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
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
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
that will saye the contrary that all that is contained in the holy Communion set out by the most innocent and godly Prince king Edward the 6. in his high court of Parliament is conformable to that order which our Sauiour Christ did both obserue and commaund to be obserued which his Apostles primatiue church vsed many yeares whereas the Masse in many things not onely hath no foundation of Christe his Apostles nor the primatiue Church but is manifestly contrary to the same and coÌ„taineth many horrible abuses in it And although many either vnlearned or malitious do report that M. Peter Martyr is vnlearned yet if the Queeneâ— highnes wil graunt thereunto I with the sayde M. Peter Martyr and other 4. or 5. whiche I shall chuse will by Gods grace take vppon vs to defende not onely the common praiers of the Church the ministration of the Sacraments and other rites ceremonies but also al the doctrine and religion set out by our said soueraigne Lord king Edward the 6. to be more pure and according to Gods worde then any other that hath bene vsed in England these 1000. yeares so that Gods word may be iudge that the reasons and proufes of both parties may be sette out in wryting to the intent as well that all the worlde maye examine and iudge thereon as that no man shall start backe from his wrytinge And where they boast of the faith that hath bene in the Churche these 1500. yeres we will ioyne with them in this poynt and that the same doctrine and vsage is to be followed whiche was in the Church .1500 yeres past and we shall prooue that the order of the Churche let out at this present in this Realme by Acte of Parlament is the same that was vsed in the Church .1500 yeres past so shall they be neuer able to prooue theirs The same Thursday beinge the 7. of Septemb. Lorde Mountacute chiefe Iustice and Lorde chiefe Baron were deliuered out of the Tower The 13. of September the reuerende father M. Hughe Latimer was committed to the Tower The 14. of Septemb. the bishop of Caunterburye was committed to the Tower The 26. of September one Maister Graye of Cambridge called before hym one M. Garth for that he would not suffer a boy of Peter house to helpe hym saye Masse in Penbroke hal which was before any law was established for that behalfe The Queene came to the Tower of London vpon the Thursday being the 28. of September Amongest these Pageantes stood a certaine man vpon the top of the Eagle vpon Paules steeple with a flagge in his hand and vpon the Saterday following shee rode from the Tower thorough the Citie of London where were made many Pageants to receiue her and so was triumphantly brought to Westminster to White hall Uppon the Sonday being the first day of October the Queenes highnesse went from White hall to Westminster Abbey accompanied wyth the most part of the Nobility of this Realme namelye these The Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Arundell the Earle of Shrewsburie the Marques of Winchester the Earls of Darby Bedford Worcester Cumberland Westmerland Oxford Sussex Deuonshire Penbroke the Lord Dacres of the North Lord Ferris Lorde Cobham Lord Aburgeiny Lord Wentwoorth Lord Scroupe Lord Rich Lord Uaus Lorde Hawarde Lord Conias Lord Morley Lorde Paget and the Lorde Willowbye with many other Nobles and all the Embassadours of diuers countreys the Maior of London wyth all the Aldermen Also out of the Abbey to receiue her comming came three siluer Crosses and to the number of four score or neare vppon Q. Mary crowned Doctor sayes Sermon Generall pardon at the Queens CoronatioÌ„ â—xempted 〈◊〉 of the Pardon of singing men all in very rich gorgeous coapes Amongest whom were the Deane of Westminster and diuers of her Chaplaines which bare euerye one some ensigne in their handes and after them followed 10. Byshops mytred all and their Croyser staues in theyr handes and rich Copes vpon them euery one And in this order they returned froÌ„ Westminster hal before the Quene to the Abbey where she was crowned by Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lorde Chancellor of England At the time of the Coronation Doctour Day Bishop of Chichester made a sermon to the Queenes maiestie and to the rest of the nobilitie Also there was a generall Pardon proclaimed wythin the Abbey at the sayd time of her Coronation out of which Proclamation all the prisonners of the Tower and of the Flete were excepted and 62. more Wherof M. Whitchurch and M. Grafton were two The thirde of October the Uicechauncellour of Cambridge did chalenge one M. Pierson for that hee ministred still the Communion in his owne Parish and did receyue straungers of other Parishes to the same and woulde not say masse Whereupon within 2. dayes after he was cleane discharged from farther ministring in his Cure Uppon the Wedensday following Q. Mary rideth to the Parliament house Sergeant Pollard speaker in the Parliament The Earle of Huntington deliuered out of the Tower M. Saunders for preaching agaynst the Masse committed to the Marshalsey the Archb. of Yorke was committed to the Tower Uppon Thursdaye being the 5. of October 1553. the Queene road to the Parliament in her roabes and all the nobilitie with her and when they were set in the Parliament house the Bishop of Winchester made to them a solemne Oration and Sergeant Pollarde was chosen speaker of the Parliament The same day the Bishops of Lincolne Harford and Westchester were discharged from the Parliament and Conuocation Also the 10. daye of October the Earle of Huntington was deliuered out of the Tower Upon the Sonday after being the 15. of Oct. M. Laurence Saunders preached at Alhallowes in Breadstreete in y e morning where he declared the abhomination of the masse with diuers other matters very notably and godly Wherof more shal be heard by the Lordes leaue heereafter when we come to his story In which his doing as he shewed himselfe to be Gods faithful minister so is he sure not to be defrauded of gods faithful promise who sayth Omnis qui confitebitur me coram hominibus confitebor ego illum coram patre meo qui est in coelis Math. 10. But about noone of the same day he was sent for by the bishop of London and from thence committed to the Marshalsee Upon the Sonday folowing being the 20. of October Doctor Weston preached at Paules Crosse. D. Westons popish Sermon at Paules Who in the beginning of his Sermone willed the people to praye for the soules departed on this wise You shall pray for all them y t be departed that be neither in heaueÌ„ nor hell but in a place not yet sufficiently purged to come to heaueÌ„ that they may be releued by your deuout prayers He named the Lordes table an oyster board He saide that the Catechisme in Latin lately sette out was abhominable heresie likened the setters
accused indited or presented should be admitted to chaleÌ„ge any that shoulde be enpanelled for the triall of any matter or cause other theÌ„ for malice or enuy which chaleÌ„ge should forthwith be tryed in like maner as in cases of felony c. Prouided moreouer that euery person that shoulde be named Commissioner in this inquisition should first take a corporall oth the tenor of which oth here ensueth * The oth of the Commissioners The othe geuen to the Commissioners to enquire vppon true Christians YE shall swere that ye to your cunning witte and power shall truely and indifferently execute the authority to you geuen by the kinges Commission made for correction of heretickes other offenders mentioned in the same Commission without any fauor affection corruption dread or malice to be borne to any person or persons as God you helpe and all Sayntes And thus much briefly collected out of the act and Originals Stat. an 31. Reg Henr. 8. which more largely are to be sene in y e statute an 31 Reg. Henr. 8. concerning the sixe Articles which otherwyse for the bloudy cruelty thereof are called the whip with sixe stringes set forth after the death of Queene Anne and of good Iohn Lambert deuised by the cruelty of y e Bishops but specially of the Bishop of Wint. and at length also subscribed by K. Henry But herein as in many other parts moe the crafty pollicy of that Bishop appeared who like a lurking Serpent most slyly watching his time if he had not taken the king comming out vpon a soddayne there where it was I spare here to report as I heard it it was thought and affirmed by certaine which then were perteining to the king that Winchester had not obteined y e matter so easely to be subscribed as he did These sixe Articles aboue specified although they conteined manifest errours Truth in danger left desolate heresies and absurdities agaynst all Scripture and learning as all men hauing any iudgemeÌ„t in Gods word may plainly vnderstand yet such was the miserable aduersity of that time the power of darcknes that the simple cause of truth and of religion was vtterly left desolate and forsakeÌ„ of all frends For euery man seing the kinges minde so fully addict vpon polliticke respectes to haue these articles to passe forward few or none in all that Parliament would appeare Cranmer stood openly in the Parliament against the 6. articles which either could perceiue that was to be defended or durst defend that they vnderstood to be true saue onely Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who then being maryed as is supposed like a constant Patron of Gods cause tooke vpon him the earnest defence of the trueth oppressed in the ParliameÌ„t three dayes together disputing against those sixe wicked articles bringing forth suche allegations and authorities as might easely haue helped the cause nisi pars maior vicâ—sset vt saepe solet meliorem Who in the sayd disputation Cranmer willed to departe 〈◊〉 of the Parliament house for his consâ—â—ence Cranmer refused to goe out of the Parliament for matter against his conscience behaued himselfe with such humble modesty and with such obedience in words toward his Prince protesting the cause not to be his but the cause of almighty God that neither his enterprise was misliked of the king agayne his reasons and allegatioÌ„s were so strong that well they could not be refuted Wherfore the king who euer bare speciall fauour vnto him well liking his zealous defeÌ„ce onely willed him to depart out of the Parliament house into the Councell Chamber for a time for sauegarde of his conscience til the Acte should passe and be graunted which he notwithstanding with humble protestation refused to do After the Parliament was finished that matter concluded the king considering the constant zeale of the Archbishoppe in defence of his cause and partly also weighing y e many authorities reasons wherby he had substantially confirmed the same sent the Lord Cromwell which w tin few dayes after was apprehended the ij dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke and all the Lordes of the Parliament to dine with hym at Lambeth where they signified vnto him that it was the kinges pleasure that they all shoulde in his hignes behalfe cherish comfort animate hym Cranmer comforted againe by the king as one that for his trauell in that parliameÌ„t had declared him selfe both greatly learned and also a man descreet wyse and therfore they willed him not to be discouraged in any thing that was passed in that Parliament contrary to hys allegations He most humbly thanked first y e kinges highnes of his singuler good affection towardes him and them all for theyr paynes adding moreouer that he so hoped in God that hereafter his allegations and authorities should take place to the glory of god commodity of the realme Which allegations and authorities of his I wish were amongest vs extant to be seene and read no doubt but they would stand in time to come in great good stead for y e ouer throw of the wicked and pernicious Articles aforesayd Allegations agaynst the vi Articles IN the meane while for so much as the sayd hereticall articles are not so lightly to be passed ouer Allegationâ— agaynst the 6. articles wherby y e rude ignorant multitude hereafter may be deceiued in the false erroneous doctrine of them any more as they haue bene in times past for lack of right instructioÌ„ and experience of the auÌ„cient state course of times in our fore elders dayes I thought therefore the Lord therunto assisting so much as antiquity of stories may helpe to the restoring agayn of truth and doctrine decayed to annexe hereunto some allegations out of auncient recordes which may geue some light to the conuincing of these newfangled Articles and heresies aboue touched And first as touching the Article of transubstantiation wherin this Parliament doth enact that the Sacrament of the Altar is the very naturall body of Christ the selfe same which was borne of the virgin Mary and that in such sort as there remayneth no substance of bread wine after the Priestes consecration but only the body bloud of Christ vnder the outward formes of bread and wine First here is to be noted that this monstrous article of theyrs in that forme of words as in standeth was neuer obtruded receiued or holden either in the Greek Church or in the Latine Church vniuersally for a Catholicke that is for a generall opinion or article of doctrine before y e time of the Laterane Counsell at Rome vnder Pope Innocent the 3. an 1216. And for so much as it hath bene a common persuasioÌ„ amongest the most sort of people The article of transubstantiatioâ— that this article in y e forme of words as here standeth is hath bene euer since Christ his time a true Catholick generall doctrine commonly receiued and taught in the Church being
y e realm and establishment of the kings succession to haue an English Queene and Prince that were meere English so that in conclusion the kings affection the more it was diminished from the late married Anne of Cleue the lesse fauour he bare vnto Cromwell Besides this Gardiner there lacked not other backe friends also and ilwillers in the court about the king which little made for Cromwell both for his religion which they maligned and for other priuate grudges also incident by the way Ouer and besides all which it is moreouer supposed that some part of displeasure might ryse agaynst hym by reason of a certaine talke which happened a little before at Lambeth at what tyme the king after the makyng of the vi Articles sent the sayd Lord Cromwell his Uicegerēt with the two Dukes of Northfolke Suffolke with all the Lordes of the Parliament to Lambeth to dyne with the Archbishop who mightily had disputed and alledged in the Parliament agaynst the said Articles to cheare and comfort his daunted spirits agayne There the said Cromwell with the other noble Lordes sitting with the Archbishop at his table in talke The talke betwene the L. Cromwel certeine of the Lordes at Lambeth as euerie lord brought forth his sentence in commendation of Cranmer to signifie what good will both the kyng they bare vnto him among the rest one of the company entring into a comparison betweene the sayd Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Wolsey late Cardinall of Yorke declared in his iudgement that Cranmer was much to bee preferred for his myld and gentle nature where as the Cardinall was a stubburne and a churlish prelate and one that could neuer abide any noble man and that sayd he knowe you well enough my Lord Cromwell for he was your Maister c. At these wordes the Lord Cromwell beyng somewhat touched to heare the Cardinals seruice cast in hys teeth inferred agayne saying that he could not deny but he was seruant sometyme to Cardinall Wolsey neyther did repent the same for he receiued of hym both fee meate and drinke and other commodities but yet he was neuer so farre in loue with hym as to haue wayted vpon him to Rome if he had bene chosen Pope as he vnderstoode that he would haue done if the case had so fallen out Whiche when the other had denied to be true Cromwell still persisted affirmyng the same and shewyng moreouer what number of Florens he should haue receyued to be his Admirall and to haue safe conducted hym to Rome in case he had bene elected Bishop of Rome The partie not a little mooued with these wordes told hym he lyed The other agayne affirmed it to be true Upon this great and hygh wordes rose betwene them Which contention although it was through intreatie of the Archbishop and other nobles somewhat pacified for the tyme yet it might be that some bitter roote of grudge remayned behynd which afterward grew vnto him to some displeasure And this was an 1540. in the moneth of Iuly Ex testimonio Secretarij Cantuar. After this the next yeare followyng which was 1541. in the month of Aprill was holden a Parliament Anno 1541. which after diuers prorogations was continued till the moneth of Iuly the sayd yeare A Parliament In the which month of Iuly the Lord Cromwell beyng in the counsaile chamber was sodenly apprehended and committed to the tower of London Whereat as many good men which knewe nothyng but truth by him did lament The Lord Cromwell apprehēded and prayed hartily for him so moe there were on the contrary side that reioyced especially of the religious sort and of the clergy such as had bene in some dignitie before in the Churche and nowe by hys meanes were put from it For in deed such was hys nature that in all his doyngs he could not abyde any kynde of Poperie nor of false religion creepyng vnder hypocrisie and lesse could abyde the ambitious pryde of Popishe Prelacie which professing all humilitie was so elated in pride that kinges coulde not rule in their owne Realmes for them These snuffing Prelates as he could neuer abide so they agayne hated him as much whiche was the cause of shortnyng his dayes and to bryng him to his ende So that the xix day of the moneth aforesaid he was attainted by Parliament In the which Atteinder diuers and sondry crimes surmises obiections and accusations were brought against hym but chiefly and aboue all other Crimes and accusatiōs brought agaynst the L. Cromwell he was charged and accused of heresie for that he was a supporter of them whō they recounted for heretikes as Barnes Clarke and many other whom he by his authoritie and letters written to Shiriffes and Iustices in diuers Shires rescued and discharged out of prison Also that he did euulgate disperse abroad amongst the Kings subiects great numbers of bookes conteming as they said manifest matter of much heresie diffidence and misbeliefe Item that he caused to be translated into our English tongue bookes comprising matter expresly against the Sacrament of the aulter that after the translation thereof he commended and mainteyned the same for good and christian doctrine· Ouer and besides all this they brought in certaine witnesses what they were the atteinder expresseth not which most especially pressed or rather oppressed him with heinous wordes spoken agaynst the king in the Church of s. Peter the poore in the moneth of March in the xxx yeare of the kings raigne Which wordes if they be true as the Atteinder doth purport three things I haue here much to meruaile at First if his aduersaries had so sure holde and matter against hym Witnesses agaynst Cromwell suspected then what would mooue thē to make such hastie speede in all post haste to haue him dispatched and rid out of the way and in no case could abyde hym to come to his purgation Which if he might haue done it is not otherwise to be thought but he would easily haue clered himselfe thereof Secondly this I maruell What mischiefe malicious make-bates make in a commō wealth that if the wordes had bene so hainous against the kyng as his enemies did pretend why then did those witnesses which heard those words in S. Peters Church in the xxx yeare of the kyngs raigne conceale the sayd wordes of such treason so long the space almost of ij yeares Examples of mē falsely accused wrongfully iudged and now vttered the same in the xxxij yeare of the kings reigne in the moneth of Iuly Thirdly here is agayne to be marueled if the king had known or beleued these words to be true and that Cromwell had bene in deede such a traytour to his person why then did the kyng so shortly after lamēt his death wishing to haue his Cromwell aliue agayne What Prince will wish the lyfe of hym whom he suspecteth vndoubtedly to be a traitor to his life and person wherby it may appeare what
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
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
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
Suffolke with his brethren departed from his house at Shene and tooke hys voyage into Leycester shyre After whome was sent the Earle of Huntington to take hym and bring hym to London who proclaimed the said Duke traytor by the way as he râ—ade As touching the rising of master Wyate with Syr W. Cobham and others in Kent and there comming to London in the moneth of Februarie also of the Queenes comming to the Guilde Hall and her Oration there made and after of the taking of the said Wyat and his company likewise of the apprehension of the Duke of Suffolke with his brother Lord Iohn Gray and the next day after of beheading of Lord Gildford and Lady Iane which was the 12. day of February and how the day before which was 11. of the sayd moneth Lord William Haward and sir Edwarde Hastings were sent for the Ladie Elizabeth and how the same Sonday Syr Harrye Iseley M. Culpeper The Lady Elizabeth sent for The byshoâ— of Winchâ—â—ster preacheth and M. Winter were committed to the Tower the B. of Winchester the same daye being the 11. of Februarie preaching before the Queene and perswading her to vse no mercy towarde these Kentishmen but seuere execution all whyche was in the moneth of February because most of these matters haue bene briefly touched before or els may be founde in other Chronicles I wil cease to make any further story of them hauing somwhat notwithstanding to declare touching the rainment and death of the Duke of Suffolke Uppon Saterday beinge the 17. day of Februarye the Duke of Suffolke was arraigned at Westminster and the same day condemned to die by his Peres the Earle Arundel was chiefe Iudge for this day The Duke of Suffolke arraigned Uppon the Sonday following which was the 18. day of the sayd moneth Sessions was kept in London whych hath not before bene sene to be kept vpon the Sonday Upon the monday the 19. of Februarie the Lord Cobhams 3. sonnes and 4. other men were arraigned at Westminster of whiche sonnes the youngest was condemned whose name is Thomas and the other two came not at the barre and the other 4. were condemned Upon the Tuesday being the 20. of February The Lord Iohn Graâ— arraygned the Lord Iohn Gray was araigned at Westminster and there condemned the same day and other 3. men whereof one was named Nailer Upon the Wedensday the 21. of Februarie the L. Thomas Gray and sir Iames Croft were broughte throughe London to the Tower with a number of horsemen Sir Nicholas Throgmorton committed to the Tower Upon the Thursday being the 22. of Februarie syr Nicholas Throgmorton was committed to the Tower Uppon the Friday being the 23. of Februarie 1554. the Duke of Suffolke was beheaded at the Tower hil the order of whose death heere followeth The godly ende and death of the Duke of Suffolke beheaded at Tower hil An. 1554. Febr. 23. ON Friday the 23. of February 1554. about 9. of y e clocke in the fore noone the Lorde Henrie Gray duke of Suffolke was broughte foorth of the Tower of London vnto the Scaffolde on the Tower hill The order and maner of the Duke of Suffolkes death D. Weston the Duke Ghostly â—â—ther agaiâ—â—â— the Dukeâ— will Weston 〈◊〉 back by the Dukes 〈◊〉 The word of the Duâ—â— to the people wyth a greate company c. and in his comming thither there accompanied him Doctor Weston as his Ghostly father notwythstanding as it should seeme against the will of the sayde Duke For when the Duke went vp to the Scaffolde the sayd Weston being on his left hand preased to goe vp wyth hym The Duke with his hand put him downe againe of the staires and Weston taking holde of the Duke forced hym downe likewise And as they ascended the second time the Duke againe put him downe Then Weston sayde that it was the Queenes pleasure he shoulde so doe Wherewyth the Duke casting hys handes abroade ascended vppe the Scaffolde and paused a pretie while after And then he sayde Maisters I haue offended the Queene and her lawes and thereby am iustly condemned to die and am willing to die desiring all men to be obedient and I praye God that thys my death may be an ensample to all men The godly fayth and confession of the Duâ—â— at his deaâ—â— beseeching you all to beare mee witnesse that I die in the faithe of Christe trusting to bee saued by his bloude onely and by no other trumperie the whych died for me and for all them that truely repent and stedfastly trust in him And I do repent desiring you all to pray to God for me that when you see my breathe departe froÌ„ me you wil pray to God that he may receiue my soule And then he desired all men to forgeue him saying that the Queene had forgeuen him Then M. Weston declared with a loude voyce that the Queenes Maiestie had forgiuen him With that diuers of the standers by said with meetely good and audible voice such forgiuenes God send thee meaning Doctor Weston Then the Duke kneeled downe vpon his knees and sayd the Psalme Miserere mei Deus vnto the end holding vp his hands and looking vp to heauen And when he had ended the Psalme The Duke 〈◊〉 he sayd In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum c. Then he arose and stoode vp and deliuered his cap and his skarffe vnto the executioner Then the sayd executioner kneeled downe and asked the Duke forgiuenes And the Duke sayd God forgiue thee I do when thou doest thine office I pray thee do it wel and bring me out of this world quickly The Duke 〈…〉 and God haue mercy to thee Then stood there a man and sayd my Lord how shal I do for the money that you do owe me And the Duke sayd alas good felow I pray thee trouble mee not now but go thy way to my officers Then he knit a kercher about his face and kneeled downe and said Our father which art in heauen c. vnto the ende And then he saide Christ haue mercy vpon me The end of the Duke of Sufolke and layd downe his head on the blocke and the executioner tooke the Axe and at the first chop stroke off his head and held it vp to y e people c. The same day a number of prisoners had their pardon and came through the Citie with their halters about theyr neckes They were in * The number of these are 240. which with 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 passed through 〈◊〉 citty to Wâ—stminster and had their pardon Priestes diuorced number about two hundreth Upon the Saterday the 24. of February Syr William Sentlow was committed as prisoner to the maister of the horse to be kept This Syr William was at this time one of the Lady Elizabeths Gentlemen Upon the Sonday beeing 25. of February Syr Iohn Rogers was committed to the Tower In this weeke all suche Priestes
The next yere folowing which was anno 1532. in the moneth of August died also the woorthy and memorable prince Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie who for testimonie of Christe and of his Gospel susteined such trials so many bruntes The death of Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie and so vehement conflicts with the Emperour and that especially at the Councell assembled at Auspurge that vnlesse the almighty hand of the Lorde had susteined him it had not bene possible for him or any prince to haue endured so constaÌ„t and vnremoueable against so many perswasions and assaults as hee did to the ende After him succeeded Iohn Fridericke his sonne c. And thus haue ye the historie of Zuinglius and of the church of Suitzerlande with their proceedings and troubles from the first beginning of their reformation of religion set forth and described Whereunto we will adde one certaine Epistle of y e said Zuinglius taken out of his other Epistles and so therewith close vp hys storie Which Epistle I thought here to record especially for that in the same among other maters profitably is expounded y e true meaning of the Apostle wryting to the Corrinthians concerning how to iudge the Lordes body to the entent that the simple thereby may the better be informed The words of his letter be these as folowe Huldricus Zuinglius N. fratri in Domino GRatiam pacem in Domino Accipe igitur chariss frater c. In English thus Vnto your questions propounded to me in your former letters well be loued brother A letter of Vldricus Zuinglius I haue sent you heere mine aunswere First I am also in the same minde with you that the Lordes supper is a verye thankes geuing for so the Apostle him selfe meaneth saying Yee shall shewe foorth the Lordes death 2. Cor. 10. Where the woorde of shewing foorth signifieth as much as praising or thankes geeuynge Wherefore seeinge it is an Euchariste or a thankes geuing in my iudgement no other thing ought to bee obtruded to mens consciences but onely with due reuerence to geue thankes Neuerthelesse yet this is not tâ— be neglected that euery man doe prooue and examine him selfe for so wee oughte to search and aske our owne consciences what faith wee haue in Christ Iesus which if it be sounde and sincere we may approche without stay to this thankes geuing For he that hath no faith yet faineth or pretendeth to haue eateth his owne iudgement for he lieth to the holy Ghost And whereas you suppose that Paul in this place doth not reprooue them which sit at the table eating of meates offered to Idols I dissent from you therein For Paule a litle before wryteth vehemently against those arrogante persones which bragging vpon their knowledge thought they might lawfully eate of such meates offered to Idols sitting and eating at the Lordes table You can not sayeth he be partakers bothe of the Lordes table and the table of deuils c. Wherefore Saint Paules meaning is that euery one should trie and examine hymselfe what faith he hath Whereuppon it foloweth that he which hath a right faith must haue no parte nor fellowship wyth those things which be geuen to Idols for he is nowe a member of another body that is of Christe The place of S. Paule of iudging the Lords body expounded so that hee can not ioyne him selfe nowe to be one body with Idolaters And therefore those be they which doe not iudge or discerne the Lordes body that make no difference betwene the Church of Christ and the Church of Idolaters For they which sit at the Lordes table eating of Idolmeates do make no difference at all betweene the Lordes supper Who be they that iudge not the Lords body and the supper of the deuill which be they whom Paul sayth not to iudge the bodye of the Lorde that is which make no discrepance nor geue any more regard to Christes Church then to the church of deuils Whereas if we would iudge our selues that is if we would thorowly search and examine our own consciences as we shuld in comming to the table of the Lorde we finding any faith in vs would neuer goe to the table or make therof the feast of deuilles Wherefore your iudgement heerein is not amisse in expounding the word of iudging in S. Paule to signifie as much as coÌ„sidering Iesus tooke bread perpending and inquiring To your seconde question I aunswere that Iesus tooke bread and brake c. Also he tooke the cuppe c. Ista verba sunt peculiariter agentis non hospitaliter inuitantis that is these woordes declare the action of one which properly doeth a thing and not the hospitalitie of one which inuiteth another to eate Touching your third question out of the 6. chap. of Iohn The word Easter Doeth this offende you herein I doe full agree with you As for this word Ostren which is your fourth question I vnderstaÌ„d therby the time of the great feast or solemnitie which we kepe in remembrance of the great deliueraunce of Gods people from the thraldome nowe of Satan before from the thraldome of Pharao Neither is it greatly materiall with what woorde we expresse the thing so the thing it selfe be one and the analogie and consonancie of the Scripture be kept For the Scripture calleth Christ bothe the Lambe and S. Paule calleth him our Easter or Passeouer Now your worde wanderfest well pleaseth me The descending of Christ into hell expoundâ—d for the Passeouer or Paesah To your fifth interrogation of Christ descending into Hell I suppose this particle was inserted into the Creede by the sentence of the Fathers to declare how the fathers were redemed by the death of Christ which died in the faith For Christ ledde away captiuitie wherewith they were holden with him vp into heauen CircuÌ„scriptiuè PoteÌ„tionaliter Vt mors illius eos qui erant apud inferos redimeret so that hys going downe into Hell non sic intelligatur quasi circumscriptiuè sed potentionaliter that is be not so vnderstanded as circumscriptiuely which is when a thynge is present by circumscription of any one place but by power which is by the operation of his spirit which is not coÌ„preheÌ„ded in any certenty of place but without prescription of certain place is diffused euery so that the article of Christes descending into hell importeth as much as that his death redemed them which were in hell Wherunto S. Peter also seemeth to haue respect where he sayeth * * 1. Pet. 3. The Gospell also was preached to them which were deade that is that they also did feele the good tidings of the Gospell their redemption by the sonne of God and that they which rose againe wyth Christ in spirite be nowe with him in heauen who neuerthelesse in flesh shal be iudged what time the sonne of God and of man shal come to iudge both the quicke dead Returne to the places
Munchen in Bauaria THe viij day of February in the yeare of our saluation .1527 there happened a rare and maruellous example spectacle in the town of Munchen in Barauia which was this George Carpenter Martyr A certayne man named George Carpenter of Emeryng was there burnt When he was fette out of the pryson called Falken Tower and led before the Councell diuers Friers and Monkes followed him to instructe and teach him Whom he willed to tary at home not to folow him When he came before the Councel his offences were read conteyned in foure Articles First that he did not beleue that a Priest could forgeue a mans sinnes Articles layde against George Carpenter Secondly that he did not beleue that a man could call God out of heauen Thyrdly that he did not beleue that God was in the bread which the Priest hangeth ouer the aultar but that it was the bread of the Lord. Fourthly that he did not beleue that the very element of the water it selfe in Baptisme doth geue grace Which foure Articles he vtterly refused to recant Thē came vnto him a certayne Scholemaister of S. Peters in y e towne of Munchen George persuaded to recant saying my frend George doest thou not feare the death and punishmēt which thou must suffer If thou were let go wouldest thou return to thy wife and children Wherunto he aunswered If I were set at liberty whither should I rather go then to my Wyfe and well beloued children Then sayde the Schoolemayster reuoke your former sentence and opinion The loue of God prefered before wyfe chyldren and libertie and you shal be set at liberty Wherunto George answered my wife and my children are so dearely beloued vnto me that they can not bee bought from me for all the riches and possessions of the Duke of Bauaria but for the loue of my Lord God I will willingly forsake them When he was led vnto the place of execution the scholemayster spake vnto him agayne in the middest of the market place saying good George beleue in the Sacrament of the aultar The Sacrament a signe of the Lords bodie do not affirme it to be onely a signe Wherunto he aunswered I beleue this Sacrament to be a signe of the body of Iesus Christ offered vpon the Crosse for vs. Then sayde the Schoolemayster moreouer what doest thou meane Baptisme that thou doest so litle esteme Baptisme knowing that Christ suffered himselfe to be Baptised in Iordane Wherunto he answered and shewed what was the true vse of Baptisme and what was the end why Christ was Baptised in Iordane howe necessary it was that Christ should dye and suffer vpon the Crosse wherin onely standeth our saluation The same Christ sayde he will I confesse this daye before the whole world for he is my Sauiour and in him do I beleue After this came vnto him one Mayster Conrade Scheitter the Uicare of the cathedrall Church of our Lady in Munchen a preacher saying George if thou wilt not beleue the Sacrament yet put al thy trust in God and say I trust my cause to be good and true * Mark here these subtile Serpentes which whō they can not remoue thys good man from hys fayth they goe about to bryng hym in doubt thereof The aunsweres of George Carpenter to euerie particle of the Lordes prayer but if I should erre truely I woulde be sory and repent Whereunto George Carpenter aunswered God suffer me not to erre I besech hym Then sayd the Scholemayster vnto him doe not put the matter in that hasarde but chuse vnto you some good Christian brother Mayster Conrade or some other vnto whom thou mayst reuele thy hart not to confesse thy selfe but to take some godly counsell of him Wherunto he aunswered Nay not so for it would be to long Then maister Conrade began the Lordes Prayer Our Father which art in heauen Whereunto Carpenter aunswered truely thou art our Father and no other this day I trust to be with thee Then Mayster Conrade went forwarde with the prayer saying Halowed be thy name Carpenter aunswered O my God how little is thy name halowed in this world Then sayde Mayster Conrade Thy Kingdome come Carpenter aunswered let thy kingdome come this day vnto mee that I also may come vnto thy kingdome Then sayd Cōrade Thy will be done in earth as it is heauen Carpenter aunswered For this cause O Father am I now here that thy will might be fulfilled and not mine Then sayd Mayster Conrade Geue vs this day our dayly bread Carpenter aunsweared the onely liuing breade Iesu Christ shall be my food Then sayd Conrade And forgeue vs our trespasses as we forgeue them that trespasse agaynst vs. Carpenter aunswered with a willing mind do I forgeue all men both my frends and aduersaryes Then sayd Mayster Conrade And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euill Wherunto Carpenter aunswered O my Lord without doubt thou shalt deliuer me for vppon thee onely haue I layde all my hope Then he began to rehearse the beliefe saying I beleue in God the Father almightye Carpenter aunswered O my God in thee alone doe I trust in thee onely is all my confidence and vpon no other creature albeit they haue gone about to force me otherwise In this maner he aunswered to euery word which his aunsweres if they shoulde be described at length would be to long This prayer ended the Scholemayster sayd vnto him doest thou beleue so truely and cōstantly in thy Lord and God with thy hart as thou doest chearefullye seeme to confesse him with thy mouth Hereunto he aunswered The hartie confession of George Carpenter Luke 12. Whatsoeuer a man loueth aboue God that he maketh his Idoll George Carpenter Carpenter refuseth to be prayed for after his death It were a very hard matter for me if that I which am here ready to suffer death shoulde not beleue that with my hart whiche I openlye professe with my mouth For I knewe before that I muste suffer persecutiō if I would cleaue vnto Christ who saith where as thy hart is there also is thy treasure and whatsoeuer thing a man doth fixe in his hart to loue aboue God that he maketh his Idoll Thē sayd mayster Conrade vnto him George doest thou thinke it necessary after thy death that any man should pray for thee or say Masse for thee He aunswered so lōg as the soule is ioyned to the body pray God for me that he wil geue me grace and pacience with al humility to suffer the paynes of death with a true Christian fayth but when the soule is separate from the body then haue I no more need of your prayers When as the hangman should bind him to the ladder he preached much vnto the people Then he was desired by certaine Christian brethren that as soone as he was cast into the fire he should geue some signe or token what his faith or beliefe was To whom
prison Otto Palatine hearing of their taking writeth to the Magistrates of Oeniponte for iudgement Which Magistrates at first semed very willing ther to but in conclusion through the practise of papists and crafty lawyers the sentence iudiciall was so delayed from day to day thē from houre to houre that the Emperours letters came in posthaste requiring the matter to be stayed and reserued to his hearing And thus the terrible murder of Cain and his felow was bolstered out by the Papistes The like wherof from the memorye of men was neuer hearde of since the first example of Cain Cain still killeth Abell which for religion slue hys own brother Abell But although true iudgemēt in this world be peruerted yet such bloudy Cains w t their wilfull murther shall not escape y e hands of him who shall iudge truely both the committers and the bolsterers also of all mischieuous wickednes Ex Claudio Senarcleo ¶ An. 1546 Charles the Emperour helde an armed Councell at Augusta after his victory gotten in Germany Where Iulius Pflug Michael Sidonius and Iohn Islebius going about to concorde together the Gospell of Christ with the traditions of the Pope that is to make a hodgebotch of them both drewe and framed out a new forme of Religion called Interim Interim Whereupon began a new matter of persecution in Germanie For the Emperour proceeded straightly agaynst all them which woulde not receaue hys Interim intending thereby to haue wrought some great mastry against the Gospellers but the Lorde disapoynted his purpose Among them whiche withstoode this Spanishe Interim besides other were also the Cittizens of Cōstantia For the which three thousande Spanyardes priuilye by night came agaynst the Towne of Constance The assault of the Spaniardes against the Citie of Constance where they killed three of the watchmen of the Town which watching in the suburbes went forth to view the noyse whiche they heard in the woodes The deuise of the spanyardes was in the mornyng when the cittizens were at the Sermon sodeinly to set vppon the Citty and take it so no doubt intentēding to haue gone further But as the Lord would something began to be suspected in the night by the watchmē in the suburbes on the other side the water whereby the Consul and Cittizens had intelligence to be in readines When the morning came y e Spanyardes were ready at y e gate to breake into the City But beyng driuen from thence and theyr Captaine Alphonsus slayne they went to the bridge which goeth ouer the Rhene But being beaten also from thence with shotte and great peeces from the walles and a great number of them drowned in the riuer the Spanyardes breaking downe the hynder part of the bridge because the Cittizens shoulde not pursue them they recoyled backe into the suburbes and burned thē with the dead bodyes also that were slayne so that the number of the Spanyardes that there were killed could not be knowne Onely a hūdreth of honest Cittizens of Constance were missing Ex. Ioan. Sled lib. 21. At the same tyme many godly Ministers of the Churches in Germany were in great daunger especially such as refused to receaue the Interim of whom some were cast into prison In which number of prisoners was Mart. Frectius Superintendēt of Ulmes with foure other preachers moe also hys brother George for cōming but to his house to comfort him For the which cause Musculus the same tyme wyth other preachers moe went from Ausburge Brentius from Hala Blaurerus from Constance Bucer from Strausburgh A Bishop in Hungary A godly priest in Hungary In Hungary a certayn godly priest preached The martyrdome of a godly priest that the eating of flesh is not prohibited in the Scripture for the which the cruel bishop after he had imprisoned him certayne weekes caused hym to be brought out hys body to be tyed ouer with Hares Geese and Hennes hanging round about hym and so y e beastly Bish. made dogges to be set vppō hym which cruelly rent and tore whatsoeuer they could catche And thus the good minister of Christ beyng driuen about the Cittie with the barking of dogges dyed and was martyred The sighte whereof as it was lamentable to the godly so it seemed ridiculous to the wicked But within few dayes after the impious bishop by the stroke of Gods iust hand fell sicke and became horne madde and so rauing without sence or witte miserably dyed Iust punishmēt of God vpon a cruel persecutor Ex tomo 2. Conuiualium Sermo Ioan Gastij  Iohn Fridericke of Saxony Elector Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxony An. 1547. Among these godly and constant Sayntes of Christ may well be recounted Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxony Who whē he had recouered agayne all his dominions which Duke Maurice hadde taken from him before being in Sueuia with his armye and at last was taken prisoner of the Emperour at Albis 24. of Aprill ann 1547. yet could neuer be induced to yelde to the Emperour in reuoking his fayth and doctrine of the Gospell wherin he stoode For the which he was deteined from his wife and children and bereaued of all his goods and caryed about with the Emperour the space of fiue yeares This admirable constancye of that duke was a wonder to all his aduersaries At last in the yeare of our Lord. 1552. through the benefite of almighty God he was set agayne at libertye returning home to his wife childrē cōtinued in his religion till the houre of his death Ex Sled lib. 19. Much like was the case also of Philip Lantgraue of Hesse The Lantgraue of Hesse who likewise being taken and spoyled of the Emperour cōtinued the space of 5. yeares in the cruel custodye of the Spanyardes and albeit he had fined vnto the Emperour and was promised to be set free out of prison the Emperour and his Counsell dalying with theyr promise expounded his prisonment not to be perpetuall And though great labour intercession was made for him yet al would not helpe For when the Emperour sent him away then Mary the Emperours sister tooke him by the way finding cauillations agaynst him whereby hee was agayne committed to the hands of Spanyardes till at lēgth through the disposing of Gods mercy first the Duke of Saxony and then 6. dayes after the Lantgraue also were both freed out of long captiuitye sent home Ex Comment Sled lib. 19.24 Charles Emperour Hermannus Archbishop of Colen Hermannus Archb. of Colen An. 1547. Wyth these holy Martyrs aboue recyted may also be numbred Hermannus archbysh of Colen Who a litle before the Emperour had war agaynst the Protestantes had reformed his Churche from certain papistical superstitions vsyng therin the ayd and aduise of Martine Bucer Wherefore Charles the Emperour sent word to Colen that he should be deposed whiche he paciētly did suffer In his roome was set Adolphus Earle of Schaunenburge Ex Sled lib. 18. The President or Maior of Dornic M.
Nicholas Frenchman Nicholas Frenchman MarioÌ„ wyfe of Augustinus Martyrs Marion wife of Augustinus An. 1549. M. Nicholas and Barbara hys Wyfe also Augustinus a Barber and Marion hys Wyfe borne about Hennegow after they had bene at Geneua a space came into Germanye thinkyng that way to passe ouer into England By the way comming to HeÌ„negow Augustine desired M Nicholas because he was learned to come to Bergis to visite and comfort certeyne brethren there which he willingly did From thence passing by Dornic or Tornay they held on theyr iourney toward England But in the way Austen and his wife being knowen were detected to the Lieuetenaunt of Dornic who in all speedy hast folowing after them ouertooke them 4. myles beyond Donic Augustine how I can not tell escaped that time out of theyr handes and could not be found The souldiours then laying handes vpon Nicholas and the 2. women brought them backe agayne to Dornic In returninge by the waye when M. Nicholas at the table gaue thankes as the maner is of the faythfull the wicked Ruler scorning them and swearing like a tyraunt sayd Now let vs see thou lewd heretick whether thy God can deliuer thee out of my hand To whome Nicholas aunswering againe modestly asked what had Christ euer offended him that he with his blasphemous swearing did so teare him in pieces desiring him Blasphemy of a Papist that if he had any thing against Christ rather he would wreke his anger vpon his poore body and let the Lord alone Thus they being bound hands feet were brought to Bergis and there laid in the doungeon TheÌ„ duke Ariscote accompanyed with a great number of priestes and Franciscan Friers and with a Doctor whiche was theyr warden came to talke with them Nicholas sâ—anding in the middest of them being asked what he was and whither he would aunswered theÌ„ perfectly to all theyr questions and moreouer so confounded the Friers that they went away ashamed saying that be had a deuil and crying The Fryers confounded to the fire with him Lutherane As they continued looking still for the day of their execution it came to the Riuers myndes to aske of Nicolas in what house he was lodged wheÌ„ he came to Bergis Nicolas sayd he had neuer bene there before and therefore being a straunger he could not tell the name of the house When Nicolas would confesse nothing Duke Ariscotus came to Barbara Nicholas hys Wyfe to know where they were lodged at Bergis promising many fayre woordes of deliuery if she would tell Barbarn reuolted She being a weake and a timorous woman vttered all By the occasion whereof great persecution folowed and many were apprehended Where this is to be noted that shortlye Gods punishment vpon persecutours euen vpon the same the sonne of the sayd Duke Ariscotus was slayne and buryed the same day when Augustinus was burned To be short Nicolas shortly after was brought before the Iudges and there condemned to be burned to ashes At which sentence geuing Nicholas condemned Nicolas blessed the Lord which had counted him worthy to be a witnesse in the cause of hys deare and welbeloued sonne Going to the place of execution he was commaunded to speake nothing to the people or els he should haue a balle of wood thrust in his mouth Being at the stake and seeyng a great multitude aboute him forgetting his silence promised he cryed with a loud voyce O Charles Charles how long shall thy hart be hardened And with y t one of y e souldiours gaue him a blow Then saide Nicholas again Ah miserable people thou art not woorthy to whom the word of God should be preached And thus hee spake as they were binding him to the stake The â—riers came out with theyr olde song crying that he had a deuill To whom Nicholas spake the Uerse of the Psalme Depart from me all ye wicked for the Lord hath heard the voyce of my weepyng And thus this holye Martyr paciently taking his death commended vp his spirit vnto God in the middest of the fire Ex Lud. Rab. Pantal. et alijs  Marion Wife of Austen aboue mentioned At Bergis in Hennegow An. 1549. After the Martyrdome of this M. Nicolas MarioÌ„ the wife of Austen was called for The martyrdom of Marion With whome they had much talke about the maner and state of Geneua asking her how the Sacraments wer administred ther and whether shee had celebrated there the Lordes Supper To whom she aunswered that the Sacramentes there were celebrated after the Lordes institution of the which she was no Celebrator but a Partaker The sentence of her condemnation was this that she should be interred quicke When she was let downe to the graue Marion buryed quicke kneeling vpon her knees she desired the Lord to help her and before she should be throwne downe she desired her face might be couered with a napkin or some linnen cloth who being so couered and the earth thrown vpon her face and her body the hangman stamped vpon her with hys feet till her breath was past Ibidem The watchmeÌ„ or souldiours of Bellimont Augustine the husband of Marion At Bellimont in Hennegow An. 1549. Ye heard before how Austen escaped before at the taking of Nicholas and the 2. women After this he gaue himselfe to sell spices other pedlary ware from place to place Who at length coÌ„ming to the Towne of Bellimont in Hennegow there was knowne detected to the Magistrate Whereof he hauing some intelligence before left his ware ran away And seeing moreouer the house beset about with harnised men where he was hosted he began to be more afeard and hid himself in a bush for he was very timorous and a weake spirited man But the houre beyng come which the Lord hath appoynted for him it happened that certayne standing vpon the towne walle which might well see him go into the thicket or bushe gaue knowledge therof to the souldiours Augustine againe taken which folowed hym to the bushe and tooke him Beyng taken he was had to Bergis the head towne of Hennegow where being examined valiauntly standyng to the defence of his doctrine aunswered his aduersaryes with great boldnes Wherein here is to be noted and maruelled to see the worke of the Lord Example of Gods goodnes in strengthening the weake harted how this man being before of nature so timorous now was so strengthened wyth Gods grace that he nothing feared the force of al his enemies Among other came to him the Warden of the Gray Friers with a long Oration perswadyng him to relent or els he shoulde be damned in hell fyre perpetually To whom Austen aunsweryng agayn sayd proue that which you say by the authority of Gods woord that a man may beleue you you saye much but you proue nothing rather lyke a Doctor of lyes then of truth c. At last he being there condemned to be burnt at Bellimont was brought to the Inne
they passed by the waye and kept them prisoners within their abbey And hauing assembled a company of Ruffians they sent them to spoyle those of the said churches and to take prisoners men women children and some they so tormented that they wer coÌ„pelled to sweare to returne to the masse other some also they sent to the galleis and other some they burnt cruelly They whyche escaped were afterwards so sicke that they seemed to haue bene poysoned Martirs The same yeare there were two great earthquakes in Piemonte and also many great tempests and horrible thunders The Gentlemen of the valley of S. Martin intreated theyr tennauntes very cruelly threatning them and commaunding them to returne vnto the Masse also spoyling them of thâ—yr goodes imprisoning them and vexing them by all the meanes they could Charles Trutchet and Boniface his brother two cruel persecuters But aboue all the other two especially y t is to say Charles Truchet and Boniface hys brother the whiche the 2. day of Aprill before day wyth a company of Ruffians spoyled a village of their owne subiectes named Renclaret the whiche assoone as the inhabitants of the said village perceiued they fled into the mountaine couered with snow A minister of Calabria burnt naked and without victuall and there remayned vntill the thirde night after In the morning certaine of his retinue toke a minister of the said valley prisonner which was come out of Calabria was going to visite the poore people of Renclaret and ledde hym prisonner to the Abbey where soone after hee was burnt with one other of the valley of S. Martin The third night after they of Pragela hauing pity vpon the poore people of Renclaret Gods people rescued sente aboute iiij C. to discomfite the company of the Truchets and to restore those which were fled to their houses They were furiously assaulted by the shot of their enemies who notwithstanding in the end were put to flight and but one of the foure hundred hurt About a yeare before the said Truchet being accoÌ„panied with a company of ruffians arrested prisoner the minister of Renclaret as he was at his Sermon But the people was so moued by this outragious dealing specially the women that they had almost strangled the saide Truchet and the rest of them were so canuased that they had no liste to come there agayne any more By reason whereof hee so vexed them by processe that they were compelled to agree with him and to pay him xvi C. crownes Soone after the lordes of the sayde valley tooke another minister of the same valley A minister of the Valley of Renclaret taken and wounded as he was going to preach in a parish a mile froÌ„ his house but the people perceiuing that speedily pursued him and tooke him The enemies seeyng that they were not able to leade hym away wounded hym so sore that they left him for dead Whereupon they so persecuted the poore people that they were almost destroyed Heere is not to be forgotten that the same nyght in the whiche the companye of Truchet was discomfited was so stormie and terrible and the Gentlemen of that Countrey were so terrified that they thought they should haue bene al destroied Wherfore they vsed more gentlenes towardes the people then before except Charles Truchet hys brother False coÌ„plaintes brought to the Duke against the Waldoys the whych wente to the Duke and made greeuous complaintes against the Waldoys not only for that which was done and past but also perswaded the duke that they went about to builde three Fortresses in the mountaines and also intended to maintaine certaine garrisons of straÌ„gers charging them further with diuers other crimes of the whych they were in no poynt guiltie The Duke being mooued by these false surmises gaue in charge to the sayde accusers and the Fortresse of the valley of S. Martine the whych about twentie yere before was rased by the French men shoulde be builte againe and that therein shoulde be placed a perpetuall garrison and that the people shoulde make so plaine and wide the rugged wayes that horsemen myght easely passe with diuers such other thyngs and all this to be done at the costes charges of those that woulde not submit them selues to the abedience of the Romaine Churche What cruell reportâ—râ— doe This commission being sealed the Gentlemen caused the Fortresse to be built againe and put therin a garrison and proclaimed the commission The poore people being thereat amased withstoode the Commissioners and sente certaine to the Duke and immediatly after the Commissioners retourned to the Dukes Courte being at Nice to inflame his anger more against them But God soone preuented this mischiefe For the Truchets being at Nice went to the Sea with diuers noble men and immediately they were taken prisoners by the Turkes put into the Galleys sore beaten wyth ropes and so cruelly handled that it was commonly reported that they were deade and loÌ„g time after denying their nobilitie were sent home The iuste iudgement of God vpoÌ„ the Truchets so cruelly vering spoyling and accusing of these poore Waldoys hauing paid 400. crownes for their ransome Some say that the Duke himselfe was almost taken but it is sure that hee fell sicke soone after In the moneth of April next folowing the Lorde of Raconis was present at a Sermon in a place neare vnto Angrongne The sermon being ended he talked with the ministers and hauing discoursed as well of the Dukes sickenesse as also of his clemencie and gentlenes he declared to them that the persecution proceded not of him and that he meant not that the coÌ„mission shuld haue bene so rigorously executed After that he demaunded of them what way they thought best to appease the Dukes wrath They answeared that the people ought not to be mooued to seeke by any meanes howe to please appease the Duke which mighte displease God But y e best way they knewe was the same wherwith the auncient seruaunts of God vsed to appease the Pagane Princes and Emperours By what meanes the Chrystians in tymes past haue appeased the fury of Pagane princes in the time of the great persecutions of the church that is to say to geue out and present vnto them in wryting the confession of theyr faith and defence of the religion which they professed trusting that for as muche as the fury of diuers prophane and Ethnike Emperors and princes haue bene heretofore appeased by such meanes the Duke being endued wyth such singular vertues as they said he was would also be pacified by the like meanes And for that cause the poore people had before sent a supplication wyth a Confession of theyr faith vnto the Duke but they were not certaine whether he had receiued it or no. Wherfore they desired him to present the same vnto the sayd Duke him selfe Whereunto he agreed promised so to do Wherupon they sent three supplications one to the Duke
take aduise what in such an extremitie Deliberation among the Waldois how to defend and how not to defend themselues were best to do In the ende they determined that for certeine daies folowing there should be kept a generall fast and y e Sonday after a coÌ„munion Also that they should not defend themselues by force of armes but that euery one should withdraw himselfe into the high mountaines and euery one to cary away such goods as he was able to beare and if their enemies pursued them thether then to take such aduise and counsel as it pleased God to geue them This Article of not defendyng themselues seemed very strange to the people being driuen to such an extremity and y e cause being so iust But yet euery one begaÌ„ to cary their goods and vitailes into the mountaynes and for the space of eight dayes all the wayes were filled wyth commers and goers to the mountaines like vnto Ants in Sommer which prouide for winter All this did they in this great perplexitie danger with a wonderful courage and cherefulnes praising of God and singing of Psalmes and euery one coÌ„forting an other Briefly they went with such ioy and alacritie that you should not haue seene any which grudged to leaue their houses and faire possessions but were wholy determined patiently to abide the good pleasure of God and also to dye if he had so appoynted Whether subiects for religioÌ„ may stand to their owne defence A few dayes after certeyne other Ministers hearyng what they of Angrongne Luserne had concluded wrote vnto them that this resolution seemed very straunge to some that they ought not to defend themselues against the violence of their enemies alleadging many reasons that in such an extremitie and necessitie it was lawful for them so to do especially the quarell being so iust that is for the defence of true Religion and for the preseruation of theyr owne liues and the liues of theyr wiues and children knowing that it was the Pope and hys Ministers which were the cause of all these troubles and cruell warres and not the Duke The AngronyaÌ„s refuse to heare masse Who was stirred vp thereunto onely by their instigations Wherefore they might well and wyth good conscience withstand such furious and outragious violence For the proofe heereof they also alleadged certeine examples During this season the Lorde of Angrongne named Charles de Comptes of Luserne laboured earnestly by al meanes possible to cause them of Angrongne to coÌ„descend to the Dukes pleasure sollicited them to send away their Ministers promising that he woulde cause a Masse to be song at Angrongne and that the people should not be coÌ„pelled to be present thereat hoping that by that means the Dukes wrath would be appeased The chief of AngroÌ„gne thereupon were assembled and made this answere that if the Duke would permit them to choose other Ministers they were content to send away their forreine ministers straungers But as touching the Masse hys hyghnes might well cause it to be song in their parishes but they for their part could not with safe consciences be present at the same nor yet geue their consent vnto it The xxij of October the sayde Lord of Angrongne went from Luserne to Mondeuis where he was then gouernour for the Duke and sent for the chiefe Rulers of Angrongne at seuerall times declaryng vnto them the great perils and daungers wherewith they were enuironed the army beyng alreadie at hande yet promising them if they woulde submitte themselues vnto hym he would send immediately to stay the armye They of Angrongne aunswered that they all determined to stande to that which they two dayes before in theyr assemble had put in writing With thys aunswer he seemed at that present to be content The next day the rumor was that they of Angrongne had submitted themselues to the Duke On the morrow whiche was Sonday you should haue seene nothing but weeping and mourning in Angrongne The Sermon being ended the Rulers were called before the ministers and the people The determination answere of the Angronians was falsified the whiche affirmed that they wholy cleaued vnto their former writing and they sent secretly to the Notary for the copie of that which was passed in the counsaile house at their last assemble before the Lord de Comptes in the whiche was comprised that Angrongne had wholy submitted hirselfe to the good pleasure of the Duke The people hearing that were sore astonished and protested rather to dye then obey the same and therevpon it was agreed that at that very instant albeit it were very late certayne should be sent to the Lorde of Angrongne to signifie vnto him that the determination of the Councell was falsified and that it might please him the next morning to come to Angrongne to heare the voyces of the people not onely of the men but also of the women and children But he himselfe went not thyther hauing intelligence of the vprore but sente thyther the Iudge of that place Then that which had bene falsified was duly corrected the Iudge laying all the blame vpon the Notary During this time the aduersaries cryed out through all the Countrey of Piemont To the fire wyth them Open procclamatioÌ„ against Angrongne to the fire with them The Thursday after Angrongne by proclamations and writings set vp in euery place was exposed to the fire and sworde On Friday after being the seconde of Nouember the army approched to the borders of the valley of Luserne and certayne horsemen came to a place called S. Iohn a little beneath Angrongne Then the people retired into y e mountaines Certaine of S. Iohn perceiuing that the horsemen not only spoiled their goods but also tooke their felowes prisoners set vpon them It is not certayne what number of the enemies were there slayne but sodenly they retired to Bubiane where theyr campe then was and not one of them of S. Iohn was slayne or hurt It happened at the same tyme that two of the foresaide horsemen beeing sore amased galoped before the rest towards the army being ready to march towards Angrongne crying they come they come At whose cry the whole armye was so astonished Senacharâ—b flyeth from the face of Israell that euery man fled his way and they were all so scattered that the Captaines that day were not able to bring them in order againe and yet no creature folowed them On the Saterday in the morning the army mustered in the medowe grounde of S. Iohn neare to Angrongne They of Angrongne had sent certaine to keepe y e passages and stoppe the armye that they shoulde not enter if it were possible In the meane season the people retyred into the medowe of Tower and little thought of the comming of the army so soone or that they would haue made such a sodeine assault for they were yet carying of victuals and other stuffe so that few of them kept the passages Now
they which kept the straites perceiuing that their enemies prepared themselues to fight fell down vpon their knees and made their praiers vnto God that it woulde please hym to take pitie vpon them The prayer of the Angronian and not to looke vpon their sinnes but to the cause which they mainteyned to turne the harts of their enemies and so to worke that there might be no effusion of bloud and if it were his wyll to take them with their wiues infantes out of this world that he would then mercifully receiue them into his kingdome In this sort most feruent prayers were made of all those that kept the passages with exhortation that they should altogether cry vnto God and craue hys succour and assistance in thys great distresse All this the Lord of Trinitie and the army did well perceiue Their prayers thus ended sodenly they perceyued their enemies comming towards them through the vines to wynne the top of the mountayne of Angrongne In the meane tyme the Prior of Saint Iohn and Iacomel were within the temple of Angrongne and communed wyth the Rulers touching an agreement These were sent thyther by the Lord of Trinitie to keepe the people occupyed To be short the combat began in diuers places and endured for a long space in the passages of Angrongne The poore Waldoys being but few in number and some of them hauing but slings and crossebowes were sore pressed with the multitude of their enemies A combatâ— betweene the Lorde of trinity the Waldoys At length they retired to the toppe of the mountaine where they defended themselues vntill night When they had found a place where they might wythstande their enemies still pursuing them they turned themselues and slue diuers of them and hurt many When the euening came the enemies rested and were about to encampe themselues there to suppe and lodge all night Which thing when the Angrongnians perceiued they fell to prayer desiring God to assist and succour them but the enemies flouted them and laughed them to scorne Then y e poore people deuised to send a drumme into a litle valley hard by And as they were makyng their prayers vnto God the drumme sounded in y e valley the Lord of Trinitie caused his souldiers whiche were about Beholde the polecye of this pore people to encampe themselues to remoue thence which was a great vauntage to the poore people whiche now were sore weeried with trauaile al wet with sweating and very thyrstie and in great perill if God had not geuen them some litle breathing time Many of the enemies that day were slayne and many hurt of the which very few escaped In so much that they reported that the shot was poysoned which this poore simple people neuer vsed to do in all these warres Of the Angrongnians that daye there were but three slayne and one hurt which afterwardes was well healed agayne This combate gaue greate courage to the Waldoys and sore astonished the aduersaries The same tyme the army retyring burnt many houses and made greate spoyle as they went destroyeng also the wines which were in the presses The sayd Lord of Trinitie with his army camped in a village beyond Tour in the valley of Luserne at the foote of the hill betweene Angrongne and y e other townes of y e valley of Luserne Gods secret in â—â—ement in helping his and punishing his enemies which professed y e Gospell They of the sayd village were alwayes sore against y e Waldoys haters of true religion and were glad of this outrage and violence done against the professours therof but they had their iust plague for they were all destroied After this the sayde Lorde of Trinitie caused the Fortresse to be built agayne which the Frenchmen had rased and placed there a garrison and after sent another to the Forte of Uillars which is of the valley of Luserne and an other he sente to the Fortresse of Perouse and a fourth garrison he placed in the Castle of S. Martin They of Angrongne seeyng themselues to be now as it were in a sea of troubles after they had recommended themselues vnto God by prayer and committed their cause vnto him sent to them of Perouse of S. Martin and of Pragela for ayde and succour which sent them all the helpe that they were able The nexte daye folowing there came letters to Angrongne from the Lord of Trinitie The effect whereof was this A crafty mesâ—aâ—e of the Lord of Trinitie to the Angronians that he was sorye for that whiche was done the day before and that he came not thyther to make warre against them but onely to view if it were a place conuenient to build a Fort therein to serue the Duke Furthermore that his souldiers seeing the people assembled as it were to defie them vpon that occasion onely were stirred vp to geue assault and to set vpon them Also that he was sory that suche spoyle was made of their goodes and suche hurt done by fire But if they would shew themselues obedient to y e Duke he had good hope that al should be wel and trusted that some good agreement shoulde be made The Angrongnians answeared that they were marueylously agreeued to be so assaulted The Angronians aunswere to the message spoyled and tormented by the subiectes of their liege and naturall prince and as they had oftentymes before offered themselues to be more faythful and obedient to their soueraigne prince the Duke then any of all his subiects besides so yet still they offered the same obedience Also they most humbly besought hym not to thinke it strange if they being constrayned by such extreame necessitie defended themselues Finally as touching their Religion they affirmed that it was the pure word of God euen as it was preached by the Prophetes and Apostles and the same which their predecessours had obserued for certayne hundreth yeares past Moreouer that the cause was not coÌ„cerning the goodes of the world but the honour and glory of God the saluation or destruction of the soules both of them and theirs and therefore it were much better for them to dye all together then to forsake their religion and yet if it might be proued vnto them by good demonstration out of the word of God that they were in errour not by force of armes by bloud and fire they would then yeeld themselues with all obedience most humbly beseeching him and all other the Lordes of the Countrey of Piemont to be their intercessours and aduocates to the Duke in this behalfe The towne of Vellers assaulted Upon Monday being the fourth day of Nouember the Lord of Trinitie sent his army to Uillars and Tailleret The lesser company ascended toward Uillers The people seeing their enemies aproching after they had called vppon God with feruent prayer The towne of Tailleret assaulted strongly defended themselues and slue many many also were hurt and the rest fled The other companye ascended
to do any thyng agaynste their conscience as it appeareth more amply in the supplication which after this the Angrongnians made and caused to be read before the Secretary in the open assemble the which heere ensueth ¶ To the most excellent and worthy prince The Duke of Sauoy c. our soueraigne Lord and naturall Prince The supplicatioÌ„ of the Angronians to their Duke MOst noble and renowmed prince we haue sente certayne of our men vnto your highnes to geue testimonie of our humble hartie and vnfayned obedience vnto the same and with all submission desire pardon touching the bearing of armour by certayne of our people in their extreme necessitie and for all other our trespasses for the which your soueraigne grace might conceiue any offence against vs. Secondly to desire in most humble wise your sayd hyghnes in the name of our Lord Iesus A lawfull request of the Angronians to lyue after Gods word that it would please the same to suffer vs to liue with freedome of conscience in our religion which also is the religion of our auncitours obserued for certayne hundreth yeares past And we are perswaded that it is the pure Gospell of our Lord Iesus the only veritie the word of life and saluation which we professe Also that it may please your most gratious clemencie not to take in yll part if we fearing to offende and displease God can not consent vnto certaine traditions and ordinances of the Church of Rome and heerein to haue pitie vpon our poore soules and the soules of our children to the end that your highnes be not in any wise charged in the iust iudgement of God for the same where all men must appeare to answere for their doyngs On our part we protest that we will seeke nothing but to be the true seruants of God to serue hym according to hys holy word and also to be true and loyall subiectes to your highnes and more obedient then any other being alwayes ready to geue our goodes our bodies our lyues and the liues of our children for your noble grace as also our religion teacheth vs to do only we desire that our soules may be left at libertie to serue God accordyng to hys holy word And we your poore humble subiectes shall most hartily pray our God and father for the good and long prosperitie of youre hyghnes for the most vertuous Lady your wife and for the noble house of Sauoy To this supplication they of S. Iohn of Roccapiata of S. Bartholomewe and of Perouse with those of the valley of Luserne did agree For it was concluded that the agreement made The wretched dealing of the Lord of Trinity against them of Tailleret should extend to all the confederates of the same religion Whiles they were treating of this agreement the Lorde of Trinitie vexed cruelly them of Tailleret vnder this pretence because they had not presented themselues to treate of this agreemeÌ„t He tormented them after this sort First he commanded that all theyr armour shoulde be brought before hym and then they on their knees should aske him pardon because they came not to treate of the agreement with the rest whiche notwithstandyng the most parte of them did Then he commaunded them to attend vpon hym to enrolle all the names of those which woulde be of the foresayde agreement Wherupon the next morning the chiefe of the housholders went to the village named Bouuets the place apointed thereunto and when they had heard the Sermon and called vpon God they beganne to write their names The enrolling of their names not being fully ended word was brought that the souldiers had gotten the top of the mountayne and taken all the passages whereat they of Tailleret were sore amazed and ranne with all speede to defende their wiues and children Some they saued the most part with their goodes were in their enemies hands already At this time wich sacking spoiling and burning they did much mischiefe After this the Lord of Trinitie sent word to them which were fledde that if they would returne The Papisâ—â— false breakers of promise made he woulde receiue them to mercy The poore people for the most parte trusting on his promise returned to Bouuets and yet the next morning the souldiers came thyther to apprehende them and their ministers and beset y e place one euery side Suche as were swift of foote and could shift best escaped but very hardly The rest were all hurte or taken and yet they all escaped by a marueilous meanes For it hapned that there was an old man which could not runne fast to whome one of the souldiers came with a naked sword in hys hand to haue slayne him Example of Gods maruelous protection for hys seruantâ— in tyme of neede The olde man seeing the imminent daunger caught the souldier by the legs ouerthrewe hym and drew hym by the heeles downe the hyll The souldier cryed out helpe helpe this villaine wyll kill me His felowes hearing him cry made hast to rescue him but in the meane time the old man escaped The rest seing what the olde man had done tooke hart of grace and albeit their armour and weapons were taken from them yet with stones and slings they so beat and discomfited their enemies that at that time they caryed no prisoners awaye The day folowing y e souldiers returning to the sayd Tailleret robbed spoyled and caried away all that they coulde finde and so continued three dayes together which was very easie for them to do because the poore men fearyng least they shoulde be charged with violating the agreement made no resistance but retyred toward Uillars The fourth day the sayde Lord of Trinitie to torment the poore Taillerets yet more cruelly sente his armye againe before day to y e mountaine and into the same place And because the people of the sayde village were retyred towards Uillars and scattered about the borders therof in the hygh mountaynes the souldyers not yet satisfied with spoyling and sacking the rest that they founde in the sayd Tailleret raunging about the confines thereof rauened and made hauocke on euery side The Village of Taâ—â—leret sacked and spoyled of what soeuer they could laye handes on taking prisoners both men and women which were loden with carriage The poore prisoners were cruelly handled Amongest other there was one whose care a souldier of Montdeuis in a raging fury The crueltie of Papisteâ— bit cleaue off with these wordes I wyll carry sayde he y e flesh of these wretched heretikes with me into my countrey They of Uillars also complayned of the great cruelty that was shewed vnto them during the time of the agreement The which when the Lord of Trinitie vnderstoode to make a shewe that he was offended therewith he came to his souldiers whiche were so weary that they coulde scantly goe not with fighting but because they were so heauily loden with the spoyle that they were not able to cary it and preteÌ„ding to
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
geueth victory to the Waldois against the Spanyardes As they fled they founde often some Fortes where they did resiste for a litle while but they were alway beaten out In this combate God gaue victorie to the poore Waldoys wyth great slaughter of the Spanyards where also very many of theÌ„ were sore hurt and wounded The sayd L. of Trinitie sent vnto the Spanyards that they should not faint and giue ouer but sticke to it like meÌ„ and he woulde shortly send them succour but they would not Those of the Ualley of Luserne hearing of thys conflict came in the meane time to helpe their neighboures Amongest other there was one slaine in that battaile for whom the Lord of Trinity much lamented saying that he would rather haue lost a whole band then that man The other 2. companies whiche marched by Angrongne perceiuing the Spanyardes to be so beaten and put to flyght seing also those of y e medow of Tour coÌ„ming to encounter w t them retired in hast Upon that the lord of Trinitie went to Cauors thre miles from Luserne being in a great perplexitie and as he was about to sende succoure to the Spanyards he heard the sounde of a drumme aboue Luserne suspected that there was an army of the Waldoys comming against him Upon this diuers of the souldiors fled away by the plaine crying that all was lost It was certainly reported God taketh the 〈…〉 that if the Waldoys had pursued the armye as they mighte easyly haue done the campe had that day ben chased out of Luserne The poore people lacked no courage so to do for albeit they had neither eaten nor dronken all that day before God geueth coâ—â—age to the poore Waldoys had sore trauelled and fought yet they sayde that if they had but a little refreshed themselues with a morsel of bread and a glasse of wine they durst take vpon them to enter into the campe of their enemies Within a few daies after they of Angrongne were aduertised by the L. of Trinities letters that hee fully determined to cut down their trees and vines and destroy their corne being on the ground And furthermore that 2. fortes should be builded at Angrongne The day was assigned horsemen appoynted with all spede to execute this mischeuous enterprise The poore people thought y t they shuld be assailed as sore as euer they were and fight as harde as euer they did before The mischieuous purpose of Trynitye stayed by the prouidence of God But God preuented this cruell atteÌ„pt For the night afore that this should be executed the lord of Trinitie receiued certaine letters from the Duke which staied this enterprise They of the medowe of Tour being aduertised that the lord of Trinitie did now entend to send ordinance to beat downe the bulwarks which were made of stones they made a bulwarke of earth whyche was in compasse about 500. paces which they might easily see froÌ„ Luserne They of the medow of Tour told the lord of Trinities men that if they brought any artillery they shoulde not so soone cary it away againe and shortly the ordinance was sent backe againe About this season the chief rulers and ministers of the Waldoys requested earnestly the Lord of Raconis to present a supplication which they had made to the Duchesse of Sauoy The Waldoys send a supplication to the Duchesse For they had intelligence that she was sore offended y t her subiects were so cruelly handled In the whych supplication they declared the equitie of their cause protesting all due obedience to the duke their soueraigne Lord and if it mighte be prooued by the pure worde of God that they held any error The Waldoys offer to be iudged by the word of God they would with all humble submission receiue correction and be reformed humbly beseeching her grace to appease the displeasure which the Duke had coÌ„ceiued against them by the vntrue surmises of theyr aduersaries and if there were any thing wherin they had offended him they most humbly craued his gracious pardoÌ„ About this time the lord of Trinitye by sicknes was in great daunger of his life The Lord of Trinyty sore sicke Soone after the supplication was deliuered the Duchesse sent an aunswer to the Waldoys by the sayd Lorde of Raconis The effect thereof was that she had obteined of the Dukes grace all that they demaunded in their supplication vpon such conditions as the said lord Raconis would propound vnto them But wheÌ„ they vnderstoode that the sayd conditions were very rigorous they sent an other supplication vnto the Duches An other supplycatyoÌ„ sent to the Duchesse wherein they humbly besought her grace to be a meane that the said conditions and Articles might be moderated which Articles here follow First that they should banish their Ministers Secondly that they shoulde receiue the Masse and other ceremonies of the Romish church Thirdly that they should pay a raunsome to the souldiours for certaine of their men which they had taken Fourthly that they shoulde assemble and preache no more as they were wont to do Fifthly that the Duke woulde make fortresses at his pleasure in all that countrey with other like things The people made humble request in this their last supplication The supplicatyoÌ„ to the Duchesse that it would please the sayd Duches to geue the Duke her husband to vnderstand how y t these conditions were straunge and rigorous And as for their partes although they had good triall of their ministers y t they were good men and fearing God of sounde doctrine of good life honest conuersation yet neuerthelesse they were contented so to do if he woulde geue leaue to some of them to remaine requesting this that it might be permitted vnto theÌ„ to chuse some other good Ministers in their places before they departed least that their Churches shoulde remaine without Pastors The conditioÌ„s whereâ—â—to the Waldoys did agree consent Concerning the Masse and other Ceremonies of the church of Rome if the duke should cause them to be ministred in their parishes they neither wold nor could withstand the same and for their part they would do no iniurie or violence to those that should minister them or be present therat notw tstanding they besought him that they myght not be constrained to be present theÌ„selues at the ministratioÌ„ thereof or to pay any thing to the maintenaunce of the same or els to yelde either fauour or consent thereunto As touching the raunsome which was demaunded of them for their prisoners considering the extreme pouertie that they were in and the great calamities and damages whiche they had suffred it was to them a thing vnpossible Yea if his highnes wer truly informed what losse they had susteined by burning spoiling and sacking of their houses and goods without all mercy or pity he wold not only require of them no suche thing but as a gracious and mercifull Prince he would succour and
supporte them that they might be able to maintaine their poore families whome they nourished as they were bound to do to the seruice of God and their said Lord and Prince and therfore they desired that it mighte please him that their poore brethren remaining in captiuitie and prisone and such as were sent to the galleis for the profession of their religion might spedely be deliuered and set at libertie As for their assembles and preachings they were contēted that they should be kept only amongst themselues in their accustomed places and in other Ualleys aforesayde where any assemble of the faithfull shoulde be which were desirous to heare the preaching of the Gospell Touching y e Fortresses for as much as by those which were already made they had suffered great molestations and troubles as well concerning their goods as also their religion they were assured that if he should build vp newe Fortes they shoulde neuer be able to abide the troubles miseries and calamities that would folow therupon and therfore they most humbly desired the sayde Duchesse to be so good and gracious vnto them as to obteine of the Duke that he would accept their persons in the steade of Fortes and that seeing those places were by nature and of themselues strong and wel fortified it mighte please theyr sayde lord the duke to receiue them into his protection and sauegarde and by the grace and assistance of God they would serue him them selues for suche Walles and Forts that he should not neede to builde any other And because many of those which dwelt neare about them had robbed spoiled them not onely of their housholde goodes and such other thinges but also driuen away their cattell that it myghte please him to geue them leaue to recouer the sayde goodes by the way of Iustice and to buy againe that whyche the souldiers had sold and that for the same price for the which it was solde Briefly they also besought their said Lorde y t it myght please him to be so gratious vnto them as to graunt them a confirmation of al their franchises immunities and priuileges as well generall as particular geuen vnto them as well by him as by his predecessours and likewise of those which as well they as their anciters had bought of their Lordes and to receiue them as hys most humble and obedient subiects into his protection and safegarde And because in time past in the stede of good and spedie Iustice all iniquitie was committed by those that had the administration of iustice in their Ualleis and for as much as their purses were emptied punished rather then the malefactours that it might please him to geue order that such iustice might be done amongst them wherby the wicked might be punished with all seueritie and the innocent defended and maintained in their right Finally forasmuch as diuers of this poore people being astonished at the comming of the army fearing least they should not onely be spoyled of all theyr goods but also they with their wiues and children be vtterly destroyed made promise against their consciences to liue accordynge to the traditions of the church of Rome Tormēt of conscience in sliding from the truth they were maruelously troubled and tormēted in spirit and did nothing but languish in that distresse Wherfore they humbly besought the sayde Duches to take pity vpon them to obtaine that they might not be compelled to do any thing against their conscience and moreouer that it might please the Duke to permit them to liue in libertie and freedome of conscience also that all theyr poore brethren banished for the cause of Religion might returne home to their houses and that al confiscations and penalties made against them myghte be abolished And for their part they promised to geue all due reuerence and honour to God and his holy worde and to be true and faithfull subiects to theyr Lorde Prince Yea more then any other Underneath the sayde supplication there was wrytten Your faithfull and humble subiects the poore afflicted of the Ualleys of Luserne Angrongne S. Martin and Perouse and generally all the people of the Waldois which inhabite the countrey of Primont After that this supplication was viewed read of the sayd Duchesse she so persuaded with the Duke that aunswer was made with these conditions declared in these articles following Conclusions and Articles lastly agreed vpon betweene the right honourable Lorde of Raconis on the part of the Dukes highnesse and them of the Valleys of Piemont called the Waldoys THat there shal shortly be made letters Patentes by the Dukes highnesse The compositiō and agreement vpon conditiōs betweene the Duke and the Waldoys by the which it may appeare that he hath forgeuen and pardoned them of the Ualleys of Angrongne Boby Uillers Ualquichard Rora Tailleret La Rua de Bonet bordering vppon Tour. S. Martine Perouse Roccapiata S. Bartlemew and al suche as haue aided them of all such faultes as they haue committed as well in bearing armour againste his highnesse as against the Lordes and certaine other gentlemen whom he reteined and kept in his protection and safegard Pardon promysed That it shal be lawful for them of Angrongne Boby Uillard Ualquichard Rora members of the Ualley of Luserne for them of Rodoret Marcele Maneillan and Salsa members of the Ualley of S. Martine to haue their congregations Sermons congregations permitted sermons other ministeries of theyr religion in places accustomed That it shal be lawfull for them of Uillars members of the Ualley of Luserne to haue the same The parishe of Villars but that onely vntill the time that his highnes doth builde a Forte in the same place But whilest the sayd fort is in building it shall not be lawful to haue their preaching and assemblies with in the said precinct of the place but it shal be lawful for them to build a place for that purpose neere at hand where they shall thinke good on that side towardes Boby Neuertheles it shall be permitted to their ministers to come wythin the precinct aforesayd to visite the sicke and exercise other things necessary to theyr Religion so that they preach not nor make any assemble there The parishe of Tailleret La Rua de Bonet It shal be also permitted to them of Tailleret La Rua de Bonet bordering vpon Tour to haue their Sermones and assembles in places accustomed so that they enter not for that purpose into the rest of the confines of Tour. The valleyes of Luserne and S. Martin That it shal not be lawful for the saide members of the Ualleys of Luserne and S. Martine to come to the rest of their borderers nor any other of his highnesse dominion nor to haue their preachinges assembles or disputations out of theyr owne borders hauing libertie to haue them therein And if they be examined of their faith it shall be lawfull for them to answer without danger of punishmēt
limites dwell not oute of them and they which be of the townes villages of the said valleis dwel not out of them nor of their borders The liberty of Trafficke graunted and in so doing they shall not be molested by any meanes and shall not be offended nor troubled in body or goods but shall remaine vnder the protection and sauegarde of his highnesse Furthermore his highnes shal set order to stay al troubles inconueniences secret cōspiracies of wicked persons after such sort The elders of the Valleys of Pyemont that they shall remaine quietly in theyr religion For obseruation whereof George Monastier one of the elders of Angrongne Constantion Dialestini otherwise called Rembaldo one of the Elders of Uillars Pirrone Arduino sent frō the comminaltie of Boby Michael Ramondet sent from the comminaltie of Tailleret and of la Rua de Bonet bordering vpon Tour Iohn Malenote sent from certaine persons of S. Iohn Peter Paschal sent from the comminaltie of the valley of S. Martin Thom. Roman of S. Germain sent from the comminaltie of the same place and of all the Ualley of Perouse promise for thē and their comminalties seuerally that the cōtents of these conclusions aforesayd shall be inuiolately kepte and for breach thereof do submit themselues to such punishment as shall please his hignes promising likewise to cause the chiefe of the families of the comminalties to allow and confirme the sayd promise The honourable Lorde of Raconis doth promise that the Dukes highnes shall confirme and allow the foresayde conclusions to them both generally and perticularly The Lord of Raconnis at the intercession and especiall fauour of the noble Lady the Princesse The Lady Princes intercessour for the Waldoys In testimonie whereof the foresayde Lord of Raconis hath confirmed these present conclusions wyth hys owne hand and the Ministers haue lykewise subscribed in the name of all the sayd Ualleys and they which can write in the name of all theyr comminalties At Cauor the v. of Iune 1561. Phillip of Sauoy Fraunces Valla Minister of Villars Claudius Bergius Minister of Taillaret Georgius Monasterius Michael Raymundet THis accord being thus made and passed by the meanes of the Duchesse of Sauoy the poore Waldoys haue ben in quiet vntill this present and God of his infinite goodnes hauyng deliuered them out of so many troubles and conflicts hath set them at libertie to serue him purely and with quietnes of conscience Wherfore there is none at this present except he be altogether blind or senceles but he seeth and well perceiueth that God would make it knowen by experience to these poore Waldoys All thinges turne to the best to thē that loue the Lord. and al other faithful people that al things turne to the best to them which loue and feare hym For by all these afflictions which they suffered as is before rehearsed this good heauenly father hath brought them to repentance and amendement of life He hath effectuously taught them to haue recourse to his fatherly mercy and to embrace Iesus Christ for their onely Sauiour and redeemer Furthermore he hath taught them to tame the desires and lustes of the flesh to withdrawe their harts from the world and lift them vp to heauen and to be alwayes in a readines to come to him as vnto their most louing and pitifull father To be short hee hath set them to the schoole of hys children to the end they should profite in patience and hope to make them to mourne weepe and cry vnto hym And aboue all he hath made them so oft to proue his succours at time of need to see them before their eyes to feele and touch them with their handes as a man would say after such sort that they haue had good occasion and all the faithfull with them neuer to distrust so good a father and so carefull for the health of his children but to assure themselues neuer to be confounded what thing soeuer happen And yet to see thys more manifestly and that euery man may take profite therof it shal be good to vnderstand what this poore people did whiles they were in these combates and conflictes The behauiour of these good men in their persecutiōs So soone as they sawe the armye of theyr enemies approch they cryed altogether for ayde and succour to the Lord and before they begā to defend thēselues they fell to prayer and in fighting lifted vp their hartes and sighed to the Lorde As long as the enemyes were at rest euery one of these poore people on their knees called vpon God When the combate was ended they gaue him thankes for the comfort and succour which they had felte In the meane time the rest of the people with the Ministers made their harty prayer vnto God with sighes and teares and that from the morning vntill the euening When night was come they assembled agayne together They which had fought rehearsed the woonderfull ayde and succour which God had sent them and so altogether rendred thankes vnto hym for hys fatherly goodnes Alwayes he chaunged their sorrow into ioye In the morning trouble and affliction appeared before them wyth great terrour on all sides but by the euening they were deliuered and had great cause of reioysing and comfort Warre and famine two enemies against these men This poore people had two terrible enemies warre and famine which kepte them vnder in such sort that a man would haue thought they had bene vtterly lost destroyed But God of his endles mercy deliuered thē from such dangers and restored them to their houses where they remained afterwards in peace and quietnes al they which had declared themselues to be their open enemyes were brought to confusion as well those whiche fought to get their goodes as those whiche onely desired to shedde their bloud For proofe wherof the onely exāple of two Gentlemen of the Ualley of Luserne shall suffice These not onely moued cruell warre agaynst their poore tenauntes and others but most shamefully spoyled them and tooke vntollerable fines of all those that disobeyed their Edictes to keepe a good conscience Besides this Example of Gods fauour toward his seruantes cōfusion toward their persecutors they went about to sease all their goodes as forfaite waytyng to haue the whole forfayture thereof themselues And for this cause they did not onely incense the Duke with false reportes and with greeuous complayntes and accusations agaynst these poore Waldoys but also pursued the same so long and with such charges that they were fayne to sell their inheritaunce in hope to bring their purpose to passe and to enioy that goodly pray which they thought could not escape their handes But in the ende for their rewarde they got nothyng but shame and confusion And as for the Monkes and Priestes whiche by such meanes thought to aduaunce themselues to bryng their trumpery to estimation they haue lost the litle rule which they had ouer
these so weightie matters entreating of Christes holy Martyrs to discourse much of Thomas Wolsey Cardinall of Yorke notwithstandyng forsomuch as there be many whiche being caryed awaye with a wrong opinion and estimation of that false glittering Church of Rome doe thinke that holynes to be in it which in deede is not to the entent therefore that the vayne pompe and pride of that ambitious Church so farre differing from all pure Christianitie and godlynes more notoriously may appeare to all men and partly also to refresh the Reader with some varietie of matter I thought compendiously to expresse the ridiculous and pompous qualities and demeaner of this foresayd Thomas Wolsey Cardinall and Legate of Rome in whome alone the Image and life of all other suche like followers and professors of the same Church may be seene and obserued For like as the Lacedemonians in times past were accustomed to shewe and demonstrate droncken men vnto theyr children Example of the Lacedemonians to behold and looke vpon that through the foulenes of that vice they might inflame them the more to the studie and desire of sobrietie euen so it shall not be hurtfull sometimes to set forth the examples which are not honest that others might thereby gather the instructions of better and more vpright dealing Wherefore thou shalt note heere good Reader in thys hystorie wyth all iudgement the great difference of lyfe and Christian conuersation betwene this Church and the other true humble Martyrs and seruants of God whome they haue and doe yet persecute And first to beginne with the first meeting and comming in of this Cardinall and his fellow Cardinall Campeius into England Campeius sent into England it was about the tyme when Pope Leo intending to make war agaynst the Turkes sente three Legates together from Rome whereof one went into Germanie an other into Fraunce Laurentius Campeius was appointed to come into England When he was come to Callis and that the Cardinall of Yorke had vnderstanding therof he sent certayne Byshops and Doctors with as much speede as he coulde to meete the Legate and to shewe hym that if hee would haue hys Ambassade take effect he should sende in poste to Rome to haue the sayd Cardinall of Yorke made Legate and to be ioyned wyth hym in commission Which thing he much affected misdoubtyng least hys authoritie thereby might perhaps be diminished through the comming of the Legate and therefore required to be ioyned with hym in like degree of the Ambassade Cardinall Wolsey seeketh to be ioyned in equall commyssiō with Campeius Campeius being a man light of beliefe and suspecting no such matter gaue credite vnto hys wordes and sent vnto Rome with suche speede that within xxx dayes after the Bull was brought to Callis wherein they were both equally ioined in Commission during whiche time the Cardinall of Yorke sent to the Legate at Callis red cloth to clothe hys seruants withall which at their comming to Callis Note the state and pride of the Popes Clergye were but meanely apparelled When all things were ready Campeius passed y e Seas landed at Douer and so kept forth his iourney towarde London At euery good towne as they passed he was receaued with procession accompanied with all the Lords Gentlemen of Kent And when he came to blacke Heath The receauing of the Popes Legate into England there met him the Duke of Northfolke with a great number of Prelates Knightes and Gentlemen all richly apparelled in y e way he was brought into a rich tent of cloth of gold where he shifted hymselfe into a Cardinals robe furred with Ermines and so tooke his Mule ryding toward Lōdō Now marke y e great humilitie in this Church of the Pope and cōpare the same with the other Church of the Martyrs and see which of them is more Gospell like Thys Campeius had eight Mules of hys owne laden with diuers farthelles and other preparation Ambition pompe in the Cardinall The Cardinal of Yorke thinking them not sufficient for his estate the night before he came to London sent him xij mules more with empty cofers couered with red to furnish his cariage withal The next day these xx mules were led through the Citie as though they had bene loden with treasures apparell and other necessaries to the great admiration of all men that they shoulde receiue a Legate as it were a God with such and so great treasure and riches For so the common people doth alwayes iudge and esteeme the maiestie of the Cleargie by no other thing then by theyr outwarde shewes and pompe but in the middest of thys great admiration there hapned a ridiculous spectacle to y e great derision of their pride ambition For as the Mules passed through Cheape side and y e people were pressing about them to behold and gaze as the maner is it hapned that one of the Mules breaking his coller that he was led in ranne vpon the other Mules whereby it hapned How God confoundeth the pride pompe of men that they so running together and their girthes being losed ouerthrew diuers of their burthens and so there appeared the Cardinals gay treasure not without great laughter and scorne of many and specially of boyes and gerles whereof some gathered vp peeces of meate The Cardinalles 20. great Mules loden with rosted eggs and rotten shoes and such other treasure othersome peeces of bread and rosted egges some found horse shoes and old bootes with such other baggage crieng out beholde heere is my Lord Cardinals treasure The Muliters being therewithall greatly ashamed gathered together their treasure agayne as well as they could and went forward About three of the clocke at after noone the xxix day of Iuly the Cardinall himselfe was brought through the Citie with great pompe and solemnity vnto Paules church whereas when he had blessed all men with the Byshops blessing as the maner is he was guided forth vnto y e Cardinall of Yorkes house where as he was receaued by the said Cardinal and by him on the next day being Sonday was conducted vnto the King to fulfill his Ambassade agaynst the Turke which might haue destroyed all Hungarie Ex Edouar Hallo in the meane time whiles they were studieng with what solemnitie to furnish out their Ambassade When the Cardinall of Yorke was thus a Legate hee set vp a Court and called it the Court of the Legate and proued testamentes and heard causes to the great hynderance of all the Byshops of the Realme He visited Byshops all the Clergy exempt and not exempt and vnder colour of reformatiō he got much treasure nothing was reformed but came to more mischiefe for by example of his pride Priests and all spirituall persons waxed so proude that they weare veluet and silke both in gownes iackets dublets and shoes kept open lechery so hyghly bare thē selues by reason of his authorities faculties that no mā durst once
to his mercifull goodnes Of which diuorcement and suppressing of the Popes authority we haue likewise to make declaration But first as we haue begun with the Cardinall of Yorke so we will make an ende of him That done we will God willing addresse our selfe to other matters of more importance As the ambassadours were thus trauailing in Rome to promote the Cardinall to be Pope althoughe the Pope was not yet dead in the meane time the Cardinall played the Popish persecuter here at home Fryer Barnes with two Marchantes of the Stilliard caused by the Cardinal to beare fagots For first hee sitting in his Pontificalibus in the Cathedrall Churche of Paules vnder his cloth of estate of rich cloth of golde caused Frier Barnes an Augustine Frier to beare a fagot for certayne poyntes which he called heresie Also hee caused the same two marchants of the stilliarde likewise to beare fagottes for eating fleshe on a friday At the which time the Byshop of Rochester made a sermon in reproofe of M. Luther who had before wrytten agaynst the power of the B. of Rome This bishop in his sermon spake so muche of the honoure of the Pope and his Cardinals and of their dignitie and preeminence that he forgate to speake of the Gospel which he tooke in hande to declare which was about the yeare of our Lord. 1526. Anno. 1528. After this the said Cardinall likewise An. 1528. and in the moneth of Nouemb. sitting at Westminster as legate called before him the whole Cleargie and there promysed that all abusions of the church shuld be amended but there nothing els was done saue onely he caused to be abiured Arthur Bilney Geffrey Lome and Garret for speakinge against the Popes authoritie and his pompous pride Of whome more shal be sayd the Lord assisting vs hereafter And this was An. 1528. Anno 1529 The yeare next following which was An. 1529. began the question of the kings mariage to be reuiued Wherupon Cardinal Campegius was sent againe into Englande from Rome The occasion of the Cardinalls fall for the hearing and debating of the matter Who then with Cardinall Wolsey consulting with y e king although at first he seemed with his felow Cardinal to incline to the kings disposition yet afterward perceiuing the sequele of the case whether it tended so farre as peraduenture might be the occasion of a blot to the court of Rome The cause of the kinges mariage with his brothers wife was daÌ„gerous to the Pope for this For if it were vnlawfull then the dispensation of Pope Iuly was voyde If it were lawfull then the iudgementes of so manye vniuersities were false and might shake perhaps the chaire of the Popes omnipotent authoritie as wel in other cases like if this one case were throughly decided by learning and trueth of Gods word he therefore slipping his necke out of the collar craftily shifted him selfe out of the Realme before the day came appoynted for determination leauing his suttle felowe behinde him to wey with the king in the meane time while the matter might be brought vp to the court of Rome The king thus seeing himselfe disappoynted foded wyth false promises and craftily doubled withal by the Cardinalles and at last after so many delaies and long expectation nothing to be concluded was sore agreeued in his mind with them but especially with Cardinall Wolsey whom he had before so highly exalted and promoted to so many greate dignities as to the Archbishoprike of York the bishoprike of Winchester The king deluded by the two Cardinalls of Duresme the abby of S. Albons besides the Chancelorship of England and many other high roumes preferments in the realme which caused him clearly to cast him out of his fauour so that after that time he neuer came more to the kings presence Ex Hallo Then folowed first a counsaile of the nobles called the first of Octob. A Counsaile of the Nobles called During the which counsaile all the Lordes and other the kings Counsaile agreeing together resorted to Windsore to the king and there informed the king that all things which he had done almost by his power LegaÌ„tine were in the case of the Premunire and prouision and that the Cardinall had forfaited all his lands The Cardinall cast in the Premunire tenements goods and cattels to the king wherefore the king willing order to him according to the order of his lawes caused his attourney Christopher Hales to sue out a Wryt of Premunire against him in the which he licenced hym to make an Attourney And further the 17. day of Nouember hee sent the two Dukes of Norffolke Suffolke The Cardinall depriued of the Câ—auncellourship to his place at Westminster to fetch away the great Seale of England whyche he was lothe to deliuer if there had bene any remedie but in conclusion he deliuered it to the two Dukes which deliuered the same to Doctor Tailour Maister of the Rolles to carie it to the king which so did the next day Besides this the king sent Syr William Fitzwilliams Knight of the Garter and Treasurer of his house and doctor Steuen Gardiner newly made Secretary to see that no goodes should be embesiled oute of his house Steuen Gardiner the kinges secretarye and further ordeined y t the Cardinal should remoue to Asher beside Kingston there to tary the kings pleasure and to haue all things deliuered to hym which were necessary for him but not after his olde pompous and superfluous fashyon for all hys goodes were seased to the kinges vse When the Seale was thus taken from the Cardinall The Cardinalls goods seased to the king the Dukes of Norffolke and Suffolke wyth many Earles Byshops and Barons came into the Starre chamber the xix day of October where the Duke of Norffolke declared that the kings highnesse for diuers and sundry offences had taken from hym his great Seale and deposed him of all offices and lest men might complaine for lacke of iustice he had apointed him and the Duke of Suffolke with the assent of the other Lordes to sitte in the Starre chamber to heare and determine causes indifferently and that of all thyngs the kings pleasure and commaundement was that they should keepe their hands close from any rewards taking or maintenance and so that weeke they sate in the Starre chamber and determined causes The Cardinalls remouing from Yorke place A fewe dayes after in the same moneth the Cardinall remooued out of hys house called Yorke place wyth â—ne Crosse saying that he woulde he had neuer borne more meaning that by his crosse that which he bare as Legate which degree taking was hys confusion as you see openly and so hee tooke his barge and went to Pueney by water and there tooke his horse and roade to Asher where he remained till Lent after During which time hee being called on for an aunswere in the kings Bench to the Premunire for geuing
benefices by preuention in disturbance of mens inheritance and diuers other open causes in the Premunire accordynge to the kings licence constituted Iohn Scute Edmonde Ienny Apprentises of the lawe his attourneys whych by his owne warrant signed w t his hand confessed all thyngs concerning the said suit for they were too open to be cloked or hidden and so iudgement was geuen that hee shoulde forfeite all his landes tenements goodes and cattels and shoulde be put oute of the kings protection but for al that the king sent him a sufficient protection and of hys gentlenes left to him the bishoyprikes of Yorke and Winchester and gaue to hym plate and stuffe conuenient for hys degree Doctour Tunstall Byshop of Duresme Iohn Stokesly made Byshop of London and the Bishoprike of Duresme he gaue to Doctour Tonstall Bishop of London and the Abbey of S. Albones he gaue to the Priour of Norwich and to London he promoted Doctour Iohn Stokesley then Ambassadoure to the vniuersities for the marriage as you hearde before For all this kindnesse shewed to the Cardinall yet still hee maligned against the king as you shal hereafter perceiue but first we will proceede in the course of these matters as they passed in order The next yeare following whych was Anno. 1530. Anno 1530. in the moneth of Nouemb. was summoned a generall parlament to be holden at Westminster In the which yeare about the 23. day of October A parliameÌ„t called the king came to his manor of Grenwich and there much consulted wyth his Counsaile for a meete man to be his Chauncelour so that in no wise he were no man of the Spiritualtie and so after longe debate the king resoluted him selfe vpon sir Thomas Moore knight Chauncelor of the Duchy of Lancaster Syr Thomas More made lord ChauÌ„celour of England a man wel learned in the tonges and also in the common law whose wit was fine and full of imaginations by reason whereof hee was a litle too muche geuen to mocking more then became the person of M. More and then on the Sonday the 24. day of the same moneth the king made him his Chauncelor and deliuered him the great seale which Lord Chancelor the next morow after was ledde into the Chancerye by the two Dukes of Norffolke and Suffolke and there sworne and then the Mace was borne before him Of this fall of the Cardinall and of the placing of Syr Thomas More in the Chauncelorship Erasmus in an Epistle to Iohn Uergera thus wryteth The Cardinall of Yorke hath so offended the kings minde Ex Eras. that he being turned out of his goodes and all his dignities is coÌ„mitted not into prison but into a certaine Lordshippe of his with 30. seruaunts or kepers to geue attendance vpon him Many and sundry complaintes are coÌ„menced against him so that he is not like to escape with his life Such is the daliaunce of fortune of a scholemaister to be made a king For so hee raigned more like a king then the king him selfe Hee was dreaded of all men he was loued but of a fewe almoste of none A litle before he was appreheÌ„ded he caused Richard Pacie to be cast in the towre Also he threatned my Archbishop of Canterburie Salomon sayeth By this Archbyshop he meaneth William Warham That before the fall of man his spirite shall be eleuated The Archb. of Caunterbury was called or restored to be chosen Lord Chancellor which is the chiefest office in all that realme but he excused himselfe by his age as being not able to weld such a function Wherefore the sayde office was bestowed vpon Tho. More no les to the reioycing of many then the other was displaced from it These newes my seruaunt brought me out of England c. Ex Epist. Erasm. ad Ioan Vergeram You heard before A parliameÌ„t summoned in Nouemb. anno 1530. how a counsaile of the Nobles was appoynted by the king in the moneth of October to assemble in the Starre chamber aboute the Cardinals matter and also how a parliament was summoned to begin in the moneth of Nouember in the yeare following An. 1530. At the beginning of which Parliament after that M. Moore the newe Chauncelour had finished hys oration the commons were commaunded to chuse them a Speaker Thomas Audely speaker of the Paâ—liament Sixe greuaÌ„ces of the commons agaynst the clergye who was Thomas Audeley Esquire and attorney of the Duchie of Lancaster Thus the Parlament being begun the 6. day of the foresaid month of Nouember at Westminster where the king with all the Lordes were set in the Parlament chamber the commoÌ„s after they had presented their speaker assembling in the nether house began to common of their grieues wherwith the spiritualtie had before time greeuously oppressed them contrary both to all righte and to the lawe of the realme and especially were sore mooued with these 6. great causes ¶ Greeuances against the Cleargie of Englande 1. THe first for the excessiue fines which the Ordinaries tooke for probate of Testaments 〈…〉 of testamentes in so much that Sir Henry Guilford Knight of the Garter and Comptrollour of the Kings house declared in the open Parliament of his fidelitie that he and other being executours to Syr William Compton Knight payed for the probate of hys will to the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand marke sterling After this declaration were shewed so many extortions done by Ordinaries for probates of willes A thousand 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 probate 〈…〉 testaâ—â—â—t The vnreasâ—â—â—ble 〈◊〉 of the clergye for Mortuaries that it were too much to rehearse 2. The second cause was the great poling extreame exaction which y e spirituall men vsed in taking of corps presents or Mortuaries for the childreÌ„ of the dead should all die for huÌ„ger and go a begging rather then they would of charitie geue to theÌ„ the sely cow which the dead maÌ„ ought if he had but onely one such was the charitie of them 3. The third cause was that Priestes being Surueyers Stuards Fâ—rmes and Granges in Priestes handes and officers to Byshops Abbots and other spirituall heads had and occupied Farmes Graunges and grasing in euery Countrey so that the poore husbandmen could haue nothing but of them and yet for that they shuld pay dearely 4. The fourth cause was that Abbots Priors and spirituall men kept Tannehouses Monkes and priests marchauntes and bought and sold wooll cloth and all maner of Marchaundise as other temporall Marchaunts did 5. The fift cause was because the spirituall persons promoted to great benefices Beneficed men take of their flocke but geue nothing and hauing their liuing of theyr flocke were lying in the Court of Lords houses and tooke all of their parishioners and nothing spent on them at all so that for lacke of residence both the poore of the parishe lacked refreshing and vniuersally all the parishioners lacked preaching and true instruction of Gods
dayes who kepte her maides and suche as were about her so occupyed in sowing and woorking of shirts smockes for the poore The good order of the Court in Queene Annes tyme. that neither was there sene any idlenes then amoÌ„gst them nor any leisure to followe such pastimes as daily are seene now a daies to raigne in princes courtes Thus the king being deuorced from the lady Dowager his brothers wife maried this gracious Lady makyng a prosperous and happy change for vs The king diuorced from Lady Catherine froÌ„ the Pope both at one tyme. being diuorced from the foresaide Princesse and also from the Pope both at one time Notwythstanding as good and godly purposes are neuer without some incommoditie or trouble following so it happened in this diuorcement that the sayde Princesse procuring from Rome the Popes curse caused both the king and the realme to be interdited wherof more is hereafter to be spoken In the meane time Quene Anne shortly after her mariage Anno 1533 being great with childe the next yeare followynge which was 1533. after the first diuorcement publikely proclaimed Queene Anne crowned Queene Elizabeth borne was crowned wyth high solemnitie at Westminster and not long after her Coronation the 7. day of September she was brought a bed and deliuered of a faire Lady for whose good deliueraunce Te Deum was songe in all places and great preparation made for the Christening The Maior and his brethren with 40. of the chiefe Citizens were commaunded to be present withall the nobles and Gentlemen The kings Pallace and all the wals betweene that and the Friers was hanged with Arras and the Friers Churche Also the Fonte was of siluer stoode in the midst of the Churche three steppes high whych was couered with a fine cloth and diuers Gentlemen wyth aprons and towels about their neckes gaue attendance about it Ouer the Fonte hong a faire Canapy of crimosine Satten fringed wyth Golde About it was a raile couered wyth saie Betweene the Quire and the body of the church was a close place with a pan of fire to make the childe ready in These things thus ordered the childe was brought into the Hall and then euery man set forward First the citizens 2. and 2. Then the gentlemen Esquiers and Chapleins Next after folowed the Aldermen and the Maior alone Next the Maior folowed the kings Councell Then the kings Chappel Then Barons Bishops and Earles Then came the Earl of Essex bearing the couered Basons gilte After him the Marques of Exeter wyth the taper of Uirgin waxe Next him the Marques Dorset bearynge the Salte Behinde him the Ladie Marie of Northfolke bearing the Chrisome which was very riche of Perle and stone The olde Duchesse of Northfolke bare the childe in a Mantle of Purple Ueluette with a longe traine Furred with Ermine The Duke of Northfolke with hys Marshal rod went on the right hand of the sayde Duchesse and the Duke of Suffolke on the left hande Before them went the Officers of armes The Countesse of Kente bare the long traine of the childes mantell Betwene the Countesse and the child went the Erle of Wilshire on the right hand and the Erle of Darby on the left hand supporting the said traine In the middest ouer the childe was borne a Canapie by the Lord Rochford the Lord Hussey the Lord William Haward and the Lord Thomas Hawarde the elder In this order they came vnto the Churche dore where the Bishop of London mette it with diuers Abbots and Byshops and began the obseruances of the Sacrament The Archbishop of Caunterbury was Godfather and the olde Duchesse of Northfolke and the old Marchionesse of Dorset widowes were Godmothers and the childe was named Elizabeth After all thinges were done at the Churche doore the child was brought to the Fonte Christened This done Cranmer godfather to Queene Elizabeth Garter the chiefe king of armes cryed aloud God of his infinite goodnes send prosperous lyfe and longe to the high and mighty princesse of England ELIZABETH Then the Trompettes blew and the childe was brought vp to the aultare and immediately confirmed by the Archbishop the Marchionesse of Exceter beyng Godmother Then the Archbishop of Caunterbury gaue to the Princesse a standing cup of Gold The Duchesse of Northfolke gaue to her a standing cup of Golde fretted with Pearle The Marchionesse of Dorset three gilte boles pounced with a couer The Marchionesse of Exceter three standing boles gilt grauen with a couer And so after a solemne bancket ended with Ipocras Wafers and such lyke in great plenty they returned in like order agayne vnto the Courte wyth the Princesse and so departed At the Maryage of this noble Lady as there was no small ioy vnto al good and godly men and no lesse hope of prosperous successe to Gods true Religion so in like maner on the contrarye parte the papistes wanted not theyr malicious and secret attemptes as by the false hipocrisie and fayned holynesse of a false fayned hipocrite this yeare before espyed found out may sufficiently appeare what theyr deuilishe deuises and purposes were For certayne Monks Friers other euill disposed persoÌ„s of a deuilish intent had put into the heades of many of the kinges subiectes that they had reuelation of God and hys sayntes y t he was highly displeased w t king Henry for y e diuorcement of the Lady Katherine and surmised amongst other thyngs that God had reuealed to a Nunne named Elizabeth Barton whome they called the holy maide of Kente that in case the Kinge proceeded in the sayde deuorce The maide of Kent with her false fained hipocrisie appreheÌ„ded hee should not be king of this realme one moneth after and in the reputation of God not one day nor hour This Elizabeth Barton by fals dissimulation practised and shewed to the people marueilous alteration of her visage and other partes of her body as if she had bene rapt or in a traunce in those fained traunces by false hipocrisie as though shee had bene inspired of God she spake many words in rebuking of sinne and reproouing the Gospell whiche shee called heresie and among them vttered diuers thyngs to the great reproch of the king and Quene to the establishing of Idolatrie Pilgrimage and the derogatioÌ„ of Gods glory whych her naughtines being spied out by the great labour and diligence of the Archbishop of Caunterbury the Lord Cromwell and Maister Hugh Latimer shee was condemned and put to death with certeyne of her affinitie and Councell in the moneth of Aprill Elizabeth 〈◊〉 with her 〈◊〉 coÌ„spirâ—tâ—rs an 1533. The names of which conspiratours with her were these Edwarde Bocking Monke of Canterbury Richard Master Person of Aldington Iohn Dering Monke of Canterbury Hugh Riche Frier Warden of the Gray Friers of Canterbury Richard Risby Henry Gold bacheler of Diuinitie and Person of Aldermary Fisher Byshop of Rochester Iohn Adeson Priest his Chapleine Thomas
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
at the Quire dore while the Deane stayd to take holy water and reaching vp his hand as he went pluckt away y t paper with hym The Deane beyng come to hys stall Testwoodâ— taketh downe the blasphemous 〈◊〉 called Testwood vnto him and sayd that he maruelled greatlye how he durst be so bolde to take downe the paper in hys presence Testwood aunswered agayne that he maruelled much more that his maistership would suffer suche a blasphemous paper to be set vp beseeching hym not to be offended with that he had done for he woulde stand vnto it So M. Deane being a timerous man made no more ado with him After this were no mo papers set vp but poore Testwood was eaten and drunken among them at euery meale and an heretike he was and would rost a fagot for this geare one day Now maister Magnus being sore offended with Testwood for pluckyng downe his papers M. 〈◊〉 magnus Idolatra to be reuenged on him deuised with the Deane and the rest of the Canons to send their letters to D. Chamber one of their brethren and the Kings Phisition who lay for the most part at the Court to see what he would do against Testwood Which letters being made were sent with speede But whatsoeuer the cause was Conspiracy of the Priestes of Windsore agaynst Testwood whether he durst not meddle for feare of Cromwell or what els I cannot tell their suite came to none effect Then wyst they not what to do but determined to let the matter sleepe till S. Georges feast whiche was not farre of Now in the meane tyme there chaunced a prety storye betweene one Robert Phillips Gentleman of the Kings Chappel and Testwood Which story though it was but a mery pranke of a singing man yet it greeued his aduersary wonderfully The matter was this Robert Phillips was so notable a singing man wherein he gloryed that wheresoeuer he came the best and longest song with most counteruerses in it shuld be set vp at his commyng A blasphemous Antheme calling the virgin Mary our Sauiour and redeemer And so his chaunce beyng now to be at Windsore agaynst hys comming to the Antheme a long song was set vp called Lauda viui In which song there was one counteruerse toward the end that began on this wise O redemptrix saluatrix Which verse of all other Robert Phillips woulde sing because he knew that Testwood could not abide that dittie Now Testwood knowing his mynd well enough ioyned with him at the other part A mery coâ—â—tention betweene Rob. Philips of the kings chappell and Testwood about O Redemâ—â—â— and Non Redemtriâ— and when he heard Robert Phillips begin to fetch his flourish with O redemptrix saluatrix repeating the same one in anothers neck Testwood was as quicke on the other side to answer hym agayne with Non redemptrix nec saluatrix and so striuyng there with O and Non who should haue the maistrie they made an ende of the verse Whereat was good laughyng in sleeues of some but Robert Phillips with other of Testwoods enimies were sore offended Within 14. dayes after this the Lordes of the Garter as their custome is yearely to doe came to Wyndsore to keepe S. Georges feast at which feast the Duke of Norfolke was President Testwood complayâ—â— of to the olde 〈◊〉 of Northfolke vnto whom the Deane and canons made a greeuous complaint on Testwood Who being called before the Duke he shooke hym vp and all to reuiled hym as though he would haue sent him to hangyng by by Yet neuerthelesse Testwood so behaued himselfe to the Duke that in the ende he let hym go without any further molestyng of hym to the great discomfort of the Deane and Canons Here haue ye heard the causes which moued Testwoods enemies to seeke his destruction and coulde not attayne their purpose till that wicked Aman D. London came as shall be shewed in the processe followyng The originall of Henry Filmers trouble ABout the yeare of our Lord 1541. after all the orders of superstitious and beggyng Friers were suppressed and put downe there chaunced one Sir Thomas Melster which had bene a Frier before and changed his Friers coat but not his Friers hart to be Uicare of Wyndsore This priest on a tyme made a Sermon to his Parishioners in the which he declared so many fond and Frierish tales Fryer Melster Vicar of Windsor as that our Lady should hold out her brests to S. Bernard and spout her milke into his eyes with such like festiuall tales that many honest men were offended therwith and specially this Henry Filmer then one of the Church wardens 〈◊〉 Lady 〈◊〉 in S. Bernardes eyes who was so zelous to gods word that he could not abide to heare the glory of Christ so defaced with superstitious fables Whereupon he tooke an honest man or two with him and went to the priest with whom he talked so honestly and so charitably that in the ende the Priest gaue him hartie thanks and was content at hys gentle admonition to reforme himselfe without any more ado and so departed frendly the one from the other Now was there one in the towne called W. Symons a Lawyer as is aforesayd who hearyng that Filmer had bene with the Priest and reproued him for his Sermon tooke pepper in the nose and gat him to the Uicar and did so animate him in his doings that he slipped quite away from the promise he had made to Filmer and followed the mynd of Symons who meeting with Filmer afterward all to reuiled him Simons the Lawyer agaynst Filmer saying he would bring him before the bishop to teach him to be so malapert Then Filmer hearing the matter renewed which he had thought had bene suppressed stood against Symons and said that the Uicar had preached false and vnsound doctrine and so would he say to the Bishop whensoeuer he came before hym Then Symons slipt not the matter but went to the Mayor and procured of him and his brethren a letter signed with their own hands in the priests fauour Simons complaineth of Filmer to D. Capon Bishop of Sarum as much as could be deuised and so prepared himselfe with other his frendes to go to the bishop whose name was D. Capon and to take the priest with them which was a paynfull iourney for the sely poore man by reason he had a sore leg Now Filmer hearing how Simons went about to put him to a foile consulted with his frends what was best to do who concluded to draw out certain notes of the vicars Sermon and to prepare themselues to be at Salisbury as soone as Symons or before hym if it might bee possible Thus both the parties being in a readines it chanced theÌ„ to set forth of Windsore all in one day But by reason the Priest beyng an impotent man could not endure to ride very fast Filmer and his company gate to the towne an houre and
in Parliamente that none shoulde speake anye thing of the Kings death the Act being made onely for Southsayers and talkers of prophesies moued them that were about the King to put him in remembrance of his mortall state and fatall infirmitie Which when the rest were in dread to do M. Deny who was specially attendant vpon hym boldly comming to the King told him what case he was in to mans iudgement not like to liue and therefore exhorted him to prepare himselfe to death calling himselfe to remembrance of his former life and to call vpon God in Christ betime for grace and mercy as becommeth euery good Christian man to do Although the K. was loth to heare any meÌ„tion of death yet perceiuing the same to rise vpon the iudgement of hys Phisicians and feeling his owne weakenes he disposed himselfe more quietly to harken to the wordes of his exhortation and to consider his life past Which although he much accused yet said he is the mercy of Christ able to pardon me all my sinnes though they were greater then they be M. Deny being glad to heare him thus speake required to know his pleasure whether he would haue any learned man sent for to conferre withall and to open hys mind vnto To whome the King aunswered againe that if he had any he would haue D. Cranmer who was then lying at Croydon And therefore M. Denye asking the King whether he woulde haue him sente for I will first said the King take a little sleepe and then as I feele my selfe I will aduise vpon the matter After an houre or two the King awaking and feeling feeblenes to encrease vpon him commanded D. Cranmer to be sent for but before he could come y e king was speachles and almost senseles Notwithstanding perceiuing D. Cranmer to be come he reaching his hande to D. Cranmer did hold him fast but could vtter no word vnto hym and scarse was able to make any signe Then the Archbyshop exhorting him to put his trust in Christ and to call vpon his mercy desired him though he could not speake yet to geue some token with his eyes or with hand as he trusted in the Lord. Then the King holding him with his hand did wring his hand in his as hard as he could and so shortly after departed after he had reigned in this land the terme of 37. yeares and 9. monethes The kings children leauing behinde him three children Edward Mary and Elizabeth Moreouer for so much as mention is inserted in thys place of the good inclination of King Henry in his latter dayes to the reformation of religion Talke betweene Thom. Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. and the Duke of Suffolk about Ste. Gardiner by the occasion hereof it commeth also to minde somewhat likewise to adde by way of appendix touching the talke betweene the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer and the Duke of Suffolke Charles Branden as coÌ„cerning the Kings purpose and intent conceaued against the Bishop of Winchester Steuen Gardiner in that he could neuer allowe any reformation in religion in this realme and namely beeing offended with this that men should vse in their talke The Lord as well as our Lord. The sayd Duke sayd vnto the sayd Archbyshop We of the Counsell had him once at a good lift and should well haue dispatched him from his authoritie if the Kings Maiestie our Maister had stayed himselfe from admitting him to his presence as then hys highnes was content that we should throughly haue sifted and tried him It was my Lord quoth the Duke to the Archbishop at that time when Gardiner his Secretarie was attached and suffred for defending the Popes authoritie For then I and certaine of the Counsell hauing conference with the Kings Maiestie for that matter his highnesse was fully perswaded that the Bishops Secretarie being in such speciall fauour with his Maister would neuer stande so stiffe in defence of the Bishop of Romes vsurped power and authoritie Stephen Gardiner appoynted by the king to to be had to the Tower without his said maisters both aduise knowledge and perswasion For already quoth the King he played but a homely part with me when he was Ambassadour to the Pope concerning my cause of diuorce And therefore quoth the King to me send for him my Lord incontinently and by assistance of two or three moe of the Counsell whome you thinke good let him be committed to the Tower to aunswere to suche thynges as may bee obiected agaynst hym Thys communicatioÌ„ was in y e euening so that we purposed to haue executed the kinges pleasure and commaundement y e next morning How beit our talke was not so secrete but that some of his friendes of the priuy chamber then suspecting the matter where he had many frends sent him word ther of Who incontinently repayred to the kings presence Ste. Gardiner priuily commeth to the king and finding some matter to minister vnto y e king his highnesse sayd to the bish We doe marueile that your secretary hath thus notoriously offended agaynst vs our lawes It is surely though that you are not all cleare in this offeÌ„ce but that you are of the same opinion with him therefore my Lord be playne with me King Henry layeth to Winchesters charge and let me know if you be y e way infected or no If you will tell me the trueth I will rather pardon the fault but if you halt or dissemble with me looke for no fauour at my hand With this monition Winchester fell downe vppon hys knees besought his maiesty of mercy and pardon Winchester confesseth his popery to the king manifestly confessing y t he of long time had bene of that opinion w t his sayd secretary and there bewayling himselfe promised from that day forward to reform hys opinion become a new man Well quoth y e king this way you haue of me that which otherwise you should neuer haue obtayned I am content to remitte all thinges past and pardon you vpon your amendment The next morning I had worde how the matter was handled whereupon I came to his highnes sayde Your Maiestie hath preuented our commission whiche I and other had from your grace concerning my Lord of Winchesters coÌ„mitting to the tower Wot you what quoth the K. hee hath confessed himselfe as giltie in this matter as hys man K. Henryes nature to pardon them that come to him and confesse their fault and hath with muche sorrowe pensiuenes sued for my pardon And you know what my nature and custome hath bene in such matters euermore to pardon them that will not dissemble but confesse their fault Thus wilâ—ly and politickely he got himselfe out of our hands But if I had suspected this I would haue had him in the tower ouer night and stopped his iourny to y e court Well sayd my Lord of Caunterbury hee was euermore to good for you all Moreouer as touching this foresaid
yet hitherto scarce fully found What cause said he is that The concourse or meeting sayd I of the light of the wandering Planets and Stars To this the king thus replied agayne Forsomuch sayd he as the motion of the stars kepeth not one course but is diuers and variable by continual alteration how is it then that the cause of these Comets either doth not quickely vade vanish or that the Comet doth not keep one certayne and vniforme course motion with the sayd Starres and Planets Whereunto I aunswered that the Comet hath his course and mouing but much more swifter then they because of the diuersity of aspect as we see in Christall and in the Sunne when the forme of the Raynbow rebouÌ„deth on the wall Lactea via is a white and a brighte parte of the firmament like a long white causie or way appearing in the night amoÌ„g the thicke starres For a litle mutation maketh a great difference of place Then sayde y e king and how can that be hauing no subiect For of y e rainbow the wall is the subiect Like sayd I as in Lactea via or in reflection of lightes as where many candles he lighted and set nere together in the middle they cause a certain bright and white lightsomnes to appeare c. And so by this litle triall a great gesse may be geuen what was in this king In whome no doubt was a great hope and expectation amongst all good learned meÌ„ both for the ingenious forwardnes amiable sweetnes which in his conditions appeared First he began to loue fauor liberall arts sciences before he knew them and to know them before he could vse them whose mortall conditioÌ„ and soden decease and decay in those tender vnripe yeres not onely England but all the world hath cause to lament O how truely is it sayd of the Poet. Thinges that be exceeding excellent Be not commonly long permanent A shew or sight onely of excellency he could geue vs example he could not geue Where a kingly maiesty required grauity there you should haue sene him a sage and an olde man and yet gentle and pleasant also according as the coÌ„ditioÌ„ of his age then required He plaid wel vpoÌ„ the Lâ—te He had also to doe in handling of weighty affayres of the Realme He was liberall and bountifull in hart therein he imitated his father c. Flete nefas magnum Carmen Epâ—taphium Cardani in obiâ—um Reg. Edouardi sed toto flebitis orbe Mortales vester corruit omnis honor Nam Regum decus iuuenum flos spesque bonorum Delitiae secli gloria gentis erat Dignus Apollineis lachrymis doctaeque Mineruae Flosculus heu misero concidit antè diem Te tumulo dabimus Musae supremaque flentes Munera Melpomene tristia fata canet Ex Hier. Cardano Thus after the godly dispositioÌ„ and properties of this king briefly in this wise declared now God willing wee will intermeddle something to describe the order proceedinges which he folowed in his administration gouernement of both the states as well politick as especially ecclesiasticke The Lord Edw. Semer made L. Protectour Who after the decease of his Father comming to the crowne because he was of young tender age he was committed to 16. gouernors Amongest whom especiallye the Lord Edward Semer Duke of Somerset his Uncle was assigned and adioyned to him as Protector and ouer seer of him and of the commoÌ„ wealth Commendation of the Lord Protectour a man not so highly aduanced for his consanguinity as also for his noble vertues and especially for his fauour to Gods word worthye of his vocation and calling Through the endeuor and industry of which man first that monstrous Hidra with vj. heades the sixe Articles I meane which deuoured vp so many men before was abolished taken away By reasoÌ„ wherof the counsels and procedings of Winchester began to decaye who storming at the same matter wrote to the Lord Protectour in the cause therof as by his letters is to be sene The holy scriptures he restored to the mother toung masses he extinguished and abolished Furthermore Reformation by K. Edward after softer beginnings by litle litle greater thinges folowed in the reformation of the Churches Then suche as before were in banishmeÌ„t for the dauÌ„ger of the truth were again receiued to theyr couÌ„try To be short a new face of things began now to appeare as it were in a stage new players coÌ„ming in the olde being thrust out For y e most part y e Bishops of churthes diocesses were chauÌ„ged Such as had bene dombe prelates before were compelled to geue place to other then that would preach and take paynes Besides other also out of forreine couÌ„tries meÌ„ of learning and notable knowledge were sent for and receiued Anno 1547. among whome was Peter Martyr Martine Bucer and Paulus Phagius Of whome the first taught at Oxford the other two professed at Cambridge Peter Martyr Marr. Bucer Paulus Phagius Edâ— Boner B. of London committed to the Marshaâ—sey Gardiner and Tonsâ—all committed to the tower and that w t no smal commendation of the whol vniuersity Of the old bishops some were coÌ„mitted to one ward some to an other Boner Bishop of London was committed to the Marshalsey eftsoones for his contempt and misdemeanour deposed froÌ„ his bishopricke as in further processe foloweth to be sene Gardiner Bishop of Winchester with Tonstal Bishop of Duresme was cast into the Tower for his disobedience where he kept his Christmas three yeares together more worthy of some other place without the Tower if it hadde pleased god otherwise not to haue meÌ„t a further plague to this Realme by that man But these meek and gentle times of king Edward vnder the gouernment of this noble Protector haue this one commendation proper vnto them for that among y e whole number of the popish sort of whom some priuily did steale out of the realm many were crafty dissemblers some were open and manifest aduersaries yet of all y t multitude there was not one man that lost his life In summe duryng the whole time of the 6. yeares of this king much tranquility and as it were a breathing time was graunted to the whole Church of England So that the rage of persecutioÌ„ ceasing and the sword taken out of the aduersaries hand there was now no dauÌ„ger to the godly vnlesse it were onely by wealth and prosperity which many times bringeth more dammage in corrupting meÌ„s minds then any time of persecution or affliction Briefly during all this time neither in smithfield nor any other quarter of this realme any was heard to suffer for any matter of religion either Papist or Protestant eyther for one opinioÌ„ or other except onely two one an English woman called Ioan of Kent and the other a Dutch man named George who dyed for certayne Articles not much necessary here to be
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
that he had found heretofore at the handes of the B. of Caunterbury and the rest of y e Colleagues in this matter much extremitie and crueltie iniuries losses and griefes contrary to Gods law and the lawes and statutes of this Realme and agaynst Iustice charitie and good order beyng well assured if they were not stayed but proceeded they would adde more euill to euill losse to losse displeasure to displeasure as sayde he their seruants haue reported and they agreeable doe shew the same Agayne in the sayde appeale he shewed that the Byshop of Canterbury and the other Commissioners ought to haue considered and done better in that matter for honour and obedience to the Kings Maiestie which hetherto they haue not done said he in that they haue not giuen place to hys prouocations and appellations heretofore made vnto hys grace iustly and lawfully and vpon good and iust causes namely for the vniust griefes they did agaynst him which he sayd to appeare in the Actes of that matter as in pronouncyng hym contumacem vnreasonably without good cause and further in assignyng the terme ad audiendum finale decretum and in committyng hym to straight prisone as appeareth in theyr Actes Therefore he dyd not onelye Ex abundanti ad omnem iuris cautelam decline and refuse theyr pretensed iurisdiction as before but also by these presentes here shewed he dyd appeale from the sayd Byshop of Caunterbury and the rest vnto the Kinges Maiestie askyng also those Letters of Appeale which the lawe doth admitte saying he dyd not intend to goe from hys former prouocations and appellations but to ioyne and cleaue vnto them in euery part and parcell submittyng hymselfe to the protection and defence of the Kinges Maiestie and he therein made intimation to the Byshoppe of Caunterbury and the sayd Colleagues to all intentes and purposes that might come thereof Furthermore as touchyng the Supplication aboue mentioned which Boner as we sayd put vp in writyng to the Commissioners the Copie thereof here vnder likewyse ensueth ¶ The Supplication of Boner to the Chauncellor of England with all the rest of the Kings Maiesties most honourable priuy Counsaile PLease iâ— your most honourable good Lordships with my most humble recommendations to vnderstand The copy of Boners supplicatioÌ„ that albeit I haue accordyng to the lawes statutes and ordinaunces of this realme made supplicatioâ— prouocation and appellation vnto the kyngs most excelleâ—â— Maiestie from the vnlawfull and wycked processe of the Archbishop of Caunterbury the byshoppe of Rochester Maister Secretary Smith and the Deane of Paules as also as well from their vniust interlocutorie as also their diffinitiue sentence whereby in law I ought to haue libertie to come abroad and prosecute the same yet such is the malignitie of the Iudges agaynst me with bearing and maintenaunce of other which sundry and many ways haue sought my ruine and destruction that I am here penned and locked vp vsed very extremely at their pleasure and for the contentation of the sayd Maister Smith and not suffred to finde sureties or to goe abroad to prosecute and sue my sayd appellation In consideration whereof it may please your said good Lordships to take some order and redresse herein especially for that it is now the tyme that the Kings subsidie now due ought to be called vpon and iustice also ministred vnto his Maiesties subiects which beyng as I now am I cannot be suffered to doe And thus without further extending my letter therein consideryng that your great wisedomes experience and goodnesse can gather of a little what is expedient and necessary for the whole I doe beseech almighty God to preserue and keepe well all your honourable good Lordships Written in hast this 7. of October 1549. in the Marshalsey Your honourable Lordshyps poore Orator most bounden Bedes man Edmund London These thynges ended the Archbyshop said vnto him My Lord where you say that you come coacted The Archbishop answered to the words of Boner or els ye would not haue appeared I do much maruell of you For you would therby make vs and this audience here beleue that because you are a prisoner ye ought not therefore to aunswer Which if it were true were enough to confound the whole state of this Realme For I dare say that of the greatest prisoners and rebels that euer your keeper there meaning the Undermarshall hath had vnder hym he cannot shewe me one that hath vsed such defence as you here haue done Well quoth the B. if my keper were learned in y e lawes I could shew him my mynd therein Boner Well sayde the Archbyshop I haue read ouer all the Lawes as well as you The archbishop Secretary Smith but to an other ende and purpose then you did and yet I can finde no suche priuiledge in this matter Then M. Secretary Smith did very sore burthen and charge hym how disobediently and rebelliously he had always behaued himselfe towards the Kings Maiestie and his authoritie Whereupon the B. vnder his protestation aunswered agayne Boner that he was the kings Maiesties lawfull and true subiect and did acknowledge his highnesse to be his gracious soueraigne Lord or els he would not haue appealed vnto him as he had yea would gladly lay his hands and his necke also vnder his graces feete and therefore he desired that his highnesse lawes and iustice might be ministred vnto him Yea quoth Maister Secretary you say wel my Lord Secretary Smith Boner compared to the rebells of Deuonshire but I pray you what others haue all these rebels both in Northfolke Deuonshire and Cornewall and other places done Haue they not said thus We be the kings true Subiectes we acknowledge hym for our Kyng and we will obey his lawes with such lyke and yet when eyther Commaundement Letter or Pardon was brought vnto them from his Maiestie they beleeued it not but sayd it was forged and made vnder a hedge and was Gentlemens doyngs so that in deede they would not nor dyd obey any thing Ah sir sayd the B. I perceyue your meanyng Boner as who should say that the Bish. of London is a rebell like them Yea by my troth quoth the Secretary The people laughing at Boner D. May. Whereat the people laughed Then the Deane of Paules said vnto him that he maruelled much and was very sory to see him so vntractable that he would not suffer the Iudges to speake To whome the B. disdainfully aunswered Well M. Deane Boner with his tauntes you must say somewhat And likewise at an other tyme as the Deane was speaking he interrupted him and sayd You may speake when your turne commeth Secretary Smith Then said Secretary Smith I would you knew your duetie I would quoth he agayne you knew it as wel as I with an infinite more of other such stubburne and contemptuous talke and behauiour towardes them Boner which the Commissioners waying and perceiuyng no likelihood
Nihil mihi conscius sum sed non in hoc iustificatus sum Wherefore if any specially be obiected vnto me wherein by ignorance or ouersight negligence any mine offence may appeare against the kings Maiesties lawes Statutes and Iniunctions I shal desire and protest that it be not preiudiciall to mine aunsweare for thys present credo as lawyers in ciuill matters vse that terme to be true y t is to say suche as w tout any alteration in my conscience presently I may of my selfe say in affirmation or denial as afore is answered And whereas I speake of commaundement to be made to me against Gods lawe I protest not to touch my soueraigne Lordes honor therin which my duetie is by al meanes to preserue but that the commādement geuen resolueth to be against Gods law on my part in the obediēce to be geuē because I may not answer or say otherwise but Est est non non So as my wordes and heart may agree together or els I should offend Gods lawe which my soueraigne if he knew my conscience would not command me After these things thus passed certaine of the Counsail by the kings appoyntment had sondry daies and times accesse to him in the Tower to perswade with hym whiche were these the Duke of Somerset the lord Treasurer the Lord priuie Seale the Lord great Chamberlaine and M. Secretary Peter Winchester requireth the sight of the kinges booke of proceedinges Who repairing to him the x. day of Iune an 1550. he desired of them to see the kings booke of proceedings vpon the sight wherof he would make a ful answer seeming to be willinge in all thinges to conforme himselfe therunto and promising that in case any thing offēded his conscience he would open it to none but to the Counsaile Whereupon it was agreed the booke should be sent him to see his answer that his case might be resolued vpon that for the meane time he should haue the libertie of the galery and gardine in the Tower when the Duke of Northfolke were absent The king then was lying at Grenewich at which time the Lieftenant of the tower was appoynted to deliuer the kings booke to the bishop of Winchester winchester denyeth to make any direct aunswere to the booke vnlesse he were at liberty Who within thre dayes after which was the 13. of Iune made declaration againe vnto the counsaile that the Bishop hauing perused it said vnto him he could make no direct answer vnlesse he were at libertie and so being he woulde say hys conscience Whereupon the Lordes and other that had bene with him the other day were apointed to go to him againe to receiue a direct aunswer that the Counsail therupon might determine further order for him The aunswer of the bishop being receiued through the report of the Lordes which had ben with him Winchesters aunswers euer doubtfull declaration was made again the 8. day of Iuly 1550. that his answers were euer doutful refusing while he were in prisō to make any direct aunswer Wherefore it was determined that he shoulde be directly examined whether he woulde sincerely conforme himself vnto the kings maiesties proceedings or not For which purpose it was agreed y t particulare articles should be drawne Articles and letters sent to Winchester to see whether he woulde subscribe them or not and a letter also directed vnto hym from the kinges highnesse with the which the L. Treasurer the L. great maister the maister of the horse and master Secretarie Peter shoulde repaire vnto hym the tenour of whyche letter heereafter ensueth ¶ A letter sent to the Bishop of Winchester signed by the king and subscribed by the Counsaile IT is not we thinke vnknowen vnto you with what clemency and fauour The kings letter to Winchester we by the aduise of our Counsayle caused you to be heard and vsed vpon these sundry complaintes and informations that were made to vs our said Counsaile of your disordered doinges and wordes both at the tyme of our late visitation and otherwise Which notwithstāding considering that the fauour both then and many other tymes ministred vnto you wrought rather an insolent wilfulnes in your selfe thē any obediente conformitie such as would haue beseemed a man of your vocation we could not but use some demonstration of iustice towardes you Notorious contemptes in Winchester noted as well for such notorious and apparaunt contemptes and other inobediences as after and contrary to our commaundement were openly knowen in you as also for some example and terrour of such others as by your example seemed to take courage to mutter and grudge agaynst our most godly proceedinges whereof great discord inconuenience at that tyme might haue ensued For the auoyding whereof for your iust deseruinges you were by our sayde Counsayle committed to warde Where albeit we haue suffred you to remaine a long space sending vnto you in the meane tyme at sundry tymes diuers of the Noble men and others of our priuy Counsayle and trauayling by them with clemencye and fauour to haue reduced you to the knowledge of your duety yet in al this time haue you neyther knowledged your faultes nor made any such submission as might haue beseemed you nor yet shewed any apparāce either of repētāce or of any good conformitye to our godly proceedinges Wherewith albeit we both haue good cause to be offēded might also iustly by the order of our lawes cause your former doinges to be reformed and punished to the exāple of others yet for that we would both the world your self also shuld know that we delite more in clemency then in the straight administratiō of iustice we haue vouchsafed not only to a dresse vnto you these our letters but also to sēd eftsones vnto you 4. of our priuy coūsel with certain articles which being by vs with the aduise of our sayde Counsaile considered Anno 1551. we thinke requisite for sondry considerations to be subscribed by you and therefore woulde and commaunde you to subscribe the saide Articles vpon paine of incurring such punishment and penalties as by our lawes may be put vppon you for not doing the same Geuen at our palace of Westminster the 8. day of Iulye the 4. yeare of oure raigne With this letter addressed from the king and his Counsaile these Articles also were deliuered to the B. of Winchester here following The copie of the Articles The Bishop◠aunswere to this article in the margent WHereas I Steuen bishop of Winchester haue ben suspected as one too much fauouring the bishop of Romes aucthoritie decrees and ordinaunces and as one that did not approoue or allow the kings maiesties proceedinges in alteration of certayne rites in religion was conuented before the kings highnes counsaile and admonished therof and hauing certaine things appoynted for me to doe and preache for my declaration haue not done that as I ought to do although I promised to do the same
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
on the behalfe of vs and our said vncle the Lord Protectour Edward Somerset This Letter of the king and of the Lorde Protectoure was not so secretely deuised nor so speedily sente but the Lordes keeping at London had knowledge immediately thereof by the meanes as some suppose of the Lorde Paget who was then with the King and the Protectour but the truth the Lorde knoweth being there ready furnished with their owne â—andes of seruing men and other souldiours and men of armes Who forthwith vpon the same addressed their letters in sâ—mblable wise to the sayd Lorde Maior and Aldermen in the kings name not onely for supportation of armed men to serue their purposes and for a sufficient watche to fortifie their Citie but also that they should not obey any suche letters Proclamations or Iniunctions sent to them from the Duke Which letter of the Lordes at the same instante came likewise to the Lorde Maior and his brethren the 6. day of the sayde moneth of Octob. The tenour and copie of which letter heere ensueth To our very good Lord the Lord Maior Aldermen and Citizens of London AFter our right hearty commendations vnto your good Lordshippe The letter of the Lordes sent to the L. Maior CouÌ„cell of London agaynst the Lord Protector knowing your heartie fauour and earnest zeales to the preseruation of the person of the kings Maiestie of this realme and other his maiesties realmes and dominions we haue thought good to aduertise you that notwithstanding all the good aduice aod Counsell that wee coulde geue to the Duke of Somerset to staye him selfe wythin reasonable limites and to vse hys gouernement nowe in the tender age of hys Maiestie in suche sorte as myght tende to his highnesse suretie to the conseruation of hys estate and to his honour the sayde Duke neuerthelesse still continuing in his pride couetousnes and ambition ceaseth not daily by all the waies and meanes he can deuise to enriche him selfe without measure and to impouerish his Maiestie Hee buildeth in foure or fiue places moste sumptuously and leaueth the poore souldiours vnpaide of their wages vnuictualled and in all things so vnfurnished as the losses lately susteined Crimes layd to thâ— Lord Proâ—tectour by the Lordâ— to the greatest dishonor that euer came to the king this realme doe declare Hee soweth daily diuision betweene the Nobles and Gentlemen and the Commons Hee rewardeth and entertaineth a number of those that were Captaines of the Commons in these late insurrections and finally in suche wise subuerteth all lawes iustice and good order as it is euident that putting hys trust in the Commons and perceiuing that the Nobles and Gentlemen shoulde be an impediment to him in his deuilish purposes hee laboureth first to haue them destroyed and thinketh after easily enough to atchieue his desire which it appeareth plainly is to occupie the kings Maiesties place For his doings who soeuer list to beholde them doe manifestly declare that hee mindeth neuer to render account to his Maiestie of his proceedings These thinges with many moe too long to recite considered wee pondered wyth our selues Iuste iudiâ—cate filij hominuâ— that either wee muste trauaile for some reformation or wee must in effecte as it were consent with him to the destruction of oure soueraigne Lorde and Countrey Whereuppon laying apart all respectes and resting onely vppon our dueties wee ioyned in Counsell and thought quietly to haue treated the matter with him Who perceiuing that we ioyned for the king and woulde haue suche order as might be for the suertie of his Maiesties persone and the common wealth straite put him selfe in force and resteth at plaine poynt as it appeareth eyther to goe through with his detestable purpose in sorte as hee hathe done or to trie it by the sworde Nowe for as much as we see presently that vnlesse there be a reformation the personne of the kings Maiestie is in moste certaine daunger and this Realme our naturall Countrey lyke to be destroyed wyth all our posterities like as we haue againe fully resolued wyth Gods helpe eyther to deliuer the kings Maiestie and the realme from this extreeme ruine and destruction or to spend our liues for the declaration of our faithfull hearts and dueties so knowing your heartie good willes and trouth to his Maiestie and therefore nothing doubting of your readinesse to ioyne with vs in our godly purpose wee thoughte good to lette you knowe the very trouth of our enterprise and in the kings Maiesties behalfe to require you not onely to putte good and substantiall order for watche and warde but also to haue an earnest continuall regarde to the preseruation within your City of all harneis weapons and munitions so as none be suffered to be conueyed to the sayde Duke nor any others attending about him and besides that you from hencefoorth obey no letters proclamations nor other commandements to be sent from the sayd Duke And thus we bid your Lordship most heartily fare well From London the sixt of October Your Lordships assured louing frendes Will. Saint Iohn W. Northampt. Iohn Warwike Arundell Th. Southampton William Peter Edward North. Iohn Gage Rich. Southwell After the receiuinge of these two Letters aboue mentioned the one from the King the other from the Lordes The City of Londoâ— vrged wiâ—â— two conâ—trary letteâ— at one instant whyche came both at one instaunte wyth contrarye commaundement to the Lorde Maior and Citizens of London the case seemed harde to them and very doubtfull as it was in deede what waye to take and what were best for the Citizens to doe On the one side the name and authority of the king was much on the other side the power and garrisons of the Lordes lyinge then in London was not little which seemed then to be suche as would haue no repulse The case thus standing perplexedly first by the mouth of the Recorder it was requested The Recâ—â—â—der speaketh for 〈◊〉 Lordes that the Citizens would graunt their aide rather vnto the Lords for that the Protectour had abused both the kings maiestie and the whole Realme that without he were taken from the king and made to vnderstande his follie this Realme was in great hazard and therfore required that the citizens would willingly assent to ayd the Lordes with 500. men Hereunto of a great parte of the Common Counsaile was no other answeare made but silence But the Recorder who at that time was M. Brooke still cryed vppon them for aunswere The graâ—â— Oration oâ— a discrete Citizen speaking for the kiâ—â— whose name was George Stadlow 〈◊〉 Parliament man Deuision betweene the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 At the last stepped vp a wise and a good Citizen named George Stadlowe and sayde In thys case it is good for vs to thinke of things past to auoyde the daunger of thynges to come I remember sayeth he in a storie wrytten in Fabians Chronicle of the warre betweene the King and his Barons which was in the
sayd in the time of the rebellion that you liked wel the doings and proceedings of the sayde rebelles and traitors and sayde that the couetousnes of the gentlemen gaue occasion to the common people to rise sayinge also that better it were for the Commons to die then pearish for lacke of liuing 16 Also you saide that the Lordes of the parlamente were loth to encline themselues to reformatioÌ„ of enclosures and other things therfore the people had good cause to reforme the things them selues 17 Also you after the reporte and declaration of the defaultes and lackes reported to you by suche as did suruey Bulleine and the Peeces there woulde neuer amende the same defaultes 18 Also you would not suffer the kings peeces beyoÌ„d the seas called Newhauen Blacknest to be furnished wyth men and vitailes although you were aduertised of the defaults therin by the captaines of the same peeces others were thereto aduertised by the kings Counsaile wherby the French king being the kings open enemy was encouraged and comforted to inuade and win the sayd peeces to the kings great losse and dishonor of his realme 19 Also you declared and published vntruely as well to the kings maiestie and other the young Lordes attendant vpon his graces persone that the Lordes of the Counsaile at London minded to destroy the king you required the king neuer to forget it but to reuenge it and likewise you required the yong Lordes to put the king in remembrance therof to the entent to make sedition and discord betwene the king and his Lordes 20 Also where the kinges Maiesties priuie Counsaile of their loue and zeale that they did beare vnto the king his Realme did consulte at London to haue communed wyth you to the entent to mooue you charitablie to amend your doings and misgouernment you hearing of their sayd assembly did cause to be declared by letters in diuers places the said Lordes to be high traitors to the king to the great disturbance of the realme And thus muche hitherto concerning the first trouble of the Lorde Protectoure Duke of Somersette The mercifull working of the Lord for the Lord Protector wyth the crimes and articles obiected against him with his prisonment also in the Tower and the terrible proclamatioÌ„ geuen out against hym All which purposes of man thoughe they seemed fully entended to no lesse but to the spilling of his life yet the Lorde aboue the onely disposer of all mens purposes The Lord Protectour deliuered out of the tower so ordered the matter by the meanes of the kinge labouring for his Uncle that in short while after hee was lette out of the Tower and the Proclamation whyche before had made hym a traitor wythin three dayes was called in agayne a Domino factum est istud wyth commaundement geuen none of them to be solde And so the Duke of Somerset gratiously escaping thys aduersitie was againe restored though not to his former office yet vnto libertie wherein he continued the space of two yeares and two dayes After the which time of respite being expired the sayde Duke of Somerset was apprehended committed againe to the Tower The second trouble of the Duke of Somerset and wyth him also Sir Michaell Stanhop sir Raufe Uane sir Miles Partrige other c. At length the time being come of his arrainment the foresayde good Duke being conueied from the Tower was brought thorow London with the axe of the tower before him wyth great preparance of bils halbardes pikes and polaxes in most forcible wise a watch also sette and appoynted before euery mans doore through the hie streat of London The Duke of Somerset agayne brâ—ught to the toweâ— and so was he brought into Westminster hal where the Lords of the counsaile sitting as his iudges in the middle of the hal vpon a newe scaffolde he was there before them arrayned and charged both with treason and felonie In the whiche iudgement I passe ouer the vnseemely speach the vile taunts and despiteful rebukes without all modesty or honesty The vile tauntes of certayne Iustices and others sitting in iudgement against the good Duke of Somerset vsed by certaine of the Sergeants and Iustices and some other sitting there Al which notwythstanding he patiently quietly did suffer neither storming inwardly in stomacke nor reuiling them with woordes againe but like a lambe folowing the true lambe example of all meekenes was conteÌ„ted to take al things at their handes and with no lesse patience to beare now theyr vngentle and cruell railings The great patieÌ„ce of the Duke of Somerset in taking rebukes then hee did before their glauering wordes and flatterings in time of his high estate and prosperitie And as the patience of this good Duke was marueilous in forbearing his ennemies so also was his discretion and temperance no lesse seene in answearing for himself to the articles to him obiected wherunto he wisely and substantially replied The discrete behauiour of the Duke in aunswering for himselfe putting himselfe in the ende to be tried by his Peeres Who then at length after consultation had did frame and temper their verdicte thus that as concerning y e case of treason wherewith he was charged they discharged him but they accounted him guiltie of fellonie When the people which were there present to a great noÌ„ber hearde the Lordes say Not guiltie meaning by the case of treason supposing no lesse but y t he had bene clearly acquited by these woordes The harty affection of the people toward the Duke of Somerset and especially seeing the Axe of the Tower to be carried away for great ioy and gladnesse made an outcrie well declaring theyr louing affection and hearty fauour vnto the Duke whose life they greatly desired But thys opinion of the people was deceiued and the innocent Duke condemned to die for fellonie Which act of fellonie had bene made a litle before against the rebels and vnlawfull assembles suche as shoulde seeke or procure the death of any Counsailour The Duke of Somerset condemned of felony so that euery suche attempt and procurement according to the act should be iudged felony By the vertue of whych Act the Duke being accused with certaine other hys complices to intende and purpose the death of the Duke of Northumberlande and of certayne beside Statut. an 5. Reg. Edw 6. was therfore caste and condemned of felonie and so was returned toward the Tower againe At whose passage throughe the Citie greate exclamations and outcries were made againe of the people The Duke of Somerset accused for seeking the death of the Duke of Northumberland some reioycing y t hee was acquited some bewayling that hee was condemned Thus the good Duke passing through a great parte of the Citie landinge at the Crane of the Uinetrie was conueyed vnto the Tower where hee endured till the 22. of Ianuary Upon the which day at the comminge downe of the
quiet and to be contented with my death which I am most willing to suffer and let vs now ioyne in praier vnto the Lord for the preseruation of the Kings Maiestie vnto whome hitherto I haue alwaies shewed my selfe a most faithfull and true subiecte I haue alwayes bene most diligent about his Maiestie in his affayres both at home and abroade and no lesse diligent in seeking the common commoditie of the whole Realme At whyche words all the people cried out and said it was most true Then the Duke proceeding said Unto whose Maiestie I wish continuall health with all felicitie all prosperous successe Whereunto the people againe cryed out Amen Moreouer I do wishe vnto all his Counsaylours the grace and fauour of God whereby they may rule in all things vprightly with iustice Unto whome I exhort you all in the Lord to shew your selues obedient as it is your bounden duety vnder the payne of condemnation and also most profitable for the preseruation and safegarde of the Kings Maiestie Moreouer for so much as heeretofore I haue had oftentimes affaires with diuers men The confession of the Duke of Somerset hard it is to please euery man therfore if there be any that hath ben offended iniuried by me I most humbly require aske him forgeuenes but especially almighty God whome throughout all my life I haue most greeuously offended and all other whatsoeuer they be that haue offended me I do with my whole hart forgeue them Now I once againe require you dearly beloued in the Lord that you wil keepe your selues quiete and still least through your tumult you might trouble me For albeit the spirite be willing and ready the flesh is fraile and wauering and through your quietnesse I shall be much more quieter The Duke â—f Someâ—set 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 of Ieâ—â—â— Christ. Moreouer I desire you all to beare me witnes that I dye heere in the fayth of Iesus Christ desiring you to helpe me with your prayers that I may perseuere constant in the same vnto my liues end After this hee turning himselfe agayne aboute like a meeke lambe â— Coxe 〈◊〉 ghostly 〈◊〉 kneeled down vpon his knees Then doctor Coxe which was there present to counsell and aduertise him deliuered a certaine scroll into his hand wherin was conteined a briefe confession vnto God Which being read he stoode vp againe vpon his feete without any trouble of mind as it appeared and first bad the Sheriffes farewel then the Lieutenant of the Tower and other taking them all by the handes which were vpon the scaffold with hym Then he gaue the Hangman certaine money Which done he put off his gowne and kneeling downe againe in the straw vntied his shyrt strings After that the hangman comming vnto him turned downe his coller round about his necke and al other things which did let or hinder him Then lifting vp his eyes to heauen where his only hope remained and couering his face with his owne handkercher he layd himselfe downe along shewing no maner of token of trouble or feare neyther did his countenaunce chaunge but that before his eyes were couered there began to appeare a red colour in the middest of his cheekes Thus this most meeke and gentle Duke lying along and looking for the stroke because his doublet couered his necke he was coÌ„maunded to rise vp and put it off and then laying himselfe downe againe vpon the blocke The godly 〈◊〉 of the Duke of Soâ—erset and calling thrise vpon the name of Iesus saying Lord Iesu saue mee as he was the thyrd tyme repeating the same euen as the name of Iesu was in vttering in a moment he was bereft both of head life slept in the Lord Iesus being taken away from all the daungers and euils of this life and resting now in the peace of God in the preferment of whose truth and Gospell he alwaies shewed himselfe an excellent instrument and member and therefore hath receyued the reward of his labours Thus gentle Reader thou hast the true history of this worthy and noble Duke and if any man report it otherwise let it be counted as a lye As touching the maners disposition life and conuersation of the said Duke and the Kings vncle what shall we neede to speake when as he can not be sufficiently commeÌ„ded according to the dignitie of his vertues There was alwaies in him great humanitie and suche meekenes and gentlenes as is rare to be found in so high estate He was prone and ready to geue care vnto the coÌ„plaints and supplicatioÌ„s of the poore The vertues of the Duke of Somerset declared no lesse attentiue vnto the affaires of the coÌ„mon wealth Which if he had liued together wyth king Edward was like to do much good in reforming many misorders within this realme He was vtterly ignoraÌ„t of al craft and deceit and as farre void of all pride and ambition as he was froÌ„ doing of iniury being indeede vtterly voyd of both He was of a gentle dispositioÌ„ not coueting to be reuenged more apt ready to be deceiued then to deceiue His auncient loue zeale of the Gospell of religion he brought with him to the state of this his dignitie The proofe whereof sufficiently was seene in his constant standing to gods truth and zealous defence therof The zealous standing of the Duke of Somerset in defence of the truth against the Bishops at Winsore against the Bishops of Chichester Norwich Lincolne London and others moe in the Consultation had at Windsore the first yeare of the kinges raigne Briefly considering the nature and vertues of this Duke I may as seemeth not vnaptly compare and resemble him vnto Duke Humfrey the good Duke of Glocester Who likewise being vncle vnto king Henry 6. and Protector of the Realme as this was also to king Edw. the 6. yet he wanted not his enemies and priuy enueyers especially Henry Beauford Cardinal Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellour of England A comparison betweene Duke Humfrey Vncle to K. Henry 6. and the Duke of Somerset Vncle to K. Edward 6. who at that time disdayning and enuying the rule and authoritie of thys Duke procured much trouble agaynst him and great deuision in the whole realme in so muche that all the Shops within the Cittie of London were shutte in for feare of the fauourers of these two great personages For ech part had assembled no small number of people For pacifying wherof the Archbishop of Caunterbury and the Duke of Quimber called the Prince of Portugale rode eight times in one day betwene the two aduersaries Such were then the troubles of these tumultuous diuision within the realme betweene these two Touching the trouble of the Duke of Glocester read before pag. 67â— as is before expressed pag. 679. not much vnlike to y e troublesome discord betwixt parties in this Protectors dayes And as in their afflictions and troubles these two Dukes seemed not
wee say that there is a great difference and separation betwixt the body in the which Christe suffered and the bloud which he shed vpon the Crosse thys body which euery day is celebrated in the mysterie of the Passion of Christe For this body is a pledge and a similitude but the other is the very truthe it selfe Ergo it appeareth that these two are seperated a sunder by no lesse difference then is betweene a pledge and the thing whereof y ◠pledge is geuen or then is betweene an Image of a thing and the thing it selfe whereof the Image is or then is betwene the forme of a thing and the veritie it selfe This wrote Bertramus Druthmarus manye other Bertramus Ioan. Scotus Druthmarus and yet were neuer in all their time once reprooued of heresie Thys wrote Ioannes Scotus also in whose life time men had not eies to espie his heresies But about 200. yeare after his death he was iudged and condemned for an hereticke his bookes burned in a Councell holden at Vercellae in Lombardie in the yeare of our Lorde God .1015 Bertramus condemned for an hereticke 200. yeares after his death Since which time euen vntill this day although Idolatrye had great encrease yet there neuer wanted some good men whiche boldly woulde professe and sette foorth the truth although they were well assured that theyr worldly reward shoulde be spite malice imprisonning sworde fire and all kindes of tormentes Thus so shortly and in so few woordes as I could I haue declared to you what Christe meant by these woordes This is my bodye what the Apostles thought therein in what sorte they deliuered them to theyr successors in what sense and meaning the holy Fathers and olde wryters and the Uniuersall and Catholicke Churche hath euermore taken them The ende and deceasse of king Edward the sixt THus hauing discoursed thinges done and past vnder the raigne of king Edwarde The decease of king Edward .6 suche as seemed not vnfruitfull to be knowen we will now draw to the ende and death of this blessed king our young Iosias Who about a yeare and a halfe after the death of the Duke of Somerset hys Uncle Anno 1553. in the yeare of our Lorde 1553. entring into the 17. yeare of his age and the 7. yeare of his raigne in the month of Iune was takē from vs for our sinnes no dout Whome if it had so pleased the good wil of the Lord to haue spared with longer life not vnlike it was by all cōiectures probably to be esteemed by those his towarde and blessed beginnings but proceeding so as he began he would haue reformed suche a Common wealth heere in the Realme of England as by good cause it might haue bene sayd of hym y t was sayd in y e olde time of the noble Emperour Augustus in reforming and aduauncing the Empire of Rome Quam quum ille lateritiam vt aiebat accepit Ex Suetonio marmoream reliquit Which Empire he receiued he sayd of bricke but he left it of fine Marble But the condition of this Realme and the customable behauiour of English people whose propertie is commonly to abuse the lighte of the Gospell when it is offered deserued no suche benefite of so blessed a reformation but rather a contrarye plague of deformation suche as hapned after his raigne as ye shall heare the Lord graunting in the nexte Queenes dayes that followed Thus then this godly and vertuous Impe in the time and moneth aboue mentioned was cut from vs of whose worthy life and vertues haue bene partly afore declared Neuerthelesse to haue some monument of him remaining to testifie of the good nature and gentle disposition of that Prince we will adde heere for a remembraunce thys little Epistle of his own hand wryting to the Archb. of Canterbury his Godfather as followeth An Epistle of yong Prince Edward to the Archb. of Canterbury his Godfather Prince Edward when he wrote this epistle seemed to be very younge not aboue seauen yeares of age lying then at Antile IMpertio te plurima salute colendissime Praesul charissime Susceptor Quia abes longè a me vellem libenter audire te esse incolumem Precor autem vt viuas diu promoueas verbum Dei Vale. Antilae decimo octauo Iunij Tuus in Christo filius Edwardus Princeps An other Epistle of the young Prince Edward to the Archb. his Godfather ETsi puer sum colendissime Susceptor non tamen immemor sum vel officij erga te mei An other Epistle of Prince Edward to his godfather vel humanitatis tuae quam indies mihi exhibere studes Nō exciderūt mihi humanissimae tuae litterae pridie diui Petri ad me datae Quibus ante hac respondere nolui non quòd illas neglexerim aut non minerim sed vt illarum diuturna meditatione fruerer fideliue memoria reponerem atque demum bene ruminatis pro mea virili responderem Proinde affectum erga me tuum verè paternum quem in illis expressisti amplector veneror optoque vt multos viuas annos tuoque pio ac salubri consilio pergas esse mihi venerandus pater Nam pietatem ante omnia mihi amplectendam exosculandam esse duco quoniam diuus Paulus dicit 1. Tit. 4. Pietas ad omnia vtilis est Optimè valeat tua paternitas in plurimos annos Hartefordioe tertio decimo Ianuarij Tui studiosissimus EDOVARDVS Princeps The aunswere of the Archbishop to Prince Edwardes Epistle Alludit ad verba Terentijin Comoedia NOn magis poterit ipsa me seruare salus fili in Christo charissime quam salus tua Mea vita non dicenda est vita absque tua salute valitudine Quapropter cum te incolumem ac saluum intelligo vitam etiam mihi integram esse incolumem sentio The aunswere of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. to the epistle of Prince Edward Neque certè absentia mea tam est iniucunda tibi quà m sunt litterae tuae periucundae mihi Quae arguunt tibi iuxta adesse ingenium dignum tanto principe praeceptorem dignum tanto ingenio Ex quibus tuis litteris te sic litteras video colere vt interim doctrinae coelestis tua nequaquam minima sit cura quae cuicunque sit curae non potest illum quaeuis cura frangere Perge igitur qua via incoepisti Princeps illustrissime Spartam quam nactus es hanc orna vt quam ego per literas video in te virtutis lucem eadem olim illuminet vniuersam tuam Angliam Nō scribam prolixius tum quidem vt me intelligas breuitate non nihil affici tum etiam quod credam te aetate quidem adhuc paruulum paruo gaudere similem simili tum etiam praeterea ne impolita mea oratio in causa sit quò generosa illa tua indoles
barbariae vitium contrahat The report of the Princes Scholemaister in commendation of his towardnes to the Archb. RIght honorable and my singular good Lorde This 〈◊〉 seemetâ— be 〈◊〉 by D. â— after my most harty coÌ„mendations the oportunitie of this messenger forceth me to wryte at this time hauing litle matter but onely to signify vnto your grace that my Lords grace your godsonne is mery and in health and of such towardnes in learning godlinesse gentlenes and all honest qualities y t both you and I and all this realme ought to thinke him and take him for a singular gift sent of God an Impe worthy of such a father for whome we are bound sine intermissione to render to God most harty thankes wyth most humble request of hys long prosperous continuance He hath learned almoste foure bookes of Cato to construe to parse and to say wythout booke And of hys owne courage nowe in the latter Booke hee will needes haue at one time 14. Uerses which he konneth pleasantly and perfectly besides things of the Bible Sattellitium Viuis Aesops Fables and Latin making wherof he hath sent your Grace a litle tast Dominus Iesus te diutissimè seruet Thus muche hetherto hauinge declared The 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 departâ—â— touchinge the worthy vertues and singulare towardnesse of this godlye impe king Edward the sixth although I haue not neither can insert all things due to his commendation but am enforced to let passe many memorable matters well worthy to be prosecuted if they might haue come to our hands yet this one briefe note I thought not to ouerslip somethinge to recreate the wery reader in suche a dolfull storye being notified to me by one M. Edward Hunderhill who wayting y e same time w t the rest of his felowes pensioners and men at armes as Syr Henry Gates M. Robert Hal M. Henry Harston and M. Stafforton hearde these woordes betweene the king and his counsaile The relation and testimonie of which persone and persons aboue named come to this effect that king Edw. the 6. the 4. yere of his raigne being then but 13. yeres old and vpward at Greenewiche vpon S. Georges day when he was come from the sermon into y e presence chamber there being his vncle the Duke of Somerset the Duke of Northumb with other Lordes Knights of that order called the order of the Garter he said vnto them My Lordes I pray you what saincte is S. George that we here so honour hym At which question the other Lordes being all astonied the L. Treasurer y t then was perceiuing this gaue answer and said If it please your Maiestie I did neuer read in any hystorie of S. George but only in Legenda aurea where it is thus set downe that S. George out with his sworde and ran the Dragon through with his speare The king when he could not a greate while speake for laughing at length saide I pray you my Lorde and what did he with his sworde the while That I can not tell your maiesty said he And so an end of y t question of good s. Georg. Now to returne againe from whence we haue digressed which is to signifie some part of the order manner of his godly departing as the time approched when it pleased almighty God to call this young king from vs whych was the 6. day of Iulye the yeare aboue sayde about three houres before his death this Godly childe his eyes being closed speaking to himselfe thinking none to haue heard him made this prayer as followeth The prayer of king Edwarde before his death LOrde God deliuer me out of this miserable wretched life take me among thy chosen how be it not my will but thy wil be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee The kinâ— prayer 〈◊〉 his deatâ— Oh Lord thou knowest howe happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy chosens sake send me life and health that I may truely serue thee Oh my Lorde God blesse thy people and saue thine inheritaunce Oh Lord God saue thy chosen people of England Oh my Lord God defend this Realme from papistrie and maintaine thy true religion that I and my people may praise thy holy name for thy sonne Iesus Christes sake Then turned he his face seeing who was by him sayd vnto them Are ye so night I thought you had bene further off Then Doc. Owen said We heard you speake to your selfe but what you saide we knowe not He then after his fashion smilingly said I was praying to God The last words of his pangs were these I am faint Lord haue mercy vpon me take my spirite And thus he yeelded vp the ghost leauing a wofull kingdom behinde vnto his sister Allbeit he in his will hadde excluded his sister Marye from the succession of the crowne because of her corrupt religion yet y e plage which God had destinate vnto this sinfull Realme coulde not so be voided but that shee beinge the elder and daughter to king Henry succeeded in possession of y e crowne Of whose dreadfull and bloudy regiment it remaineth nowe consequently to discourse This briefly may suffice to vnderstande that for all the writing sending and practising with the Lady Mary by the King and his Counsayle and also by the Bishop Ridley yet would she not be reclaymed from her owne singular opinion fixed vpon custome to giue anye indifferente hearing to the word and voice of veritie The whiche set will of the said Lady Mary The Lady Mary wedded to Custome both this yong King and also his father King Henry before him right well perceauing and considering they were both much displeased agaynst her In so much that not onely her brother did vtterly sequester her in his will The Lady Mary in displeasure both with her brother and father but also her own father considering her inclination conceiued suche hart against her that for a great space he did seclude her from the title of Princesse yea and seemed so egerly incensed against her that he was fully purposed to proceede further with her as it is reported had not the intercession of Thomas Cranmer the Archbyshop reconciled the King againe to fauour and pardon his owne daughter For the better vnderstanding whereof by these her owne letters copied out of her owne hand writing which I haue to shew something may be perceiued and more peraduenture may be gessed The words out of her owne hand writing be these And first her letter to King Henry her father heere followeth * A Letter of the Lady Mary to King Henry her father IN my most humble wise I beseeche your grace of your dayly blessing Lady Mary writeth to K. Henry her father Pleaseth it the same to be aduertised that this morning my Lord my Chamberleyne came and shewed me that hee had receyued a letter from sir William Paulet Controller of your house The effect whereof was that
God in whom our whole affiaunce is shall send vs. Wherefore my Lordes we require you and charge you and euery of you that euery of you of your allegeance whyche you owe to God and vs and to none other for our honour and the surety of our parson onely employ your selues forth with vpon receit hereof cause our right and title to the Crowne and gouâ—rnement of this Realme to be proclaymed in our Citty of London and other places as to your wisedomes shall seeme good and as to this case apperteineth not fayling hereof as our verye trust is in you And thus our Letter signed with our hande shal be your sufficient warrant in this behalfe Yeuâ—n vnder our Signet at our Manor of Kenyngall the ninth of Iulyâ— 1553. To this Letter of the Ladye Marye the Lordes of the Counsell make aunswere agayne as foloweth ¶ Aunswere of the Lordes vnto the Lady Maryes Letter MAdame A letter of the Counsaile aunswâ—ring agayne to the Lady Mary we haue receiued your letters the ninth of this instant declaring your supposed title which you iudge your self to haue to the Imperiall crowne of this Realm all the dominions thereunto belonging For answere whereof this is to aduertise you that forasmuch as our soueraign Lady Quene Iane is after the death of our soueraign Lord Edward the sixt a prince of most noble memorye inuested and possessed with the iuste and right title in the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme Lady Iane inuested in possession of the crowne by king Edwards will and assent of the whole couÌ„saile not onely by good order of olde aunciente lawes of this Realme but also by our late soueraigne Lordes Letters patentes signed with his own hand and seâ—led with the greate seale of Englande in presence of the most parte of the Nobles Counsellours Iudges with diuers other graue and sage personages assenting subscribing to the same We must therfore as of most bouÌ„d duety and allegeance assent vnto her sayde Grace and to none other except wee shoulde which faythfull subiectes can not fall into greeuous and vnspeakeable enormities Wherefore we can no lesse do but for the quiet both of the realme and you also to aduertise you that forasmuch as the diuorce made betwene the king of famous memory K Henry the 8. the Lady Katherine your mother was necessary to be had both by the euerlasting lawes of God and also by the Ecclesiasticall lawes by the most part of the noble learned Vniuersities of Christendome and confirmed also by the sundry actes of Parliamentes remaining yet in theyr force and therby you iustly made illegitimate and vnheritable to the crown Imperiall of this realme and the rules and dominions and possessions of the same Lady Mary recounted illegitimate you will vpon iust consideration hereof and of diuers other causes lawfull to be alledged for the same for the iust inheritaunce of the right line and godlye order taken by the late king our souereigne Lord king Edward the sixt and agreed vpon by the Nobles and greatest personages aforesayd surcease by any pretence to vexe and molest any of our soueraigne Ladye Queene Iane her subiectes from theyr true fayth and allegeance due vnto her grace assuring you that if you will for respect shew your selfe quiet and obedient as you oughte you shall finde vs all and seuerall ready to doe you any seruice that we with duety may and be glad with your quietnes to preserue the coÌ„mon state of this realme wherin you may be otherwise greuous vnto vs to your selfe and to them And thus we bid you most hartily well to fare from the Tower of London this 9. of Iuly 1553. Your Ladyships frendes shewing your selfe an obedient subiect Thomas Caunterbury The Marques of Winchester Iohn Bedford Wil. Morthhampton Thom. Ely Chauncellour Northumberland Henry Suffolke Henry Arundell Shrewesbury Pembrooke Cobham R. Riche Huntington Darcy Cheyney R. Cotton Iohn Gates W. Peter W. Cicelle Iohn Cheeke Iohn Mason Edward North. R. Bowes All these aforesayd except onely the Duke of NorthuÌ„berland and syr Iohn Gates afterward were either by especiall fauor or speciall or generall pardon discharged After this aunswere receiued and the mindes of the Lordes perceiued Lady Mary keepeth her selfe from the Citty of London Lady Mary speedeth her selfe secretlye away farre of from the City hoping chiefly vpon the good will of the Commons and yet perchaunce not destitute altogether of the secret aduertisementes of some of the Nobles When the Counsell heard of her sodiene departure and perceiued her stoutnesse that all came not to passe as they supposed they gathered speedily a power of meÌ„ together appointing an army and first assigned that the Duke of Suffolke shoulde take that enterprise in hand so haue the leading of the Bande The Duke of Northumberland sent forth agaynst Lady Mary But afterwarde alterynge their mindes they thought it best to seÌ„d forth the Duke of Northumberland with certaine other Lords and Gentlemen and that the Duke of Suffolke shoulde keepe the Tower where the Lord Gilford and the Lady Iane the same time were lodged In the which expedition y e Gard also albeit they were much vnwilling at the first therunto yet notwithstanding through the vehemeÌ„t perswasions of the Lord Treasurer M. Chomley other they were induced to assist the duke and to set forward with him These thinges thus agreed vpon and the Duke nowe being set forwarde after the best array out of London hauing notwithstanding his times prescribed and hys iourneys appoynted by the Counsell to the entent he woulde not seeme to do any thing but vpon warrant Mary in the meane while tossed with muche trauell vp and downe to worke the surest way for her best aduauntage withdrewe her selfe into the quarters of Northfolke and Suffolke Pollicie of the Lady Mary where she vnderstood the Dukes name to be had in muche hatred for the seruice that had ben done there of late vnder king Edward The Lady Mary taketh Fremingham castle in subduing the rebels and there gathering to her such aid of the commons in euery side as she might keepeth her selfe close for a space within Fremingham Castle To whom first of al resorted the suffolke men who being alwayes forward in promoting the procedinges of the Gospell The Suffolk meÌ„ gather to the Lady Maryes side promised her theyr ayd helpe so that she would not attempt the alteration of the religion which her Brother king Edward had before established by lawes and orders publickely enacted and receiued by the consent of the whole Realme in that behalfe To make the matter short vnto this condition she eftsoones agreed with suche promise made vnto them that no innouatioÌ„ should be made of religioÌ„ The Lady Mary promiseth faithfully that she would not alter religion Breach of promise in Queene Mary as that no maÌ„ would or could then haue misdoubted her Whiche promise if shee had as
me downe the hangman sayd no Madame Then tyed she the kerchefe about her eyes and feeling for y e block she sayd what shall I doe where is it where is it One of the standers by guiding her thereunto she layd her head downe vpon the blocke and then stretched foorth her body and sayd Lord into thy handes I commend my spirit and so finished her life in the yeare of our Lord God 1553. the 12. day of February ¶ Certayne prety verses written by the sayd Lady Iane with a pinne Non aliena put es homini quae obtingere possunt Sors hodierna mihi tunc erit illa tibi Iane Dudley Deo iuuante nil nocet liuor malus Et non iuuante nil iuuat labor grauis Post tenebras spero lucem ¶ Certaine Epitaphes written in commendation of the worthy Lady Iane Gray De Iana Graia Ioan. Parkhursti Carmen Graia being her surname signifieth in Latina Grecyan Miraris Ianam Graio sermone valere Quo primum nata est tempore Graia fuit In historiam Ianae I. F. Tu quibus ista legas in certum est lector ocellis Ipse equidem siccis scribere non potui De Iana D. Laurentij Humfredi decastichon Iana iacet saeuo non aequae vulnere mortis Nobilis ingenio sanguine martyrio Ingenium latijs ornauit foemina musis Foemina virgineo tota dicata choro Sanguine clara fuit regali stirpe creata Ipsaque Reginae nobilitata throno Bis Graia est pulchrè Graijs nutrita camaenis Et prisco Graiûm sanguine creta ducum Bis Martyr sacrae fidei verissima testis Atque vacans regni crimine Iana iacet Thus the xij day of February as I sayd was beheaded the Lady Iane February 12. Lady Iane and L. Gylforde Dudley beheaded and with her also the Lord Gilford her husband one of the Duke of Northumberlands sonnes two innocēts in comparison of them that sate vpon them For they did but ignorantly accept that which the others had willingly deuised and by open Proclamation consented to take from others and geue to them Touching the condemnation of this Lady Iane heere is to be noted that the Iudge Morgan who gaue the sentence of condemnation against hir A wonderfull example vpon Morgan the Iudge who gaue sentence agaynst the Lady Iane. shortly after he had condemned her fell madde and in his rauing cried out continually to haue the Lady Iane taken away from hym and so ended his life And not long after the death of the Lady Iane vppon the xxj of the same moneth was Henry Duke of Suffolke her father also beheaded at the Tower Hill the iiij day after his condemnation about which time also were condemned for this conspiracie many Gentlemen and Yeomen February 21. whereof some were executed at London and some in the Countrey Henry D. of Suffolke beheaded L. Thomas Gray apprehended and executed In the number of whome was also Lorde Thomas Gray brother to the sayde Duke being apprehended not long after in North Wales and executed for the same Sir Nicholas Throgmorton very hardly escaped as ye shall heare the Lord willing in another place The xxiiij of the same moneth the yeare of our Lorde 1554. Boner Bishop of London sent downe a Commission directed to all the Curates and Pastors of his dioces for the taking of the names of such as would not come the Lent following to auriculare confession February 24. and to the receyuing at Easter the copie of which monition heere followeth ¶ A monition of Boner Byshop of London sent downe to all and singular Curates of his Dioces for the certifying of the names of such as would not come in Lent to Confession and receiuing at Easter EDmund by the permission of God Byshop of London to all Parsons A monition of Boner B. of London to all ministers of his Dioces Vicares Curates and Ministers of the Church within the Citie and Dioces of London sendeth grace peace and mercy in our Lorde euerlasting For as much as by the order of the Ecclesiasticall lawes and constitutions of thys Realme and the lawdable vsage custome of the whole Catholicke Church by many hundreth yeares agone duely and deuoutly obserued and kept all faithfull people beeing of lawfull age and discretion are bounde once in the yeare at least except reasonable cause excuse them to be confessed to theyr owne proper Curate and to receaue the Sacrament of the aultar with due preparation and deuotion and for as much also as we be credibly enformed that sundry euill disposed and vndeuout persons geuen to sensuall pleasures and carnall appetites following the lusts of their body and neglecting vtterly the health of their soules do forbeare to come to confession according to the sayd vsage Comming to confession and to receaue the Sacrament of the aulter accordingly geuing therby pernicious and euill example to the yonger sort to neglect and contemne the same we minding the reformation heereof for our owne discharge Receiuing the sacrament of the aultar and desirous of good order to be kept and good example to be geuen do will and commaund you by vertue heereof that immediately vpon the receipt of this our commaundement yee and euery ech of you within your cure and charge do vse all your diligence and dexteritie to declare the same straightly charging and commaunding all your parishioners being of lawfull age and discretion to come before Easter next comming to confession according to the sayd ordinaunce and vsage and with due preparation and deuotion to receiue the sayd Sacrament of the aulter and that ye do note the names of all such as be not confessed vnto you and do not receiue of you the sayd Sacrament certifying vs or our Chauncellour or Commissary thereof before the sixt day of Aprill next ensuing the date heereof so that we knowing thereby who did not come to confession and receyuing the Sacrament accordingly may proceede agaynst them as beeyng persons culpable and transgressours of the sayd ecclesiasticall lawe and vsage Further also certifying vs or our sayd Chauncellour or Commissary before the day aforesayde whether ye haue your aultars set vp chalice booke vestiments and all things necessary for Masse and the administration of sacraments and sacramentals with procession and all other diuine seruice prepared and in readines according to the order of the Catholike Church and the vertuous and godly example of the Queenes Maiesties and if ye so haue not yee then with the Churchwardens cause the same to be prouided for signifying by whose faulte and negligence the same want or faulte hath proceeded and generally of the not comming of your parishioners to Church vndue walking talking or vsing of themselues there vnreuerently in the tyme of diuine seruice and of all other open faults and misdemeanours not omitting thus to doo and certifie as before as you will answere vpon your perill for the contrarye Geuen at London the 23. of
brought out of the Tower and committed to the custody of Syr Iohn Williams after Lord Williams of Tame of whom her highnes was gently and curteously entreated who afterward was had to Woodstocke and there committed to the keeping of Sir Henry Benifield Knight of Oxeborough in Northfolke Sir Henry Benefield who on the other side both forgetting her estate and his owne duty as it is reported shewed hymselfe more hard straight vnto her then either cause was geuen of her part or reason of his owne part would haue led him Iuly 20. K. Phillip arriueth at Southampton if either grace or wisedome in him might haue sene before what daunger afterward might haue ensued thereof Whereof we haue to entreate more at large the Lorde willing hereafter in the story life of Queene Elizabeth Upon the Friday following being the xx of Iuly and S. Margarets day the prince of Spaine laÌ„ded at South-hampton The Prince him selfe was the first that landed who immediately as he set foote vppon the land drew out his sword and caried it naked in his haÌ„d a good prety way King Phillip caryeth his sword naked comming into England The keyes of Southampton deliuered to K. Phillip Then met him without the Towne a little the Maior of Southampton with certayne Commoners who deliuered the keyes of the Towne vnto the Prince who remoued his sword naked as it was out of his right hand into his left hand and so receiued the keyes of the Maior without any word speaking or countenaunce of thankefulnes and after a while deliuered the keyes to the Maior againe At the Towne gate met hym the Earle of Arundell and Lord Williams and so he was brought to his lodging Upon the Wednesday following being S. Iames day Iuly 25. Mariage beâ—tweene K. Phillip anâ— Q. Mary and the xxv of Iuly Philip Prince of Spayne Mary Queene of England were maryed together solemnely in the Cathedrall Church at Winchester by the Byshop of Winchester in the presence of a great number of noble men of both the Realmes At the time of this mariage the Emperours Embassadour being present opeÌ„ly pronounced y t in coÌ„sideration of that Mariage the Emperour had grauÌ„ted giuen vnto his sonne the Kingdome of Naples c. Whereupon the first daye of August following there was a Proclamation that from that tyme foorth the style of all maner of writings should be altered August 1. and this following should be vsed ☞ Philip and Mary by the grace of God Kyng and Queene of England Fraunce Naples Ierusalem and Ireland defenders of the Fayth Princes of Spayne and Cicill Archdukes of Austrich Dukes of Millaine Burgundie and Brabant Counties of Haspurge Flaunders and Tyroll Of this Mariage as the Papistes chiefly seemed to be very glad so diuers of them after diuers studyes to shew forth their inward affections some made Interludes and Pagentes some drewe foorth Genealogies deriuing his petigrue from Edwarde the third and Iohn of Gaunte some made Uerses Amongst all other Mayster Whyte then Byshop of Lincolne his Poeticall vayne beeyng drunken with ioye of the Mariage spued out certayne Uerses the copy whereof we haue heere inserted ¶ Philippi Mariae Genealogia qua ambo Principes ex Iohanne de Gandauo Edwardi tertij Angliae Franciaeque Regis filio descendisse ostenduntur Whito Lincolniense Authore I Lle parens regum Gandaua ex vrbe Iohannes Somersetensem comitem profert Iohannem Somersetensis venit hoc patre dux Iohannes Qui Margaretam Richemundi habuit Comitissam Haec dedit Henricum qui regni septimus huius Henrico octauo solium regale reliquit Hoc patre propitio fausto quasi sydere nata Iure tenes sacram teneasque Maria coronam ¶ Verses of M. White Byshop of Lincolne concerning the Marriage of Philip and Mary NVbat vt angla anglo regina Maria Philippo Inque suum fontem regia stirps redeat Noluit humani generis daemon vetus hostis Sed Deus Anglorum prouida spes voluit Nollet Scotus inops timidusque ad praelia Gallus Caesar Italia Flandria tota volet Noluit Haereticus stirps Caiphae pontificum grex Pontificum sed grex Catholicus voluit Octo vxorati Patres in daemone nollent Quinque Cathenati pro pietate volent Noluit Iohannes Dâ—dley Northumbrius vrsus Sed fidum regni Consilium voluit Noluit aetatis nostrae Catelina Viatus Sed proceres plebs pia turba volet Nollet Graius dux Cantia terra rebellans Nos quoniam Dominus sic voluit volumus Clarior effectus repetat sua limina sanguis Cum sit Philippo iuncta Maria viro ¶ Aunswere by the reuerend Byshop of Norwich to the Byshop of Lyncolne EXterno nubat Maria vt regina Philippo Vt sint pulsa suis sceptra Britanna locis Vult Daemon generis nostri antiquissimus hostis Anglorum non vult anchora sola Deus Nolunt hoc Galli nolunt Scoti armipotentes Vult Caesar Flandrus vult Italus Golias Vult grex Pontificum stirps Caypha turba bicornis Ann. â—â—54 〈◊〉 Non vult sanctorum sed pia turba patrum Nolunt octo quibus sunt vincla iugalia curae Quinque cathenati Daemonis arte volunt Hoc neque tu prorsus Dudlaee animose volebas Inuitum regni Consilium voluit Dedecus hoc non vult fortissimus ille Viatus Inuitus populus sic proceresque volent Vos vultis quoniam semper mala cuncta voletis Non vulâ— Graius Dux nec pia turba volet Quot tulit Hispanus rex ergò commoda secum Reginae socias cum dedit ille manus ¶ Another aunswere by the sayd Author HIspano nubat Maria vt regina Philippo Extirpetur stirps vt quoque Nobilium Vult pater id vester disturbans omnia Daemon Non vult Anglorum sed pater Altitonans Non vult bellipotens Gallus non vult Scotus acer Vult Caesar Flandrus Papicolaeque volunt Grex mitratorum vult Cayphae ipsa propago Non vult sanctorum sed pius ordo patrum Nolunt octo pios qui iure colunt hymenaeos Quinque cathenati pro impietate volunt Dudlaeus minimè voluit Northumbrius Heros Cui sua perchara est patria nemo volet Libertatis amans non vult bonus ille Viatus Non proceres non plebs nec pia turba volet Vos vultis pietas qui vultis vt exulet omnis Non Graius sed nec Cantia turba volet Ergò magis clarus quî fit rogo sanguis auitus Quando iugalis sit iunctus vterque thoro ¶ Other Verses aunswering to Byshop White made by I. C. QVamlibet Anglorum stirps ementita Philippo Et Maria Hispana de genetrice fuit Vt tamen Hispano confusi sanguinis Angla Nuberet in gentis dedecus atque patris Noluit Anglorum priscae virtutis amator Sed Deus in nostram perniciem voluit Noluit in nostram nisi conspirata salutem Turba quid ad nos