to the innocent And yet though I must needes acknowledge that being constrayned and as you wot well inough continually assayed in taking vpon me I seemed to consent and therein greeuously offended the Queene and her lawes yet do I assuredly trust that this mine offence towards God is so much the lesse in that being in so royall estate as I was mine enforced honour being neuer with mine innocent hart And thus good father I haue opened vnto you the state wherein I presently stand Whose death at hand although to you perhaps it may seme right wofull to me there is nothing that can be more welcome then from this vale of miserie to aspire to that heauenly throne of all ioy and pleasure with Christ our Sauiour This Parenthesis includeth with a praier a priuy admonition to her father that he fall not from his religion In whose stedfast fayth if it may be lawfull for the daughter so to write to the Father the Lord that hetherto hath strengthened you so continue you that at the last we may meete in heauen with the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost At what time her father was florishing in freedome and prosperitie in the time of King Edward there belonged vnto him a certayne learned man student and Graduate of the Uniuersitie of Oxford Who then being Chaplayne to the sayd Duke and a sincere Preacher as he appeared of the Gospell according to the doctrine of that time set foorth and receiued shortly after that the state of Religion began to alter by Queene Mary altered also in his profession with the time and of a Protestant became a friend and defender of the Popes proceedings At whose sodayne mutation and inconstant mutabilitie February this Christian Lady being not a little agreeued and most of all lamenting the daungerous state of his soule in sliding
euill disposed persons being borne out of her highnes dominions in other sondry nations flyeng from the obeysaunce of the Princes and Rulers vnder whome they be borne some for heresie some for murther treason robbery and some for other horrible crimes be resorted into this her maiesties Realme and heere haue made theyr demour and yet be commoraunt and lingring partly to eschew such conding punishment as their said horrible crimes deserue and partly to dilate plant and sowe the seedes of their malicious doctrine and lewd conuersation among the good subiectes of this her said Realme of purpose to infect her good subiectes with the like in so much as besides innumerable heresies which diuers of the same beeing heretickes haue preached and taught within her highnes sayd Realme it is assuredly knowne vnto her Maiesty Causes layd agaynst straungers that not only their secret practises haue not fayled to stirre comfort and ayde dyuers her highnes subiectes to this most vnnaturall rebellion against God and her grace but also some other of them desist not still to practise with her people eftsoones to rebell her Maiestie therefore hauing as afore is sayd knowledge and intelligence heereof hath for remedie heerein determined and most straightly chargeth and commaundeth that all and euery such person or persons borne out of her highnes dominions now commoraunt or resident within this Realme of whatsoeuer Nation or Countrey beeing eyther Preacher Printer Bookeseller or other Artificer or of whatsoeuer calling else not being Denizen or Marchant knowne vsing the trade of Marchaundize or seruaunt to such Ambassadours as be liegers heere from the Princes and states ioyned in league with her grace shall within 24. dayes after this Proclamation auoyde the Realme vpon payne of most greeuous punishment by enprisonment and forfayture and confiscation of all their goodes and moueables and also to be delyuered vnto their natuâ—all Princes or Rulers agaynst whose persons or lawes they haue offended Geuing to all Mayors Sheriffes Bayliffes Constables and all other her ministers officers and good subiectes straightly also in charge if they knowe any such person not borne in the Queenes highnes dominion◠〈◊〉 before excepted that shall after the time and day limitted in â—his Proclamation tarry within thys Realme that they shall apprehende the same person or persons and commit him or them to 〈◊〉 there to remayne without bayle or mayneprise till her graces pleasure or her Counsayles be signifyed vnto them for the further ordering of the sayde person or persons And that if any of her sayde officers after the sayd 24. dayes apprehend take or knowe of any such they shall with diligence immediatly certifie her sayd Counsell thereof to the intent order may forthwith be geueÌ„ for their punishmeÌ„t according In the meane while vpoÌ„ the Proclamation before mencioned not only y e strangers in K. Edwards time receiued into the Realme for Religion Pet. Martir and Iohannes Alasco banished the realme amoÌ„g whoÌ„ was Pet. Martir Iohn Alasco vncle to the King of Poleland but many Englishmen fled some to Freeseland some to Cleueland some to high Germany where they were diuersly scattered into diuers companies congregations at Wesell at Frankford Emden Markpurgh Strausborough Basill Arow Zurich Geneua and other places where by the prouidence of God they were al susteined and there entertained with greater fauour among strangers abroad Englishmen fled out of the realm for religion The number of English exiles well neare 800. persons March 15. Lady Elizabeth and Lord Courtney vpon suspicion of Syr Thom. Wyats rising committed to the Tower then they could be in their owne countrey at home welneare to the number of 800. persons Students other together In the saide moneth of March the Lorde Courtney Earle of Deuonshire whome the Queene at her first entring deliuered out of the Tower and Lady Elizabeth also the Queenes Sister were both in suspection to haue consented to Wiats conspiracie and for the same this March were apprehended and committed to the Tower Touching the imprisonment of which Lady Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney thou shalt note heere for thy learning good Reader a politicke point of practise in Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Wint. not vnworthy to be considered This Gardiner being alwayes a capitall enemie to the Lady Elizabeth and thinking â—owe by the occasion of maister Wyate to picke out some matter against the Lorde Courtney and so in the end to entangle the Lady Elizabeth deuised a pestilent practise of conueyance as in the story heere following may appeare The story is this The same day that Sir Tho. Wyate died A poynt 〈◊〉 practise 〈◊〉 Ste. Garâ—â—â—ner agaynâ—â— the Lady â—â—lizabeth he desired the Lieutenant to bring him to the presence of the Lord Courtney Who there before the Lieutenaunte and the Sheriffes kneeling downe vpon his knees besought the Lorde Courtney to forgeue him for that he had falsly accused both the Lady Elizabeth and him and so being brought from thence vnto the scaffold to suffer there openly in the hearing of all the people cleared the Lady Elizabeth and the Lorde Courtney to be free and innocente from all suspition of that commotion At which confession D. Westoâ— against 〈◊〉 Lady Eliâ—â—â—beth Doctor Weston there standing by cryed to the people saying Beleeue him not good people for he confessed otherwise before vnto the Counsell After the execution done of Sir Thomas Wyat which was the 11. day of Aprill word was brought immediately to the Lord Maior Sir Thomas White a little before dinner The Lorâ— Mayors iudgemeâ—â— of D. Weâ—ston how maister Wyate had cleared the Lady Elizabeth and Lorde Courtney and the wordes also which Doctor Weston spake vnto the people wherunto the Lord Maior aunswering Is this true quoth he said Weston so In sooth I neuer tooke him otherwise but for a knaue Upon this the Lord Maior sitting downe to dinner who dyned the same day at the Bridgehouse commeth in Sir Martin Bowes with the Recorder newly come from the Parliament house who hearing of the Maior and Sheriffes this report of Wiats confession both vpon the Scaffold and also in the Tower marueiled thereat declaring how there was another tale contrary to this told the same day in the Parliament house which was that Sir Thomas Wyate should desire the Lord Courtney to confesse the truth so as he had done before Upon this it followed not loÌ„g after that a certaine prentice dwelling in S. Laurence lane named Cut as he was drinking with one DenhaÌ„ a plasterer being one of Quene Maries seruaunts amongst other talke made mentioÌ„ how Sir Thomas Wyate had cleared the Lady Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney to be no coÌ„senters to his rising Which wordes being brought to Gardiner by what meanes I know not incoÌ„tinent vpon the same Cut preâ—â—tise in Lâ—â—â—doÌ„ brouâ—â—â— before 〈◊〉 Gardineâ— Syr Andrew Iudde was sent by the sayd Bishop to y e Lord Maior commaunding him to bring the said prentise
great sorte of people he made low curtesie and sayd sir your Maistership is welcome to towne Salutation to the Roode of Paules I had thought to haue talked further with your Maistership but that ye be here clothed in the Queenes colours I hope yee bee but a sommers byrd in that ye be dressed in white and greene c. The Prince thus being in the Church of Paules after Doctour Harpesfield had finished his Oration in Latine set forwarde through Fleetestreete and so came to White hall where he with the Queene remayned four dayes after and from thence remoued vnto Richmond After this all the Lords had leaue to departe into theyr countreies with straite commaundement to bring all their harnesse and artillery into the Tower of London with all speede Now remained there no English Lord at the court but the Byshop of Winchester From Richmond they remoued to Hampton Court where the hall doore within the Court was continually shut so that no man might enter vnlesse his arrand were first knowne which seemed straunge to English men that had not bene vsed thereto About the eight day of September Byshop Bouer began his visitation Septemb. 3. who charged vj. men in euery parish to inquire according to their othes and to present before him the day after S. Mathewes day being the xxij of September all such persons as either had or should offend in any of his Articles which he had set forth to the number of 37. Of the whiche visitation of Boner I haue somewhat more largely to entreate after that first I shall ouerpasse a few other things folowing in course of this present story The xvij day of September was a Proclamation in London Septemb. 17. that all Uacabonds and masterâ—es men as well straungers as Englishmen should depart the Citie within fiue dayes straitly charging all Inholders Uictuallers Tauerners and Alehousekeepers with all other that sell victuals that they after the said fiue dayes should not sell any meate drinke or any kind of victuall to any Seruingman whatsoeuer vnlesse he brought a testimoniall from his Maister to declare whose seruaunt he was and were in continuall houshold with his sayd Mayster vpon payne to runne in daunger of the law if they offend herein Uppon the Sonday following beeyng the xxx daye of September Septemb. 30. the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chauncellour of England preached at Paules Crosse at whose Sermon were present all the CouÌ„sell that were at the Court The B. of Winchester preacheth namelye the Marques of Winchester the Earle of Arundell Lord North Sir Anthony Browne Maister Rochester Maister Walgraue Maister Englefild Lord Fitzwaters and Secretary Peter the Bishop of London Duresme Ely which iij. sate vnder the Bishops armes The Gospell wherof he made his Sermon is writteÌ„ in the xxij cha of Math. Where the Phariseis came vnto Christ amoÌ„gst them one asked Christ which was the greatest commaundement Christ aunswered Thou shalt loue thy Lorde God with all thy hart c. and thy neighbour as thy selfe in these two is comprehended the Lawe and the Prophetes After his long declaration of these wordes speaking very much of loue and charitie at the last he had occasion vpon S. Iames his wordes to speake of the true teachers and of the false teachers saying that all the Preachers almost in King Edwards tyme preached nothing but voluptuousnesse A blasphemous mouth agaynst the true preachers of Gods word and filthy and blasphemous lyes affirming their doctrine to be that false doctrine whereof S. Iames speaketh saying that it was full of peruerse zeale earthly full of discord and discensioÌ„ that the preachers aforenamed would report nothing truly that they taught that it was lawfull for a man to put awaye his wyfe for adultery and marry another The church neuer confessed the naturall body of Christ so to be in the Sacrament that the substaunce of bread was taken away before the time of pope Innocent the 3. anno 1215 Winchester preacheth in commendation of king Phillip and that if a man vowed to day he might breake it to morrowe at hys pleasure wyth many other thyngs which I omit And when he spoke of the Sacrament he sayd that all the Church from the beginning haue coÌ„fessed Christes natural body to be in heauen here to be in the SacrameÌ„t and so concluded that matter then willed al men to say with Iosephs brethren Peccauimus in fratrem We haue all sinned against our brother and so sayd he haue I to Then he declared what a noble King Queene we haue saying that if he should go about to shew that the King came hether for no necessitie or neede what he had brought w t him it should be superfluous seing it is euideÌ„tly known that he hath x. times as much as we are in hope possession of affirming him to be as wise sober gentle temperate a Prince as euer was in EnglaÌ„d and if it were not so proued then to take him for a false liar for his so saying Exhorting all men to make much of him to wynne him whylest we had him and so should we also winne all such as he hath brought with him and so made an ende Upon the Tuesday following being the seconde day of October xx carts came from Westminster laden as it was noysed with gold and siluer and certain of the Gard with them through the Citie to the Tower and there it was receiued in by a Spanyard who was the Kings Treasurer and had custody of it within the Tower It was matted about with mattes and mayled in little bundels about two foote long and almost halfe a foote thicke and euery cart were sixe of those bundels What it was in deede God knoweth for it is to vs vncertayne Aboute the same time or a little before vppon Corpus Christi day the processioÌ„ being made in Smithfield Ioh. 〈◊〉 where after the manner the Priest with his boxe went vnder the Canapy by chaunce there came by the way a certaine simple man named Iohn Streate a ioyner of ColemaÌ„ streete who hauing some hast in his busines The 〈◊〉 worse 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 and finding no other way to passe through by chaunce went vnder the Canapy by the Priest The Priest seeing the man so to presume to come vnto the Canapy being belike afraid and worse feared then hurt for feare let his Pixe fall downe The 〈◊〉 let the 〈◊〉 fall for feare The poore man being straight wayes apprehended was had to the Counter the Priest accusing him vnto the Counsayle as though he had come to slay him wheÌ„ as y e poore man as he himselfe hath since declared vnto vs had no such thought euer in his mind Then from the Counter he was had vnto Newgate where he was cast into the Dongeon Ioh. 〈◊〉 innoceâ—â— cast in the Dungeâ—â— there chayned to a post where he was cruelly miserably handled so
this romish Idolatry When he had thus said they with weping teares prayed together and kissed one the other His last token to his wyfe and his sonne he gaue to his wife a booke of the Church seruice set out by Kyng Edward which in the time of his imprisonment he daylye vsed And vnto his sonne Thomas he gaue a Latin booke cōteining the notable sayings of the old martyrs gathered out of Ecclesiastica historia in the end of that book he wrote his Testament and last Vale as hereafter foloweth ¶ The last will and Testament of Doctor Rowland Taylour Parson of Hadley D. Taylours will and testament written in the booke which he gaue to his sonne Iob. 1.2 Apoc. 14. Luke 12. I Say to my wife and to my children The Lord gaue you vnto me and the Lord hath taken me from you and you from me blessed be the name of the Lord. I beleue that they are blessed which dye in the Lord. God careth for Sparowes and for the heares of our heades I haue euer founde him more faythfull and fauorable thē is any father or husband Trust ye therefore in him by the meanes of our deare Sauior Christes merites beleue loue feare and obey him pray to him for he hath promised to helpe Count me not dead for I shall certainely liue and neuer dye I go before and you shal folow after to our long home I go to the rest of my children Susan George Ellen Robert and Zachary I haue bequeathed you to the onely omnipotent I say to my deare frendes of Hadley and to all other which haue heard me preache A pure consciēce fully quieted that I depart hence with a quiet conscience as touching my doctrine for the which I pray you thanke God w t me For I haue after my little talent declared to other those lesiōs y t I gathered out of gods booke the blessed Bible Therfore if I or any Aungell from heauen should preach to you any other Gospell then that ye haue receiued Gods great curse vpon that Preacher Beware for Gods sake that ye deny not God A graue warning agaynst Popery neyther decline from the word of fayth lest God decline from you so do ye euerlastingly perishe For Gods sake beware of Popery for though it appeare to haue in it vnitye yet the same is in vanity and Antichristianity and not in Christs fayth and verity Beware of the sinne agaynst the holy ghost The sinne agaynst the holy Ghost now after such a light opened so playnly and simply truly throughly and generally to all England The Lord graunt all men his good and holy spirit encrease of his wisedome contemning the wicked world A godly prayer harty desire to be with God the heauenly company through Iesus Christ our only Mediator Aduocate righteousnes life sanctification and hope Amen Amen Pray Pray ¶ Rowland Taylour departing hence in sure hope without all doubting of eternal saluatiō I thāke God my heauenly father through Iesus Christe my certeine Sauiour Amen The 5. of February Anno. 1555. Psalme 27. The Lord is my lighte and my saluation whome then shall I feare Roma 8. God is he that iustifieth who is he that can condemne Psalm 30. In thee O Lord haue I trusted let me neuer be confounded On the next morow after that Doct. Tailour had supped with his wife in the Counter as is before expressed which was the fift day of February the Shiriffe of London with his Officers came to the Counter by two of the clocke in the morning and so brought forth Doctor Taylour and without any light lead him to the Wolsacke an Inne without Algate D. Taylours wife suspecting that her husband should that night be caried away watched all night within S. Butolphes Churchporch beside Algate hauing with her two children D. Taylour lead from the Coūter by night toward Hadley the one named Elizabeth of xiiij yeares of age whom being left without father or mother Doctour Taylour had brought vp of almes from iij. yeares olde the other named Mary D. Taylours owne daughter Now when the Shiriffe his company came against S. Butolphes church The last meeting and leaue-taking with his wyfe and children Elizabeth cried saying O my deare father Mother mother here is my father led away Then cried his wife Rowland Rowland where art thou for it was a very darcke morning that the one could not see the other D. Taylour aunswered deare wife I am here and stayed The Shiriffes men would haue led him forth but the Shiriffe sayd This Sheriffe was M. Chester stay a litle maysters I pray you and let him speake with his wife and so they stayed Then came she to him and he tooke his daughter Mary in his armes and hee his wife and Elizabeth kneeled downe sayd the Lordes prayer At which sight the Sheriffe wept apase so did diuers other of y e company After they had prayd he rose vp kissed his wife shooke her by the hand sayd Farewell my deare wife be of good cōfort for I am quiet in my conscience God shal stirre vp a father for my children And then he kissed his daughter Mary and sayd God blesse thee and make thee his seruant kissing Elizabeth he sayde God blesse thee I pray you all stande strong stedfast vnto Christ his word keepe you from idolatry Thē said his wife God be with thee deare Rowland I will with Gods grace meet thee at Hadley And so was he led forth to the Woolsacke and his Wife folowed him As soone as they came to the Woolsacke hee was put into a chamber wherein he was kept with foure Yeomen of the Gard and the Shiriffes men Doctor Tailor as soone as he was come into the chamber fell downe on his knees gaue himselfe wholy to prayer The Sheriffe then seing D. Taylours wife there The Shrieffes gentlenes shewed to the womā would in no case graunt her to speake any more with her husband but gētly desired her to go to his house and take it as her owne promised her she should lack nothing sent two Officers to conduct her thither Notwithstanding she desired to go to her mothers whither the Officers led her and charged her mother to keep her there till they came agayne Thus remayned Doctour Taylour in the Woolsacke kept by the Shiriffe and his company D. Taylour brought to the signe of the Woolsacke till 11. of the clocke At which time the Sheriffe of Essex was ready to receyue him and so they set him on horseback within the Inne the gates being shut At the comming out of the gates Iohn Hull before spokē of stood at the rayles with Thomas Doctour Taylours sonne When Doctour Taylour saw them he called them saying Come hither my sonne Thomas And Iohn Hull lifted the child vp and set him on the horse before hys father And Doct. Taylour put
gift of spirit and courage God had geuen to this godly and blessed martyr At what time Doctour Taylour was depriued of hys benefice of Hadley there was one called Syr Robert Bracher a false pretensed Protestant in king Edwardes dayes and afterward a deadly enemy to the same ReligioÌ„ who was also one of them that so vnmercifully thrust Doctor Taylors wife and children out of the dores as she her selfe yet can testify notwithstanding the same now since became a Protestant agayne This Syr Robert Bracher aforesayde Syr Robâ—â—â— Bracherâ— coÌ„ming 〈◊〉 Hadley comming to Hadley to the buriall of a certayne frend of his and Gods great enemy one Walter Clarke albeit he came somewhat to late to the market as he sayd yet desirous to vtter such Popishe pelfe and packeware as he brought with him hee opened there his baggage of pestilent doctrine A popisâ— Sermon Syr 〈◊〉 Bracher preaching in the same towne of Hadley agaynst iustification of fayth of the corporall presence of praying for the dead and Auricular confession Whereof Doctour Taylour hauing vnderstanding by Letters writeth agayn to them of Hadley directing his Letter to his wife in confutation of the sayde Popish poysoned Sermon the Copy of which Letter we thought not vnworthy here in the ende of this story to bee annexed as vnder foloweth ¶ A Letter of Doctor Taylour of Hadley written to his wife DEare wife This cap was a 〈◊〉 cap sent M· Couâ—â—dale to 〈◊〉 Taylor 〈◊〉 his wyfe I pray God be euer with vs through Christ our onely Mediator Amen I thanke you for my cap I am something proud of it for it is one steppe from the Clergy in these dayes I thanke God my hart is cleane deuided from theyr proceedinges for I knowe that no man can serue two maisters specially if they agree no better theÌ„ Christ and Antichrist do I am glad that Hadley can skill of such packing ware as was brought thether the first day of May last past Christes sheepe can discerne Christes voyce from the voice of straungers theeues or hirelings The packebringer was sory that he came to late to the funerall market of his faithfull friend· But here I will leaue them both to Gods iudgement and somethyng touch the matter whereof the packer made mention on his openyng day At the first he called the Scripture as I heare full of darke sentences but in deed it is called of Dauid a candle to our feete and a light to our pathes Our Sauior Christ calleth hys word the light which euill doers do flee from and hate least their deeds should be reprooued thereby S. Paule would haue vs to walke as children of light and in any wyse not to continue in ignorance or darkenes But all we in the world pertaine to two princes eyther to the father of light truth or els to the prince of darkenes and lyes In these dayes preachers declare euidently of whome they are sent and with what spirit they speake to what prince they belong 〈◊〉 stripe 〈◊〉 falsely 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 to be â—eare and 〈◊〉 For they cry out against Gods Lightes Sunne Moone Starres torches lampes lanternes cressets and candles in Gods booke the Bible prouided of Gods great goodnes and mercy to auoyd all foule darknes cloudes and mistes or dangerous doutfull wayes in this our iourney to our heaueÌ„ly father long home mansion houses and dearely purchased heritage Esay gods faithfull messenger sayth Woe be vnto them that call sweete sower good euill and light darkenes Therfore commeth my people into captiuitie because they haue no vnderstanding Our Sauiour Christ pronounceth errours and heresies to remaine among the people so long as ignorance of the scriptures remayneth And hereby it appeareth to all good consciences what they meane which defame or accuse Gods blessed word beyng full of light as though it were full of darkenes These Owles would haue all day lights scraped out of bookes hartes and Churches Oh Lord turne their heartes and tongues bowe them from the waye of darkenesse least they goe to the prince of darkenesse and be cast into the pit of vtter darkenes where is weepyng and gnashyng of teeth Now touching the packes of wooll and the packes of cloth I feare they were as all other wares bee transubstantiate into flockes The Popes packe ware Iustification by workes Corporall pâ—esence Praying for soules Auricular confession euen his very finest packing stuffe against onely faith iustifieng and for the corporal presence of Christes body in the sacrament for praying for soules departed and for auricular confession Abrahams iustification by fayth by grace by promise and not by workes is plainly set forth both in the epistle to the Rom. cap. 4. and to the Gal. ca. 3. and Abrahams works of obedience in offring vp his sonne so long after his iustification must needes be taken as a fruite of a good tree iustifieng before men and not of iustification before God for then had man to glory in then dyd Christ die in vayne And where as the 6 chap. of Iohn was alledged to proue that Christ did geue his body corporally in his supper eueÌ„ as he had promised in the sayd 6. chap. it is most vntrue Against the corporall presence For onely he gaue his body sacramentally spiritually and effectually in his supper to the faythfull Apostles and corporally he gaue it in a bloudy sacrifice for the lyfe of the worlde vppon the crosse once for all There in hys owne person Chrâ—sts body geuen in the Supper spiritually vpon the croâ—se corporally in hys owne naturall body he bare all our sinnes By whose stripes we were healed as S. Peter proueth 1. Pet. 2. and Esay 53. In deed receiuyng Christs sacrament accordingly as it was instituted we receyue Christes body Christs bloud euen as I sayd before the Apostles dyd But the popish Masse is another matter The Masse as it is now is but one of Antichrists youngest daughters in the which the deuill is rather present and receyued Against the Masse The Masse the Popes youngest daâ—ghter Dâ—scription of the popes â—ingdome then our sauiour the second person in Trinitie God and man O Lord God heauenly father for Christes sake we beseeche thee to turne agayne England to the right way it was in in K. Edwards tyme from this Babylonicall stewish spirituall whoredome conspiracie tyranny detestable enormities false doctrine heresie hardnes of hart and coÌ„tempt of thy word and commaundements from this euident and open idolatry sacriledge simonie blasphemy superstition hypocrisie transubstantiate angell of lyght and day deuill kyngdome of lyes foule vayne schismes sects sedition apostasie gay sweete poyson honied and sugred viperous venome wily woluishnesse sathanicall subtletie and abhomination in the sight of God and of all such as put on the true spectacles of holy scripture I am the more playne now in this matter because I feare greatly that many will be to much ready to go from Christ to
others to be brought before the honourable Earle of Darby to be examined in matters of Religion c. I knowing by this relatioÌ„ of diuers of my frends was diuersly affected my mother and other my frendes aduertising me to flee and to auoid the perill which thing I had intended afore after a weeke then nexte ensuing if thys in the meane while had not chaunced seeing that if I were takeÌ„ and would not recant in matters of religion as they thought I would not and as God strengthening and assisting me with his holy spirit I neuer wyll it woulde not onely haue put theÌ„ to great sorow heauines losses with costes and charges to theyr shame rebuke in this world but also mine owne selfe after troubles and paynfull prisonment vnto shamefull death This considered G. Marsâ— in a peâ—plexitye whether flye or to tarry they aduised me couÌ„selled me to depart flie y e couÌ„try as I had entended to haue done if this had not happened To whose couÌ„sel my weak flesh would gladly haue coÌ„sented but my spirit did not fully agree thinking and saying thus to my selfe that if I fled so away it would be thought reported and sayd that I did not onely flie the countrey and my nearest and dearest frendes but much rather from Christes holy worde according as these yeares past I had with my hart or at least with mine ouâ—ward liuing professed and with my mouth word taught according to the small talent geuen me of the Lord. I being thus with theyr aduise couÌ„sell and the cogitations counselles of mine owne minde drawne as it were diuers wayes went trom my mothers house saying I woulde come agayne at euening In the meane time I ceased not by earnest prayer to aske and seeke counsell of God who is the geuer of al good gyftes and of other my frendes whose godly iudgemeÌ„tes and knowledge I much trusted vnto After this I mette with one of my sayd frends on Deane Moore about sunne goyng downe and after we had consulted together of my busines not without harty prayer kneeling on our knees we departed I not fully determinyng what to doe but taking my leaue with my frende sayde I doubted not but God according as our prayer and trust was would geue me such wisedome and counsell as should be most to hys honor and glory the profite of my neighbors and brethren in the worlde and obâ—eining of mine eternall saluation by Christ in heauen This done I returned to my mothers house agayne where had bene diuers of M. Bartons seruantes seekyng after me who when they could not finde me G. Marsh consulted with 〈◊〉 straitly charged my brother and William Marsh to seek me that night and to bring me to Smethehilles the next day who beyng so charged were gone to seeke me in Adderton or elswhere I know not Thus intending afore to haue bene all night with my mother but theÌ„ coÌ„sidering that my tarying there would disquiet her with her householde I departed from thence 〈◊〉 â—â—ethren â—â—arged to 〈◊〉 him â—he marueâ—â—â—â— prouiâ—ence of 〈…〉 and went beyond Deane Church and there taried all night with an old frend of mine taking ill rest and consulting much with my selfe of my trouble So at my first awaking one came to me from a faythfull frend of mine with letters which I neuer read nor yet looked on who sayd this My frendes aduise was that I should in no wise flie but abide boldly confesse the fayth of Iesus Christ. At whose wordes I was so confirmed established in my conscience that from thenceforth I consulted no more whether was better to flie or to tarye but was at a poynt with my selfe that I woulde not flye but go to maister Barton who did seeke for me and there present my selfe and paciently beare suche crosse as it shoulde please God to lay vpon my shoulders WherupoÌ„ my mind and conscience afore being much vnquieted and troubled was now mery and in quiet estate So betimes in the morning I arose and after I had sayd the English Letany as my custome was with other prayers kneeling on my knees by my frendes beddeside I prepared my selfe to goe towarde Smethehilles and as I was going thitherward I went into the houses of Harry Widdowes G. Marsh 〈◊〉 his leaue of his 〈◊〉 of my mother in law of Rafe Yeton and of the wife of Thomas Richardsonne desiring them to pray for me and haue me commended to all my frendes and to comfort my mother and be good to my litle children for as I supposed they should not see my face any more before y e last day so tooke my leaue of theÌ„ not without teares shed on both parties G. Marsh of his owne voluntary minde offereth himself to his enemies and came to Smethehilles about 9. of the clocke presented my selfe afore M. Barton who shewed me a letter from the Earle of Darby wherin he was commaunded to send me with others to Lathum Wherupon he charged my brother and William Marsh to bring and deliuer me the next day by x. of the clocke before the sayd Earle or his Counsell I made earnest sute with other speciall frendes which I had there at the same time to M. Barton that he woulde take some one of them or them all bound by recognisaunce or otherwise for mine appearing before the sayd Earle or his sayd Counsell that my brother William Marsh might be at home because it was the chiefest time of seding their ploughes could not go if they wer not at home but nothing could be obteined G. Marsh taketh his leaue of his mother So we went to my mothers and there I dyned shifted part of my clothes and so praying took my leaue of my mother the wife of Richard Marsh and both theyr householdes they and I both weping so departed from them and went toward Lathum and were al night a mile and a halfe on this side Lathum So the next daye whiche was Wednesday we arose prayd came to Lathum betimes and taryed there till foure of the clocke at afternoone TheÌ„ was I called by Roger Mckinson to come to my Lord and his counsell so I was brought into the chamber of presence where was present Syr William Nores Syr Pierce Alee G. Marsh brought before the Earle of Darby Mayster Shereburne the Parson of Grapenhall mayster More with others Where when I had taryed a litle while my Lord turned him toward me and asked what was my name I aunswered Marsh. Then he asked whether I was one of those that sowed euill seed and dissention amongest the people Which thing I denied desiring to know mine accusers and what could be layd agaynst me G. Marsh examined before the Earle of Darby but that I could not know Then sayd he he would with his counsell examine me themselues asked me whether I was a priest I sayd no. Then he asked me what
had bene my liuing I aunswered I was a Minister serued a Cure and taught a schole Then sayd my Lord to his Counsell this is a wonderfull thing Afore he sayd he was no Priest and now he confesseth himselfe to be one I aunswered by the lawes now vsed in this Realme as farre as I do know I am none Then they asked me who gaue me orders or whether I had taken any at all I aunswered I receiued orders of the Bishops of London and Lincolne Then sayd they one to an other those be of these new heretickes and asked me what acquayntaunce I had with them I aunswered I neuer sawe them but at the tyme when I receiued orders They asked me how long I had bene Curate whether I had ministred with a good conscience I aunswered I had bene Curate but one yere and had ministred with a good conscience I thanked God and if the Lawes of the Realme would haue suffered me I would haue ministred still This blasphemous mouth of the paâ—son of Grapnal if the lawes at any time hereafter woulde suffer me to minister after that sort I would minister agayne Whereat they murmured and the person of Grapnall sayd this last Communion was the most deuilishe thing that euer was deuised Then they asked me what my beliefe was I answered I beleued in God the Father the Sonne the holy Ghost according as the Scriptures of the olde and new testament do teach and according as the 4. Symboles or Creedes that is to wit the Creed commonly called Apostolorum the Creed of Nice Councell of Athanasius and of Austen and Ambrose do teach And after a few wordes the parson of Grapnall sayd but what is thy beliefe in the Sacrament of the aultar I aunswered I beleued that whosoeuer according to Christes institution G. Marshes beliefe in the Sacrament dyd receyue the holye Sacrament of Christes body and bloud did eate and drinke Christes body and bloud with all the benefites of his death and resurrection to their eternall saluation for Christ sayd I is euer present with his sacrament Then asked they me whether the bread and wyne by the vertue of the wordes pronounced of the Priest were chaunged into the flesh and bloud of Christ and that the sacrament whether it were receiued or reserued was the very body of Christ Wherunto I made aunswere G. Marsh loth to aunswere to the question of transubstantiation I knew no further then I had shewed already For my knowledge is vnperfecte sayd I desiring theÌ„ not to aske me such hard vnprofitable questions whereby to bring my body into dauÌ„ger of death to sucke my bloud Whereat they were not a little offended saying they were no bloud succours and inteÌ„ded nothing to me but to make me a good Christian man So after many other questions whiche I auoyded as well as I could remembring the saying of Paule Foolishe and vnlearned questions auoide knowing they do but ingender strife my Lord commaunded me to come to the boord and gaue me pen and incke in my hand and commaunded me to write mine aunsweres to the questions of the Sacrament aboue named I wrote as I had answered before G. Marsh commaunded by the Earle of Darby to write his answeres Wherat he being much offended coÌ„maunded me to write a more direct answere saying I should not chuse but do it Then I tooke the pen and wrote that further I knew not Whereat hee being sore greeued after many threatnings sayd I should be put to shamefull death like a traitor with such other like words and sometimes geuing me â—ayre wordes if I would turne and be conformable as other were how glad he would be In conclusion after much adoe he commaunded me to Ward in a cold windy stone house The Earle of Darby coÌ„maundeth G. Marsh into prison where was little roome where I lay two nightes without any bed sauing a fewe great canuasse tentclothes and that done I had a payre of sheetes but no wollen clothes so coÌ„tinued till Palm-sonday occupying my selfe aswel as I could in meditatioÌ„ prayer study for no man could be suffered to come to me but my keeper twise a day when he brought me meat and drinke ¶ An other examination of G. Marsh before the Earle of Darby ON Palme sonday at after dinner I was sent for to my Lord and his counsell sauing Syr William Nores Syr Pierce Alee were not then present in place amongest whoÌ„ was Syr Iohn Beram the Uicar of Prescot So they examined me yet once agayne of the sacrameÌ„t Marsh agayne examined about the Sacrament And after I had communed aparte with the Uicare of Prescot a good space coÌ„cerning that matter he returned to my Lorde and his Counsell with me saying that aunswere which I had made before and then did make as it is aboue writteÌ„ was sufficient for a beginner and as one which did not professe a perfect knowledge in that matter vntil such time as I had learned further Marsh yet keepeth himselfe close in the Sacrament Wherewith the Earle was very well pleased saying hee doubted not but by the meanes help of the vicar of Prescot I would be conformable in other thinges So after many fayre wordes he commaunded I should haue a bed with fire and libertye to goe amongest his seruantes so that I would do no harme with my communication amongest them And so after much other communication I departed much more troubled in my spirit then afore because I had not with more boldnes confessed Christ but in such sort Marsh troubled in his conscieÌ„ce for being no more bolde touching the Sacrament as mine aduersaries therby thought they should preuayle agaynst me wherat I was much greued For hytherto I went about as much as in me lay to rid my self out of their handes if by any meanes without open denying of Christ and his word that could be done This considered I cried more earnestly vnto God by prayer desiring him to strengthen me with his holy spirit Marsh prayetheth for more boldenes with boldnes to confesse him and to deliuer me from their intising words and that I were not spoyled through their Philosophy deceitfull vanity after the traditions of men and ordinaunces of the world and not after Christ. And so after a day or two I was sent for to y e Uicar of Prescot and the Parson of Grapnall where our most coÌ„munication was concerning the masse and he asked what offended me in the Masse I aunswered the whole Masse did offend me Marsh agayne examined before the Bishops Chaplens Talke about the Masse Allegations against the Masse first because it was in a straunge language wherby the people were not edified coÌ„trary to S. Paules doctrine 1. Cor. 14. and because of the manifold and intolerable abuses errors coÌ„teined therin contrary to Christs Priesthood and sacrifice Then they asked me in what place therof and I
his counsell that my life mother children brethren sisters and frendes with other delightes of life G. Marsh forsaketâ— kindred al togethâ—â— to sticke 〈◊〉 Christ. were as deare sweet vnto me as vnto any other man and that I would be as loth to lose them as an other would if I might hold them with good conscience and without the ignominy of Christ and seeing I could not doe that my trust was that God would strenthen me with his holy spirit to lose them all for his sake for I take my selfe sayd I for a sheepe appaynted to be slayne paciently to suffer what crosse so euer it shal please my merciful father to lay on me And so after I had desired them that if I were committed to prison my frendes might be suffered to relieue me they departed Mayster More afore this brought vnto me a booke of one Alphonsus a Spanish Frier Alphonsuâ— booke brought 〈◊〉 G. Marsh of all heresies wherwith the church of Rome which he called Christes true church had bene troubled since Christes time willing me to read and take Counsell of that booke appoynted me a place where this author did write agaynst them that say the lay people ought to receiue vnder both kindes This Authour I perceiued did vehementlye write agaynst Luther Melancthon PellicaÌ„ other Germaynes of this our time in all pointes defeÌ„ding y e blasphemous abuses and enormities of the Romish Church condeÌ„ning as detestable heresies whatsoeuer was written taught or beleued contrary to the same vsing for his stroÌ„gest and surest argumentes the consent agrement and determinatioÌ„ of the Romish Church So within a fewe dayes Mayster More came to me againe asking me how I liked the book I sayd the authour of the booke did in all poyntes beyng a Papist allow the rites and abuses of the Romish church Marshes iudgement of Alphoâ—sus booke and shewed him further that this author without authority and contrary both to the Scriptures olde Doctors did condemn for heresy the lay people receiuing of this sacrament vnder both kindes where as this Authour witnesseth his owne selfe that Christes church 900. yeares after Christ vsed the contrary So in conclusion he rebuketh me saying I was vnlearned erred from the Catholicke fayth stubburne and stoode altogether in mine owne conceite I aunswered for my learning I knowledge my selfe to know nothing but Iesus Christ euen him that was crucified and that my fayth was grounded vpon Gods holy word onely such as I doubted not pleased God and as I would stand in vntill the last day God assisting me and that I did not say or do any thing either of stubbernes selfe wilfulnes vayn glory or any other worldly purpose but with good conscience and in the feare of God and desired him to speake to my Lord and his Counsell that I might finde some geÌ„tlenes and mercy at theyr handes He made me but short answere Then I sayd I commit my cause vnto God who hath numbred the hayres of my head and appoynted the dayes of my life saying I am sure God which is a righteous Iudge would make inquisition for my bloude according as he hath promised Then he tooke his booke froÌ„ me and departed I continued still in Ward vntill Low sonday and after dinner my keeper Richard Scot came to mee into my chamber G. Marsh 〈◊〉 to Lancaster Castell and told me that two young men were come to cary me to Lancaster and so deliuered me vnto them a great company both of my Lordes seruauntes and others accompanying and bringing mee on the way vnto Rich. Addertons and somewhat further counselling and perswading like as is aforesayd To whome I made playne aunswere that in matters of faith I would geue place to no earthly creature So they comforted me and sayd y t they wer sory for me saying if I knew mine opinion to be good I did wel and so they departed willing my bringers to entreate me honestly My bringers by the way shewed me they were willed aduised to binde me and that they desired first to see me and after they had looked on me sitting at dinner they answered they would take charge of me beyng loose for they sayd I seemed to be an honest man The first night we were all night at Broughton and the second day we came to LaÌ„caster betimes at after noone and so they kept me all night with them of their geÌ„tlenes and on the morow deliuered me to y e Iaylor who brought me into the highest prison where I do remaine G. Marsh caused to â—old vp his handes at Lancaster amongest other malefactours After that the sayd George came to Lancaster Castle there being brought with other prisoners vnto the Sessions was made to hold vp his haÌ„ds w t other malefactors The Earle of Darby had this communication with him as here followeth Communication betweene George Marsh and the Earle of Darby Talke betweene G. Marsh and the Earle of Darby I Sayd vnto my Lord I had not dwelled in the countrey these three or foure yeares past and came home but lately to visite my mother children and other my friends and to haue departed out of the country before Easter theÌ„ next to haue gone out of the realme Wherfore I trusted seing nothing could be layd against me wherein I had offended agaynst the lawes of this realme his Lordship would not with captious questions examine me to bring my body into daunger of death to the great discomfort of my mother but suffer me to auoyd peaceably seeing I might haue fled out of the country and yet of mine owne will came to hys Lordship He sayd to his Counsell he had heard tell of me aboue at London and intended to make search for me and take me either in Lancashyre or aboue at London and asked me into what land I would haue gone The Earle of Darby chaâ—geth the calme of 〈◊〉 of heresie I aunswered I would haue gone either into Almain or els into Denmarke He sayd to his Counsell in Denmarke they vsed suche heresie as they haue done in England but as for Almayne hee sayde the Emperour had destroyed them So after such like woordes I sayde vnto him my trust was that his Lordship being of the honourable Counsell of the late king Edward consenting and agreeing to acts concerning fayth toward God and religion vnder great payne woulde not so soone after consent to put poore men to shamefull death as he had threatned me for embrasing the same with so good a conscience He aunswered that he with the Lord Windsor Lord Dacars The Earle of Darby L. 〈◊〉 and Lord Dacars in â— Edwards 〈◊〉 agreed 〈…〉 with one moe whose name I haue forgotten did not consent to those Actes and that the nay of them foure would be to be seene as long as y e ParliameÌ„t house stode Then my Lord did rehearse the euill luck of the Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolke with
the behalfe of the dead manne But when the poore dead man could neyther speake for himselfe nor did as they sayd sufficiently aunswere them by the other to auoyde the name of an hereticke first witnesses were producted agaynst him whose names were HeÌ„ry Clarke Esquire Witnes agaynst Iohn Tooly Thom. Way keeper of the Marshalsey Philip Andrew Undermarshal William Holingworth FishmoÌ„ger William Gellard William Walton Chaundler Richarde Longman Marchaunt Taylour Philip Britten Iohn Burton Brewer Thomas Smyth Sergeant Then hee was for an hereticke condemned aand so committed to the secular power Tooly geuen to the secular power namely to the Shiriffes of London which with like diligence went aboute to execute their charge Therfore receiuing the man being suspeÌ„ded excommunicated condemned as an hereticke and besides that beyng dead they laid him on the fire to be burned namely ad perpetuam rei memoriam for a continuall remembrance therof This was done the fourth day of Iune * Here foloweth the history and Martyrdome of the worthy seruaunt of Christ Thomas Haukes Gentleman with his examinations and aunsweres had with B. Boner recorded and penned with his owne hand IMmediatly after the story of D. Taylor pag. 1456. mention before was made of sixe men brought conueÌ„ted before Bishop Boner vpon the eight day of February The story of M. Tho. Haukes Martyr The names of which martyrs were Steuen Knight William Pigot Tho. Tomkins Ioh Laurence Wil. Hunter In which number was also Tho. Haukes coÌ„demned likewise with theÌ„ the 9. day of the foresaid month of February But because his execution did not so shortly followe wyth theirs but was prolonged to this present x. day of the moneth of Iune wherwith we are nowe in hand it foloweth therfore now consequeÌ„tly to enter tractation thereof first beginning briefly with his godly coÌ„uersation institution of life then shewing of his troubles also of his examinations and conflictes with the bishop and other aduersaries according as the order of his story both require As touching therefore his education and order of life first hee was of the countrey of Essex The lyfe and conuersation of Tho. Haukes borne of an honest stocke in calling and profession a Courtier brought vppe daintely from his childhoode and like a Gentleman Besides that he was of such comlines and stature so well endued with excelleÌ„t qualities that he might seme on euery side a man as it were made for the purpose But hys gentle behauiour toward other and especially his feruent study and singuler loue vnto true Religion and godlines did surmount all the rest Wherein as God did singularly adorne him euen so he being suche a valiaunt Martyr of God may seeme to nobilitate the whole company of other holy martyrs and as a bright starre to make the Churche of God and his trueth of theÌ„selues bright and cleare more gloriously to shine by his example For if the conquestes of martyrs are the triumphes of Christ as Saynt Ambrose doth notably and truely write vndoubtedly Christ in few meÌ„ hath either conquered more notably The victory of Martyrs is the triumph of Christ. Ambrose or triumphed more gloriously then in this young man he stood so wisely in his cause so godly in his life and so constantly in his death But to the declaration of the matter first this Haukes folowing the guise of the Court as he grew in yeares entred seruice with the Lord of Oxford where he remained a good space Thomas Haukes first in seruice with the Earle Oxford being there right well estemed loued of all the houshold so long as Edward the sixt liued But he dying all things begaÌ„ to go backward religioÌ„ to decay godlines not only to waxe cold but also to be in dauÌ„ger euery where and chiefly in the houses of great men Haukes mislikyng the state of thinges and especially in such mens houses rather theÌ„ he would chaunge the profession of true godlines which he had tasted thought to chaunge the place Haukes compelled to leaue the Earle of Oxfordes house and so forsaking y e Noble mans house departed home to his own home where more freely he might geue himselfe to God vse his owne conscience But what place in this worlde shall a man finde so secret for himselfe whether that old wicked Serpent can not creep wherby he may haue some matter to ouerthrow the quietnesse of the Godly Nowe in the meane season as it happened Haukes keeping his house at home Haukes childe 〈◊〉 weekes vnâ—christened had borne vnto him a young sonne whose baptisme was deferred to the third weeke for that he would not suffer him to be baptised after the papistical maner Which thing the aduersaries not able to suffer laying handes vpon him Haukes brought before the Earle did bryng him to the Earle of Oxforde there to be reasoned with as not sound in religion in that he semed to contemne the sacramentes of the Church The Earle eyther intending not to trouble hymselfe in such matters Haukes seâ— vp by the Earle to B. Boner or else seeyng hymselfe not able to weigh with him in suche cases of Religion sent him vp to London with a messenger and letters and so willing to cleare his owne handes put him in the handes of Boner bishop of London the conteÌ„tes of which his letter sent to Boner be these ¶ A Letter of the Earle of Oxford to Boner MOst reuerend father in God be it knowne vnto you that I haue sent you one Thomas Haukes The Earlâ— letter to Boner dwelling in the County of Essex who hath a child that hath remayned vnchristened more then three weekes who being vpon the same examined hath denied to haue it baptised as it is now vsed in the Church wherevpo n I haue sent him to your good Lordship to vse as ye thinke best by your good discretion WheÌ„ the bishop had perused this letter and afterward read it to M. Haukes he hearing the same thought with himselfe that he should not be very wel vsed seing he was put to his discretion Then wrote the bishop a letter again to him that sent the prisoner with many great thankes for his diligence in setting forth the Queenes proceedynges Then began the bishop to enter communication with M. Haukes first asking what should moue him to leaue hys child vnchristened so long To whom M. Haukes answered thus agayne as foloweth Haukes Because we be bound to do nothing contrarye to the word of God Priuate talke or conference betweene M. Haukes and B. Boner Boner Why Baptisme is â—ommaunded by the worde of God Haukes His institution therin I do not deny Boner What deny ye then Haukes I deny all things inuented and deuised by man Boner What thinges be those that be deuised by man that ye be so offended withall Haukes Your Oyle Creame Salt Spettle Candle Mans inâ—â—â—â—tions addeâ— to Baptisâ—â— The 〈…〉 and coniuring of water c. Boner Will
in their owne sapience which is playne foolishnes amongest the wise indeede that is amongest such as haue heard Gods worde and doe followe it for they onely are counted wise of the wisedome of God our Sauiour In deede if I should simply consider my life with that whiche it ought to haue bene He confesseth his sinnes before God and as God in his lawe requireth then could I not but cry as I do Iustus es domine omnia iudicia tua vera i. Righteous art thou O Lord and all thy iudgemēts are true For I haue much greeued thee and transgressed thy holy preceptes not onely before my professing the Gospell but sithen also yea euen sithen my comming into prison I do not excuse but accuse my selfe before God and al his Church that I haue greeuously offended my Lord God I haue not loued his Gospell as I should haue done I haue sought my selfe and not simply and onely his glory and my brethrens commoditie I haue bene to vnthankefull secure carnall hipocriticall vayneglorious c. All which my euils the Lord of mercy pardon me for his Christes sake as I hope and certaynly beleeue he hath done for his great mercy in Christ oure redeemer But when I consider the cause of my condemnation I cannot but lament that I doe no more reioyce then I doe For it is Gods veritie and trueth The Papistes condemne not Bradford but Christ. So that the condemnation is not a condemnation of Bradford simply but rather a condemnation of Christ and his trueth Bradford is nothing els but an instrument in whome Christe and his doctrine is condemned And therefore my dearely beloued reioyce reioyce and geue thankes with me and for me that euer God did vouchsafe so great a benefite to our countrey as to choose the most vnworthye I meane my selfe to be one in whome it would please him to suffer any kinde of affliction muche more this violent kinde of death whiche I perceiue is prepared for me with you for his sake All glory and prayse be geuen vnto God our father for his great exceeding mercy towardes me through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen But perchaunce you will saye vnto me what is the cause for the whiche you are condemned we heare say that ye denye all presence of Christ in his holy Supper and so make it a bare signe and common bread and nothyng els My dearly beloued what is sayde of me and what will be I cannot tell It is tolde me that Pendleton is gone doune to Preach with you not as he once recanted for you all knowe hee hath preached contrary to that hee was wont to preach afore I came amongest you but to recant that which he hath recanted D. Pendleton recanted first in K. Edwardes tyme and now agayne in Q. Maryes tyme. Howe hee will speake of me and report before I come when I am come and when I am burned I muche passe not for he that is so vncertayne and wil speake so often agaynst him selfe I can not thinke hee will speake well of me except it make for hys purpose and profite but of this inough The causes why M. Bradford was cōdemned In deede the chiefe thing which I am condemned for as an hereticke is because I deny in the sacrament of the aultar whiche is not Christes supper but a playne peruerting of it being vsed as the papistes now vse it to be a reall naturall and corporall presence of Christes bodye and bloud vnder the formes and accidences of bread and wine Transubstantiation the deuills darling and daughter of Antichrist that is because I deny transubstantiation whiche is the dearling of the Deuill and daughter and heyre to Antichristes religion whereby the Masse is mayntayned Christes supper peruerted his sacrifice and Crosse imperfited hys Priesthood destroyed the ministery taken away repentaunce repelled and all true godlynes abandoned In the supper of our Lord or sacrament of Christes body and bloud I confesse and beleeue that there is a true and very presence of whole Christ God and man to the fayth of the receiuer but not of the stander by and looker on as there is a verye true presence of bread and wine to the sences of him that is partaker thereof This fayth this doctrine whiche consenteth with the worde of God and with the true testimony of Christes Church whiche the Popishe Churche doth persecute will I not forsake and therefore am I condemned as an hereticke and shall be burned But my dearely beloued this trueth whiche I haue taught and you haue receiued I beleued and do beleue and therein geue my life I hope in God shall neuer be burned bound nor ouercome but shall triumphe haue victorye and be at libertye maugre the head of all Gods aduersaries For there is no counsayle agaynst the Lord nor no deuise of man can be able to defeate the veritie in anye other then suche as be children of vnbeliefe whiche haue no loue to the truth and therefore are geuen vp to beleue lyes Frō which plague the Lord of mercies deliuer you and all the realme my deare harts in the Lord I humblie beseeche his mercy Amen M. Bradfordes farewell to the countrey of Lankeshire And to the ende you might be deliuered from thys plague right deare to me in the Lorde I shall for my fare well with you for euer in this present lyfe hartely desire you all in the bowels and bloud of our most mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ to attend vnto these things which I now shall shortly write vnto you out of the holy scriptures of the Lord. You knowe an heauy plague or rather plagues of God is fallen vpon vs Gods manifold plagues vpon England in Q. Maryes dayes in takyng away our good Kyng Gods true Religion Gods true Prophetes and Ministers c. And setting ouer vs such as seeke not the Lorde after knowledge whose endeuours GOD prospereth wonderfully to the tryall of many that his people may bothe better knowe themselues The cause of Gods plagues is our iniquities and not knowing the tyme of Gods visitation and be knowen Nowe the cause hereof is our iniquities and greeuous sinnes We did not know the tyme of our visitation we were vnthankefull vnto God we contemned the Gospell carnally abused it to serue our hipocrisie our vaynglory our viciousnes auarice idlenes securitie c. Long did y e Lord linger and tary to haue shewed mercy vppon vs but we were euer longer the worse Therefore most iustly hath God dealt with vs and dealeth with vs yea yet we may see that his iustice is tempered with much mercy whereto let vs attribute that we are not vtterly consumed For if the Lord should deale with vs after our desertes alas howe coulde we abide it In his anger therfore seeyng hee doeth remember his mercye vndeserued yea vndesired on our behalfe let vs take occasion the more speedily to goe out to meete him not with force
so many thowsandes it pleaseth his mercy to choose me to be one in whome he will suffer For although it be moste true that iuste patior i. I iustly suffer for I haue bene a great hypocrite and a greeuous synner the Lorde pardon me yea hee hath done it he hath done it in deede yet hic autem quid mali fecit i. What euill hath he done Christ whome the Prelates persecute his verity which they hate in me hath done no euill nor deserueth death Therefore ought I most hartely to reioyce of this dignation and tender kyndnesse of the Lord towardes me This is a singular mercy of God to haue death which is a due punishment for sinne â— turned into a demonstration testification of the Lordes truâ—he 4. Reg. 2. which vseth the remedy for my sinne as a testimoniall of hys Testament to his glory to my euerlasting comfort to the edefying of his Church and to the ouerthrowing of Antichrist and hys kingdome O what am I Lorde that thou shouldest thus magnifye me so vile a man and miser as alwayes I haue bene Is this thy wont to sende for suche a wretche and an hypocrite as I haue bene in a fiery Charyot as thou diddest for Helias Oh deare Fathers be thankefull for me and pray for me that I styll may be found worthy in whom the Lord would sanctify his holy name And for your part make you readye for we are but your gentlemen hushers Nuptiae agni paratae sunt venite ad nuptias 1. The mariage of the Lambe is prepared come vnto the mariage I now go to leaue my flesh there where I receiued it He meaneth that he should be conueyed by the Queenes Garde into Lankeshire to be burnte as the aduersaryes had once determined lyke as Ignatius was by a company of soldiours conueyed to Rome and cast to the Leopardes I shall be coÌ„ueied thither as Ignatius was at Rome to Leopardis by whose euill I hope to bee made better God graunt if it be his will that I aske it may make them better by me Amen For my farewell therfore I write and send this vnto you trusting shortly to see you where we shall neuer be separated In the meane season I will not cease as I haue done to commende you to our father of heauen And that you would so do by me I most hartely praye euerye one of you You knowe nowe I haue moste neede But fidelis Deus qui nunquam sinet nos tentaâ—i supra id quòd possumus i. Faythfull is God which will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our strength He neuer didde it hytherto nor now I am assured he will neuer do Amen A dextris est mihi non mouebor Propter hoc laetabitur cor meum quia non derelinquet animam meam in inferno nec dabit me sanctum suum per gratiam in Câ—risto videre corruptionem E carcere raptim expectens omni momento carnificem i. He is on my righte hand therefore I shall not fall Wherefore my hart shall reioyce Psalme 16 for he shall not leaue my soule in hell neither shall suffer me his holy one by his grace in Christ to see corruption Out of prison in haste looking for the Tormentour The 8. of February Ann. 1555. Iohn Bradford * To the honourable Lord Russell now Earle of Bedford being then in trouble for the verity of Gods Gospell THe euerlasting and most gracious God and Father of our Sauiour Iesu Christ A letter of M. Bradford to the Lord Russell now Earle of Bedford â—lesse your good Lordshippe with all maner of heauenlye blessinges in the same Chryst our onely comfort and hope Amen Praysed be God our Father which hath vouched you worthye as of fayth in his Christ so of his Crosse for the same Magnifyed be his holy name who as he hath deliuered you from one crosse so he hath made you willing I trust and ready to beare another wheÌ„ he shall see his time to lay it vpon you for these are the most singular giftes of God geuen as to few The excellencye of fayth and what it worketh so to none els but to these few whiche are moste deare in his sight Fayth is reckoned and worthely among the greatest gyftes of GOD yea it is the greatest it selfe that we enioy for by it as we be iustified and made Gods childreÌ„ so are we temples and possessours of the holy spirite yea of Christ also Eph. 4. And of the Father hymselfe Iohn 14. By fayth we driue the Deuill away 1. Peter 5. We ouercome the world 1. Ioh. And are already Citttizens of heauen and fellowes wyth Goddes deare Sayntes But who is able to reckon the riches that this fayth bringeth with her vnto the soule she sitteth vpon No man or Aungell And therefore as I sayd of all Gods giftes she may be set in the top and haue the vpmost seate The which thing if men considered in that she commeth alonely from Goddes owne mercy seat Fayth commeth by hearing the word and not by hearing Masse by the hearing not of Masse or Mattyns Dyriges or such drasse but of the worde of God in such a toung as we canne and doe vnderstand as they would be diligent and take greate heede for doyng or seeyng any thyng whiche might cast her downe for then they fal also so would they with no lesse care read and heare Goddes holy word ioyning thereto most earnest and often prayer aswell for the more and better vnderstanding as for the louing liuyng and confessing of the same mauger the head of the deuill the worlde our fleshe reason goodes possessions carnall frends wife children and very life here if they should pull vs backe to harken to the voyce and counsell for more quiet sure and longer vse of them Philip. 1. Now notwithstanding this excellency of fayth in that we read the Apostle to matche therewith yea as it were to preferre suffering persecution for Christes sake I trowe no man will be so fond as to thinke otherwise but that I and all Goddes children haue cause to glorify and prayse God whiche hath vouched you worthye so greate a blessing The efficacy of the crosse and what it worketh in Gods children For though the reason or wisedome of the worlde thinke of the Crosse according to theyr reach and according to theyr present sence and therefore flyeth from it as from a most great ignominye and shame Yet Gods Scholers haue learned otherwise to thinke of the Crosse that is the frame house in the which God frameth his children lyke to his sonne Christ the Fornace that fineth Gods golde the high way to Heauen the Sute and Liuery that Gods seruauntes are serued withall the earnest and beginning of all consolation and glory For they I meane Gods scholers as your Lordshyp is I trust doe enter into Goddes sanctuary Psalme 72. least theyr fecte slippe They looke not as beastes do on thinges
present onely but on thinges to come and so haue they as present to fayth the iudgemente and glorious comming of Christ like as the wicked haue now theyr worldly wealth wherein they wallow and will wallowe till they tumble headlong into Hell where are tormentes too terrible and endlesse The ende of prosperitye Nowe they followe the Feende as the Beare doth the trayne of Honye and the Sowe the swillinges till they be brought into the slaughter house and then they know that theyr prosperitye hath brought them to perdition Then crye they woe woe We went the wrong way Sapâ—ence 5. wee counted these men I meane such as you bee that suffer for Goddes sake losse of goodes frendes and life whome they shall see endued with riche robes of righteousnesse crownes of most pure precious golde and Palmes of conquest in the goodly glorious palace of the Lambe where is eternall ioy felicity c. Wee counted will they then say these men but fooles and mad men we tooke theyr conditions to be but curiosity c. But then will it be to late then the time will be turned laughing shal be turned into weeping and weeping into reioysing Read Sapien. 2.3.4.5 Therefore as before I haue sayd great cause haue I to thanke God whiche hath vouched you worthy of thys most bountifull blessing Few noble men called to Christes kingdome muche more then you haue cause my good Lord so to be I meane thankefull For looke vpon your vocation I pray you and tell me how many noble menne Earles sonnes Lordes Knightes and menne of estimation hath God in this Realme of England dealt thus withall I dare say you thinke not that you haue deserued this Only Gods mercy in his christ hath wrought this on you as he did in Ieremyes tyme on Abimelech in Achabs time on Abdias in Christes tyme on Ioseph of Arimathia in the Apostles tyme on Sergius Paulus and the Queene of Candaces Chamberlayne Onely now be thankefull and continue continue continue my good Lorde continue to confesse Christ. Bee not ashamed of hym before men for then will not he bee ashamed of you Nowe will he trye you sticke fast vnto him and he wyll sticke fast by you he will be with you in trouble and deliuer you But then must you cry vnto him for so it proceedeth Psalme 91. He cried vnto me and I heard him I was with him in trouble c. Remember Lottes wyfe whiche looked backe RemeÌ„ber Fraunces Spira Remember that none is crowned but he that striueth lawfully RemeÌ„ber that all you haue is at Christes commaundement Remember he lost more for you then you canne lose for him Remember you lose not that which is lost for his sake Godly remembrances for you shall finde much more here and elsewhere Remember you shall dye and when where and howe ye can not tell Remember the death of sinners is most terrible Remember the death of Gods Sayntes is precious in his sight Remember the multitude goeth the wide waye whiche windeth to woe Remember that the straight gate which leadeth to glorye hath but few trauellers Remember Christ biddeth you striue to enter in thereat Remember he that trusteth in the Lord shall receiue strength to stand agaynst all the assaultes of his enemies Be certayn all the hearers of your head are numbred Be certayne your good Father hath poynted boundes ouer the which the deuill dare not look Commit your selfe to him he is hath bene and will bee your Keeper Cast your care on hym and he will care for you Let Christ be your scope and marke to pricke at let hym be your patron to worke by let him be your ensample to folow geue him as your hart so your hand Christ 〈◊〉 must 〈◊〉 both 〈◊〉 and handâ— as your minde so your toung as your fayth so your feete and let his word be your candle to go before you in all matters of Religion Blessed is he that walketh not to these Popish prayers nor standeth at them nor sitteth at them glorifye God in both soule and body Psalme â— 2 Cor. 6. He that gathereth not wyth Christ scattereth abroad Use prayer looke for Gods help which is at hand to them that aske and hope thereafter assuredly In which prayer I hartely desire your Lordshyp to remember vs who as we are goyng with you ryght gladly God therefore be praysed so we looke to go before you hoping that you will folow if God so will according to your dayly prayer Thy will be done on earth c. The good spirite of God alwayes guide your Lordshippe vnto the end Amen Your Lordships owne for euer Iohn Bradford * To M. Warcup and his Wyfe Maistres Wilkenson and others of his godly frendes with theyr familyes THe same peace our Sauiour Christ left with his people A pithy 〈◊〉 effectuall letter of 〈◊〉 Bradford M. Warâ—â—â— and 〈◊〉 Wilkinsâ— which is not without warre with the world almighty God woorke plentifully in your hartes now and for euer Amen The tyme I perceiue is come wherein the Lordes grounde will be knowne I meane it will now shortly appeare who haue receiued Goddes Gospell into theyr hartes in deede to the taking of good roote therein for such will not for a litle heate or sunburning wither but stiffely will stand and grow on maugre the malice of all burning showers and tempestes And for as much as my beloued in the Lorde I am perswaded of you that ye be in deede the children of GOD Gods good ground whiche groweth and will grow on by Goddes grace bringyng foorth fruite to Goddes glory after your vocations as occasion shall bee offered burne the Sunne neuer so hoate therefore I can not but so signify vnto you and hartely pray you and euery one of you accordinglye to goe on forwardes after your Mayster Christ not sticking at the foule waye and stormye weather whiche you are come into and are like so to doe of this beyng most certayne that the ende of your iourney shall be pleasaunt and ioy full in suche a perpetuall rest and blissefulnesse as can not but swallow vppe the showers that ye nowe feele and are soussed in if ye often sette it before your eyes after Paules counsell in the latter ende of the 4. and beginning of the 5. chapter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians Read it I pray you and remember it often as a Restoratiue to refreshe you leaste ye faynt in the way And besides this set before you also that though the weather be foule and stormes grow apace yet go not ye alone but other your brothers and sisters pad the same path as Saynt Peter telleth vs and therefore company shoulde cause you to be the more couragious and chearefull But if ye had no company at all to go presently with you I pray you tell me if euen from the beginning the best of Goddes frendes haue founde any fayrer weather and way to the place whether